Page 88 of For the First Time
“First off—”
I sucked in a hard gasp as his thumbs seemed to find a literal knot in my hand that was cramping.
“You might have brought some attention to our lives, but that doesn’t make it a bad thing.You think I would have been happy doing every day on a ranch for the rest of my life?”He shook his head like even the notion of that disgusted him.“The fact that my mate is bound to make change, real change in the world?I find that sexy as fuck, pet.”
“I have to agree with Atlas.”Oaks came into the bedroom, half throwing himself onto the bed.“My job is just that.A job.I’d give it up in a heartbeat if I could, especially if it came down to protecting you, darlin.It’s not even a question.”
Behind me, Everett cleared his throat, pulling my attention to the way he was leaning against the wall.“I think a part of it is my alpha instinct.I ...like the idea of protecting you.Defending you.It makes me feel like you trust me.”
“I do trust you.”I’d tried to move toward him, but Atlas refused to let go of my hand, giving me a little shrug and an unrepentant smirk.“I trust all of you.”
Honestly, there was only one thing holding me back, and the fact that it was, was nearly embarrassing.“I think I need to talk to my parents.”
Oaks sat up on the bed.“You want them to try and talk you out of it?”
“No.I just...I want to tell them.I feel like, maybe this time, they’ll care.”About me.They’ll care enough about me to look past my designation to the actual effects on my life.
I knew my family only saw me as a beta, but I needed them to see me as Eve.Just for a moment.And if they realized how I was protecting omegas, I figured they’d side with me.They had to.Right?
“All right,” Oaks agreed, although he didn’t look too sure.
I felt Atlas’s reluctance as well, since I had to fight him for control of my hand back.
Everett offered to get my phone and returned with my whole purse.I grabbed the device and even unclipped the little stuffed toy, dangling the plastic carabiner from my finger.
I sent a text to Mom Elizabet, telling her I had news, and I’d like to tell the whole family at once, so if she could please call me as soon as it was convenient.I clung tighter to the stuffed animal.I remembered the little girl who gave it to me.
She’d asked if I was sad.If I was lonely.I’d told her no.She’d wanted to know why I was all alone.Why I’d looked like I was about to cry.
“My moms were supposed to meet me here,”I’d told her.“But they were too busy.Must have forgotten.”
“Oh.”She hadn’t known what to say to that.Kids didn’t particularly care about social decorum, which is how she’d easily changed the topic.“Well, my mom is taking me shopping for some pillows for my room.The ones I have now aren’t soft enough.Do you like pillows?”
“I do.”
“Maybe your moms will take you pillow shopping then.”
“Maybe.”
Her mom had called for her, looking incredibly amused when she’d found her talking to me.“Are you ready to go, Candice?”
“Here you go.”The little girl—Candice—had handed me her toy.“I hope your moms show up next time.”And then she’d just skipped away.
My phone buzzed, not the type with a message, but indicating a call.That pulled me out of the depressing memory.Or maybe it was a happy one?I wasn’t sure.My parents hadn’t shown up to meet me ...in fact, they’d completely forgotten and never even apologized.
That little girl?She was kind.So sweet to a stranger.She hadn’t cared about my designation, she just saw someone sad and wanted to offer something, some form of comfort.
“Wow,” I answered the phone, “I didn’t think you’d call back so quickly.”
“Yes, well, we have a few minutes.Beatrice called and said she and her pack were running late.”
Right.“Do you mind putting me on speaker so everyone can hear?”I wasn’t stalling.Not necessarily.It just made more sense to only have to admit everything once.I squeezed tighter to the stuffed toy.
I had my mates.No matter how this phone call went.I had my mates.
“All right, you’re on speaker, Eve,” Mom Elizabet said.“What’s your big news?”
I’d wished my mouth was dry.Or my throat was closing.Something that gave me an excuse to stall.Instead, words just started falling out.“You all remember a few months ago when I was let go from the OC?”
