Dakota's breath audibly caught beside me, his scent sharpening with interest. Across the table, Lucas's playful expression gave way to something more intense, while Theo's analytical gaze darkened behind his glasses. Gabriel's eyes never left mine, the blue deepening to something almost midnight.
"Then we follow your lead," Gabriel said, his voice a low rumble that sent shivers down my spine. "At your pace, with whomever you choose, whenever you're ready."
I nodded, suddenly finding it difficult to maintain eye contact with any of them. The possibilities stretched before me—exciting and terrifying in equal measure.
"I should probably mention," I said, fidgeting with my napkin, "I haven't been with anyone in... a while. Years, actually." I forced myself to look up, to face them honestly. "After what happened with my ex, I didn't trust easily. I just... wanted you to know that I might need extra patience. In that area."
The room fell silent for a moment, the weight of my admission hanging in the air. It was Lucas who spoke first, his usual playfulness tempered with gentle understanding.
"Time is something we have plenty of," he said, his warm eyes holding mine without a trace of judgment. "There's no rush, Vivian. Not for any of it."
"Intimacy develops at different rates for different individuals," Theo added, his clinical tone somehow comforting in its matter-of-factness. "Physical intimacy is only one aspect of a relationship, and not necessarily the most significant one."
Dakota's hand found mine under the table, his touch gentle despite his rough exterior. "We respect your boundaries," he said simply, the low rumble of his voice carrying absolute conviction.
Gabriel nodded, his blue eyes steady on mine. "What matters is that you feel safe. Comfortable. There's no timeline, no expectations beyond what you freely choose to give."
I exhaled slowly, feeling a weight lift from my shoulders. Their understanding—so immediate, so complete—was something I hadn't expected. It made the prospect of whatever lay ahead feel less daunting, more like an adventure I might actually want to embark on.
"Thank you," I said softly, looking around at each of them in turn. "For understanding. For not pushing."
"That's what pack is about," Gabriel replied, his voice warm with meaning. "Support. Respect. Care."
The word 'pack' sent a small thrill through me—the idea that I might become part of something larger than myself, something built on choice rather than obligation. It was both terrifying and exhilarating.
"Speaking of care," Theo said, glancing at his watch, "it's getting late, and you've been working with flowers all day. You should rest."
I smiled at his practical concern, recognizing the care beneath his analytical exterior. "You're right. I am pretty tired."
Lucas stood, gathering empty plates with practiced efficiency. "I'll clean up here. You should get some sleep."
I rose from my chair, suddenly feeling the weight of the day—the physical labor of arranging flowers, the emotional intensity of our conversation. My body ached pleasantly from the work, but my mind was still spinning with everything that had been said.
"Thank you for dinner," I said, looking around at all of them. "And for... everything else. The honesty. The understanding."
Gabriel stood as well, his tall frame commanding even in this casual moment. "We'll talk more tomorrow. When you've had time to process."
Dakota pushed his chair back, his eyes meeting mine with quiet intensity. "I'll walk you to your room," he offered, his voice low enough that only I could hear.
I hesitated for just a moment before nodding. "I'd like that."
We said goodnight to the others and made our way up the stairs in comfortable silence. When we reached my door, Dakota paused, keeping a respectful distance.
"Thank you for sharing what you did tonight," he said, his deep voice soft in the quiet hallway. "About your ex. It couldn't have been easy."
I looked up at him, struck by the gentleness beneath his usual intensity. "It wasn't. But it felt right, somehow. You all deserved to know."
Dakota nodded, his dark eyes studying my face. "What he did—using his voice on you—" His jaw tightened, a muscle working in his cheek. "If I ever meet him..."
"You won't," I assured him, touched by his protective instinct despite myself. "Like I said, he moved away years ago. It's in the past."
Dakota studied me for a long moment, his dark eyes searching mine. "But it still affects you," he said softly. "The way you guard yourself. The way you flinch sometimes when one of us moves too quickly."
I hadn't realized he'd noticed that—those small, instinctive reactions I thought I'd buried long ago. "I'm working on it," I admitted quietly. "And being here, with all of you... it's helping, strangely enough."
Dakota's expression softened, vulnerability showing through his usual stoic mask. "Good," he said simply. He reached out slowly, giving me plenty of time to move away if I wanted. When I remained still, his fingers brushed a strand of hair from my face, tucking it gently behind my ear.
"Sleep well, Vivian," he murmured, his voice a low rumble that vibrated through me. "We'll be here in the morning."
