Page 17 of Truth or Pack

“I’m not hungry,” I muttered before turning toward the stairs, but suddenly Ash was in front of me, blocking my way. He slid into place and held up his hands.

“Look, I know we aren’t your favorite people, but I heard your stomach rumble. We’re adults now, let’s just have a quick chat, food, then you can go hide,” he said in a light tone that was half-joking, half-pleading. His scent was sharp with his anxiety, the cherry, lime, and sparkling water souring slightly.

Yet, it was still mouthwatering.

My eyes drifted over his face, marking the sharp angles of his deep cheekbones and strong, stubbled jawline. His blue eyes held flecks of midnight blue that seemed to be just as stormy as the weather we’d been having.

The alpha was studying me just as curiously, taking in every inch of my face with a soft smile on his face. In a different life, I’d have melted for these men.

Unfortunately, the past wasn’t that easily forgotten.

“You’re beautiful, Taryn,” he said, his voice low enough I knew it was just for me. “Let us apologize and clear the air. Please.”

I had a feeling this tattooed, leather-jacket-wearing alpha wasn’t used to saying that word often enough.

“Why would I want to let three assholes mansplain about how they weren’t as terrible as I thought and it was all some misunderstanding?” I asked, words as piercing as daggers. He winced, then stumbled back as if I’d actually stabbed him. “What, things have changed now that fate intervened? I saw your character last time and it was severely lacking. So, thanks, but no fucking thanks.”

With that, I shoved past him and hurried up the stairs, pushing my door closed. It was pitiful and cowardly. I needed to eat and I should have sucked it up and faced them, let them say what they wanted and then told them to fuck off.

My pride was one of the things I clung to. Being true to myself wasn’t something I would toss aside, no matter how good the food smelled.

Arguing voices drifted up the stairs after me. They continued on for a while, which was why I was surprised to hear a soft knock at the door.

The voices never stopped, likely the alphas if the timid knock was anything to go by. As I approached the door, I knew I was right, the medley of citrus and berries drifting under the door, mixed with the scent of dinner.

He brought me a plate.

That was honestly the only reason I bothered opening the door.

The beta looked downright miserable. How had someone as seemingly sweet as him ended up with a group like that in university?

He held out the plate piled high with a lasagna and garlic bread. “We weren’t sure what you liked but we figured pasta was a safe bet.”

I studied him for a beat too long, his shoulders sagging and he started to step back but my resolve snapped and I reached for the plate.

The voices rose again but he just huffed, as frustrated with them as I was.

“I’m sorry about them… and everything else. What you said to Ash was partially true, we do think it’s a misunderstanding on some levels. Not that we’re innocent, just oblivious assholes with some lies mixed in. We didn’t realize half of it and we should have. Just… don’t reject me until you’ve heard the full story? Please?”

Something in those pleading, green eyes of his and wild, blond hair had me nearly saying yes. The crack in his voice had my omega wanting to comfort him, but I couldn’t just give in and say it was fine. Roll over and forgive them just because they looked genuine and smelled nice? Hell no.

Downstairs fell quiet and he cast a wary look between the first floor, then me, before taking a step back.

“Think it over. We’ll be up for a while,” he finally said before closing my door for me in some sort of strange peace offering.

The truth was, I missed his presence when he walked away. I’d been alone for so fucking long.

I’d dreamt about meeting my pack. Having mates that would see right through my family and accept me as I was. Chaotic, a little eccentric, but one hundred percent unapologetically genuine.

Now, I had a pack I knew damn well saw me and turned away, said in more than one way that I was lacking.

I knew my worth.

So, why were they fighting for me now? Was I a conquest to them? Something they feel they missed out on and are trying to humiliate me?

I set the food on the side table and grabbed my pillow, burying my face in the plush comfort before letting out a loud scream that was blessedly muffled by all the fluff.

It came from my soul, echoing out of me with a feral quality that was as cathartic as it was crazy.

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