Buried and Shadowed (Branded Packs #3)(18)

Oliver and Gibson were the important ones and had homes of their own. And she needed to kick herself. I’m important, too, she told herself once more. She was. And those who didn’t see that, didn’t understand that, were the ones lacking.

However, exploring a relationship with two men would probably be easier at their places rather than hers. She might be alone for the moment, but she wouldn’t be for long.

She made herself a cup of tea, using some of the blend that Soren had snuck into the den, and was about to get to work when someone knocked on the door. She turned toward the sound and inhaled, a small smile playing on her lips after she caught the scent of the wolf and bear who filled her dreams.

She left her tea cooling on her shabby dining room table next to her notebooks and made her way to the front door to let them in. It wasn’t lost on her that Theo had walked in without knocking, and yet these two were cautious, respectful of her space. Theo had earned the right to come in when he felt like it long ago, and yet she had a feeling that might change now. It hurt, but she would learn to deal. It was what she always did.

As for Gibson and Oliver, the way they knocked on her door rather than making themselves at home would change, as well. Everything in her life seemed to be changing, emotions long since buried making their way to the tip of her fingers, to her heart, to her entire being.

When she opened the door, she had to keep herself from sucking in a breath. It wasn’t fair that these two were so good-looking. Oliver had pulled his chestnut hair back in a band, but his beard touched the top of his chest. Gibson’s dark brown hair brushed the tops of his shoulders and covered his eyes a bit until he brushed it back. The action sent shivers through her since his biceps bunched just right with the movement. He had more scruff than beard, and she loved the look of them both. If this worked out, she would be one lucky wolf.

“Hi,” she breathed and wanted to shake herself. She could do better than that. “Want to come in? I thought you two were resting.”

Oliver tilted his head to study her, and Gibson ran a hand over his heart. “What happened when we were gone?” the bear asked.

“You’re hurting,” Gibson added softly.

Well, crud. Apparently, being with the Omega and a very observant Foreseer meant she’d have to be careful with every emotion. Some things were meant to be her own until she could work through them.

“I’ll be okay,” she said and put up both of her hands. “Let’s just leave it at that for now. I need to work through a few things and then I can talk about it.”

“If that’s what you want,” Oliver said, his voice low.

Gibson shifted from foot to foot. “Yeah, sorry about that. I’m still getting used to all of these things. I don’t know how I’m supposed to help people eventually when right now it feels like all I’m doing is intruding.”

Mandy sighed. “We’ll find a balance. Now, do you want to come in? Or do you plan to occupy my porch until my roommates come home.”

Oliver’s eyes flared. “I forget you have roommates sometimes.”

“It can’t be helped,” she said simply.

“That much I know,” Gibson said after a moment. “We’re actually here to take you to the den center. Holden wants a meeting.”

“Why didn’t I hear about it?” she asked. “And why would I need to go unless it’s for the entire den. I don’t usually attend high-ranking meetings like that.”

“It’s for most of the den,” Gibson answered. “And we’re here to ask you to go, hence why you’re just hearing about it now. It wasn’t a planned thing. And since I’m going, well, they want you there, as well.” He paused. “Actually, I think you might have been invited anyway. You’re more than you think you are, Mandy.”

She studied his face and nodded. “Okay, then. Let me put on some shoes.” She wasn’t sure what had gotten into her recently, but she didn’t like that she continually doubted herself. She was proud of her place in the Pack. She was needed and accepted. Yet as soon as she thought of herself next to these invaluable men, she kept putting herself down.

That needed to stop, and yet she wasn’t sure how considering she didn’t know why she kept doing it in the first place.

When she stepped out onto the porch with them, Oliver stopped her by cupping her face. “What is it?” she asked.

“You are far more important to us, to the Pack, to yourself than you give yourself credit for,” the big bear whispered. “I wish you would see that.”

Gibson gripped her hip from behind and leaned forward, his lips near her ear, the warmth of his breath sending shivers down her spine. “We see you, Mandy. We always have. We might have stayed away for our own reasons, but it was never because you weren’t worthy. You’re more than all of us. You’re the glue, the reason our beasts can breathe. You might not go to war rooms and fight in the battles that leave us bloody, but that doesn’t mean you’re pushed to the sidelines. Just remember that, okay?”

Tears filled her eyes and she nodded. Oliver lowered his head then, brushing his lips against hers, once, twice. “Good,” he whispered.

He pulled away, and Gibson cupped her jaw and tilted her head toward his, capturing her lips with a kiss of his own. “We’ll keep saying things along those lines until you start to believe it.”