Page 90 of Begrudgingly Yours
I can’t stop the smile on my face from appearing. Dax’s family is so warm and loving, and Everett’s mom exudes a non-judgmental glow. I haven’t felt this accepted in a long time, probably since I first met Stacia and she instantly loved all of my rugged, grief-stricken edges.
While they continue their conversation about Jett’s friends and the latest superhero movie that Cordelia just finished shooting, Dax takes my hand under the table and grazes his thumb back and forth. “Are you having a good time?” he whispers to me.
The nervous look on his face makes butterflies soar inside me. “I’m having a lovely time. I’m so happy to be here with you.”
The smile he gives me in return is blinding. More than anything shiny or polished in this penthouse, more than the penthouse itself. Dax is the brightest thing in the room when he sparkles with joy, and now, I know exactly where he got it from.
FORTY-ONE
Despite the minor hiccups, the entire day goes by with a bang. Rory and I both get along with every parent here, which is a feat when there’s so many of them in one place. I always thought that if I did have pack mates I’d end up clashing with their families, probably because I don’t bring a lot to the table with acting, but that’s not an issue here. This family is meant for someone like me. They fully accept and understand the dream I am reaching for.
After dinner, we were all directed to the den (it was a second living room) to watch a holiday movie. Well, everyone but Nicole who dipped out the first chance she got. The movie was an old family classic, one with an exploding turkey and an in-law that can’t accept that their child is growing up. All the usual cliches.
The only stipulation for the movie was that Cordelia wasn’t in it. It’s a rule they have in their family, apparently. Dax says it’s because his mother gets second-hand embarrassment so she never watches her own stuff. It apparently keeps her frombeing self-conscious when she gets back behind the camera. Relatable.
Afterwards, I head to my room to take a shower. Dax clued me in about his plans for the night and I’m already buzzing. Technically it’s a surprise for Rory, but I am just as excited as she will be when she finds out what we’re doing. And I definitely don’t want to smell like gravy and stuffing when we go.
It takes me a few moments to navigate the penthouse. We each get our own rooms, technically, but I know we’ll pick one to all pile in later. It’s been that way the past week. Usually Rory and I sneak into their room at Alpha Xi because they’re too sore to move after practice most days.
When I find my room, I don’t even turn the lights on. I just go straight to my suitcase on the floor and fumble around for clean clothes because of how dark it is in here. You’d think with the wall-to-wall windows that there would be light, but it’s covered by a dark shading, blocking any natural light from coming in.
I pull my shirt over my head, trying to make my shower quick, but I can’t find my shampoo. I could have sworn it was right here in the side pocket of my duffle bag. I fumble around for a few more seconds before a frustrated sound leaves me. I give up and go back to the door to turn the light on. It blinds me for half a second. When the room comes into focus, I flinch at the person in my bed, thinking it’s a ghost. My back hits the wall with a hard thump as familiar blonde hair emerges from underneath the covers. The smell of my shampoo wafts toward me and a gag rises in my throat.
“Nicole?! What the fuck!” I practically yell at her. My alpha instincts are going haywire. I feel like I can’t get far enough away from her.
“You were giving me eyes at dinner,” she lies, giving a pout.She sits up straight, her bare shoulders exposing from under the covers.
Holy fuck, is shenakedin my bed?!
“You know that’s not true,” I growl, feeling violated. Thank god I haven’t actually slept in that bed yet or scent marked it. The idea of any other woman besides Rory having my scent on them makes me feel gross.
Before Nicole can answer, the collective scent of my pack comes through the door. I freak out, realizing my shirt is still off. Rory gives me a smile, but then she looks behind me and sees Nicole. A deep omega growl emits from her chest. It rumbles so deeply that I feel it in my stomach.
“What the fuck!?” Dax exclaims, covering his eyes. “Cole, what the fuck are you doing?!”
I immediately put my hands up like it’ll show I have nothing to do with this, but I can’t lie and say it doesn’t look suspicious. I should have kept my shirt on until I got into the bathroom.
“I swear, nothing is going on.” I panic and try to catch Rory’s eye but she’s still glaring in Nicole’s direction. I stumble through my explanation. “I just came in here to take a shower and she was already here and I couldn’t find my shampoo?—”
“We know, Jett,” Everett says, the calm in the storm. “We all know you wouldn’t do anything to hurt Rory. We’re just trying to figure out why Nicole thinks this is okay in any way.”
I give a sigh of relief, but not completely. Everett knows me, so does Dax, but Rory still won’t look at me. I won’t be completely okay until I hear her say she knows nothing happened.
“Seriously, though!” Dax blurts out, not caring about his volume in the slightest. He turns his head in the direction of the bed but is hesitant to uncover his eyes. “And don’t give me somebullshit story that you got confused. This hasneverbeen your room.”
More people rush in through the doorway and I heave a heavy sigh.Fuck, all of their parents are here.
“Oh, dear Jesus.” Everett’s mom literally clutches her pearls when she sees Nicole in the bed and turns away.
I quickly step over to get my shirt off the floor and quickly pull it over my head as Dax and Nicole keep fighting.
“What the hell is going on here?” Cordelia is the loudest, her alpha demeanor cutting through the chaos.
“Nicole decided it would be completely normal and sane to crawl into my pack mate’s bed!” Dax says with a dramatic flair.
Their parents all look scandalized over the situation. Their father Richard, the attorney, crosses his arms with a disappointed look.
“I can’t help it if your pack mate has wandering eyes,” she says with a malicious grin. I take a few steps away, feeling a sting behind my eyes, but Everett cuts in.
