Page 59 of These Bonds that Unite Us
“I am yeah. That’s how we met, actually. I was their tour photographer.”
“Was it hard being on the road without a nest?”
“I had a mini-nest on my tour bus,” I tell him. “My adoptive parents got it for me and my best friend as a graduation gift. She’s an assistant band manager at the guy’s label now, and she was working with the band opening for them during the tour.”
“That sounds lovely! A mini-nest and working with your friends. What got you into photography?”
Abby pulls Titan to the other side of the island and sets him to work peeling and dicing potatoes.
I watch with a smile as he diligently works alongside her. The soft jokes they share and the easy conversation between them show how close they are. I’m glad Tee has someone like her in his life—both of them really—especially after growing up with his parents as role models.
“It was one of my dad’s ideas. He got me a camera for Christmas the year they adopted me. I think he only thought I would use it to document my new life, but it quickly turned into so much more. I fell in love with the feeling I get behind the lens. Capturing other’s emotions. When one of my friends at the DAU suggested I cover one of their protests, I decided I could see myself making the hobby a side job, but after my first Candy Courage concert I knew I wanted to make it a full career.”
Abby slides glasses of sweet tea across the counter to both of us before offering me a plate of fruits and cheeses. I gratefully accept, nibbling on the snacks as I talk to Kipp. I tell him about the wide variety of shoots I’ve done but mention my focus is mostly protests and concerts.
“What about you?” I ask after a few minutes, ready to take some of the attention off of me. “Do you work?”
Kipp beams, patting the stool he’s sitting on. “I have my own woodworking business.”
Surprise covers my face as I glance down at the empty seats between us. “You made these?” They’re crafted from a light wood with intricate rattan patterns woven onto the back. “They’re beautiful.”
He waves off my compliment, his cheeks turning bright pink. “They were something I did for fun. It helps me focus my energy when my alphas are away for work. Abby’s restaurant is across the river in Trenton, but my other alpha mates–Canyon and Bowie–own a shipping company. They sometimes have to travel away from home for short periods.”
“It’s nice you found a creative outlet to help manage your stress! It has to be difficult being so far apart.”
“Oh, it is,” a new voice jumps in. Looking over my shoulder, I see a tall dark-haired alpha leaning in the doorway. “Don’t let his nonchalance fool you, he’s a bear when either of us is gone forlonger than a day or two. Poor Abby and Juny–our beta mate–have their hands full managing his tantrums.”
“Bowie, don’t tattle,” Kipp pouts. He slips off of his stool and crosses the room to wrap himself around his alpha.
It’s bittersweet watching the two of them look so in love, but I shake the feeling off. My own unhappiness shouldn’t taint my ability to be happy for others.
“I’m an omega. We aren’t built to be away from our mates. Right Omen?” He tracks over the dark circles beneath my eyes as he gives me a knowing look. I guess he did notice the signs of my rejection after all.
“Right,” I agree with a tight smile. The situations are completely different, but I’m not going to try to argue with him. I’m a guest in his house, it would be rude.
“Up for a race?” Bowie asks Titan suddenly. My head tilts in confusion as I glance between the two of them. Race like on his bike? “Maybe you can finally beat me with your mate cheering you on.”
“You’re on old man,” Titan grunts. He offers me a hand and pulls me into his side. To my surprise, we head out back where their pack has a huge patio and a cute little garden. The biggest feature of the space though is their pool.
As Bowie and Titan both strip off their shirts, I realize they must be talking about swimming.
“Here, we can sit at the table, well away from the splash zone.” Abby points out a large rectangular table with matching chairs. Given the light wood and sturdy, imperfect craftsmanship I can tell Kipp made this set too. I wonder if he does commissions. The back patio at the guy’s house could use a personal touch like this…
My thoughts are derailed when Titan shimmies out of his jeans leaving the huge alpha in only a pair of black compression shorts. The sight of his well-defined abs and tattoo-covered bodyhas drool pooling in my mouth. I trail my gaze lower and nearly choke when I spot the bulge along his thigh.
In my fantasies I always imagined his package matched his build, but seeing a hint of it in person–
I’m glad I decided to sit a few spots away from Kipp and Abby when a burst of my perfume leaks into the air. My cheeks burn as I force myself to look away. No need to drown Titan’s family in my perfume because I can see him nearly naked.
My embarrassment fades a little bit when Kipp has a similar reaction to a nearly naked Bowie. Physical omega responses still catch me off guard sometimes, despite presenting several years ago. Being raised to believe perfuming was a sign of evil made it difficult to accept the completely natural reaction my body has when aroused.
Abby counts down and Titan and Bowie both slice through the water. I watch as my alpha keeps pace with the older man, but on their final lap, Bowie bursts ahead. He wins by several seconds, earning cheers from his mates beside me.
Titan claps him on the back as they climb out of the water. “One day I’ll succeed,” he promises.
“Bowie used to swim professionally,” Abby whispers.
“Makes sense,” I laugh. “He did seem fluid in the water!”
