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We turn off a main road, leaving the hustle and bustle of downtown Puritan City behind for the quieter streets of Winthrop. The cityscape transitions to charming, tree-lined avenues, and I lower the window a crack to let the scent of saltwater and fresh air flood in. The ocean stretches out in the distance, a dark expanse under the night sky. The rhythmic sound of waves reaches us, a soothing presence in the darkness.
“Almost there,” Malachi murmurs, a hint of a smile playing on the corners of his lips.
I straighten in my seat, looking forward. As we pull onto Washington Avenue, the scenery shifts again, revealing beachside homes. It’s simple, quaint, and beautiful. The three-story home, older by about a century, has touches of Victorian elements, like the wrap-around porch and a path that leads to a private beach.
I so wish it was swimming weather. I can absolutely see myself lying under the sun on the beach here, which makes me miss California.
“Wow,” I murmur, unable to mask my awe. “This is…beautiful.” Ivy creeps up the side of the house, and beautiful mums line the pathway.
Malachi pulls up to the front, stopping the car smoothly. “Welcome to our home, Aria.”
I step out, my boots crunching on the gravel driveway as I take in the home. Out front is an apple tree that looms over a small side yard. The driveway goes all the way to the back, and my eyes try to take in as much as I can, from the little ornate elements to where the salt has eroded the paint. It’s humble, homey, and cozy.
It’s perfect, and my heart squeezes at how much my auntie would have loved it.
Malachi steps up beside me, resting his hand lightly on my back. “Are you okay?”
Before I can respond, a figure comes bounding down the steps, a whirlwind of energy and enthusiasm—Dash. His grin is infectious, and he pulls me into a bear hug before I can protest.
“Aria! Finally, you’re here! What’s your favorite board game?” His tone is playful, his attitude easy and welcoming as he sweeps me in a circle. “Quinn ordered pizza, and Zane went for drinks. Do you drink sweet things? Beer? I told him to get everything. Oh, and dessert. He’s stopping by a bakery. Do you like cake? Cookies? Donuts?”
Laughter spills from me when he finally sets me down. “I’ll try anything once.”
I should think about the words that come out of my mouth, because Dash bites his lip and tugs me close.
“Anything? Like a Clarke sandwich?” He winks, releasing me. “Come on, everyone’s inside. Quinn has some new tech he’s dying to show off, and Zane… Well, I told you Zane is getting alcohol.”
I chuckle, feeling some of the tension ease away. Malachi’s hand slips from my back, and I feel a pang of loss at the contact, but it’s quickly replaced by the warmth of his presence beside me.
As we walk inside, the spacious foyer of the pack house greets us with a mix of traditional and contemporary design. The dark wood floors, plush fabrics, and gentle lighting give off a simple yet sophisticated vibe.
Two rocking chairs and dozens of plants sit in the front room of the house that we quickly walk past. The room opens up into a large, spacious living room. Unlike a lot of modern homes, this one remains separated instead of having an open concept layout.
A large sectional couch is directly to my left, lining the front and left walls. A staircase heads upstairs at the far left toward the back, where there’s a closet. To my right is a table, where Malachi tosses his keys, and a dining room before a large archway.
Quinn appears from the back, his eyes lighting up when he spots me. “Aria, welcome! I’ve been working on something special just for you.” His quirky smile is disarming, and I find myself smiling back, despite the whirlwind of emotions.
I want to pull him aside and apologize for my behavior earlier, but there’s too much going on. I make a mental note to find him later.
Zane walks in the back, dropping off bags in front of a kitchen island, his intense gaze fixed on me. There’s an unreadable quality to him, something alluring that makes me both wary and curious.
“Make yourself at home.” Malachi’s voice brings my attention back to him.
“Games!” Dash takes off toward the kitchen, only to trip over his feet and sprawl face-first onto the floor.
I rush over to Dash, trying to stifle a laugh as I help him up. “You okay there, speedy?” The pet name is definitely a play on his actual name.
He grins, not even fazed by his tumble. “Just excited! Come on, let’s get those games set up.”
As Dash leads me toward the back of the home, I can’t help but marvel at the warmth and camaraderie between the pack members. I love it more than I could even begin to vocalize right now. They have no idea this is exactly how I grew up. Auntie… She once told me that if a home wasn’t messy and loud and full of things from adventures, then it wasn’t living.
With each picture I pass, full of smiles and families and love, I fall a little more for these guys, which could absolutely be a problem.
I’m not even entering this relationship with the truth, which I owe them. Soon, I will tell them soon. Besides, who would be mad at finding a scent match?
I relax a little more with the thought as we enter a cozy den at the back of the house, complete with plush couches, a fireplace, and a wall of bookshelves lined with board games. There isn’t a single book in sight. Dash immediately starts pulling out boxes, his enthusiasm infectious.
“Okay, we have Monopoly, Scrabble, Pictionary… Oh, how about Twister?” He waggles his eyebrows at me, and I can’t help but laugh.
