Page 6 of Truth or Pack

I pulled up the weather app and winced. “Apparently, the wind shifted. It hits in about thirty minutes, this is just the start.”

“Oh god,” Mathias groaned, sounding sick instead of excited. Storms were not his favorite and if we didn’t get there soon, we’d have a hot mess on our hands, too.

“Can you drive faster, old man?” I asked Holt like he wasn’t the same age as us. Mentally, though, the man was already in his silver fox era. He grunted but at least went up five miles per hour like that would help.

Lightning flashed across the sky that was already far too dark. Clouds were rolling in, casting the sky in a gray hue as rain came down in sheets.

Thank fuck our SUV had four-wheel drive. We’d need it when we hit those hilly back roads.

We hadn’t been to Willow Lake in years. Holt’s family used to have property out here they visited from time to time but by the time we hit high school they upgraded to something on the beach.

He’d talked about it enough that we rented a cabin a few times to spend a weekend on the lake swimming or fishing.

Now, apparently, we were meeting our omega here. Maybe I didn’t give this tiny, little town enough credit. I couldn't get that sweet vanilla, coconut, and kiwi scent out of my head. It was fresh, tart, and just sweet enough to make you melt.

After twenty-five tense minutes and lots of thunder, we finally spotted the sign for Willow Lake. The roads were already filling with water.

“This doesn’t bode well,” Mathias groaned. I glanced back and he was gripping his seat belt like it might save him if we floated away.

“Summer storms are normal in these parts. They pass quickly,” Holt grunted. It was his version of reassurance. I bit back a laugh imagining him offering that to a sweet, little omega.

Though our omega was the same age, we couldn’t exactly call her ‘little.’ We’d all been waiting for this for a long damn time. Her included.

Even if I gave Mathias shit about being so eager, I couldn’t deny that the coconut, kiwi, and vanilla scent card they gave us had twisted me up inside from the moment I breathed her in. I hadn’t stopped thinking about it since that moment. Imagining what she looked like, what quirks she had. I needed to know everything.

“There it is,” Holt said as he gestured to a large cabin just ahead of us. It was more of a lodge than a cabin, it seemed our omega came from money, too.

All of us grew up more than a little privileged. Fancy high school, private, elite college, careers set out before us. Or at least it was that way for Holt. I had a trust fund that I used to forge my own path and Mathias joined me when I opened up my bike shop. His custom art had people filling our books.

This week of vacation was a long time coming. We could all use the break. If everything went well, maybe we’d even hire in some help and slow down our bookings.

Holt finally parked in front but none of us made a move to open the doors.

“It’s pouring, we’re going to be soaked,” Holt grumbled. Finally, Mathias let out a huff and threw open his door.

“Forever is waiting on the other side of that door. I don’t give a fuck if I get soaked.”

Then he was off, running down the walk and up the steps. He gave us one final glance before raising his fist to knock.

“Come on, he can’t meet her alone,” I said, following behind him.

The rain was worse than I thought. I was soaked in seconds and my black boots slid on the wet ground as I hurried forward. Just as Holt joined us on the porch, the door swung open.

A familiar face greeted us, her look of horror not reassuring.

“Oh, fuck no.”

Then the door promptly slammed closed.

Damn. What just happened?

Did she really shut the door in our face? How could that scent be hers?

I stepped forward and knocked again and waited. It was like an eternity and there was no answer.

"This is some bullshit," Holt muttered from behind me. He never was one that could control his temper. His hands were already curled into fists and his anger was flashing in his eyes.

"Was that our girl?" Mathias questioned, pointing towards the still-closed door in disbelief. "Wasn't that Karen?"

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