Not Many Options

by Jillian West

No one is ever truly one hundred percent safe, but if you can't trust another woman then… shit, the world is worse off than even I imagined.

I do love a good mystery. Actually, there's very little in life I enjoy more than unraveling a good puzzle.

Finnegan Sunderland is tall and slender. His reddish-blond hair is messy in a purposeful way. The top is longer with a host of thick curls. His face is covered in a few days' growth of stubble in the same color.

I've always found big guys attractive. Feeling petite is unusual for me.

I'm over here reacting to their alpha scents. The omega thirst trap is real.

"You've got to stop apologizing," Killian says. "You're killing me."

When you've been so wrong about someone in the past it can be truly terrifying to consider trusting someone again.

Spend enough time alone and you'll find yourself not only talking to yourself, but also answering your own questions.

Men are handy to lift shit and kill spiders, but they aren't necessary to be happy. Finding my independence, taking care of my girls, and standing on my own two feet are far more likely to give me true happiness than any man ever could.

If my mom wants to claim she's two inches taller than she is, my dads and I have all silently agreed to ignore the fact she's delusional.

Biology doesn't necessarily make a family. Giving love, being there no matter what, putting up with those terrible teenage years despite the kid's shitty attitude… All those things are what defines a parent.

if people show you who they are, believe them.

"I've had two kids, I'm pretty sure it's a better view when you're on top."

"You're a great mom. No matter who else they have in their lives they'll always love you in a completely different way than anyone else. You survived in triage mode for too long. Everything that had to be done, you did it. I get that it feels like you're dropping the ball." He rubs tender circles on my back. "That's not how it is. You gained a couple of teammates. We all get to carry the ball now. Do you understand?"

"You know Riles, I've just got to say…" Jasper grins, swiping a tear off my cheek. "That ass though." He laughs. "Highlight of my week," he adds wistfully.

"Made threats to set her on edge? Threatened her where he knew it would hurt the worst? She'd never even been on a date until I took her to the lighthouse."

I'm not ashamed to admit that I've got a slight obsession with being caged in by a strong alpha.

Omegas are exceptionally resilient. Fuck, vaginas in general are.

Finnegan Sunderland might be right. This is absolutely my favorite winter of all the winters.

I didn't realize how much fun kids were until I started hanging out with Cove. Lily is cool too, but she still craps herself, so I think we'll bond more when she gets older. Though I do find it incredibly precious when she's so hungry she tries to eat your face off.

Sunde grins. "I'm to find you and send you in. The nest is lacking in your scent and our neurotic little omega needs your come to add to the smells."

Seeing her happy is like a drug. I crave it more than anything else. I'm attracted to her on a baser level I didn't realize existed. Seeing her take care of her girls? Watching her light up at one of Sunderland's cheesy jokes? Knowing she trusts Kills despite his massive size? Or the way she gives Jasper the benefit of the doubt when so many of us have warned her away? All of it draws me to her and makes me yearn for her in a way I can't explain. My dads used to tell me and my brothers that you'll know you've found the one when their happiness becomes more important than your own.

"You'll never be rid of me now," he says, tilting my mouth to his. "Never wanna be," I whisper against his lips.

"Each year, they'll add another pearl to the necklace and bracelet," Gramps says, swallowing thickly. "You'll give it to them when they turn eighteen. I likely won't be around then, but let them know it's from me." Riley blinks at him with tears in her eyes. "The same tradition you did with your omega?" She gasps, giving Gramps a hug. "Thank you, what an amazing legacy. Hopefully, they'll be able to do the same with their daughters one day."