Page 20 of Golden Omega

I was surprised Hema folded to our idea. Then again, I was also shocked she asked Altan out first. Our omega put up walls but they were slowly crumbling.

“Ready?” I asked as we gathered in front of her apartment door.

“Ready.” Orin knocked and we stepped back to wait.

She opened the door, and I gasped. It struck me then. There were many sides of our omega. The professional one from the florist. Dressed in nice pants or a dress. Hair up. Earrings. Sometimes makeup.

And then there was our omega at home.

Bare-faced. No jewelry. Jeans that fit her ass and hips like a second skin. A lacy white top that left one shoulder exposed.

Goddess, that shoulder gave me ideas. If we took our time with her, she would one day bear our marks on that shoulder.

And I would happily bear hers.

“Hi,” she said, and stepped back, waving us in.

“Hi, yourself.” I placed a kiss on her cheek before thinking better of it. Orin hugged her and so did Altan.

“This place seems small, all of a sudden.”

We chuckled at her as she blushed and shut the door. The place wasn’t tiny and was perfect for a single omega.

“Kitchen this way?” I asked.

“Oh. Yes. You really didn’t have to do this.”

“He did. He’s been planning all afternoon. Went to the store three times. Couldn’t make up his mind.”

“Shut it, Orin. You changed your shirt three times.”

Orin was astounded by my revelation. Not really, but he made a face like it. “Altan wouldn’t shut up about getting the first date.”

“Hey,” Altan said, rolling his eyes. “Enough. It’s too early in the relationship to show her all our crazy. Give it a minute before you start the bickering.” He turned to Hema who was laughing and swiping at her eyes. Maybe we were funny? “I apologize for my brothers. They are very excited, and they get chatty.”

She smiled. Not the one for the customers at the flower shop but a big one. “Chatty is good. I really want to get to know you all better.”

I’d made the mashed potatoes and salad in advance and only had to cook the steaks, which didn’t take long. While I prepared them, I took a look around her place. It was all Hema. A bright yellow couch. Throw pillows and several soft blankets in yellows and greens folded over the back. Her scent was everywhere. It filled the air but unlike the first time we saw her, the scent soothed my wolf. We were in her presence and no longer being thrown out the door.

She wanted us here, and that changed the whole scenario.

We were far from being accepted as her pack, but progress was progress.

We finished dinner quickly. All of us were hungry but more than anything, I wanted to get to the part where we talked.

Altan got to speak to her at lunch but mentioned some things about her background.

Maybe she would tell us tonight.

Orin washed up the dishes and cleaned the kitchen with Hema protesting the whole time. “Should we leave, or would you like us to stay?” I asked. This was her space. Her nest. Everything was up to her. Even if we were at our home, it would all be up to her.

“Stay. Please. We could put on a movie and pretend to watch but really talk.”

We chuckled. “I like that idea very much, omega. I really do.”

We froze. Yes, she was an omega. Yes, we were alphas, but calling her that meant we were getting serious. Or more serious.

Hema didn’t miss a beat. “Me too.” She rubbed her arms and took a breath. “I know I turned you down the first few times, saying I didn’t date shifters. I thought maybe I’d finish explaining why. I want the three of you to understand me. I might be weird sometimes, and I want you to understand why.”