Page 67 of Talk About… History

Why keep secrets now?

“Why are they still breathing?” Ford asked Arden, who to his credit, didn’t look opposed to the idea of my exes being buried six feet under. I wasn’t sure I was opposed to that idea either.

“Their reputation means more to them than anything. Hit them where it hurts,” I said instead, anger slowly replacing the disgust. “More ammo for Lance. I’ll call him today.”

“Okay then, for now, let’s focus on us and how delicious our omega looks fresh from bed,” Ford said sleepily as he came over and brushed a kiss over my lips then collapsed next to me. His fingers trailed along my exposed skin on my thighs, just the gentlest of touches that kept me grounded.

“Coffee kind of morning?” Arden asked, amused by Ford’s dramatics.

“Yes, please,” Ford muttered, his voice almost slurring. I had a feeling he wasn’t an early riser and only got up early because he heard us.

“Where’s Mason?” I asked. “He doesn’t strike me as a guy who sleeps in.”

“Ugh, he’s not. That asshole wakes up early and exercises.” Ford sounded so disgusted all three of us burst into laughter.

It chased away the lingering blues lingering around. I wasn’t exactly ‘over’ it all, but I was compartmentalizing for now. Letting it rob me of time with my pack was something I couldn’t keep doing.

“He went for a run just before you woke up,” Cohen added as he got back to work finishing up breakfast. “He promised dish duty. You can help him, Ford.”

Ford gave a thumbs up but I don’t think his eyes opened once. Arden didn’t ask how he liked his coffee, instead just making it sweet and creamy before sliding it over.

He perked up long enough to suck down half the cup in one go. Eyes still closed, he took a breath then finished the rest quickly, putting the empty mug in the sink right as Mason came back in.

“Good morning, baby,” Mason said, giving me a kiss on the head as he passed. “I’m going to shower so I can join you for breakfast. These trails out here are gorgeous by the way, Cohen. I’m sold.”

“He was already sold,” Ford said. “He was talking about collecting boxes today.” A yawn muffled the last of his words but he looked a bit more human post-coffee, which only made his own coffee and cream scent stronger.

A pang of worry went through me. They were all moving in here, focusing on making a strong pack… and me? I would be at home still.

It had my gut twisting into knots but I wasn’t going to solve it surrounded by their scents.

“It’s finished, let’s move to the table,” Arden suggested as he took platters of food to the dining table.

Ford stopped touching me long enough to walk me to the table but Mason was faster, pulling me into his lap and burying his nose in my hair. His apple, cedarwood, and fresh fallen leaves scent was warm and strong after his shower and it wrapped around me, soothing the hurt and anger that had risen earlier.

“Why is your scent off?” he demanded, voice harsh as he eyeballed the others. Arden didn’t even flinch, just giving a quick explanation that had Mason’s hands wrapping tighter around me.

“Give me one solid reason not to hunt them down?” Mason pleaded. Even though his voice was muffled by my neck, the others heard.

“I’m trying to convince myself of the same,” Cohen admitted, Ford agreeing easily. I bit back a smile, secretly loving that these men were ready and willing to fight for me. We’d been a pack for mere days and it already felt like I knew them for my entire life.

I had sign after sign that they were going to be different and I continued to struggle to trust that their bad side wasn’t going to pop up at any minute, proving I was still an idiot to trust anyone.

“Whatever your brain is telling you right now, baby, it’s lying,” Mason rumbled in my ear, voice low so no one else could hear him quietly call me out. I glanced around but everyone was busy filling their own plates and mine.

Arden slid my plate closer, silently telling me to eat but I filled Mason’s empty plate instead.

“Thank you,” he murmured, shifting me sideways and combining our plates. My cheeks flushed when I realized what he was doing, lifting his fork to my lips so I would take a bite.

He was feeding me like I couldn’t feed myself. Should I be embarrassed? I wasn’t sure but the truth was, my omega was loving it. Every time they showed me a bit of care and comfort I clung to it desperately.

“Don’t overthink it,” Arden said easily, pouring me a cup of orange juice and sliding it closer, giving me a look that said he definitely approved of Mason’s move.

“Okay,” I relented, opening my mouth obediently for another bite and trying to ignore the warmth rising in my body. This shouldn’t be turning me on, but it was.

“I just needed to know you were cared for properly,” Mason admitted, giving me a bite of syrup coated pancake.

When a drop slid down my lip, he leaned forward and his tongue darted out, cleaning the sticky sweetness from my skin with a grin.

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