Only Omega

Chapter Fifteen.

It was around six in the morning and everyone was already packed and gathered outside, including Jordan who was coming home with us because of Tyler. I was to ride with Caine while Hayden rode with Brice and Jordan with Tyler. Tate and Jake would be flanking Caine through the entire ride, Alpha’s orders.

“Here dear, I baked you these” Carla announced motioning to the plastic container in her hands. I took it from her and peeled the top open to find freshly baked cookies inside.

“Carla, you shouldn’t have I-.” I tried to protest but she just waved it off, shrugging her shoulders like it was no big deal “Oh no it’s fine dear, I was up early anyway” I smiled at her, repositioning Holden’s baby bag to sit more comfortably on my shoulder while he sat perched on my hip.

“Couldn’t sleep?” I asked her while sticking the container into Holden’s baby bag where it would be kept safe for the ride. Carla sighed “I guess I just have a lot on my mind” she was trying to deflect the topic but I saw it and shook my head disapprovingly.

“What’s wrong, Carla?” I outright asked catching her off guard as he looked at me with furrowed brows.

“I was just getting to know you kids and…you’re already leaving” she muttered with her head down, hidden behind her soft brown curls. Smiling I wrapped my arms around her as best I could with Holden on my hip.

“I promise we’ll come visit you and Hugh whenever we can” I said pulling away as Carla poked Holden’s tiny nose, cooing at him.

“Do you promise to bring this little cutie every time?” she asked looking up at me with pleading eyes. I laughed but nodded my head in agreement.

“Of course, besides I think he likes you more than me” I teased smiling down at Holden who was babbling happily again. Carla smirked playfully.

“Oh really now?” she tauntingly asked, instantly playing along with my teasing. I nodded and shifted Holden to sit higher up on my hip “Oh yeah but I think it has something to do with the candy you’ve been sneaking him” Carla stiffened at first like a dear caught in the headlights but then started laughing and smacked my arm for making her nervous.

“Alright you caught me” she said holding her hands up in surrender then laughed along with me when I suddenly paused.

“Red handed, missy” I insisted then continued to giggle as I held my hand out to form a fake gun aimed right at her. It was then that someone called for me to hurry up, causing me to sigh.

“Guess that’s my cue” I mumbled then was pulled into a bone crushing hug that forced all the air out of my lungs but made me feel loved.

“You better get on going before I lock you away forever” she joked when she pulled away from me to hold me at arms-length so she could look me over.

“You take care now, you hear?” she asked and I couldn’t help but smile at the motherly bond I was starting to form with her.

“Always, thanks Carla, for everything” I thanked looking straight into the woman’s eyes. They held so much love and kind heartedness that it made me forget all about the family, the life I left behind on Lacus territory.

“It was my pleasure dear, now get out of here” I laughed but could clearly see the tears she was struggling to hide as I turned to face her husband. Hugh instantly pulled me into a tight embrace.

“Look after yourself” he ordered in a stern tone like he was a father giving ‘the speech’ to his teenage daughter who was going to a party for the first time.

“I will, promise” I assured when we pulled away and Hugh nodded, his sons coming up to greet me. Dylan gave me a hug while Dwain shook my hand.

“It was nice meeting you, Rachel” the oldest of the twins insisted giving my hand a tight squeeze before dropping it completely. I took a step back saying “Right back at you” Dwain smiled along with his younger brother as I turned to climb up onto Caine’s back since he was already in his wolf form.

“Don’t be strangers now!” Carla called while Caine stood upright from the ground, lifting me up into the air like when riding a camel. I smiled and waved at Carla.

“We won’t!” I called back just before Caine took off running at the front of the groups with Tate on his right and Jake on his left. I pressed myself up against Caine’s back with Holden between us as I glanced around at the scenery. The sun’s rays were piercing through the tree branches and shinning down onto the forest floor all around us. I sighed in content, glad to be going home but sad to be leaving Titan territory behind. In a way Hugh and Carla were also a part of my family.

‘You have a new life, new people in it and a family that loves you’ Tate’s words from the night before echoed in my mind and I found myself glancing towards him in his wolf form.

‘I can be there for you, for Holden’ for some reason I couldn’t get those few words out of my mind as I thought about how lucky I was to have him and everyone else that cared about me. I smiled, I had a family and that’s all anyone could ever need.

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It was noon by the time we reached Tyrant territory. It was a six hour ride on wolf back and everyone was tired when we finally reached home territory. Rebecca was waiting for us on her back porch when we arrived.

“Rachel!” she exclaimed loudly in excitement when she saw me hopping off Caine’s back with Holden fast asleep in my arms. I didn’t even have time to react before I was pulled into a tight and familiar embrace.

“I missed you so much, dear” she said, her petite frame barely reaching my shoulders and forcing me to bend down because of her arms wrapped around my neck “I missed you too, mom” I felt her tense and when she pulled away I was met with tears forming in her big hazel brown eyes. Caine stepped up beside me when he noticed Rebecca’s surprised wide eyed expression.

“I uh-I bet you’re tired so why don’t you and Hayden go unpack before Lunch, Honey?” Rebecca offered trying to hide her sudden burst of joy and happiness that shown brightly in her glazed over eyes. I smiled and nodded, leaning over to press a quick kiss to her cheek “Shore thing, mom” again she stiffened as I turned to face Caine who was still in wolf form. I reached out to stroke the thick black fur on his cheek before placing a kiss to his muzzle.

“Thanks daddy” I thanked and met his eyes in a quick glance seeing the pride and sheer joy flashing through them. With that I started off towards where Hayden stood talking to Tate about something.

“Hey” I greeted leaning across to lightly kiss Hayden’s jaw before Holden started to stir.

“Hey” Hayden breathed kissing my cheek before he leaned down to kiss Holden’s forehead “Hey little man, I see you’re up” I smiled at the sight of him and our pup as Holden started kicking and thrashing wildly. He wanted to be put down but had to wait till we reached the lake house.

“Rebecca’s almost done making Lunch, I thought we’d go unpack before we ate” I suggested unable to help the love from drifting through my eyes when Hayden’s forest green ones met mine “Plus Holden wants down” I grinned jerking my head towards the kicking bundle on my side. Hayden chuckled turning to Tate.

“Duty calls, catch you later?” he asked as Tate looked down onto him with his jaws set and an emotionless look in his eyes.

“Yeah shore” Tate replied after a moment, looking from Hayden to me. As soon as our eyes met memories from the night before surfaced, his lips still lingered on my cheek.

“Common babe, let’s go” Hayden insisted picking up our shared duffle bag that Tate had carried throughout the trip with the back pack already slung over one shoulder. He grabbed onto my free hand with his free one then started leading me away. I followed him, glancing back to meet Tate’s eyes but tore them away when I realised what I was doing.

“So Rebecca looked pretty surprised back there” Hayden spoke up out of the blue, his warm hand wrapped around mine like it was meant to only ever enclose around my hand.

“Oh yeah, I sort of dropped the ‘mom bomb’ on her” I said shrugging my shoulders as I thought about finally having the mother I never had. Hayden glanced at me with a loving smile plastered across his soft pink lips.

“I guess she’s just trying to get used to it, you know?” Hayden suggested but my eyes were focused on his lips that I so badly wanted to kiss. Eventually I managed to pry my eyes away to stare at the ground.

“Yeah, she’s never had anyone call her ‘mom’ before but she’s always wanted to be a mother” I muttered with a nod of my head before staring up at the sky through the cracks in the tree tops.

“Guess you made that dream come true huh?” Hayden asked bumping shoulders with me and causing me to look up at him only to find his face inches away from mine.

“It’s the least I could do for her, I mean she-.” I trailed off as we stopped walking and couldn’t help my eyes from darting back and forth between his lips and eyes “Hayden” I breathed when he dropped the duffle bag and used his free hand to tenderly cup my cheek while the other squeezed my hand affectionately.

“You’re amazing, you know that?” I laughed lightly at his words and looked down at the ground beneath us, only to have him bend down just so he could try and meet my eyes.

“I don’t know what I did to be amazing” I mumbled looking back up to him when he failed to get me to look at him. He searched my eyes then leaned in to whisper into my ear “You’re kind and caring and-.” his hot breath on my ear sent shivered up my spine.

“You’re amazing” he finished placing a quick kiss just below my ear before pulling back, flashing me his breath-taking smile that made my knees go weak.

“Yeah you’ve already said that” I noted biting down on my bottom lip before smiling up at him with so much love in my eyes that my heart ached for him.

“That’s how amazing you are-.” he began breathing a laugh as he rubbed his thumbs along my cheek bone “I just had to say it twice” I laughed and bowed my head to hide my face in his chest through his green V neck, long sleeve shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows.

“I just really care about Rebecca, she’s the mother mine never was” I said in all honesty as I looked down at our intertwined hands and listened to the sound of his steady heartbeat “It’s not just her I’m talking about, Rachel” I tilted my head back to look up at Hayden in confusion with my eyebrows furrowed. He smiled lovingly down at me.

“It’s everyone else too like Caine and Tate, Jake and-.” he paused for a minute to think before he continued “Me…you’re always there for us no matter what” I glanced down at the ground but Hayden wouldn’t let me and used his hand, cupping my face to gently grip my chin and force me to look up into his eyes.

“That’s because you’re my family” I said as Holden started fisting my loose dirty blonde curls and tugged on them like he always did when my hair wasn’t thrown up “You’ve all done so much for me, the least I could do is be there for you” Hayden searched my eyes then let a smile spread across his lips as his hand went back to lightly cupping my cheek.

“Amazing” he whispered lowly, leaning in to press his forehead against mine, staring right into my eyes.

“I love you” he said brushing a stray strand of hair back behind my ear as I breathed back an “I love you too” smiling he leaned further down to capture my lips in a sweet and slow kiss. I melted into it, into him and for a minute just got lost in his touch. All my worries just melted away and in that moment I felt complete, like my life was the most perfect it will ever be.

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Rebecca had decided on a nice family Lunch outside on the back porch when Hayden and I got back to the pack house along with Holden.

“We’ll be holding your initiation tomorrow night at nine, you two” Rebecca was saying, glancing from Jordan to Jake as she picked at her food. Caine looked up from his plate and glanced at me.

“Rachel wants us to adopt the boy” Rebecca tensed at his sudden announcement and snapped her head up to meet her husband’s gaze before turning to me.

“Really dear?” she asked me trying to mask her happiness by putting on a straight face but both me and Caine saw right through it.

“Dad thinks Jake would be a threat to the pack because he’s an Alpha so why not adopt him and give him no reason to threaten the pack by not taking away his title?” I suggested, shrugging my shoulder as I took a bite of my food and glanced to where Holden was playing on the grass with his toy car to make shore that he was okay.

“You do realise that if we adopt him, he’ll be your adoptive brother, right?” Rebecca asked catching me off guard. I had never thought of it that way before only thinking strategy and not family.

“I-I didn’t think about it like that” I muttered keeping my head down and hidden from Rebecca and Jake. Thoughts of Dalton filled my mind and even though he pretended to act all dominant and cold around me I knew he loved me, going to Tyrant territory in search of his little sister was proof of that.

“Rachel? You alright?” Hayden suddenly asked from beside me, placing a hand on my thigh and rubbing soothing circles on it.

“Y-Yeah I’m fine” I replied smiling lightly as I met his eyes with a loving gaze. I noticed Tate shifting uncomfortably across from me.

“You shore?” Hayden tried to pry, knowing better than anyone that I wasn’t but he’d leave it for when we were alone if I didn’t want to talk.

“Positive” I mumbled going back to my food and for a minute everything was silent until Tate’s utensils cluttered in his plate followed by his voice.

“Remember what I said about how we can never replace the people in your old life?” he asked looking directly at me from across the table and when I met his eyes he continued “But how we can still be there for you like they were?” I glanced down at the table in front of me, thinking back to our talk. My head nodded on its own accord and I found myself gazing into his rust coloured eyes.

“Just think about that, alright?” I did and thinking about replacing Dalton with Jake hurt but thinking about Jake being another one of my loving brother’s helped a lot.

“Thank you” I breathed and Tate nodded his head with a clenched jaw before he went back to his plate. Hayden glanced between us and Caine shot Tate a knowing look.

“I want a brother again” I suddenly said catching everyone off guard including Jake who froze mid-bite. Rebecca reached across the table to tenderly grab hold of my hand, squeezing it affectionately.

“Are you shore about that, dear? We don’t want you to-.” I cut her off my nodding my head and shooting her a bright smile. I did want a brother even if he’d be my little brother, I wanted that bond again.

“I’m shore, right little brother?” I asked shooting Jake a smile as everyone else looked at him expectantly except for Tate who was focused on his food and Hayden who was too busy staring at Tate.

“Yeah” Jake said nodding his head and smiling faintly at the thought. The tension around the table was building because of the tension between Tate and Hayden and everyone could feel it.

“Well I guess it’s settled then, dear” Rebecca said reaching towards Jake to place a loving hand on his shoulder as her soon to be adoptive son. Caine’s utensils cluttered and he pushed his plate forward to stand.

“If you’ll excuse me I have a meeting to schedule with the Helix pack” Caine announced shooting one last glance in Tate’s direction before he took off into the pack house. Rebecca sighed then picked up her empty plate.

“I better get started on the dishes then, we’re having a celebratory pack dinner tonight to welcome everyone back” she explained taking my plate that looked barely touched then went to snatch Hayden’s.

“I’ll come help you” I spoke getting up to grab Tate, Jordan and Jake’s plates. Rebecca had just grabbed Tyler’s when she looked at me.

“Oh no dear it’s alright, I can handle it” she tried to change my mind but I just shook my head giving a loving smile.

“I insist” I said then turned to Hayden who was still staring at Tate for some reason.

“You mind watching Holden?” I asked snapping him out of his trance and causing him to turn and look at me with a smile spreading across his lips.

“Not at all” he replied and I nodded bending down to quickly peck his lips before following Rebecca inside and into the kitchen.

“Well that was interesting” Rebecca commented setting the dishes down on the counter beside the sink so she could run some water.

“You can say that again” I muttered then got started on scrapping the leftovers off the plates and into the trash. Rebecca had just finished squirting some soap into the sink when she turned to face me.

“So what’s going on between you and Tate?” she suddenly asked catching me off guard and causing me to stiffen. Eventually I finished with the plate and handed it over to her to wash.

“I don’t know, we just got close” I said shrugging my shoulders then moved on to the next plate. Rebecca nodded, staring out the kitchen window above the sink and out onto the back porch.

“Not too close I hope” she replied looking back at me with a faint smile. I stood upright then handed her the next plate.

“No, we’re just friends” I assured moving onto the next place and thinking about how his lips felt on my cheek the night before “That’s good, I don’t know if he can handle another heartbreak by going after someone that’s already claimed” I froze when her words processed in my mind and turned to look at Rebecca who was humming lightly.

“Another heartbreak?” I asked confused when Rebecca gasped realising what she’d said. I set the plate I was busy with down on the counter and leaned up against it.

“I’m sorry I shouldn’t have said anything” she quickly rambled, washing a little faster than before as she turned to smile at me.

“So how was your trip?” she asked trying to change the subject and I let her, figuring that it was Tate’s story to tell not hers. I shrugged, grabbing the next plate to empty its scraps.

“It was nice being able to relax for a bit” I honestly said finishing up with the plate and handing it to Rebecca so that I could do the next. She smiled as she took the plate from me.

“Carla’s something though” I added and Rebecca scoffed, looking back at me from over her shoulder when she spoke “That woman is more of a teenager than any of you” I laughed thinking back to the way Carla was drooling over Hayden and complimenting me on what a ‘fine piece of ass’ he was.

“I’ve noticed” I muttered finishing up on emptying the plates, trying to keep my mind off what Rebecca had said about Tate. I couldn’t help but wonder about what happened to him and who the girl was that broke his heart.

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It was around eight o’clock and everyone was gathered in the pack house. Light music was playing, wine was being offered and everyone was dressed in their best for the dinner. Holden was fast asleep in one of the rooms upstairs as I made my way downstairs dressed in an elegant navy blue dress that went down to just above my knees.

“Drink?” Tate asked coming over with two glasses of wine in hand when he noticed me. I politely took the one he was offering.

“Thanks” I said taking a sip of the dark red liquid and leaving a smudge of red behind on the rim of the glass because of my red lipstick.

“You look beautiful, by the way” he complimented, not looking at me and instead focusing on the crowd of mingling people around us.

“Thanks, the dress isn’t really me though” I informed shifting my weight from foot to foot in my black, seven inch platform heels. Tate glanced at me, looking me over for a minute.

“Could’ve fooled me, you look stunning in it” I smiled as I brought the glass to my lips to take another sip of wine “How’s Holden?” the question took me off guard but then I realised that Tate hadn’t had a chance to look after Holden in nearly two days.

“He’s all tuckered out and upstairs sleeping” I replied flicking my eyes towards the staircase. Tate nodded and stuck a hand into the pocket of his black suit pants.

“Why?” I asked out of curiosity when he didn’t say anything else. Tate shifted and turned to look at me “Just wondering, he’s grown on me, you know?” I breathed a laugh, looking out onto the crowd to see Rebecca shuffling around handing out drinks in between getting dinner ready in the kitchen.

“He grows on everyone, even Caine” I said thinking back to how happy and open Caine was when he was playing with Holden. It was like a whole new side to him opening up “Yeah I know but it’s almost like he’s…my own” I froze at Tate’s words, not shore how to respond when he suddenly set his glass down on a nearby table and did the same with mine.

“Come with me” he asked, offering his hand to me. I glanced from him to his hand then took it, seeing no harm in it. Tate lead me through the crowd and out the back door onto the porch into the warm night air.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make things awkward-.” he began leaning back against the railing while rubbing nervously at the back of his neck. I stood on the porch steps, staring up at the stars in the sky.

“No it’s fine I-.” I tried to protest turning to look at him but he didn’t give me a chance to finish as he continued “It’s just that Holden reminds me of what it feels like to be a father again” my mouth snapped shut and clenched as I searched his face, trying to find what he was feeling but all I found was pain and agony.

“Father again?” I asked when I finally found my voice. Tate nodded slowly, staring down at the porch flooring instead of looking at me.

“Almost” he corrected as I took a few steps towards him, leaning back against the porch table to support my weight.

“Rebecca mentioned something about a girl earlier-.” I trailed off thinking back to what she’d said about Tate getting his heart broken. Tate tensed but then sighed deeply, staring off into the distance.

“I loved her so much” he breathed with so much sorrow swirling in his eyes and strain in his voice. I wasn’t shore what to do or say so I just stayed put waiting for him to continue “She was the love of my life, my mate” I had no idea that that Tate had found his mate but I knew that something had to happen to her for them not to be together.

“And she was p-pregnant” he chocked out, his voice cracking as he spoke. I could see his body trembling and the way his hands gripped the railing was enough to show that he was in agonising pain.

“It’s okay you don’t have to tell me, I just-.” he cut me off by shaking his head and looking up at me through glazed over eyes. It was the most vulnerable I’d ever seen him.

“Rogue’s attacked the territory and-and I wasn’t there to-.” A sob escaped his lips and on instinct I stepped forward to wrap my arms around his neck, pulling him closer to me while pressing his head into my chest.

“It’s okay” I whispered into his ear as he shook from the emotional pain he was suffering and the uncontrollable sobs.

“No it’s not, I mean looking at you and Holden makes me feel like I have my family again, like I still have the love of my life right in front of me” he said when he managed to stop crying and pulled away to look at me. His rust coloured eyes stared into my crystal clear blue ones and for a split second in time I completely forgot about Hayden.

“Tate-.” I began only to be cut off when Tate sighed, running a shaky hand through his jet black hair.

“I know, I can never be with you, Rachel but I want to be close to you and Holden” I smiled faintly, not seeing the fighter that took on Hayden a few days before but instead a man of twenty three, broken and wounded “You’re his godfather Tate, and our future Beta-there’s nothing I can do to keep you away from us” Tate stiffened when the words left my mouth and snapped his head up to look at me.

“Godfather?” he asked and I nodded, smiling as I glanced down at the ground, thinking over all the times Tate has spent taking care of Holden.

“I wouldn’t want anyone else to take care of my child if anything ever happened to Hayden and me” I sincerely said with all the honesty in the world. Tate’s eyes softened and before I could react he’d already pulled me into a tight embrace.

“Thank you, princess” he whispered pulling me closer to him than humanly possible. My hands were braced against his chest while his were wrapped around my waist with my head on his chest and his in the crook of my neck.

“Tate” I breathed slightly pulling away to meet his rust coloured eyes filled with the joy I only ever saw when he was around Holden. My eyes flickered from his eyes down to his lips and back again when he started leaning in until our lips were just inches apart.

“Dinner’s ready” Rebecca announced suddenly stepping out onto the porch, dressed in her sleek royal blue floor length dress. Tate diverted his lips and quickly pecked my cheek before pulling away completely.

“I hope you’re in the mood for-.” Rebecca was saying but stopped when she noticed me and Tate. She glanced between us.

“Oh dear, I hope I wasn’t interrupting something” she said and I smiled tenderly at her, shaking my head from side to side.

“No not at all we were just catching some air” I assured and Rebecca nodded awkwardly turning to motion towards the back door with her manicured hand.

“Well common then, everyone’s already waiting” she informed and nodding I quickly shot a look at Tate, catching his eye before I headed inside and towards the dining room where mostly everyone was seated. I noticed that there was a seat open beside Hayden and took it, placing a kiss to his cheek.

“Hey” I muttered into his ear, causing him to smile in his seat at the opposite end of the table as Caine.

“Hey, I was looking all over for you” he said reaching for my hand under the table and giving it a small squeeze. I smiled and waved it off.

“I just needed to get some air, is all” I replied deciding not to mention the part about Tate being there. Hayden nodded as the rest took their seats with Tate sitting down across from me on Hayden’s left.

“I was hoping I could get a dance” Hayden whispered leaning over to breathe it into my ear. I smiled, suppressing my giggles as I turned my head to meet his eyes.

“Maybe we could go home after dinner and dance in private? I’m a terrible dancer” I suggested causing Hayden to chuckle lowly and press a quick kiss to the corner of my mouth.

“Yeah good idea besides I’ve got two left feet anyway” it was my turn to laugh as I nuzzled my nose along his cheek bone.

“You look beautiful tonight” I froze momentarily shooting a glance in Tate’s direction, finding his eyes locked on us. His words from earlier echoed through my mind ‘You look beautiful, by the way’ before Hayden could realise anything I gently pecked his lips.

“You don’t look too bad yourself” I said when I pulled away and Hayden trailed his nose up along mine till he reached my forehead and kissed it. The feel of Tate’s lips on my cheek was still burning hot when I tried to savour Hayden’s kiss.

“I’d like to thank everyone for coming tonight-.” Rebecca began as she lightly tapped her spoon to her wine glass to catch everyone’s attentions.

“Even though it’s just a small gathering to welcome everyone back from Titan territory safely, it’s also a celebration to celebrate my and Caine’s second adoptive child-.” she paused looking directly at Jake who was seated beside me on my right “Jake, welcome to not only our pack but our family as well” Jake nodded his head, giving a small smile as Rebecca turned to Jordan who looked nervous as she clutched onto Tyler’s hand.

“And a very warm welcome to you too Jordan, I hope you and Tyler have a wonderful life together here as part of our pack” everyone applauded the couple who was looking at each other with so much love in their eyes that it was as thought they’d known each other for most of their lives “Well then let’s eat, shall we?” again everyone applauded as Rebecca took her seat on Caine’s right and started serving herself with the food spread out across the table. I let go of Hayden’s hand to reach for the platter ahead of me but Tate beat me to it by handing it over to me.

“Thank you” I muttered and Tate nodded, staring at me for a minute, taking a sip of his wine.

“Anything for you, princess” I didn’t know why he resorted to calling me ‘princess’ but every time he did it sent wave after wave of chills down my spine.