Page 41 of Lavender and Honey

I felt my heart rate pick up, a flutter of nervousness in my stomach. This was the moment of truth, the conversation I had both dreaded and longed for.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. "I... I admit I was surprised when Soren told me that's what was happening. I didn't realize..."

Elias's warm hand found mine, his touch gentle and reassuring. "We should have been clearer from the start," he said softly. "That's on us, Lydia. We didn't mean to confuse or overwhelm you."

Soren leaned forward, his purple eyes serious. "We know this is a lot to take in since we are an already established pack.” He wasn’t wrong— usually if the pack had an Omega already mated and bonded like they were, they didn’t add another Omega into the mix. I had read about things like it happening before, but it was rare.

Lucian leaned forward, his grey eyes serious. "Courting, in our pack, is a serious commitment. It's not just dating or casual fun. When we court someone, we're considering them as a potential mate— a lifelong partner. We don’t do flings or go outside of our pack. That isn’t up for debate."

I nodded slowly, absorbing Lucian's words. The gravity of what they were offering— not just a relationship, but a potential lifelong commitment— both thrilled and terrified me.

"I understand," I said softly. "And I appreciate your honesty. But... Why me? You're already a bonded pack. Why would you want to add another Omega?"

Finn spoke up, his green eyes warm. "Because you're special, Lydia. From the moment Elias met you, he felt a connection. And as we got to know you, we've each felt it too."

Elias squeezed my hand gently. "You're talented, kind, and stronger than you give yourself credit for. We see the real you, Lydia, beyond just being an Omega."

Finn spoke up, his green eyes warm as he looked at me. "We want you to know that there's no pressure here, Lydia. We're interested in courting you, yes, but only if that's something you want too. Your comfort and happiness are our priority."

I felt a lump forming in my throat at his words. It had been so long since anyone had prioritized my feelings like that. "Thank you," I whispered. "That means a lot to me."

Elias squeezed my hand gently. "We know you've been hurt before," he said softly. "And we know trust doesn't come easily. We're willing to take all the time you need to make this work.”

I nodded slowly, feeling a mix of emotions swirling inside me. Their sincerity was palpable, their care for me evident in every word and gesture. But the fear of getting hurt again, of opening myself up only to be rejected, still lingered.

"I... I'm not sure what to say," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "This is all so new to me. I've never been courted before and I don’t know how to court you guys in return? Do I have to do anything?”

Elias gave a soft laugh, “No, as a pack we are courting you, someone without a pack. You don’t have to do anything but be yourself and let us spoil you.” I blushed at this, the heat coming off my cheeks making me want to duck my head and hide.

“Alright.” I whispered, glancing at all of them, “I want to try. I can’t say how fast or slow this will go…but I really want to try.”

As the words left my lips, I felt a weight lift from my shoulders. The room seemed to exhale with me, the tension dissipating like morning mist.

Elias's face lit up, his honey-warm scent spiking with happiness. "Really?" he asked, his voice filled with hope and excitement.

I nodded, a small smile tugging at my lips. "Really. I... I want to see where this goes."

Lucian pushed off from the mantel, his tall frame unfolding as he approached. He knelt in front of me, his steel-grey eyes intense but warm. "Thank you, Lydia," he said softly. "For giving us a chance. We promise to honor your trust and take things at your pace."

I nodded, feeling a mix of nervousness and excitement fluttering in my stomach. "So... what happens now?" I asked, glancing around at the four men.

Elias chuckled softly beside me. "Now, we court you properly," he said, his hazel eyes twinkling. "Dates, gifts, time spent together separately and together as a group.”

Elias gave a look at the others then back at me, “And on that note, will you do the honor of letting me take you out on the first date? Just you and me?”

I felt my cheeks warm at Elias's words, a mix of excitement and nervousness fluttering in my stomach. The idea of a date with Elias— just the two of us— was both thrilling and slightly terrifying.

"I... I'd like that," I said softly, meeting his warm hazel eyes. "What did you have in mind?"

Elias's face lit up with a bright smile, his honey-warm scent spiking with happiness. "I was thinking we could have a picnic in the park," he suggested. "I know a beautiful spot by the lake. I could pack us a basket of treats, and we could spend the afternoon talking and enjoying nature."

The idea sounded lovely— casual enough to put me at ease, but still romantic. I nodded, a small smile tugging at my lips. "That sounds perfect."

Elias's face lit up with a brilliant smile, his honey-warm scent spiking with happiness. "Wonderful," he said, his voice filled with genuine excitement. "How about tomorrow. You said you usually have Mondays off, correct?”

I nodded, a small smile tugging at my lips. "Tomorrow sounds good… and yes Mondays are usually my days off that I set for myself.”

Soren leaned forward, his purple eyes twinkling with mischief. "Just don't let him talk your ear off about sourdough starters," he chuckled, throwing a teasing glare to Elias, “He can go on for hours.”

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