Font Size:

"I'm the self-appointed town welcoming committee," Micah said with a warm chuckle, his scent wrapping around me like comfort food for my soul. "I like to bring something for anyone new who moves to Hollow Haven. Hope you like chocolate chip. I may have gone a little overboard with the chips."

"I love chocolate chip," I said, accepting the plate. The cookies were still warm, and the smell of them made my mouth water. "How did you know I was arriving today?"

"Small town," Micah said with a shrug. "Word travels fast. Plus, Jonah mentioned you'd be moving in this week."

"Jonah mentioned me?"

Something flickered in Micah's expression, amused and fond and maybe a little knowing. "Let's just say he's been looking forward to meeting the new neighbor."

Before I could unpack what that meant, another voice called from the street.

"Micah! You better not be hogging all the introductions."

This alpha was different from the other two, taller, broader, with dark hair and the kind of roguish smile that probably got him in trouble on a regular basis. He wore a tool belt slung low on his hips and had sawdust in his hair, like he'd come straight from some construction project.

"Reed Thornton," he said, extending a paint-stained hand. "Local handyman. Your landlord has me on contract for maintenance issues, so if anything breaks or needs fixing, just give me a call." He pulled a business card from his back pocket and handed it to me. "I keep pretty flexible hours."

I took the card, noting the simple design and the way his fingers brushed mine during the exchange. "That's good to know. Thank you."

"Course, even if you weren't technically my responsibility, I'd still offer to build you whatever furniture you're missing," Reed added with that roguish grin.

"I don't think that will be necessary, but I appreciate the offer," I said, shaking his hand and trying not to notice the way his scent made my pulse skip. Even though I knew I shouldn’t I still found myself breathing in it in, something outdoorsy and clean, like pine and honest sweat.

"We'll see about that," Reed said with a grin that was all sharp edges and charm. "Fair warning: Jonah's gonna want to fix everything that's broken in your place, Micah's gonna try to feed you into a sugar coma, and I'm gonna offer to build you custom storage solutions whether you need them or not."

The casual way he said it, like the three of them came as a package deal, made something flutter in my chest.

"And what's the catch?" I asked, surprising myself with my boldness.

His grin widened. "No catch, sweetheart. We just take care of our own around here."

Our own. Like I was already part of something, already claimed by this strange little corner of the world. Like belonging was as simple as showing up.

"I can take care of myself," I said, the words automatic after two years of Marcus telling me I couldn't.

"'Course you can," Reed said easily, no judgment in his voice. "Doesn't mean you have to."

The simple acceptance in his words, no attempt to argue or convince, no hidden agenda, made my throat tight. When was the last time someone had offered help without expecting something in return?

"I should warn you," I said, trying to match his light tone, "I'm not very good at letting people help."

"Lucky for you, we're not very good at taking no for an answer." He winked. "Don't worry, we'll wear you down eventually."

Despite myself, I laughed. "Is that a threat or a promise?"

"Both," he said cheerfully. "Sleep tight, Kit. Tomorrow's gonna be interesting."

He sauntered away with the kind of confidence that came from knowing exactly who he was and where he fit in the world.

Micah rubbed the back of his neck in that purely masculine way, and shook his head fondly. “He means that in a totally friendly way.” He hit me with a boyish grin as he rolled his eyes at his friend. “Have a good night, Kit. Stop by the bakery if you get a chance.” Then he turned and left.

I watched until he disappeared around the corner, then closed the door and leaned against it.

Three alphas. Three very different, very appealing alphas who all seemed determined to welcome me into their lives.

Exactly what I came here to avoid.

But as I looked around the empty duplex, at the bare walls and uncurtained windows, at the lonely little box of my possessions, and the plate Micah's still-warm cookies in my hands, I couldn't quite bring myself to regret it.