Chapter 12 Part of me wants to squirrel Miles away from the rest of the world where nobody else can see him. He's just so...precious. Don't get me wrong, he has these intense moments where his protectiveness rivals an alpha's, but most of the time I just want to wrap him up and cuddle with him while we gorge ourselves on those chewy watermelon candies. Like any respectable omega. Miles has spent the last month showing me what it means to be properly loved. How I could ever think Pack Hansen cared about me outside the prestige of having an omega is beyond me. He doesn't scoff or get annoyed when I start talking about something I'm excited about, like my plants. He even asks me questions and seems interested in the answer. In return, Mile's has me set up in a single player mini-campaign in D&D so I can get used to the rules and how it's played before we start trying to play with other people. I have to admit, I was pretty disappointed when I found out I can't play as a water nymph, but then I suppose settling for a dual-wielding rogue elf isn't a terrible thing. Plus, he has me totally hooked on this anime, Demon Slayer, and it has a ripped shirtless guy wearing a hog's head as a helmet. It's pretty damn cool. He said we can watch through Sailor Moon next, which I'm really looking forward to. I watched an episode or two a few times when it came on TV when I was a kid, but I'm pretty excited to watch it through from beginning to end. Pack Hansen never would have let me hear the end of it if I had expressed interest in something so 'childish'. What the hell is childish about knowing what you like and being unafraid to be excited about it? They certainly would have scoffed and rolled their eyes at me if I had attempted to beg them to turn the car around and flee my brother's driveway like I'm tempted to do right now. I have no idea why...could it be the fact that my heat is coming and I want to keep my omega all to myself? 'You okay, little nymph?' Miles' hand grasps my knee as he puts the car in park, and I inhale his scent before turning and taking in his delicious appearance. His white button down shirt has the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, showing off the lean, taut muscles of his forearms, as well as half of his tattoo sleeve. That, combined with the way his shirt is unbuttoned nearly halfway, giving me a peak of the smooth planes of his chest, the look of his blue hair pushed back out of his face, and his black, rectangle-frame glasses perched on his nose, makes me think I'm more likely to want to ride him than snuggle. His own gaze darkens as he looks me over, and I know he appreciates the cut of my little black dress and my silver heels. I've done my make-up a little more than usual, but I know it makes my eyes pop. 'Yeah,' I let out a huff of breath. 'Just...the last time I was here was right after...' Miles' expression flashes with understanding. 'Fuck, baby, I-' 'Don't you dare apologize again,' I hold up my hand, 'I'll be fine. I just...need to warn you about my brother's pack. I probably could have said all this on the way here instead of daydreaming about us wrapped in blankets and eating candy.' He chuckles and shakes his head. 'I was wondering why your mind was working so hard over there.' 'I'm working on what they call 'manifesting'.' I nod seriously. 'Obviously,' he grins, then looks at me curiously, 'what do you mean about warning me?' 'Well, just so you know what you're getting into. It can be kind of a zoo sometimes,' I laugh and shake my head, remembering how my brother and Ollie sang 'I kissed a girl' but completely botched all the lyrics, 'though I doubt there will be any karaoke tonight.' It's the anniversary of Pack De Lucca's bonding, and the whole family seems to be here, if all the cars parked in the driveway are any indication. It's strange enough for Miles that I'm legally related to the author of 'The Knotty Omega', so I don't want him blinded by anything. 'Titus is the big one, he's ex-military. Grumpy dude, but he has a good heart, and is very protective of Cady, obviously, but also me and Hannah.' He nods like he's mentally storing the information. 'Got it.' 'Simon is quiet, but he sees everything. He's a doctor, but also, weirdly good at Call of Duty.' 'Respect.' 'Ollie is a wild card, he's harmless though. He looks intimidating, but one time when I was leaving their house after hanging out with Cady, I caught him wearing one of her snuggies and snuggly socks. He didn't even look shocked to see me, just kept walking down the hallway with his plate of 'midnight cheese'.' Miles quirks a brow as his lip tilts upward. 'Noted. And your brother?' I nod. 'He's mated to both Cady and their head alpha, Mattie De Lucca.' He swallows. 'I can't believe you just referred to a billionaire tech-mogul by a nickname.' 'I knew him before he took over,' I shrug, 'back when Arch used to bring him home for holiday breaks when they were in college he'd help me with my math homework. Started calling me sorrelina and piccola fatina.' It was like getting a bonus older brother. 'Go on.' He shakes his head like he can't believe my words. 'Mattie is calm, steady, and above all-patient. Archie can be snippy, sassy, and a little shithead sometimes.' Miles barks a laugh. 'Fuck, I'm an only child and even I know that was like, the most typical sibling response.' His words remind me of the conversation we had a month ago, where he told me about his parents. Hopefully, I'll be able to meet them someday. 'That's all,' I flash him a grin as I get out of the car, 'simple. Now, all I have to do is keep manifesting my vision of us snuggled up and watching Demon Slayer, and the night will be over before we know it.' The house is a far cry from what it looked like last October, and instead of this being a raging house party, it's an elegant affair with caterers, a string quartet, and servers. Only the best for Pack De Lucca. All festivities seem to be in the backyard tonight, the string lights draped over the deck casting the area in a beautiful glow. I spot my big brother on the deck, looking over the festivities with an appraising eye. 'Arch,' I pull Miles by the hand behind me through the small crowd of people, 'this is Miles. My mate.' 'Hi Bethany!' I hear someone yell behind me, maybe one of Ollie's sisters. I did recognize his parents when we first came back here. I give a little wave over my shoulder to whoever was talking to me and turn my attention back to my brother. Archie smiles as he looks at my omega, reaching his hand out to shake his. 'Miles. It's great to meet you.' 'He's not nearly as snippy as you said,' Miles says, fighting a smile, and Archie looks at me in mock outrage. 'Bethany Anne Thomas! You did not say I was snippy.' Playfully smacking Miles on the arm, I turn to Archie quickly. 'You'll have to forgive him, he can be a little-' 'Don't finish that sentence,' Miles laughs, wrapping his arm around me and pulling me close to his side. 'All jokes aside, it's nice to meet you too, Archie. I've heard nothing but good things about you.' 'Well now I know you're lying.' Archie smirks. Before I can refute that completely true statement, my parents are coming up the stairs and sweeping both Miles and I into a hug. 'Bethy-bear!' Dad wraps his arms around the two of us, smacking a kiss to my forehead. His black stubble lightly scratches my forehead, his equally black hair pushed out of his face. There's quite a bit more gray than the last time I saw him, but he wears it well. Miles gives me a gleeful smile and mouths 'Bethy bear' at me. Fucking cheeky omegas. 'Oh, honey, you look so good!' Mom takes my face in her hands and turns it from side-to-side as if inspecting me for damage. Mom's eyes, the same pale blue as mine, sparkle as she looks me over. I haven't seen them since I went to visit in Florida seven months ago. 'Your eyes are clear, your cheeks aren't so hollow anymore...' 'Gee, thanks Mom,' I mutter as she squishes my cheeks together. 'And this must be Miles,' Mom says, completely ignoring me as she turns her attention onto my mate, a strand of blond hair falling out from behind her ear. 'Oh, so handsome! What a perfect match for our Bethany.' 'He's smart too.' I smirk at the fact all my parents' attention is now on Miles, a situation he doesn't seem to know what to do with, if his wide-eyed expression is anything to go off. 'He's a physics teacher.' Dad's eyes widen, 'Imagine the brains of the babies these two-' Well, my own fucking around backfired on me. 'Dad, that's not-' 'You don't want kids?' Mom frowns at us, and I roll my eyes. I love my parents to death but I completely forgot just how overwhelming they can be in person. 'It's not something we've talked about yet, okay?' I say gently, squeezing both my parents arms. 'So can we take a step back?' My parents nod, both looking properly chastised until I clear my throat. 'I meant that literally. You're suffocating him.' Mom and Dad take a hasty step back, immediately giving Miles more space. 'We're sorry, sweetie,' Mom says to Miles. 'We get a little ahead of ourselves sometimes. You can call us Mama and Papa Thomas like Lanie does, or our first names. I'm Penelope, but I go by Penn, and this is Glenn.' Miles can't help but crack a smile. Hell, I've had twenty-nine years to get used to it and I still giggle inside every time I hear 'Penn and Glenn'. 'Yes, haha. We rhyme. So funny.' Dad deadpans and I have to fight my smile. 'Where is that Mattie of yours?' Mom turns and asks Archie, who had just been sitting back and watching this whole thing play out. Traitor. Miles tucks me into his side again as Archie leads them down the porch and steps over to the...bar. Yes, there is an open bar set up in this backyard. 'That was...' Miles trails off, trying to find the right word. 'A lot?' I venture, looking up at him. 'Kind of nice, actually,' he says with a small smile, looking down at me. 'I haven't seen my parents in so many years, it was nice to be...fussed over. Your brother looks just like you, by the way. Except the eyes.' My mouth drops open. 'How dare you.' 'Bethany!' A shout comes from the yard, and I look up to see Cady standing by the bar with Ollie and Simon. I grin and grab Miles' hand, leading him down the stairs of the deck and towards my sister-in-law. 'Let me guess,' Miles says into my ear as he follows me closely from behind, 'the blonde is Ollie, and the one with the glasses is Simon?' 'You have glasses too,' I smirk, 'should I be worried about people assuming you're a doctor?' Miles' chuckle tickles my ear. 'Well, probably not, considering I just used the process of elimination to figure it out, not the fact he has glasses.' We reach them right as he finishes his sentence and Cady sweeps me into a hug. 'How are you? Is this him?' She pulls back and looks at my omega. Before I can answer, Ollie takes a step towards me, arms outstretched. 'Bethy-bear!' A small growl rips out of Miles as he steps in front of me, and we all look at him, shocked. 'Oh my gods.' He shakes his head and looks around at us. 'I'm so sorry. My omega...he doesn't like alphas near her. Apparently. I'm Miles.' 'My omega,' I add, grabbing his hand so he knows I'm not mad at him. Instincts can be a real bitch. 'Shit,' Ollie says, but he sounds more impressed than anything. 'You guys really are scent-matched, huh?' 'Well, Ollie, did you think they were lying about it?' Simon tsks, shaking his head. 'We all know about Archie's parents-' 'Of course I didn't think they were lying,' Ollie holds up his hands in defense. 'It's just weird seeing it in person, that's all. Remember how weird it was when Tink growled at that chick who-' 'Okay!' Cady says brightly, her cheeks flushed slightly as she claps her hands. 'Enough of that. Alphas can't touch Bethany, got it.' Ollie looks so put out I almost feel bad for him. 'High five?' I ask Miles, who nods with a relieved smile and I slap my palm against the alpha's. Then Ollie's attention shifts to behind us. 'Oh shit! Banana just got here!' I turn my head to see Hannah Beckham come down the stairs of the deck, surrounded by her alphas. They all look down at her lovingly, and I can't believe how far she's come from the omega I met in this same house seven months ago. 'Happy anniversary!' She calls when she reaches us, wrapping Cady in a hug, then surprises me by hugging me as well. 'Bethany! It's so good to see you.' 'You too!' I smile, then loop my arm through Miles' and draw him forward. 'This is my mate, Miles.' 'He's an omega,' she states as her brows raise, but then she smiles. 'Good on you, girl. Never thought you'd go for an omega after the one that tried to steal your pack-' 'We're a scent match,' Miles cuts in, and a guilty look crosses his face. No, he is not going to do this again. 'Funny story actually,' I practically jump in front of him, 'Miles is the other omega I caught my pack with.' A Fated Encounter movie summary talks about Emma Brown who is forced by her father Henry to take her sister Bella's place and marry Tommy Anderson to save her business. Unlike the rumor Tommy turns ou...