Page 125 of Claiming Their Omega

“Maybe. But it felt like a worthwhile tradeoff.”

“We didn’t want to push him,” Hendrix adds. “We had feelings for you, after all, and we were sure that we couldn’t have you. So we just let it be.”

“We didn’t know what to do or say to heal that hurt for him,” Easton adds. I can hear the ghost of frustration in his voice, and I know it must’ve driven him crazy, unable to take care of Cade in this way.

“But you did,” Cade says quietly. “You made me fall in love with you without even trying. The more I tried to deny it, the more obvious it got that I was already in love with you and I just didn’t want to admit it.”

“I get that,” I agree softly, resting my head on his shoulder. “I was the same way. I’ve known for a while how I’ve felt about you all. I just didn’t want to examine my feelings too closely or admit to them. I was scared. But I’m not scared anymore.”

“You scare me,” Cade admits, and I can feel him chuckle as I rest against his chest. “I like it, though. You keep me on my toes. And even though you scare me, you scare me in a good way. I never want to stop being scared by you, or by how much I want you.” He shakes his head. “Am I making any sense?”

“Yes,” I assure him, nodding as I cup his cheek with my hand. “I get it, Cade. I really do. I see you, and I understand you.”

Cade flushes, adoration burning in his eyes as he rests a hand over mine. He’s not a man of many words, but I love how he’s let me into the deepest parts of himself, despite the fear and discomfort of opening his heart. I know saying all of that must have been hard for him, and it means a lot to me that he got it out anyway.

Easton still has a hold of my other hand. He squeezes it, and I look over at him. He smiles gently.

“We love everything about you, princess. So many Omegas could ask for help in a situation like yours, and I wouldn’t blame them. But they would have just left as soon as they could.”

I open my mouth to protest, and Easton holds his other hand up to stop me. “I know what you’re going to say, and yes, that was your original plan. But even when you planned to leave, you jumped right into helping us around the ranch. You were so kind and thoughtful. You fit into our lives like you had always been here, and the longer you stayed, the more I realized you would take a piece of my heart with you if you ever left. You brought us all back to life, in our own ways, and you filled this house with so much love and joy. You’ve got such an amazing heart, Grace. We’re incredibly lucky that you chose to give it to us.”

I take a shuddering breath as I blink away tears, completely overwhelmed by the love that he and the other three men are showing me. I had hope that they would reciprocate my feelings, of course. But hope is no substitute for the confirmation. For the real thing.

I kiss Easton softly, then Jesse, then Hendrix, then Cade. They curl around me, protective and indulgent, and I bask in their love.

They really are so good to me. I’m just glad I can be good to them too. I revel in the glow of their affection, enjoying the comfort and bliss after that horrible night and the fear and pain I went through.

As if they can read my thoughts—which they probably can, I realize, due to the bond we share—the men exchange serious looks.

“I’m okay,” I say softly, reassuring them. “I’m okay.”

“Yeah,” Hendrix agrees, his voice strained. “But you almost weren’t.”

“We love you.” Easton’s eyes darken a bit. “And we almost lost you.”

Cade tightens his grip on me, and I let myself sink into his hold and enjoy his warmth and safety as I whisper, “You didn’t.”

“But we almost did.” Jesse shakes his head, his expression turning serious. “And we need to figure out exactly what happened.”

“It couldn’t have just been a random event,” I say. “I mean—I’m sure things start up accidentally. I remember you teaching me all about hay fires and how to prevent them.”

When you stack hay bales, the internal temperature of the hay can reach really high temperatures, far higher than people expect. If anything then creates enough friction or causes a spark, the whole entire collection of hay can combust and be on fire in seconds.

It’s important to check the temperature of the hay and stack it so it’s not all in one big pile, and make sure none of it’s gotten damp and is rotting and molding where you can’t see it, which’ll cause a whole other set of problems.

“But…” I hesitate, chewing on my lower lip. “I know we checked it just the other day. It might’ve been a problem and I’m almost sure the fire started there, but I don’t think it was spontaneous.”

Hendrix nods slowly. “I think that if I were going to set a fire in a barn, I’d start it in the hay, because I know that’ll burn quickly and well.”

“You think it was arson?” I whisper, my stomach curling at his words despite the fact that my thoughts were heading in the same direction.

“I think it’s pretty damn obvious it was arson,” Jesse growls. “We’re all responsible about the ranch, every part of it, and I know that you are too, Grace. The damn thing wasn’t struck by lightning.”

“It has to be the McAllisters,” Cade agrees, his voice tense. “Nobody else would do something like that.”

“I didn’t see anyone,” I admit. “I’m so sorry. I had no idea—I mean, I heard something, that’s what made me go down and investigate, and that’s how I saw the fire. But before that, I was in bed, writing. I didn’t even hear a car roll up.”

“They probably expected you to be with us at the auction,” Jesse says.

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