Page 21 of Lavender and Lightning

“Hey, Jace!” I answer brightly, my lips pulling into a smile.

“Hey, Lydi. I just wanted to check in, see how you’re doing,” he says, his deep voice warm.

I settle a little farther into the pile of linens, sighing. “I’m okay. Ready for the cast to come off.”

Jason chuckles softly, and I can almost picture the way he would roll his eyes. He and I have talked a few times since the accident, and he fusses just about as much as Rhett and Mateo. I’m sure that if it’d been up to him, Jason would have hopped on the first flight to Everton as soon as he’d been told I was in an accident. Thankfully, Rhett was able to talk him out of it.

“How are things with you and Rhett? He taking good care of you?” he asks, tone implying that he's joking, but I catch the edge to his words that makes me think he’s not.

“He is. Actually, I um… well, I moved in with him and his pack,” I say, speaking quickly to just rip off the band-aid.

There’s a long pause. I only know that he hasn’t hung up by the sound of passing traffic on his end.

“Lydia, is that… it’s a bit soon, isn’t it? You’ve only known him for a few months,” Jason starts, voice heavy.

“I guess, but…” I trail off, not sure how to argue with that. I have only known Rhett for just under five months, having met him in mid-March. But I don’t know how to explain to my brother that despite that, it feels like I’ve known Rhett my whole life, or how instant my connection with Mateo had been, or the feelings stirring my chest as I think about Lucas and Alexandra.

“And aren’t there other alphas in his pack? How do they feel about you?” Jason continues.

I take a deep breath, bracing myself. This is a conversation that’s been a long time coming, but it doesn’t make it any less scary. But Jason deserves to know the truth.

“I’m joining their pack, Jason. Would have already if it hadn’t been for the accident,” I say solemnly, the white lie tasting bitter. Jason already worries enough, and telling him about the break-in attempt would likely send him into cardiac arrest.

“Wow, Lydi… I–I didn’t know things were that serious. And the other alphas are okay with that?” Jason replies heavily.

“More than okay, actually,” I start, trying to ease into the next bombshell.

“And what does that mean?” he questions, not amused.

“Rhett… Rhett isn’t the only one I’ve been seeing. I’ve been dating his pack mate Mateo, too. For a while, actually.”

The several heartbeats of silence that follow my words stretch on and on, and my chest gets tighter with each exhale.

“And Rhett’s okay with that?”

The low rumble of Jason’s question makes me jump a little, and my heart twists. The tone is almost impossible to decipher. He doesn’t sound outright angry or upset, but there’s a tension to the words that sets my teeth on edge.

“Yes. Rhett has a long-term relationship of his own–”

“So he’s cheating with you?”

“What? No, that’s not what’s happening at all. Lucas and I are actually–”

“His relationship is with aman?”

My hackles come up at the accusation in Jason’s words. “Yes, and that’s not a fucking problem, is it, Jason?” I snap.

“I mean, I–no, it–that’s not–”

“I can’t fucking believe you. It’s the twenty-first century, Jason, and you’re going to–”

“Don’t put words in my mouth, Lydia. This is a lot to take in.”

I let out a sharp exhale through my nose. My heart races for an entirely different reason now, my protective instincts kicking in. Rhett and Mateo are my alphas, and Lucas is my friend. I’m not going to let someone get away with judging them.

“With your history, is this really the best situation for you to be in?” Jason asks before I can speak.

“What the actual fuck is that supposed to mean?” I shoot back.

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