Page 42 of An Alpha’s Guide to Finding the One

“Lawson.” His name comes out choked, but I can’t help it. I cannot believe he did all of this for me, and on such short notice. “You figured out everything I like and made sure I had it tonight.”

His eyes burn into mine, the emotion in the bond frazzled but scalding hot. “Haven’t you figured it out yet, Lainey? I notice every single thing about you.”

My cheeks flush as my scent fills the enclosed truck bed. “It feels good to be noticed.”

His head tilts but before he can voice any of the questions lingering behind his eyes, I see a flash of brown hair in my periphery that has me doing a double take. “You okay?” Lawson asks, clearly concerned by the way I completely tuned him out.

I nod slowly, but I am honestly not sure if that’s the truth. “I thought I saw my mom.”

Lawson’s expression immediately goes thunderous. “What? Where?”

I point vaguely to our left. “It was just a flash of hair and her profile, but I could swear it was her. Which makes no sense since she’s supposed to be in Florida.”

“Have you spoken to her since she left? Does she know about the fire, us, or the babies?” He doesn’t look at me when he asks because his eyes are too busy scanning the crowd, searching for any sign of Laura. It’s easy to forget what Lawson does for a living until he slips into work mode. And the man sitting next to me right now is very much Sheriff Daire.

I cringe, realizing I never did tell them about her strange text. “Actually she texted me a few days ago when I was with Lucky and Wyatt after their game. She sent me a link to some sports article about Lucky and his new “mystery girl” and threw around some insults but then made a comment asking when I had gotten so fat and why I was being photographed with a famous alpha. I have no idea how she got that article or how she knows who Lucky is since last I was aware, she doesn’t follow sports. The whole thing just left a strange taste in my mouth.”

“That didn’t answer whether or not she knows about the fire or the babies.”

I shake my head, nervous about how he’ll react. After all, what kind of daughter doesn’t tell her mom about her only grandchildren?

He gives a firm nod. “Good. Until we know better what her motives are for reaching out, especially when a quick internet search will tell you Lucky’s net worth, I say you keep it quiet. Keep her out of your life as much as you can. From everything you’ve told us, she hasn’t earned a place in your life anyway, and my job is to keep you and the babies safe. Even from family.” Thick arms band around my waist and then I’m sitting sideways in Lawson’s lap with my face buried in his neck.

“I feel like I’m supposed to feel guilty about shutting her out, you know?” I murmur the words against his skin, letting his deliciously spicy gingerbread scent soothe my frayed emotions. “But that woman has made my life hell from the day my dad left and the thought of her being anywhere near our babies sets off instincts I didn’t even know I possessed.”

I feel him nod against my head. “It was bound to happen. Pregnant omegas are known to be extremely protective over their bonded mates and children. Hell, there are even laws that protect omegas from prosecution should they commit a crime in the name of protecting their loved ones. It’s the same for alphas but less common, since omegas are inherently peacekeepers.” I peek up at his face and he’s giving me a sexy side-eye. “Well, some omegas.”

I shrug. He’s not wrong, and there’s no use in pretending he is. The proof is growing inside me, after all. “I have no problem keeping my mom in the dark about the most important things in my life. After all, she knew about the most important thing in my life before and then sold it right out from under me.”

He stiffens slightly. I’m not totally sure why, but everything else leaves my head when his big calloused hands cup my cheeks, tilting my face so we’re eye to eye. “If you could do anything in the world, what would it be?”

“What do you mean?”

“Do you want to finish school? If so, what do you want to do after? Do you want to stay home with the babies? Work from home? Work outside the house? Take a few years off to travel while they’re young?”

I hadn’t really thought about it before, but I do know one thing for sure. “I’m not cut out to be a stay at home mom,” I say with certainty. “That’s what Posey wants to do and I admire her for it, but I don’t think I’m built for it. I loved working at the store and building my inventory and being part of the community. I’m passionate about finding unique pieces for unique people and giving them a taste of whimsy in a harsh world.”

He smiles, a proud gleam in his eyes. “So if you had the chance, would you want to do it again? Build a store in your own vision and be there every day as both an owner and employee?”

“Honestly I think it’s the only thing I can see myself doing after I finish school. I know it will be harder with the babies in tow, but I know it isn’t impossible to work with kids. My mom obviously isn’t a good example, but she was a single mom for nine years before I left for college. And even then I still worked at the store until it closed.”

“You’re forgetting these babies have four dads. You are not and never will be doing it on your own. We all know Lucky’s schedule will be crazy if he chooses to enter the draft and go pro, but you have me, Rhys, and Wyatt right here ready to help you any way we can.”

A small smile tilts my lips and I lean up to place a lingering kiss at the corner of his mouth. “You’re right. No matter what happens with our careers, I know I have my pack.”

“Okay but what if she walks by on her way to Ink & Obedience one day and gets curious. You don’t think she’s going to press her adorable face right up against these windows and realize all the things she chose are somehow magically back?”

Lucky is right to be skeptical, but he also clearly forgets we have two Dom’s in this pack that notice everything and think of things before we have a chance to.

My thought is proven right when Lawson scoffs, heaving a heavy as hell chair across the space. “You don’t think we thought of that exact scenario already? That’s why we bought that,” he points to three large rolls of brown paper and painters tape. “We’ll completely cover the front windows so she can’t be nosy even if she tries. And we all know she will try.”

When Law came to us a few weeks ago about purchasing Whimsy back for Lainey, not a single one of us hesitated. Making the decision to buy the building back was as easy as breathing, especially knowing she told Law this was all she could see herself doing after she finishes her degree. We only have ten weeks or less left until the babies get here, but since Lainey had already had the store set up exactly how she wanted it, we should be done in plenty of time. The main issue was purchasing it from her mom without letting her know exactly who was buying it. Luckily for us, Lawson still holds majority shares in his father’s sporting goods company, and we were able to use it to purchase the building before transferring everything into Lainey’s name. The shop is now hers free and clear, and nothing can take it from her. She won’t ever have to worry about losing her business or home again.

I mean, she wouldn’t have anyway, but it was important to us that she have that security without having to rely on her pack. After having her home and job taken with our warning by her own mother, I know Lainey wouldn’t want to ever be in that position again. Which is why the whole building is in her name.

However, if we told her that right now she would run. It’s why we’re saving the news for after the babies are born when she’s hopped up on all that newborn bliss. Time will tell if that was actually a good plan or not, but for now we are all choosing to believe it is.

My phone buzzes and I drop the paintbrush I had been procrastinating using so I can check it. I hate painting with a passion and my omega is the only person I would willingly subject myself to it for. Doesn’t mean I don’t wait until the very last second hoping one of my pack mates will do it for me, though.