Chapter 31

**Elise**


The guys make a circle around Liddy and me as we make our way through the mall and toward the door we came in. People watch us as we pass but they quickly move out of the way. I guess all these Alphas are giving off a "come near us and you'll pay" vibe. It would be funny if my mind wasn't racing over what I thought I saw.

Was it really him? How did he know I would be here or was it a coincidence?

"Can you explain what has the guys all up in arms?" Liddy whispers to me as she links her arm with mine.

"I thought I saw the man who tried to take me the same night I met the guys," I explain quietly.

Her wide eyes turn to me and I see several emotions flit through them at once.

Sympathy...confusion...fear...

"Are you sure you saw him?" She asks but I can tell in her voice that the question is harmless.

She doesn't think I'm overreacting, she's genuinely curious.

I shrug. "I'm not sure. It was a small look and then he was gone. I probably just imagined it."

"Better safe than sorry." She says and I nod.

I hate that I ruined our trip because of this, but I doubt I can convince the guys to brush this off. I consider it for a moment and wonder if there is a way I convince them to chill and let us finish our time here. I stop walking and Liddy makes a sound of surprise and her Alphas stop just before bumping into us.

"What's wrong?" She asks looking worried again.

"I don't want us to go. I could have imagined what I saw, and I don't want to live in fear for the rest of my life. I won't let what happened to me stop me from living my life." I say firmly.

Ezra turns when he hears my words and my other Alphas quickly follow suit.

"If what you saw is correct then you aren't safe here," Ezra says with a low growl.

"I have all of you to protect me plus Liddy's Alphas. We are very protected and we came here to have time together. I don't want to ruin that because of what I might have seen. Please can we just let it go for now?" I'm begging now, and I can see his mind working.

Archer's face softens and he steps forward wrapping me up in his arms.

"We don't want anything to happen to you, but you're right. You can't stop living because of what may happen." He pulls back and kisses me softly.

My whole body melts into him but he pulls back with a devilish smile.

Damn him! Getting them all worked up like that...

"You are not leaving our sight," Weston says with his arms crossed across his chest.

To most people, he would look scary as hell but in this short amount of time I know he is more than what he gives off. He's passionate and caring, and I love it.

"I can agree to that," I say with a nod.

He hesitates for a moment before returning my nod with one of his own.

"Shit. You know I can't deny you, anything sweetheart." Sawyer chirps with a smile.

He's a charmer and knows it. I smile back at him and walk over to wrap my arms around his waist. He's like sunlight...warm and welcoming. His carefree attitude puts me at ease and I can't help but smile along with him.

Still wrapped in Sawyer's arms I turn my head to look at Ezra who is standing next to him.

"Please," I say once again.

He looks at me for a quiet moment before sighing. "Fine, but if I sense anything off we are leaving. I want you to be happy love, but your safety is the most important thing to us."

He raises a brow at me silently asking if I understand and I smile at him. I believe every word he says. They will protect me no matter what, and even though their overbearingness could be annoying, I find it comforting. I have never had someone care that much about me.

"Come on sweetheart, let's get you some yummy smelling shampoos and stuff," Sawyer says smiling down at me.

I nod and step away from him, but he doesn't let me go far. He wraps a protective arm around my shoulders and we follow Liddy and her guys further into the mall.

"The place I like to go is upstairs," Liddy says pointing toward the escalator where I thought I saw Kane.

My stomach twists but I try not to show my discomfort. I may not want to let him affect my life, but even one thought about him makes me anxious. Sawyer must feel me tense up because he kisses the top of my head and tightens his hold on me slightly. I wrap my arms around his waist and cling to him like a baby. The low purr in this chest tells me he likes it and I smile to myself. He's like a content little cat and I love it. It makes my heart swell when my Alphas melt for me too.

Our group rides the escalator to the next floor and I don't need to ask Liddy where the shop is. All the scents hit me as soon as we step off and the giant sign doesn't hurt either. The store is huge and there is a sign that mentions that it caters to Omegas.

My anxiety is quickly replaced by excitement and I quicken my steps to get inside as soon as possible.

"Okay, so I always go for their essential oil bath bombs. They smell amazing but they are made with this stuff that makes my skin feel super soft." Liddy says pointing to one end of the store. "Hair care and skin care are over there. Lotions and body oils are there."

My eyes scan the store and I am speechless. Everything looks and smells so good that I don't even know where to start. My eyes catch Weston wonder to one side of the store and he picks up a bottle of something before smelling it. I hadn't noticed him pick up a basket and I have to bite back a laugh at seeing the big guy carrying a cute little pink basket around. What is even funnier is that all of the Alphas have grabbed one and are wandering around the store as well.

Sawyer chuckles. "I guess you won't have to make many decisions, they seem to have it covered."

I laugh and he leads me toward the back of the store where they have candles and a few other things. He keeps me tucked into his side as we look over all the offerings. Something catches my attention and I glance around trying to find the yummy smell. I reach out for something called tropical fruit and bring it to my nose. A groan escapes me as I breathe it in and Sawyer chuckles again.

"That good huh?' He asks and I feel myself flush bright red. "Let's get it."

He takes it from me and turns to where Weston is and calls out to him.

"Our girl likes this one." He says handing it to the big guy who grunts in acknowledgment.

He places it in his already full basket and then grabs another that smells like coconut before wandering off again.

"I don't need so much stuff," I say, but I know my protests will be ignored.

"How many times do I need to tell you that we want to spoil you? That's how it works. You are everything to us, and that means we take care of you. You settle us and we get to adore you. Get used to it!" Sawyer reminds me, but I still feel guilty that I don't contribute to our pack in any other way.

"I still feel like I should do more than let you guys buy me things," I say.

"You can do whatever you want. Look at Liddy, she's a doctor. We want to amke you happy any way we can." He replies.

I consider that for a moment. I always liked creating things. Art and gardening were some of my favorites, and I recall that their backyard is void of any real color. Maybe I could plant a few things and maybe even add an art studio out there. Would that be too much?

"I see your head spinning. What are you thinking?" He asks turning me to face him.

"I loved being outside when I was at Haven. Gardening and painting outside. I would like to start that again I think." I say honestly.

He smiles down at me. "That sounds great! What would you need?"

"I would like to give the backyard a pop of color. Some flowers, a small garden, and maybe a fountain." I hum and try to think of anything else we could add. "A place for all of us to sit and eat together too."

"I love those ideas. We can stop by the hardware store before we head home. I think they have small back houses we can have ordered as well. What do they call them? She-sheds! I've seen some pretty nice ones. We can make that an art studio and fill it with anything you need. I even know a guy who handles art shows, maybe we can ask him to show some of your pieces." He says and I gawk at him.

"Are you serious?" I ask in disbelief.

"Anything for you sweetheart." He leaves a quick kiss on my lips and pulls me into his side again leaving me reeling.