Page 29 of Pack Down Bad

Belle throws her arms around my shoulders and presses closer, squeezing me tightly in a hug that I so desperately need.

Funny that while my parents were trying to instill a love of books in my siblings and me, the message I accidentally got was to judge books instead. I’m pretty sure that’s never what they meant to happen. I wish it didn’t take Belle showing up for me to finally acknowledge that for myself, though I’m still happy as hell that she did show up and is here now to be my sounding board.

When she pulls away, her face is set with a determined pinch between her eyebrows. “You should tell the pack.”

I nod.

“I mean it,” she says, sitting up straighter in my lap. “There’s a lot of love and trust between you three. You shouldn’t keep secrets from people you love. They deserve to know and love all of you, and theywill.

Fuck. I didn’t expect to be hit by a wave of guilt about dishonesty while staring deeply into her eyes. Will Belle still be capable of loving all of us when the truth comes out about her stay here?

I have to hope. With every passing hour, the bond I feel to her only grows.

“Besides,” Belle muses, “what’s morealphathan not letting other people’s ideas about manliness stop you from enjoying the occasional romance? Seems like a badass alpha thing to read and edit whatever you want, if you ask me.”

“Maybe you’re right.”

“Of course I’m right,” she teases.

I run my hand over her leg, wondering how we got so lucky to find her. She’s everything I want in an omega: soft, sweet, and strong enough to lift up her alphas in a tough moment.

“Belle?”

“Yes?” She smiles sweetly.

“I’ve never felt more seen.”

Her body trembles under my touch. She doesn’t know what to say, and ultimately says nothing, instead cuddling closer and resting her head against my shoulder. I rest my cheek on top of her head and close my eyes, breathing her in.

ChapterSixteen

Belle

“Dinner is ready!” Rhys’s voice echoes through the house.

Percy looks up from his spot at the desk, where he eventually returned after our chair cuddles. We exchange a knowing smile. With Rhys cooking again, I have a feeling that dinner is likely to bejust barelyover the line of edible, but I’m learning here that perfection isn’t the point.

A good meal doesn’t have to be about the food. Sometimes it’s about the people you share the meal with.

And this pack makes for pretty good company.

“Don’t worry,” Percy whispers when we reach the doorway at the same time, “he’s cooking more often right now to impress you. Knox and I usually do our fair share of cooking, too.”

“I’m not worried. Rhys is an amazing cook,” I manage to say with a straight face somehow.

Percy’s smile widens as he gestures for me to walk out ahead of him. I like knowing we’re in on some secrets together, though I do hope he’ll share with Knox and Rhys soon about his romance editing. I’m confident they’ll be supportive, and I think that will go a long way toward helping Percy heal a childhood wound.

“This is a great idea,” Knox praises Rhys as Percy and I join them in the living area.

I follow Knox’s gaze to the kitchen island, where a full spread salad bar has been set up. The ingredients are all glistening from a good rinse and look so fresh that my mouth waters. I’ve never seen so many veggies in one place before. I have a feeling my diet at home might be lackluster in comparison based on the way the sight of vegetables makes me whimper under my breath.

Percy chuckles. “Let’s get you fed.”

He grabs my hand and tugs me along to join the others around the island. Rhys smiles proudly as he passes out plates, starting with me before handing them out to the guys.

“I’m glad you all are the supportive type.” Rhys wipes a bead of sweat off his forehead with the back of his forearm. “I know everyone prefers a full, home-cooked meal, but since I’m not sure what all Belle likes yet, I thought this might be a safer choice for tonight. Everyone likes salad, right?”

“Not my friend Mia!” I announce with shocking confidence.

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