Page 21 of Truth or Pack

When I had my coffee in hand, I moved to the table and settled in, pulling my legs up in my chair in front of me and taking a sip.

“So, I hear we’re playing truth or dare,” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

“We are if you’re game,” Ash responded, shifting in his chair so he was facing me and leaning back, looking too relaxed and hot for the moment.

“Fine, truth or dare, Ash,” I shot back.

He chuckled, the sound low and dirty and making me shift in my chair. He clocked the movement, his crooked grin spreading again as his eyes darkened. His scent filled the air, telling me he liked what he saw.

I ignored itandmy omega’s reaction. Damn, alphas.

“Truth,” he said. His response honestly shocked me. He seemed like a dare kind of guy. As if he heard my thoughts, he explained himself. “I thought the truth would give you more insight. Ask me anything.”

“Did you ever feel anything toward me back then?”

He sighed and shook his head. “No. But, we were never close enough to get a reaction. I had a girlfriend, and we had no scents mixed in. Despite noticing the hot librarian vibe you have going on, I didn’t consider much beyond that.”

“Hmm,” I said, taking another sip. It was refreshing to hear him tell it to me like it was and not sugarcoat it.

Holt came over and slid the cookies my way, slapping Ash’s hand as he reached for one.

“Omegas first,” he growled. Ash rolled his eyes but waited for me to take one before grabbing his.

I bit into it, moaning at the perfect blend of sweetness, gooey chocolate, and flaky salt on top.

“Fuck,” Ash husked. I opened my eyes, blushing again at the hungry looks on their faces. Ash’s flirty grin was gone and he almost looked like he was in pain.

Fuck, the fact I had this kind of power over them was everything. I loved that I could command their attention. It was not the kind of power dynamic I thought we’d have, but it softened the edges just a little.

“Your turn,” I said to Ash, trying not to dwell on the attraction.

“Same question to you,” he said. I didn’t call him out on the cop out but answered instead.

“Who wouldn’t have noticed you guys. You were one of the only formed packs on campus, were loud and imposing, and flirted with everyone. I also hated that I thought you were cute, because I generally found you insufferable.”

“We were,” Mathias agreed, looking upset. “I’m so sorry.”

I ignored the apology for now and turned to Holt. “Truth or dare.”

“Dare.”

Fuck, I wasn’t really prepared for this. I hadn’t thought up any dares ahead of time. I wracked through my brain, grasping for anything.

“Get on your knees and apologize,” I said before I’d even thought it through. Mathias’s mouth fell open in shock while Ash barked out a laugh.

But Holt?

He didn’t show a thing as he stood. His steps were slow as he rounded the table, my heart thundering in my chest as he spun my chair to the side and sank to his knees. Seeing this big alpha in his faded jeans and worn-in flannel on his knees like this was insane.

Blackberry, a splash of citrus, and shortbread swarmed my senses, drowning out the cookies in his own decadent scent. My brain fizzled out until he spoke, then he had every bit of my attention.

“Taryn. I am so sorry for every bit of pain and hurt we caused you. Not just because you are our match, but because we deeply regret the way we acted in college. We were entitled, rich, and pompous, thinking we ruled the world and that school. The way we dismissed everyone, judged others, and treated people, especially you, was uncalled for and disgusting. Please forgive us.”

“Fuck,” I breathed out as I fought back the tears. I wasn’t even sure why they were falling. Maybe it was because he saideverything I wanted to hear while sincerity filled those soft-brown eyes of his. He meant what he said.

That was not how I saw this going.

He didn’t say anything else as he got to his feet, turned me back gently, and walked away with nothing more than a brush of his fingers on my arm.

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