Page 136 of Believe it or Knot

If that were the case, why is there a stack of clothes on the bed that smells like your pack? That has to mean something, right? I shake my head at the thought. Clothing or not, the fact remains that they left me to go do an interview.

And where the hell is Gage?

Why isn’t he here?

He can’t possibly be with the Cordova pack about to go on live television. He’s made it clear that he doesn’t want to be a part of their pack, of any pack.

The TV flashes, and I realize I stood here in a daze while the entire commercial break played and now… Well, now the Cordova pack is on the screen and Gage is with them. It doesn’t make any sense at all. I scramble toward the remote and mash the volume button until I can hear the interviewer, Guilia Hanson.

“And who might you be?” That question could have been sleazy or flirty, but Guilia’s face is completely professional as she looks at Gage.

“Gage Wagner.”

“The newest member of the Cordova pack,” Liam cuts in proudly.

I choke on my tea and cough, trying to hear what else is being said over the sound of my hacking and my own swirling thoughts, but I can’t. Gage joined the Cordova pack? Why would he do that? He told me he would never. He said they aren’t his pack. He told me I’d have to choose between him and them, but in the end it didn’t matter because they decided they didn’t want me, anyway.

Did he decide the same thing? That I’m just not worth it? That he’d rather be with a pack with wealth and fame than to stick it out with me? Did he do the very same thing he accused me of?

“What do you mean, one of them at least?” Guilia says, drawing me back to the interview.

“Well, we haven’t really asked her yet,” Liam says, looking handsomely sheepish.

“She?”

“Sorrel Forbes,” Gray says, sounding firm and powerful. “The beta that everyone has been accusing of breaking our hearts.”

Rafe scowls at the camera, arms folded over his chest, making his muscles bulge threateningly. “Everyone really needs to stop doing that.”

“She didn’t break our hearts,” Liam says, shaking his head sadly. “We broke hers.”

“All of us,” Gage adds, leaning forward in his chair. “And we’re working to make it up to her.”

“Hopefully, it works,” Gray says with a charming smile. I hate everyone in the world is seeing it right now. A small, bitter part of my soul only wants him to smile like that at me. “We’d like nothing more than for Sorrel Forbes to be ours.”

“Ah, I see. Will she be joining us?” My brows furrow at the question.

“Nah,” Rafe shakes his head. “Our girl isn’t a fan of the spotlight.”

“She’s also still recovering from recent events,” Gage adds.

I glance around the room I’m in, not fully understanding what the hell is happening. Are they… claiming me publicly without my presence or my input? The nerve of those assholes to go on a live fucking interview and tell the world that I’m going to be a part of their pack!

Without even asking me first!

I mean, sure, we planned on making the same announcement, but that was before everything happened. Before they decided I couldn’t be trusted. Before Gage gave me an ultimatum. Before they hurt me so badly, I’m not sure I’ll ever recover.

Scowling, frustration rises and I have the inexplicable urge to do something. To… I don’t yell at them or kiss them. Or to at least confront them about doing this without talking to me. My eyes flick around the screen, searching for clues about where they are. It only takes me a moment to realize that the room they’re in is a duplicate of the one I’m sitting in, except the throw blankets are gray and not taupe. So they must still be in the hotel, maybe even on this floor?

I slide the cup onto the coffee table and stumble toward what I assume is the door to the hall, yanking it open without a thought, only to draw up short when I’m greeted by a broad back covered in a black suit jacket and the scent of leather and musk.

The alpha turns to glance down at me, one brow arched in surprise. “Miss Forbes.”

I shift on my bare feet and flash him a smile. “Hi, sorry, I don’t know your name.”

“Jensen.”

“Jensen,” I repeat, tucking my still damp hair behind my ears with my smile firmly in place. Even though my heart is thundering and I have this all-consuming need to go to them. “Is- Are the Cordova pack nearby? I’d like to speak to them.”

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