Chapter 54

**Luna**

They’re walking on eggshells around me.

I can see their nervousness in every interaction we have. The guys are not sure how to act around me, and I hate that they’re so anxious. I’m nervous too but if we keep going on like this it will be hard to get to know each other. So when Declan had tried to turn off the music on the way home I decided to explain that even though I can’t hear their music, I feel it.

He seemed to relax after that and it makes me feel a little less tense as well. I make sure when we arrive back at the house he knows that they don’t have to be afraid to play or listen to music around me. I would never ask them to keep something that means so much to them from me. If we are going to be a pack and a family, there can’t be barriers between us.

We climb out of the car and head inside to find the others still playing games. They all have amused looks on their faces and I see Kai is going up against Milo in what seems like an intense battle. I’ve never really seen games like this so I find the intensity they put into it kind of funny. They really take it seriously.

I stop just behind the couch and watch the TV trying to see if I can get an idea of what the game is. A gentle hand takes my arm and I look to my right to see Bennett’s smiling face. He lowers his hand to intertwine it with mine so he can lead me to the seat beside him.

He fascinates me. I know he said he’s a Beta but there is something more to him that I can’t quite understand. His presence is too strong for a Beta. It also gives him an edge that make all of his bright smiles look a little bit darker. I didn’t realize that I had been staring at him until he catches me and gives me a knowing smirk. My face heats up instantly and I turn away as quickly as I can.

His arm snakes around my waist and with a light tug he pulls me closer. It’s a lot like the way we had been sitting together at the studio and my body instantly reacts. I can’t help but melt into his touch as the warmth of him makes me feel completely relaxed.

His scent surrounds me and I resist the urge to burrow myself into his side and take a nap. I was told that Omegas feel the strongest pull to their Alphas but Bennett is as magnetic as the others.

I lay with my head against his shoulder and watch the others play until someone lowers a plate of food in front of me. The smell has me sitting up and taking the plate like I’m starving. I guess I kind of am since I was too nervous to eat much today. I feel Bennett’s chest vibrate a little and I turn to see his shoulders moving in what looks like laughter. The warmth of yet another blush rushes across my skin. I lower my head and try to use my long hair to hide my embarrassment but the hand that had given me my food tucks my hair behind my ear.

When I look behind me I see Declan leaning over the back of the couch and giving me what seems to be a smile he only shows to me. He nods his head in the direction of my plate and I mouth ‘thank you' to him.

The food is amazing. The pizza is warm and full of that fresh flavor of everything being homemade. The salad is crisp and tangy from the dressing, and the pasta is the best I’ve ever had. From how Declan interacted with the owners I guess they’re regulars there and I can definitely see why.

The guys scarf down at least two full plates each and wash it down with a bottle of beer.

After we all finish eating everything feels more comfortable and relaxed like none of this is new. Those nerves I had are quickly melting away and I feel like I belong here even more than before. Kai has moved from where he was sitting on the floor and is resting against me while I lean into Bennett.

It’s like a dream. I’ve fallen right into place with them so easily that I know without a doubt that this is my home.

I never thought it would be so easy. The feeling of belonging...

Of course, I’m still not sure if things like…running my fingers through Kai’s hair is something too soon to do. So I try to keep myself in check and only give what they give to me. Though I have to admit I have been watching the guys more than whatever movie they have been playing. Reading subtitles is more work than I want to put in right now, so I’ve given that up. I just want to take this moment in and commit it to memory.

The first night with my pack.

I must have drifted off to sleep at some point because when I wake up in the middle of the night I’m in my nest. When I glance around I find it empty and I feel unease creep in. Being surrounded by the pack earlier felt so right and now the emptiness of my nest makes me feel too alone. I’m sure the guys didn’t want to make me feel uncomfortable by invading my space but I wish at least one of them was with me.

Maybe Rowan. I could feel the intensity of him earlier and it was both exciting and calming all at once. He felt safe and with how I’m feeling now I could use a good cuddle from him.

I look around for my phone and find it on the side table by my bed. Milo had programmed everyone’s numbers in it, so maybe I can send Rowan a quick text. I just hope he’s awake.

My phone only has a handful of contacts saved so I find Rowan’s number quickly.

Now, what do I say? I don’t want to sound too needy or whiny so I write out and delete a few messages before settling on:

**Me:** hi this is Luna. I hope I’m not waking you but do you think you could come keep me company?

It’s not the best and I regret it as soon as I send it but it’s too late now to take it back. The few seconds where I wait for a response feel way too long and it allows enough time for me to mentally curse myself for being so pathetic.

The feel of a message coming in has me sitting up quickly.

**Rowan:** of course.

I feel instant relief and return my phone to the table. My door slowly opens a few moments later and I stand to greet Rowan. When I see him standing there in a tight black shirt and some loose shorts I freeze. He’s a big guy and the shirt he’s wearing leaves little to the imagination. All his muscles are on display and I can’t tear my eyes away. I’m not even in heat yet but he is beyond tempting right now.

My thoughts startle me. I have never thought of a man that way before! I tear my eyes away from him and fidget nervously. He seems as unsure about this as I am so we stand awkwardly for a while.

Finally, I let my urge to be near him take over and I step closer to him. His eyes are fixed on me and I try not to look away when his intense eyes lock with mine. There is a heat between us that is hard to ignore but I’m scared that it’s too soon to act on. I always figured that only during heat would I feel such an intense pull to my Alphas but that’s proving not to be true.

There is an invisible force pulling me slowly toward him and my hands itch to touch him.

So I do.

I hesitate for only a moment before resting my hands on his waist. Our eyes are still locked together and I see the moment he feels my hands on him. His eyes dilate and his nose flairs just slightly. He’s as affected by me as I am by him it seems. So I take that as a sign that what I’m doing is okay. I step even closer and let my eyes drop to his chest again. My hands slowly wander up from his sides and across his chest, just lightly.

His body is firm and I so badly want to feel him without this thin piece of fabric in my way.

This is insane. I have never felt anything so strongly before and it feels so foreign to me. I was not expecting my desires to feel so strongly. It scares me a little. I shut my eyes and squeeze them tight to force back the thoughts of him and me together from my mind. My hands pull away from him like he’s burned me and I turn away from him.

I need to get a grip.