Page 152 of Drown My Sorrow

Pack Mogel is a whole different matter. Wren and Raider walk in with the confidence that only comes from years in the spotlight. Kit, Callan, and their beta, Ryann, follow suit. They are laughing as they walk in, Kit teasing the beta, who glows with happiness. There is absolutely no sign they’ll cause trouble at all.

Kelly’s parents are here, too. The older pack is quietly brimming with happiness. Auggie came up to me and took my hand earlier, and her eyes welled up. I’d stood there panicking until Kelly rescued me.

“I’m just so happy to see you all here!” Auggie had gushed and hugged Kelly. She immediately took Aspyn under her wing, dragging her to meet Bethany and Ryann.

I’m about to retrieve her back when Shale shakes his head. I resist, growling under my breath, watching intently as Aspyn is presented to alphas, betas, and omegas alike, with no one but August and Sol for protection.

I hear a sound and turn towards the door. The alpha that walks in fools me for exactly thirty seconds before I realise the ethereal beauty of Alpha Envy is actually Omega Envy and his hand is tight around Ryn who is, despite all the information I’ve ever read, not a beta but an omega. Two of them in one pack. The alphas bring up the rear, Tyr, Digs, and Mako.

Everyone knows who they are. Even on our backwards island, we know who they are. I’m not sure what to expect from such famous people, but they seem totally normal, and Digs throws himself on the nearest lounge and wails about how sore his back is.

“So, we’re passing on our hotel stay, then?” Ryn asks.

Digs sits up straight. “I’m perfectly fine. Nothing wrong at all.”

Envy snickers but keeps an eye on Ryn as she wanders over to join Lia, Bethany, Aspyn, Ryann, and Auggie.

“Aspyn? Kelly told me about you. My name is Ryn. I’m his cousin and probably the closest family to him.”

Ryn smiles charmingly, but I feel nothing but mild curiosity as I watch from a distance. Aspyn hesitates and then finally murmurs something that could be passed for a greeting.

I watch the interaction with an intensity that I can’t hide. If anyone hurts her feelings, they are dead.

“Hi!”

I turn to find the small and fine-boned alpha casting probing gazes over Beau and myself. This is one of Pack Mogel’s alphas, though he doesn’t feel like an alpha.

I would bristle, but there is no threat of judgement from him. I get the impression he’s seeing something else. And now I’m curious to find out.

Out of the corner of my eye, Ezy approaches Aspyn and hands her a drink. Beau bounces over there, takes the cup, drinks out of it, and then hands it back. Smacking his lips on her cheek and stalking off.

It’s a huge territorial mark that no one misses.

“Keagan, this is Kit. The alpha with the clothes,” Kelly murmurs.

My attention sharpens, and I watch another alpha approach, the one they call Callan. He and Kit exchange a deep look of silent words to each other before they turn back.

Aspyn and Ezy rejoin our group, and she leans into me, looking exhausted. Her hand is clenched too tightly around her cane.

“I have a gown that’s going to suit you perfectly. Actually, I have two now that I’ve seen you,” the alpha says kindly.

Kit’s eyes travel down Aspyn’s walking stick. “May I?”

Aspyn is hesitant, but she hands it over.

Kit clucks his tongue. “Why do they make such necessary items so damn ugly? I can fix this, too.”

Callan chuckles. “He loves a project. Ryn has banned him from making any more clothes for her.”

“I’d need a second tour bus if you keep making me more clothes.”

“Would you mind?” Kit hands the stick back and gestures for Aspyn to follow. I move to go with, but Beau springs into action, charming and teasing the group as they move away from me.

Which leaves me in a perfect vantage point to really get a good look at how things might go tomorrow night at the party.

Gael is still deep in the office, buried under a mountain of paperwork and things none of us understand. He’s happily humming along and grateful to be missing this.

I spot Shale with the bikers and turn away, unconcerned.

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