Page 12 of Pack Apollo

As we get on the small highway that'll lead us to the city, he reaches across the middle to take my hand. "This okay? As friends, of course."

I can't help the smile that breaks out across my face. "As friends."

Though, that kiss a few minutes ago says something otherwise. We're roughly ten minutes into the ride, and I realize that other than asking to hold my hand, he's been silent. Not even singing or humming along with the low music like he does sometimes.

"Okay," I throw out there, "what's wrong?"

He licks his lips nervously. "What do you mean?"

I dip my chin and raise an eyebrow at him. "You're never this quiet. What's going on?"

Shaking his head, he looks out the window and back to the road. "Nothing, we just didn't warn the rest of our pack that we'd have company today until this morning, and they didn't take it all that great."

My heart threatens to pound out of my chest. "Well, take me back to my dorms then. I don't want anyone getting upset or going through any trouble for me to be here."

He's already shaking his head before I finish speaking. "No, they're okay now, I think. They just weren't happy we didn't say anything until last minute."

"You think? What are you leaving out?" I ask anxiously.

We ride a few minutes without talking before he finally shares, "Two years ago there was this woman named Shelley. She worked with Roz at his firm. He got to know her, pretty much fell for her, then had us go to dinner to meet her. He was solidly certain that she was the omega meant for our pack. Everything was great for a couple of months while we all got to know her. But then Roz started losing cases he was working on. Information was getting leaked to other firms and the media. They tried to hunt down where it was coming from to no avail. Until one day she told him that she loved him in the same breath that she confessed to being the mole. Told him that she was offered a job at the rival firm and begged him to go with her. In all the time she took getting to know him, she never learned how loyal he is. It just about broke him, Jake, and Brent. I think Cordell didn't feel it as bad, because like me, we didn't get as close to her as the others did. He won't say it, but I swear he knew something wasn't right about her. So, we kind of have this rule now that at least two of us have to meet anyone we bring home to meet the pack, but no one has bothered since her."

My jaw hangs slack in shock for a few seconds before I whisper, "Palmer, take me back."

"What? Why?" he asks confused, hand unconsciouslytightening on mine.

"I told you that I'm not looking for a pack," I remind him. "I don't want them getting ideas that I'm coming here for the wrong reasons, and I just kissed you. That sends all the wrong messages."

"Would it be such a bad thing if you were coming here to meet us as a prospect pack?" he asks quietly.

Squeezing his hand, I place my other one on top of them. "Not at all. If they're anything like you and Brent, I'm sure they're the greatest. I just don't want anyone getting their hopes up when that's not what I'm looking for at the moment. I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have kissed you."

Bringing our joined hands to his lips, he kisses mine before begging, "Please don't be sorry. I'm not. I knew kissing you came with no strings attached. And I'd do it all over again if you'd let me."

As reckless as it is, knowing one of us if not both are at risk of being hurt, I divulge, "I would, too."

His grin is contagious as he kisses my hand again. "Okay, so, no strings attached and no reason to be anxious. Yes?"

"Sure," I lie. How am I going to make it all day knowing what I do now? Every look I'll be wondering what they're thinking and if they're comparing me to her.

By the time we're pulling into the driveway of a house in an upscale neighborhood in the city, my palms are sweaty, and I'm forced to let go of his so that he won't be able to call me out on my lie.

Deep breath. Deep breath.I repeat over and over in my head as I wait for him to come around and open my door like he always does.

"Thanks for waiting," he says, holding out a hand to help me out.

His words force a smile to my lips. "After you fussing atme the other night, I don't think I'll make that same mistake again."

He shrugs, holding my hand as we walk. "My dad may not have been around to teach me everything, but my pack has made sure that I at least have manners."

I laugh breathlessly, and it comes out sounding as nervous as I feel. As we make it to the door, I pull my hand from his. He glances back at me questioningly.

"No strings, remember?" I remind him quietly.

He nods and smiles without seeming disappointed in the least.

Then he opens the door to walk in, beckoning me inside as I take my last deep lungful of free air. It comes out in a soft whoosh as I get my first look inside their home. Everything is white with dark accents, giving the appearance of opulence everywhere you look. From the wide, carpeted staircase that leads to a second floor, to the huge, sparkling chandelier hanging from the ceiling.

"How do you clean that?" I ask as Palmer moves to my side and peers upward with me.

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