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Sometimes the idea of having a strong, manly alpha do physical labor for you just made sense.
It was a big cosmic joke and I was the punchline.
I was fairly practiced at not letting it go to my head. Fairly practiced but not, you know, immune.
James Chen was a vet, Rome’s longtime partner and from what little I had seen of him around town — the perfect, charming counterpoint to Rome’s darker intensity.
“You think a lot of yourself, don’t you, Rome?” I teased him lightly. His answering smile made my chest flutter peculiarly. “You should try it sometime, Ivy.”
“You’re a bad influence, Ivy Winter,” he said, his voice like velvet. It was the first time in my life anyone had called me a bad influence. It was…ill-fitting and a badge of honor at the same time.
You’re just Ms. Winter. Wrangler of children, and — I glanced down at my shapeless woolen sweater — sexless caterpillar.
He was a beta, the most common designation. But there was absolutely nothing common about him.
Was I allowed to be alone with that blinding smile without a chaperone?
“Oh my god, it’s happening, I can’t believe it,” he muttered urgently. “Rome, it’s Felix.”
Felix was watching me. Looking outrageously smug. This was getting out of hand. I bent down, getting eye to eye with him so I could lay down the law. Man to…cat. Only to be hit with a burst of Ivy Winter’s delicate gingerbread scent. Fuck. It had been months since I first scented her and it hadn’t lost its allure. Not one bit. In fact, I think it was getting worse.
Music gave me calm, my family gave me love and the small town they raised me in kept me safe.
Why were people feeding me against my will today? Not that I was mad about it but still…boundaries and all that.
I don’t think I would ever wipe the memory of her explaining that one day I would not only crave group sex but require it for my health.
But thanks to my bleak love life, I’d watched hundreds of kids in my classroom discover what made them spark. If that was my legacy, then so be it.
“But I only have teacher money, not fuck you money,”
All I knew was that when Ivy looked at me, I didn’t feel the need to hide.
Logan had kissed me like we had forever, then Rome kissed me like he was going to keep me forever.
“I can recommend some TikToks for you if you think women do not like a gruff man who’s good with his hands,”
“Don’t let me fuck up,” he pleaded finally.
The screech that escaped me was proof I was the furthest thing from an elite predator on the food chain.
“What happened at the school was…unexpected. But none of us have any regrets being there for you when you needed us.” Rome’s expression softened. “We would only have regrets if we never got the chance to court you properly.”
The town weren’t gawking, they were…looking out for me.
It was a small gesture but it made a million butterflies come alive within me. Beating tiny wings that fanned my instincts. Automatically showing care and support when things went wrong. Letting it bring us closer, leaving no one out.
“This was a good idea. Thanks, man,” Logan said, unfazed that he was not a Disney princess.
“Whatever it is…never forget that you’re on the same team. It’s not me versus you, but us against the problem.”
It did make more sense to take her home to her nest. But reconnecting as a pack came first. Showing her we hadn’t given up on her came first.
“It’s not something you’re meant to fix on your own,” I told her gently. “We’re a pack.” A flicker of understanding crossed her face. “Us against the problem,” she said quietly to herself.
“If those were not things you wanted for yourself, giving them to us would be meaningless.”
“This is fun for you?” she asked, her voice strained with need. No, it was utter torture. But worth it.
“Pack,” I whispered. Saying it out loud made me feel weightless. Logan kissed my nose. “Glad you’re finally getting it, princess.”
“You’ve given me a lot of power right now.” I smiled. “I know.” “I could use it for evil.” “You won’t.” He sighed. “Now you’ve ruined it and summoned my conscience.”
Revenge and organization. Was there no depth to the ways this man could make me swoon?
Small steps. Relearn. Rewire. You’re no longer alone.
“I know you were only trying to help.” His huff spoke volumes. You should’ve been grateful, you silly twit. “You really do know better.”
Incorrigible, up-to-no-good deviant.
“No actual murder,” I whispered. I felt like it was really needed to clarify that. “Don’t do anything that will get you arrested.” Sean wasn’t worth that. “Of course not, princess. Only what he deserves.”
“I was waiting for you before I even knew you were meant to be mine. What’s another year or two?”
