Not Many Options

by Jillian West

Men are handy to lift shit and kill spiders, but they aren't necessary to be happy.

I position Cove in the middle and she blinks up at me. "Don't leave me," she whispers. Her small hand finds mine and I realize I'm in real trouble. Is it possible to lose your heart to more than one person at a time? It absolutely has to be.

How could anyone be faced with the unfaltering love of a child and walk away? That bastard must not have three brain cells to rub together.

These ladies are definitely dangerous to a man's heart. My mom always said my indifference to the opposite sex would end one day.

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.

"Don't say anything more," I grind out. "If he has something in his past he thinks I need to know, then he'll tell me. I don't want to hear anything else about it. I like Killian. More than that, I trust him."

Harold assured me it's completely solid all the way around, but I've just realized I might have a bit of a fear of heights so I cling on to the railing for dear life. Riley the stupid, brave girl has no fear.

"Oh Finn, come see this." "Can't darling, I think I must stay right here within stepping distance of the door."

This darling little treasure may not yet realize it, but she'll never be rid of me now.

"You're absolutely going to be mine one day, darling. I'm going to sink my teeth in so deep, no one will have a single doubt about who you belong to."

"Fear not, I'll belong to you in return."

"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."

"That's not how it is. You gained a couple of teammates. We all

get to carry the ball now. Do you...

"Did Jasper do something to upset you?" Killian asks. "No," I whisper. "No way." He nods, pulling my head to his purring chest. "Good, he's growing on me. Would've been a shame if I had to kill him."

"But she also said if you're too worn down to enjoy it, you'll regret it one day. This time will go by quickly in the grand scheme of things. Accept the help if you have it. Don't judge yourself, consider it an investment in your future. If you're exhausted and worn down all the time, you'll regret not being able to enjoy it more."

I've just realized I'm quite literally done for. She's my omega, my perfect fit, and I intend to make her mine.

I'm in love with Riley Thomas and I'm going to make her mine in every way a man can.

"Come along children," he says to us. He's got Lily strapped to his chest in a baby-backpack of some form. Baby chest pack? Hell if I know, but he's also holding Cove's hand. That man is seriously fucking oblivious…

Cannon guides Riley toward us, she's pulled in close to his side and he's grinning down at her like he's just as fucked as the rest of us.

Jasper fucking Cleary is strapped into a baby chest pack and he's chattering away with Cove. Yup, we're all good and fucked.

She's my absolute favorite person. Shit, it's quick. My dads said when you know, you know. And I have no doubts. I know. My pulse picks up so fast I can feel it thumping in my neck and ears. I fell in love with Riley.

"Nah, you had me!" Cove declares, squeezing his neck for dear life. "Love you Kiki!" My jaw falls open. Killian stares down at her in bewilderment for a few solid seconds before growling at her. It's a playful, sweet growl.

"That's how Mr. Mason says he loves you too!" Cove says. She nods and beams. Mason is Killian's dad. My heart simultaneously melts and tries to pound right out of my damn chest.

"You haven't even opened it." "It's the thought that counts," I say, nuzzling my cheek against his. Jasper looks shocked. "That's the way it's supposed to go when you give someone a gift," Cannon says, patting Jasper on the back.

"You guys," I say, glancing between the four of them. "Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. I never expected or needed anything this lavish." "That's exactly why it's so easy to give," Jasper says. He yanks me back into his lap. "Last gift?"

It's quick, but my impulses are in agreement… I've found my pack.

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

"It gave me an opportunity to get to know Gramps." Jasper's face breaks into a devastatingly handsome grin. "Gramps? I think he once threatened to break my voice box if I ever called him that again."

"She's a whole lot prettier than you. Smarter too." He winks at me. "I recommend holding on tight to that one." Cannon's jaw actually falls open. My breath catches in my lungs. Jasper just smirks down at me, already holding on tight.

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. The other morning I was nuzzling my cheek to hers and the little beast tried to feed from my cheek.

"The darling omega loves Kills and me!” "What?" I hiss. I fucking missed out on declarations of love? For Jasper? Ugh, right. I'm not allowed to be a dick to him anymore.

"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 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. I scoot ...

"Need you to know." I swallow thickly. "I think you're supposed to be with us. I want to bond you, make you mine, love you for the rest of my life."

"One final gift for each of the girls," my grandfather pulls out two small necklace size boxes. He hands one to Riley and she opens it. "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 a...

"You're going to love me one day," Ravvi says to Cove. She sticks her tongue out at him and runs into Riley's legs. "It's okay. I can wait." He follows her over, patting her on the back.

"We're all going to be family," Ravvi says the last bit to Riley. She snorts a laugh. It's hard to believe, but they warned us. Ravvi is very sure he's meant to end up with Cove.

The doorbell rings and Alec and Jake bolt down the stairs into the room. They're thirteen, and there's no doubt about it—Killian's their dad. "We got this," Jake says, opening the door and shoving his way outside. Alec is hot on his heels.

"Is no one seriously going to stop the twins?" Cove asks, frowning out the window. Killian looks too and sighs. "Aww shit," he grumbles and bolts for the door. "Someone get the ice packs."