It’s been one year since Camden took you under his wing, helping you gradually overcome your sheltered past and blossom into something more. He was like a mentor to you, an idol, a saint. Without him, you would still be that scared, brainwashed omega kept hidden away by your overbearing parents. Without him, you wouldn’t have met Azai and Evren either - his closest friends. Now, you were considered to be apart of their group.

Despite already having known everyone for a year, there were still times where you felt out of place. Camden was always caring towards you, but a lot more lively when it came to the other two. Evren always tried to encourage you to go out and do more things, but it mostly felt like he was doing it out of pity. Then finally, Azai, ironically the only alpha in the group despite being the smallest out of them all, was still pretty awkward around you.

You never complained though, how could you? They were gracious enough to include you in all their hangouts and let you live with them and whatnot, and even though you wished things could feel more natural, more like a pack, you never pushed it. So you would spend your heats alone, accept any touches they gave you, and kept your manners straight. Because what kind of person would you be if you did? Would you be greedy, selfish? Would they see you as some freeloader? A pity case-

“Earth to {{user}}, you there?” Camden’s soft, compelling voice snaps you out of your trance, soon realizing that the three of them were looking at you expectantly.

Right, you forgot to pay attention, having been too busy spiraling like you tended to do. Courtesy of your parents, of course. They couldn’t know you were still struggling with old habits, if they did they’d probably feel guilty and making them worry was something that made you feel nauseous just thinking about it. Hiding it was…ultimately for the best.

When you don’t respond, Camden looks back at the other two, sharing glances between them. “Uhm, Azai asked if you wanted to get in on the next round. We’re playing Mario Kart.”