An Omega For The Twin Alpha

tanding that she hadn't experienced in a long time-if ever. It left her feeling conflicted. She was grateful for their kindness, but she also couldn't help but wonder why they had sudden

ound. It was as though their presence provided a buffer between Ava and the cruel reality she was used to. She didn't know w

spend time with them, unsure of their motives and wary of getting too close. But they were persistent, and

s time, tending to the plants that she had grown so attached to. The garden was one of the few places where she felt truly at peace, surrounded by the soothing scents of lav

right behind her. His presence was as quiet and unassuming as ever, but there was a strength t

's voice was soft, car

ly wiped her hands on her apron and stood, feeling a

at put her at ease. "I didn't mean to sneak up on y

e neat rows of herbs and flowers. "I think

one of the herb beds, examining the plants with an attentive eye.

nd she had poured her heart and soul into it. Hearing someone else acknowledge that meant

aze steady and thoughtful. "Y

is question. "I do," she admitted softly. "It's...one of

d exactly what she meant. "I get tha

. He didn't ask any more probing questions, didn't push her to talk about anything she wasn't rea

providing a sense of security that she hadn't felt in a long time. He didn't fill the silence with unnecessary chatter, didn't fee

trast to the way R

and steady, Ryder was lively and exuberant, his playful nature infectious. He had a way of drawing her

's territory. It was another one of her favorite places, a quiet spot where she could sit and listen to the water as it r

e on the surface of the river. She had come here to clear her mind, to let the sound of the water wash away the noise

rie, and she turned to see him standing a few feet away, h

thing about Ryder that made it hard to sta

his long legs stretching out in front of him. He leaned back on his hands, tiltin

aze returning to

nt calls of birds. It was peaceful, but there was an underlying energy to Ryder's presence that Av

ayful nature getting the better of him. "You know, I'

, glancing over at hi

always so focused, so dedicated to your work. I admire that, b

such a Ryder thing to say. "I'm not sure wha

But that doesn't mean you can't have fun, too.

e just wasn't used to it. Her life had always been about survival, about keeping her head

nuine smile. "I'm not saying you have to go wild or anything. Just...don't

sy to just change who she was overnight. Still, there was something about the way he said i

k a deep breath and let herself relax

diately jumped to his feet, pulling her up with

ut smile at his ent

leaming with mischief. "A race. First

elief. "You want me to ra

n never faltering. "It'll be fun.

deep, but it was fast-moving and the rocks were slippery. It wasn't exactly

nt, she felt a spark of something she hadn't felt in a long time-an

rprising herself with her

is boots, rolling up his pant legs. Ava did the same,

e edge of the ri

ed down. "Three.

big rock in the middle of the river. The water was icy, and the current was

d and stumbled over the rocks. Ava couldn't help but laugh along with him, the sound

an Omega, or the pain of Rowan's rejection. All she could think about was the thrill

st the rough surface just before Ryder's. She was breat

ed, her voice breat

ock as he tried to catch his breath.

ght, this free. It was as though the weight of the world

s shining with warmth. "I

moment still bubbling ins

nature had a way of drawing her out of her shell, making her forget her worries and just enjoy the moment. It

h the twins. They were so different, yet each in their own way, they had managed to break through the barriers she had built around herself.

he hadn't expected. The twins had given her something she hadn't realized she was missing-friends

, she wasn't as alone as she had always believed. Maybe there was a place for he

bright as the setting sun, Ava couldn't help b