Page 18 of For the First Time
“Morning, Atlas.How are you?”That sounded normal, right?I couldn’t tell.
“Better now that you’re here.What’s for breakfast?”
I didn’t even get the chance to answer him before Everett said, “Whatever you can find.Oaks has some shit for her to sign before she starts officially working.”
“I’m taking notes, though,” I added, holding up the little notebook and waving it.“That way I can prepare it how you like tomorrow.”
Atlas and Everett shared a quick look that I couldn’t translate.
“You eat already?”Atlas asked.
I couldn’t help chuckling.“Yes.I’m all good.”
“Good.Just know you’re welcome to our kitchen, our pantry, or whatever else you need while you’re here.Food deliveries don’t make it out this far.”
“Speaking of lunch, if you tell me what you both want, and when you take your lunch, I’ll make sure it’s ready.The same for Oaks.”
“What’s the same for Oaks?”The third and final member of this pack finally came back out.He didn’t look any different, still in his sweats that he had picked me up in, although his scent was significantly stronger.So strong in fact, the scent of the honeyed crackers had my mouth watering.I had eaten almost an entire box over the past week, my craving for them stronger than usual.
“Lunch,” I told him.“I can make you what you need for lunch.I should have signed anything you need by then, right?”Why else would I have even come in today if the paperwork wasn’t ready?
He made a noise that sounded like agreement.
“Good.I even wrote down some options that I researched for you all—”
“Researched?”Atlas asked.He had found a granola bar to eat while he was pulling out other ingredients for what looked like a breakfast burrito.
“Of course.There are so many factors that go into nutrition.Alphas and omegas closer to a pack heat need more calories than normal—”
“Hold on.”Atlas abandoned his pile of food, even going so far as to turn off the stove that had been heating his pan as he came to look over my shoulder at my notebook.“Are these recipes separated by designation?”
“Some of them, sure.I also have pack meals that cater to both.”
“Eve, pet.”The notebook was taken from my hands and dropped onto the counter as Atlas came to stand in front of me, his fingers pinching my chin as if he wanted to ensure I wouldn’t look away.“Do I seem like a typical omega to you?”
My confusion grew stronger.I had no idea how to answer that.I tried to look toward the alphas, but Atlas didn’t let me.He took up every part of my vision, his body so close that I swore I heard the crackling of firewood just from how strong his scent was.
“I don’t stay home.I don’t tend the house.I work.Outside, in the sun, all day, every day.With animals and people.Any of that sound typical?”
I shook my head as best I could with his grip still on my chin.
I felt and heard more than saw the other alphas coming to join our standoff.Oaks was on my right side and Everett behind me, the three of them this close to me had my body ...reacting.Betas didn’t have slick, not the type that omegas produced, but I would’ve sworn I felt my panties getting wet.Was that possible?Could I get that turned on just by their presence?Apparently, the answer to that was yes.
This was all weird.Atlas should be the center of this focus.Alphas and betas surrounded omegas,thatwas the natural order of designations.I should have felt scared having all their attention on me.There was something primitive in their body language.Something I recognized in other alphas and omegas.I’d just never considered I would be on the receiving end of it.
My body felt tense, like I had to hold myself still, so I didn’t bump into anyone.I wasn’t sure what would happen if I physically touched them, even if it was a gesture as small as my shoulder grazing their chest.I just knew it would snap the tension between the four of us.
Did I want that?I wasn’t sure.My body wasn’t either.
“Now,” Atlas continued, “in this house, you’ll find we don’t care much for designations.So long as we aren’t hurting anyone, we do what makes us happy.I don’t need specific meals catered toward my designation.Neither do Oaks or Everett.”
“But—”
“Designations are a guideline.They might tell us the basics of our bodies, but that shouldn’t determine how we act.They aren’t rules to follow.”
I frowned, his words achingly similar to something I’d told Hannah.“I know that.”
“Yeah?Prove it.”
