Page 28 of Who We Were

A soft smile pulls at her plump lips. My mouth waters finally being close enough to notice just how pink they really are.God, she's stunning.

Beckett slides back into his seat, yanking my mate from whatever sweet memory she was lost in. I want to snap at my friend for stealing her from a nice moment since it seems like she hasn't had any for a while, but I rein my alpha in a little.

Unfortunately, Amaya seems to come to her senses. I want to blame the shit she's gone through for why she pulls away from me and scoots into the far corner of her booth seat, but I can't help the flare of insecurity that makes me gulp.

"My name is Vincent," I introduce myself while she studies me a little warily.

Beyond my scent, she's finally noticing my backwards ball-cap, neck tattoos, and all black clothing that is littered with rips.

I don't stand. She seems spooked and I refuse to be another reason she has to cry.If I scare her, I'll never forgive myself.

Her pretty gaze snaps to mine. "Amaya," she replies, and,thank fuck, she offers me a shy smile.

"I know," I reply against my better judgment.

Beckett curses, and Amaya frowns. Narrowing her attention on the other alpha, she raises a brow.There she is. There's the spark of life I knew was still in there.

"Uuhh." Beckett scratches his head.

"How do you know my name?" Amaya asks, turning to me with enough hesitation to make my heart clench.

I don't know what to say.Is it romantic that I've kept tabs on her? It's gonna have to be.

"Amaya—" Kate starts, but I wave her off.I need to be the one to tell her.

"I also scented you before the omegas were separated from us. Before I could find you." Kate's eyes widen, but I keep going. "I met Beckett a few months later when he came in to meet the kids he was going to be a check-in support for. We clicked?—"

"Yeah we did, buddy." Beckett smirks.

"Not the time," Kate murmurs to her alpha.

I soften my gaze back on my little omega. "After a while, I told him about my scent match that I didn't get to meet and described your scent. It just so happened that Kate kept coming home smelling of purple flowers."

Amaya studies me, then looks over at her friend, who gives her a sheepish nod.

"Beckett didn't share anything besides your name and that you were okay. Even though I pestered the shit out of him," I grumble.

"So you just guessed where I was living now? My only friend and her alpha didn't tell you where to find me?"

Okay, so, at least if she's angry with me, then she's angry with them. Right?

"I know it's?—"

"An invasion of privacy," Amaya finishes.

"But I'm not sorry."

"Oh?" There's a tiny curve to her lips that gives me courage. Even if she's upset with me, at least she's enjoying me grovel. I don’t move, although my knees are fucking protesting the tile floors at this point.

"Because I had to find you. 'Cus even if you send me packing with no hope of ever getting to know you, I will always need to know you're okay. I need to know where you are. Even if you are never mine, I will always be yours. And if you never want me, I have to know where you are because I'll always be here if you need me."

Slowly, my mate’s pink lips open in surprise, but I don't give her a moment to tease me or think about it too much.

"If that makes me a stalker, then so be it. Bottom line, little mate, you will never be alone again."

I'm finished now. I can fucking feel Kate and Beckett gaping at me, but I pay them no mind. All that matters now is what Amaya thinks of my declaration. Ofme. I meant what I said. I'm here to stay whether that's as a shadow or the one who gets to hold her close. No matter Amaya's response, she is my purpose and my future.

I don't realize my heart is thundering in my chest, nor do I realize my upper lip has begun to sweat. That is, until my omega, once again, soothes me with her gentle acceptance.

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