Chapter 56

**Luna**


Breakfast went by in a flash of the guys rushing around making me different dishes to try. It ended up being more food than any of us could finish but I was able to taste a lot of things I’ve never had before. I insisted on helping clean up but the guys wouldn’t let me do it alone, so we all pitched in.

Now we’re on our way to a nearby mall to get me a new phone. I have no idea why they think I need a new one since my current one works fine but they won’t listen to my objections. When I arrived at the house yesterday I didn’t know there was a huge garage behind the main house where the guys park their normal cars. One for each of them.

Right now we’re riding in Bennett’s SUV and it’s just big enough for all of us to squeeze into. Milo and Kai are on either side of me, Bennett and Rowan are upfront and Declan took the seat in the very back. Declan seems to take on the protector mode easily which makes understanding the group dynamics a little easier.

I focus my eyes out of the window for a few minutes trying to take everything in. Besides the night when me and Bailey snuck out, I hadn’t traveled much around the city. Our trips were planned carefully because being an Omega makes you a target. Mom tried to make plans for at least one other Beta to come with us if we had plans to go out because there is safety in numbers. Those kinds of trips were very rare though, so most of the city is completely new to me.

The guys will be going on tour soon and I will be going with them, so I will have plenty of time to get out like this. I will be able to see far more of the country than I ever have. It was something I didn’t know I wanted until now. I understand why Omegas need constant protection but it leaves us sheltered and we never really get to see much of what the world has to offer.

I realize now that maybe in the end that’s why I agreed to go with Bailey that day. Part of me just wanted to be free even though I wouldn’t even admit it to myself then.

My thoughts turn over memories of Bailey and me growing up when we would dream of our lives when we found our packs. Little girls dreaming of Alphas coming in and whisking us away to a palace. We were silly kids to think it would be so easy. What we didn’t realize then was that when you know where you belong it doesn't matter if the pack was rich or poor. It doesn't matter if they are buttoned up and sharply dressed businessmen or tattooed rock stars. Pack is pack, and you know it when you feel it.

When I imagined my pack back then I never imagined them being big tattooed and pierced musicians. That thought makes me smile to myself. These guys don't look like the princes in our stories, but I like that about them. They're real.

I glance at each of the guys and take them in carefully. None of them are alike in any way. They all seem so different that it doesn't seem to make sense that they would be a pack at all. It's kind of like looking at abstract art. To some, they may look dangerous and scary but to me, I see a group of men who looked past my weakness and accepted me like they seem to accept each other.

How could I not love them for that?

Milo looks at me and the corner of his mouth quirks up when he sees me admiring him. I feel the urge to look away like I usually do, but I try not to tear my eyes away. After the initial fear starts to fall away I find it's easy to just watch him. He is kind of beautiful, and I can see the same slight fear in his eyes as I feel sometimes. I am getting the impression that he isn't used to being the center of someone's attention like this. You would think he was used to it since he's in a band, but I guess he has a way of getting past that when he needs to.

I feel this urge to reach out a touch along his jaw just to have some contact with him, and it hits me that as his Omega I can. I mean he wouldn't care, right? I also realize that I am not usually the one to initiate contact with any of them. However, I also realize that maybe touching his face right now would seem a little odd so I settle on holding his hand. His hand has been sitting on his lap this whole time and he has given me enough space so that none of him is touching me. On the other side, Kai has been sitting close enough to me that our legs are constantly brushing.

I don't want any of my pack to think that my anxiety around them means I don't want them to touch me. If I'm being honest, I want to be as close to them as possible whenever I'm near them but I also don't want to seem needy, so where does that leave us? I just want us to stop walking on eggshells around each other. Maybe if we sit down and discuss it we can all move past this.

For now, hand-holding is a nice small step.

I lower my eyes to his hand and move slowly so that my hand moves beneath his and I entwine our fingers together before giving his hand a small squeeze. I feel his body stiffen for the briefest moment like I've caught him by surprise but I don't stop. After a few seconds, I feel him relax and I keep my eyes focused ahead of me before I lean my head on his shoulder and shift just a little so I'm more comfortable.

He lets out a breath before I feel him rest his head on top of mine. I can't help the smile that I feel growing at the feeling. He is the one to squeeze my hand now and I feel such a sense of calm come over me. Why am I so scared to do this? If I did things more out of instinct maybe I wouldn't feel so silly for wanting things that are said to be normal for any Omega. I then feel Kai take my other hand and hold it tight in his, no doubt feeling a little left out with me cuddling into Milo.

The rest of the drive until the large building of the mall comes into view I am completely comfortable between my two Alphas. When we pull into the parking lot and Bennett kills the engine I feel the nerves return. This place is a lot bigger than any I have been to before. I lift my head from Milo's shoulder and glance at the intimidating building as if I can see inside if I stare long enough. Kai lets go of my hand and slip out of his side of the car, and Rowan steps out and pulls Milo's door open to let us out.

I expect Milo to release my hand but instead, he loosens it just enough for him and me to climb out. Once I am standing outside of the car he pulls me gently until I am tucked into his side and starts walking in the direction of the mall. Kai catches up and puts his hand back in mine and walks alongside us with the others following close behind. We must be painting quite the image if the looks we are getting from people walking past are anything to go by. It seems that no one is brave enough to even make eye contact with the guys and I find that funny. I don't feel a need to be afraid of them, but I guess it goes to show you just how strong our bond already is. I trust them completely.