Page 51 of Verses and Blooms
“So, no pressure,” Ares teased, giving him a wink that had my omega relaxing into me again. “I’ll make a variety, and you can try it all until your stomach is ready to burst.”
We were going to have so many things to experience for the first time all over again. It was a true testament to fate that the alpha was excited to show us new things, not annoyed that we’d be naïve or slow.
When we finally did have control of our lives I had a feeling both of us would be spoiled rotten. Finding joy in life was something I’d never had, but was willing to fight for.
We both deserved it.
If only the Alliance and Omega Network agreed.
Chapter Eighteen
Audrey
It was funny how quickly your mind could adapt to a new environment. This house wasn’t even ours and I knew that by tomorrow it would be gone, yet it felt like home. It was so simple and comforting to find my way downstairs to the kitchen and watch Kane make me a cup of tea while the others milled around in quiet companionship.
Kane promised it was a blend he researched that should help my body recover post-heat. The fact he put that effort in and made sure they brought in what he needed, was so sweet.
Ares had made food earlier and already cleared it away, now he was reading on the couch. Rydell, of all people, was attempting to make dessert. Someone had turned on music, so it played softly in the background.
For the moment, life just felt simple, easy, and I wanted to soak it up, bottle it, and never let it go.
“What’s that look on your face?” Kane asked with a soft smile as he placed a steaming mug in front of me. He carefully scoopedthe loose-leaf tea into a diffuser before putting it in my mug. Then his eyes were on mine, waiting for me to answer.
He looked different now. Settled. His amber eyes were open and curious, his face calm and peaceful as he studied me, a soft smile on his full lips. My beta was gorgeous and his caring nature only made me love him more.
His scent was the epitome of that nature. Parchment, pear, and Earl Grey tea was such a calm and cozy blend. Right now, mixed with the tea diffusing in front of me was making me melt.
“I’m just enjoying the moment,” I admitted. “It’s nice to see us in this capacity without having a million appointments and sessions to get to. We are just existing together. It’s nice.”
“I can understand that,” he said. “It’s something my own mental blocks have taught me to appreciate. It takes work, but appreciating and soaking in the times where life feels almost easy and simple is important. Our past trauma tries to make us dread that something else might be coming our way, to lack trust, but that’s no way to live. Life doesn’t always have to be a fast-paced frenzy. It’s such a toxic way of thinking, and society always pushes us to believe our only merits are what we can contribute. That if we’re not always working or improving, we’re not doing enough. Sometimes, moments like this are enough,” he said firmly. Grabbing his own mug and diffuser, and making a second cup from a different blend.
Earl Grey. I bit back a smile at his tea choice as he continued on.
“There’s nothing we should be doing today other than whatever the hell we want. Tomorrow, our form of regular life resumes. We’ll have to get used to therapy and schedules. I’m not saying routine doesn’t have its place, but maybe, just maybe, it’s okay for us to do more than simply survive.”
“Couldn’t have said it better myself,” Rydell said as he scraped dark batter into a square baking dish that was coveredin brightly colored flowers. Clearly, this house was the women’s domain before we took it over. Between the apron Ares wore yesterday and this pan, it was obvious.
I couldn’t help but feel a little envious that they were allowed so many opportunities to change while we weren’t.
Was their status different?
Did their names hold more weight?
I pushed the thoughts aside quickly, not wanting any negativity to infiltrate the day. Not after what Kane said.
“Back at the boarding school my father stuck me in, one thing the others always said was that I fought my nature too much, that I wasted the potential of the alpha I could be. I realize now that it wasn’t about potential or strength. It was just another one of society’s bullshit standards. They said we were meant to be dominant and if the world would expect the worst of us, why not give everyone exactly what they expect? I didn’t want that. From that day on, I was forced to make controlling my dominant side a huge part of myself, but I’m realizing more and more that there’s so much more to me.”
“There is. I never saw that side of you because he didn’t exist around me. You’ve always been so gentle, even that very first time you handed me back my book. After that you were always this quiet protector, the one who kept me safe from Theo.” He stopped moving and looked at me. His dark green eyes were glassy for a moment, like my words made an impact.
“So, the baking is you testing out new things?” Kane asked after a moment, prompting Rydell to continue when he was ready.
“The only person in that place that I trusted was an old beta who worked in the kitchen. She was the one person they allowed around us outside of male guards and teachers. I guess her beta nature was calming, and honestly, she did have that vibe. She was my safe space in that place, sneaking me sweettreats, reminding me that I was more than they said I was, that there wasn’t something wrong with me. So, I thought I’d take a moment while we’re here to maybe start putting that into practice,” Rydell said. “I always wanted to learn how to bake and cook. I just didn’t really have the chance.”
“I’m sure they’re going to be fantastic,” I said, standing up and walking over. I slid into his arms and leaned up to give him a kiss. It was sweet and soft, a way to tell him that I saw him.
He looked surprised by the gesture but kissed me back. His cheeks turned pink, and I had to stop myself from laughing. I loved the soft side of him, but I could see this was difficult for the alpha to settle into.
“I just followed the instructions,” he tried to say but I wasn’t having it.
