Page 31 of Taken By the Pack

“Fine,” I agree. “But only because I need to get these flowers in water before they wilt.”

Jake smirks. “Priorities, huh?”

“Shut up.”

As we walk, the silence is heavy, but not uncomfortable. Rowan stays close, his presence solid and grounding in a way I hate to admit I notice.

Jake putters along next to us on his bike, looping back up and down the road every once in a while when our pace is too slow for him to ride without wobbling.

By the time we reach the shop, I’m so emotionally drained I can barely think straight.

“You sure you’re okay?” Jake asks again as I unlock the door.

“Yeah,” I say, but I avoid meeting his eyes. “Thanks again.”

Rowan doesn’t say anything, just nods before turning and walking away.

Jake lingers for a moment. “If you need anything, you call me. Got it?”

I nod, my throat tight.

“Good,” he says, and then he’s gone too, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

9

ROWAN

Istop dead in the middle of the block. Damn it. I didn’t even apologize for the day before. I shouldn’t have reacted so harshly when it was clear she was acting that way due to her heat. I rake a hand through my hair and turn around.

The shop is just a few buildings back. My pace quickens. What if she’s still pissed? What if she tells me to get lost? Screw it—I need to do this.

When I reach the door, I knock once. No answer. The little bell above the door jingles as I push it open, stepping into her world.

The place is alive with flowers. Every color, every kind. The scent of roses, lilies, and something citrusy swirls in the air.

But I can still smell her. Beneath all that floral sweetness, her scent pulls at something primal in me.

“Grace?” I call out, scanning the room.

She’s standing by the counter, watering can in hand, apron smeared with dirt, shoulders shaking. She’s crying.

“Grace.”

She turns, and before I can process what’s happening, she’s walking straight into me. Not storming, not stomping, just… collapsing against my chest.

I freeze for half a second. Her body’s warm and trembling, and feels so right against me.I wrap my arms around her, holding her close, stroking her back.

“It’s okay,” I murmur, kissing the top of her head because I don’t know what else to do. Her scent is stronger in here, and it’s doing something to my brain, scrambling my thoughts.

The bell chimes again.

Jake steps inside, looking like he’s ready to fight someone. His eyes dart to me, then Grace. “I felt like something was wrong, so I came back. What’s going on? You okay?”

She whimpers—actuallywhimpers—and pulls away from me, like I’ve burned her. The ache that leaves behind… I shove it down.

“I didn’t mean to drag you into this mess,” she says, looking between us.

Jake frowns, stepping closer. “What mess? Grace, what the hell’s going on?”

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