Crew whimpers, wrapping his arms around himself as he stares after the car. Unable to help myself, I take a step forward, needing to comfort him but pulling up short.
What the hell do I think I’m doing?
Yes, Crew is obviously distraught, but that doesn’t mean he wants me touching him. Especially not considering his girlfriend just left him alone with a bunch of people he doesn’t know.
“Are you okay, Crew?” Christopher’s voice is much softer now that he’s speaking to my omega, which is good. I don’t think I’d be able to handle it well if he barked at him like he did me and Alexander.
Fuck.
Sometimes dealing with designations is a pain in the ass—whether they’re ours or someone else’s. There are just too many instincts to overcome.
“No, Chris. I don’t think I am.” His voice is thick with tears, and I take another step toward him before stopping again.
He doesn’t know you,I remind myself.
“What do you need?” Davis asks gently.
Crew shakes his head, staring at the ground. “Kiara, but that’s not really an option right now, is it?”
I clear my throat, glancing at Pack Hart. “I know I’m not Kiara, but I’ve been told I give a pretty damn good hug.”
“He does,” Davis confirms, and a glance at him shows he’s having to fight his instincts just as hard as I am. Alphas don’t like their omegas to be distressed, but betas are the true caregivers in packs. This has to be driving Davis insane.
“Kiara always says your hugs are the best,” Crew confirms, lifting his tear-filled eyes to glance at me.
“The offer is open.” Not wanting to press too hard, I open my arms and wait to see what he’ll do.
He hesitates for a moment before dropping his arms and stepping into mine. I hug him to me, laying my head on top of his as we sigh together.
“I don’t want to be a dick,” Alexander says quietly. “But I don’t understand what’s going on? Why is everyone so upset?”
I want to smack my best friend in the back of his head, but there’s no damn way I’m letting go of Crew.
Luckily, someone else takes care of it for me.
“Ow! What the fuck, Davis? It’s a genuine question. Kiara came home with an omega who’s our scent match. How is this a bad thing?”
Crew’s shoulders shake as my shirt dampens, telling me he’s falling apart in my arms even if he’s doing so silently.
“Shhh,” I murmur, keeping my attention on Crew while Davis deals with Alexander. “It’s going to be okay.”
Crew snorts. “Oh, yeah? And how do you figure that?”
I pull back, cupping Crew’s cheek and turning his gaze up to meet mine. “Because we’re scent matches, and because the three of us? We’ve been waiting years for Kiara to be ready to join our pack.”
“That’s the problem.” Crew sighs, but he doesn’t pull away from me. “Kiara thinks me meeting my scent matches means the end of our relationship. It doesn’t matter how many times I’ve told her I’m never giving her up, she doesn’t believe me. Scent matches aren’t everything.”
“I feel like I should be offended.” I snicker, brushing away his tears. “But I understand what you’re saying. Scent matches or not, if they don’t want Kiara, then they don’t get you.”
He nods. “Yes. Exactly that. But the three of you being my scent matches? That’s her worst nightmare. She doesn’t think the three of you are interested in anything more with her than friendship, and you’ll always be around. She thinks she’ll have to watch the four of us be happy without her.”
“Yeah, that’s not happening,” Davis interrupts, drawing Crew’s attention. “I’ve been trying to make Kiara mine since I met her.”
Crew blinks at him. “Really?”
Alexander nods. “Both Davis and me. Mason wanted her from the start too, but she’s his stepsister. That made it more complicated for him.”
“Not anymore?” Crew asks, his voice barely above a whisper.