Page 52 of Accidentally Forever

She’ll be more than happy to take all they have to give but Violet isn’t submissive like that. She’s softer but still hard to read at times. Like now. I drag my thumb across the heat of her cheek, watching the way she leans into it, maybe without even realizing. “You want a bite, dove? Or is that just for Sofie?”

Her body tenses, the hesitation so slight, so quick, that most people wouldn’t have caught it. But I do. I see the way her fingers twitch against me, the way her throat works as she swallows, how her gaze flicks away just for a second. And then she softens again like I hadn’t even asked the question.

“There are four Alphas vying for your attention, sweetheart,” I murmur, letting my lips graze her ear, feeling the way she shudders against me. “It’s only a matter of time.”

Her breath slips out in something close to a sigh. “It wasn’t something I always thought about,” she admits. “But in the last week? The way I look at things has changed. I want that familial tie-in,” she says, like she’s only just realizing it as the words leave her lips. “That sense of belonging. And now that Sofie is safe, now that she’s cared for and not fighting just to get through every day… I don’t feel so guilty about being happy too.”

I wasn’t expecting her to just say it, to lay it out in the open, to strip it down to its rawest form and hand it to me without hesitation. No coyness, no avoidance, no deflection. Just truth. Just want. Just the first glimpse of what she’s finally allowing herself to have. I press my lips to her forehead, lingering there for a long moment, breathing her in, letting it settle. “You’re amazing, you know that?”

Chapter thirty-nine

VIOLET

Speaking with Puma gave me some clarity and warmth I didn’t know I needed. Being around him always does. It’s like I seek out the comfort he provides in a way that I don’t with the other Alphas. Gray is always around when I need that extra smile, Lance a breath of fresh air, and Hawk a quiet fortress. But with Puma… I can justbe. I can say whatever is on my mind and he either understands or helps me think through it.

They all see me in different ways—even Sofie, but it’s a nice feeling that I always have somewhere to land. The moment I emerge from the office, Sofie pops off the couch, runs for my hand and drags me into her nest. The door is promptly shut and locked after us as I’m pulled into a land of pillows and blankets. Two seconds later my Omega is wrapped around me, her head tucked beneath my chin. Her favorite pillow is by her head, the one we nearly died retrieving when she had another spike.

“Hey, baby, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong. But you needed to talk.”

I snort, wondering yet again how I never figured out we were mates. We feel each other out like most people do with bonds. “Yeah, I guess. We’ve been here for a little while and I’m just wondering if you want more.”

I wait for the words to hit, for her to truly understand what I mean and the squeal that comes from her as head shoots up, knocking my jaw tells me she gets it. “Sorry, Vi. But really? Oh my god. They want us forever? That’s what Puma said, right? Lance and Hawk said it too and Gray says if you try to leave he’s going to find you and fuck you right there. Don’t laugh at me, that’s what he said! But they’re ours, right?”

“Breathe, baby,” I laugh. Sofie’s flushed, excitement flooding her features, those hazel eyes rapidly searching my face. “Yeah, they’re ours.” I tug her back toward me, my hands settling on her waist as I press a small kiss to the bridge of her nose.

“Wait.”

I still, unsure of what she needs. Her scent hasn’t shifted and she doesn’t seem in pain so I just hold there, waiting for her to explain.

She sits up fully, glaring down at me as her hair falls over her shoulder. “What doyouwant, Vi?”

A laugh slips out before I can stop it, caught off guard by the sudden shift. “What?”

Sofie narrows her eyes. “Don’t ‘what’ me. I know you. I know you’re always thinking about me first. So, I’m asking. What. Do. You. Want?”

I reach up, my fingers sliding into her hair before caressing her cheek. She nuzzles into my palm, patiently waiting for my answer. “Yeah, baby. I want this. I want us to have this together.” She huffs out a little noise before curling back into my chest but now I have a question, one I’ve been avoiding for a while. Omegas are supposed to be the center of their universe and I’m still having a mild problem that Sofie isn’t. Not because I think she’s having an issue with it but because I’ve been taught that she’s supposed to. “Are you really okay with this dynamic?”

Sofie snorts, giggling into my chest. “Vi, you deserve to be the center of someone’s universe. And if that means four universes, then so be it.” She pulls back again, letting me see those hazel eyes again. “Vi, you will always be my Beta but you’re allowed to be their Beta too.”

“God, I love you,” I murmur against her lips before kissing her, taking what’s mine. She tastes like warmth, like home, like something I don’t have to fight for anymore. Her fingers curl against my shirt, and I soak in everything—the scent of her, the softness of her skin, the feel of her smile against my mouth.

The moment is dashed by my phone vibrating in my pocket. An irritated growl rips from my throat as I tear away from Sofie and pull it out, ready to chuck it against the wall. Except for the fact that it’s an unknown number.

Sofie groans, flopping onto her back, glaring up at the ceiling. “Tell them to go away. I want my Beta to fuck me.”

“So that’s really why you dragged me in here, wasn’t it?” The phone is still ringing in my hand and I hesitate before answering it and bringing it to my ear. “Hello?”

The voice on the other end is clipped, all business. “Ms. Torres? This is Officer Hale with the Ansdale PD. We’d like to ask you a few questions regarding the Ashford case and the allegations surrounding the gallery. Would you be willing to come down to the station?”

My heart drops into my stomach as I sit up straight, all of my nerves immediately shot to hell. Puma told me everything there was to know but that doesn’t make it any easier to hear that it’s real. “The Ashford case?”

Sofie tenses beside me. The officer continues, like this is just another call, just another routine inquiry. After all, no one knows Sofie and I are currently with the Ashford pack or this would be a very different call, I’m assuming. “Yes, ma’am. We can either come to your residence or you can come down to the station. Your choice.”

I don’t even know what the fuck they think I know, but my gut is screaming at me that this is bad. That this isn’t just some casual questioning, not just some formality. They’re looking for something. They’re looking for someone. I also don’t want them showing up here because that would derail everything we’ve started, not to mention that the officers will think we’re involved.

And I wouldn’t care but I still have Sofie to think about. I take a slow breath, forcing my voice steady. “I’ll come to the station.” I quickly hang up, stuffing my phone into my pocket and head for the kitchen to find my keys. Sofie is right behind me, her bare feet slapping against the wood, each and every one of our Alphas looking up at our entrance. Well, fuck, this is going to be an awkward conversation.

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