Page 3 of Truth or Pack

I can’t believe she did this. After everything I said and all the promises she made, she set me upagain.

Not just that, but left me here to face a pack of strangers in one of my favorite places in the world.

Tears burned my eyes as I pulled out my phone and texted Bea to let her know she was, once again, right.

Taryn

Guess who isn’t here but a letter was, telling me all about the MATCHING SERVICE SHE SIGNED ME UP FOR

Bea

I knew it was fishy… pun intended

Taryn

What do I do? Leave?

Bea

Hell no. You wanted this week, take it. They can fuck off. Tell them to get the hell out when they arrive and live your best hot girl summer at the lake. Just keep your phone close since they are strangers.

Taryn

You know what… that sounds fucking perfect.

I pocketed my phone and grabbed my bags from where I dropped them, before I headed to the master suite.

Even with the set-up I was a little giddy about having the big room to myself.

When I was little I always told Mom that I couldn't wait until this was my place. I’d get to sleep in that California king bed and soak in the big tub in the bathroom.

My sisters always said the same thing, but they hadn’t come back here in years. Thanks to their new pack status, places like this were ‘beneath’ them.

I thought maybe this weekend was different. That we’d get a bit of family time in, like old times. You’d think I’d be over the wishful thinking by now. Maybe it was time to finally wake up and take Bea’s advice.

Why was it so fucking hard to cut them out?

For this week, at least, I would treat this lakehouse as if I was queen of the cabin and no one was going to tell me otherwise.

My cell phone dinged and I almost thought to ignore it, but I didn't want Bea to think that I was avoiding her, too.

When I pulled it out and saw the name on my phone, I almost threw it.

My mother.

Did she really think that I wanted to talk to her after that letter? With an eye roll, I dropped my phone on the night tableand started unloading my books, placingDo Your Worston the top to read first.

It felt fitting.

Continuing to ignore the incessant buzzing of my phone, I moved on to my clothes, hanging up what needed to be and the rest went in the dresser.

It was petty, but having her be out of the loop felt a bit like fighting back. She always found a way to guilt trip me into complying and I wasn’t taking chances this time.

My stomach rumbled after the last pair of pants went in the drawer, reminding me I now had to make my own dinner plans.

Another groan escaped me as I pulled open the fridge, then pantry, realizing dear old mom didn't think about feeding me or the guests she invited.

How could I impress this pack if I didn’t have anything to cook?That sarcastic thought almost had me sending her a text to say that exact same thing, but that would only open me up for more bullshit.

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