Page 72 of Talk About… Rivalry

I’d kept myself locked away for so long that this felt strange. Four men who not only wanted me, but wanted to listen and help me.

“Except the Whitakers,” Leo said, his eyes flickering to Maverick behind me. There wasn’t judgment, he was just asking for a reason.

“Mama Whitaker became my replacement mom. In some ways, my mother wasn’t wrong. My dad is cold. Growing up in that house was awful as an omega. No mother figure, no love or encouragement, only hard work. I had to fall in line or be rejected by him, too. They were my lifeline, the only thing keeping me from sinking.”

Leo scrubbed a hand over his face before reaching out and tugging me out of Maverick’s lap into his arms. He held me close as Mav grunted in annoyance.

I think he knew we both needed this.

“We’re not going to leave you, Sidney. I guess I can’t talk for everybody, but I’m not going anywhere,” Leo said firmly. “I want to get to know you again and I want you to get to know me.”

Bennett cleared his throat after a few moments.

Leo released me and I turned to face the alpha, chewing on my lip to see what he was going to say in all of this. He’d been too quiet after the big reveal.

“I’m obviously not going anywhere, either. I scented you and know that you’re mine, omega. So, I need you to tell us exactly how you want us to handle this heat.”

“Don’t claim me if you don’t want me,” I said, needing to get the words out. “If you have any doubts whatsoever donotgive me that part of yourself.”

“If you want me I’m yours, sunshine. I’m just happy you’re finally letting me in,” Taylor said gently, his dimples deepening with his smile. Just the sight of it had some of the tension ebbing away.

“I’m sorry,” I started to say but he shook his head, refusing to let me get more than that out.

“Don’t be. You’ve dealt with more than anybody should. Your mother was a terrible person for doing what she did to you and I’m so sorry that she put you through that. I’m sorry that your home life was not what it should have been. But I will spend the rest of my life showing you that you are worthy. Making sure you know what real love feels like. I’ve known for a while how I feel… I’m not walking away.”

Maybe it wasn’t fair of me, but the words that tumbled out of my mouth were the true depth of my vulnerability. I truly needed to hear this from every single one of them.

“Even if you find another omega to scent match with?”

He gave me a small smile. “If that were ever to happen, I would still never leave you, Sidney. I don’t say it lightly when I say that you’re mine. There’s no going back for me. I have an alpha and I have my omega.” He gestured around at the others. “And we have a pack. What more would I need?”

“You’re it for me Sidney. Even if I was too stupid to tell you,” Maverick promised. “I’m tired of fighting it.”

“Sounds like that’s settled,” Bennett said, giving me a grin that showed every bit of conviction he had for our pack. “Now the question is, what do we do to get this place ready? Because you sure as hell aren’t going back to your family ranch for a heat.”

I groaned “I’m going to have to call him at some point. I’ve been missing for days. I’ve never done that.”

“You’ve never done that… you’ve been gone for days… and your dad hasn’t reached out once?” Bennett asked, his anger flaring. Leo’s lips curled up in disgust.

Maverick was the only one who didn’t look shocked. He knew how Dad was.

“Her dad would have to care enough to realize she’s missing. Other than the fact that he’s having to make up for her work.”

“Uncle Dale would be more angry,” I admitted. “I’ve been trying to ease in a horse for him.”

“One of us can take you back to the ranch so you can pack up your things. You can talk to them then.”

Leo turned my attention back to him, his hands wrapping around mine. “You never have to go back there again, if you don’t want to. This can be our pack house. We can work on it as we stay here. It’s functioning enough to work. I’ll order furniture right now.”

His promise rang with sincerity. Relief poured through me, so strong my knees buckled.

I was so tired of fighting my instincts. Tired of being alone. Tired of holding my head up when all I felt like was falling apart.

They were offering me everything I’d ever wanted and I wanted to embrace it with my whole heart and soul.

But I couldn’t erase a lifetime of doubts in one evening.

Maybe my heat would change that, but for now I had no clue how to handle it all.

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