Page 75 of In Control

I catch Roman’s eyes, glinting in the darkness and whisper to him, “I want her to join the pack.”

He strokes his hand down her hair, brushing her cheek. “I don’t think it would be fair on her, Liam.”

“Why?”

“We need to sort our shit out before we bring her in.”

I sigh, knowing he’s right, knowing we’re going to have to sort things out with Esra. He’s my mate, my brother. I’ve loved him for twenty years, since we all met back in our university days and worked out that we wanted to live in this unconventional way, despite what society thought, despite what our families said.

I don’t want to lose him. I don’t want him to be unhappy.

I also really want to keep the little beta sleeping in my arms.

“I haven’t felt this way about a woman before,” I tell him.

“It’s still early days.”

“I know you feel the same, Ro.”

In the darkness, I see him nod his head. “And I haven’t seen Gabe this happy in months. Years probably. But she may not want it, Liam. She’s not the type to be tied down.”

“We’d never do that.”

If she were mine, I’d let her fly as high as she wanted.

16

Roman

We meetin our favourite coffee shop, each grabbing a sofa. Me with my flat white, Liam his latte, and Gabe a creamy sugary monstrosity he only indulges in occasionally.

Esra was invited to this meeting too, but he’s failed to show, probably well aware of the main topic of discussion. Sophia.

Maybe this is a bit of fun for Sophia, a fling she’ll bore of soon enough. But the three of us are clearly infatuated. It’s never been like this before. I’ve never found myself thinking about someone outside the pack – not just thinking of, dreaming of. I’m like a lovesick teenager, texting her throughout the day and desperate to see her every evening. The others are the same, and we have to force ourselves to give the woman some space.

“So,” I say, leaning forwards and resting my forearms on my knees. “I’m assuming we’re all feeling the same way about a certain young lady.”

Gabe licks cream from his top lip and grins. “You alphas,” he shakes his head, “can never just spit out how you’re really feeling. Yes, I do think we all feel the same way. You want to use your words, Alpha, and tell me how that is.”

I roll my eyes at him but indulge. He’s right anyway. We need to be clear we’re on the same page. There’s no room for misunderstandings.

“I like the woman. I like her a lot. She’s smart, interesting, sensitive–”

“And sexy as hell,” Gabe interrupts.

“Yes, that too,” I say, trying to keep my mind from the images of her laid out under me. Shit, an image that’s been playing around in my head and heating my blood continually these last few days. “I want to make this official. I want her to know where she stands. We’re too old to be messing girls around.” I’m not my dad. Not some player.

“What are you thinking, Ro?” Liam asks.

“I’m thinking we take her out, all of us, lay our cards on the table. Tell her we want to date her as a pack.”

“As a pack?” Gabe repeats, lifting an eyebrow. “And Esra?”

Ahhh, Esra.

“Any ideas?” Liam and I may have known Esra longer, but it’s Gabe who understands him best. Always has. It’s why the strain in their relationship has caused so many problems in our pack. Strain I’m still at a loss to know how to ease.

“With Esra?” Gabe throws up his hands. “No. You know he’s stubborn as hell. When he’s made up his mind on something it’s near impossible to change.” I sink back into the sofa, feeling deflated. “But,” Gabe continues, “it’s obvious half his problem is that he likes Sophia too.”

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