Page 38 of Taken By the Pack

“Maybe.”

“When?”

“Let’s say nine? I have to pass by the store first.”

“Bright and early, huh?”

“Jake.”

“Fine, fine,” I say, grinning. “Nine it is.”

Another pause. Then?—

“Goodnight, Jake.”

My chest goes tight. I clear my throat. “Goodnight, Grace.”

The line clicks off.

I stare at my phone for a second, then toss it onto the nightstand and drag a hand down my face.

I’m hard as a fucking rock.

I shake my head and reach for the romance novel on my nightstand. Maybe a book will help. Maybe it’ll make me stop thinking about her—her voice, her breath, the way she’d look desperate and aching under me.

Yeah. I’m completely fucked.

And tomorrow’s already shaping up to be a damn good day.

11

ASH

The dream lingers even after I wake up. Mia, sitting on a checkered blanket, the sun warm on her face, laughing as she shoves a strawberry in my mouth.

I can still hear her voice, light and teasing. I can still see the way she smiled at me like I was her whole damn world.

Then—nothing.

Just the cold motel room, the shitty yellowed ceiling, and the ache in my chest that never really leaves.

I stare at the clock. Two minutes after six in the morning. Too early to do anything, too late to fall back asleep without her slipping back into my dreams.

I push myself up and rub a hand down my face. Shower. That’s what I need. Something to shake this feeling off before it settles in too deep.

The motel water is lukewarm at best this morning, the pressure barely there, but I stay under it longer than I need to.

When I finally step out, steam clings to the mirror, and I swipe a hand over the glass, staring at my reflection.

My stubble’s getting thick. Should’ve packed my razor.

Fuck. Another thing to add to the list.

The motel sucks. No breakfast. No real privacy. I’d hoped I could stay here until I found a nice place to rent, but I’ll have to speed up the search.

Maybe I’ll find something quiet, something that doesn’t smell like mildew and regret.

I throw on jeans, a plain shirt, and lace up my boots. The air outside is crisp, the sky still soft with early morning light.

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