Page 1 of Talk About… Trouble

Wren

There were only two ways this day would end, and both included tears. Meeting Avery for lunch today was something I needed to find closure.

She was kind enough to actually see me. Though, I’d never blame her if she had refused.

Seeing your best friend fucking your pack wasn’t something you simply forgot.

Guilt and nerves made it so the four hour drive to Rockwood Valley was pure torture.

What I hadn’t planned out was for my entire car to be packed up with my belongings, the rest I hired someone to clear out and donate for me.

If things with Avery went bad… well, I wasn’t sure what to do. If they went like I expected, then I’d be heading for The Omega Network Clinic to see if they could help me find a place to stay and a job.

The Landing was fairly quiet this time of day, only a few cars in the parking lot. I wasn’t even sure what Avery drove to know if she was one of them.

My hands shook as I gathered my purse and phone and climbed out of the comfort of my car. The sun was already hot, harsh against my cool skin from the air conditioning and the long drive.

“You can do this, Wren. It’s Avery. You know her,” I hissed at myself, urging my stubborn feet to move.

The familiar anxiety started to claw up my throat and I glanced around, picking three things I could see.

Mountains in the distance. A lake behind the restaurant. Avery.

Shit, she was waiting for me at the door. My gorgeous friend looked different. She still had that same gorgeous, dark hair and hazel eyes, but she looked happy and glowing, her smile wider than before.

Maybe I never realized just how much her former pack had dragged her down. I’d always known her with those awful alphas, though they had us all fooled. If she gave me a chance, I’d love to know who she was now without that baggage weighing her down.

“Wren!” Avery said, waving at me from where she stood. “I’m happy to see you!”

“You are?” I questioned, shock stopping me in my tracks. “B…but…”

“Yes,” she said firmly, hazel eyes hard yet sincere. “Let’s get this out of the way right now. I’ve healed and I know the truth now. It was never your fault and you have to stop blaming yourself for that.”

“I thought you’d hate me,” I admitted, voice cracking as a tear slid down my cheek.

Avery sighed and pulled me into a hug. Her arms were warm but she smelled like a mix of alphas, making my nose wrinkle. I didn’t feel jealousy, only relief. She deserved the world and after everything she had been through, I hoped that her pack gave her everything she deserved and more.

“You found a pack?”

She laughed as she pulled away. “That obvious?”

“You smell like alphas,” I said as she hooked her arm through mine and led me inside.

We both let out a sigh as air-conditioned air swept over us, sending a shiver down my spine thanks to the sweat that was already forming.

“I’ll tell you all about them once we snag a seat,” she promised, waving to a curly haired guy walking out of the back hallway. “Hey, Taylor! Can we sit anywhere?”

“Absolutely,” he said, waving around the mostly-empty room. “Take your pick and I’ll be over in a second.”

“I thought you didn’t handle tables,” she teased.

“My mate’s bestie gets the VIP treatment,” he said with a wink, his dimples popping out as he grinned. The omega was adorable and bubbly. It hit me with an odd pang of sadness, realizing we used to have that in common.

Now… I was nothing like that girl.

Somehow I kept my fake smile on my face until we got to the table Avery picked, tucked away in a corner with plants on either side, giving us a bit of privacy.

It still felt awkward between us. Even if it was mostly in my head now. She seemed unaffected and fairly relaxed as she settled into her chair.

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