Page 6 of A Pack of Cozy

"Writing?" I ask, intrigued. She blushes an even deeper shade of pink. Her hair is different than it was earlier in the week. The top is still a light almost white color but it now fades into pink instead of purple.

"Right now, I'm waitressing to pay the bills. But I have a few self published books out there," she confesses.

"What do you write?"

"Fantasy and romance, though not necessarily together,"

"Well, if you ever need a beta reader, I would love to read anything you've written," I offer. She beams at the suggestion.

"As a librarian, you must have thought about writing, too?" she asks.

"Oh no, I love books and adore reading, but I'm not interested in writing my own. I think it's similar to cooking—some people love to eat but don't want to cook delicious food. I just want to enjoy books and share that enjoyment with others."

Clara nods as if that makes perfect sense, and it feels good to be understood. I've always struggled to connect with people, but with this group, it feels natural.

"So," I say, trying to steer the conversation back on track, "page three hundred and eight."

"Oh yes!" Clara deftly flips to the right page and lays it on the table for all of us to read. She points at a passage highlighted in pink, which also includes the annotation "WTF?!?!" The passage reads: "Erin took his massive cock in her hands. The tips of her fingers didn't touch when she tried to grasp it in both hands."

We all look at each other. Sunny raises her hands to form an O-shape, with her fingertips slightly apart. The circle this creates is larger than her face. There's a moment of silence before we all burst out laughing.

"How big is that dick, and how is that even pleasurable? Who wants something so big it literally, not figuratively, going to rip you down there?" Clara says over our laughter.

"Gah!" Winnie yells, shaking her hands as if she's flicking the image away from her.

"I think I must have skimmed over that. Jesus," Sunny says. "This whole book was very sexy and romantic, don't get me wrong, but those parts—Fuck!"

Some of the book club is spent talking about the book, but the talk soon turns to town gossip, the Ice Festival, the alpha Mayor's new beta husband, and whether this constant snow will ever end.

Eventually, the conversation shifts to the newest celebrity hookups and omega bonding.

"Are any of you bonded?" I inquire. Many bonds are formed during omega heats. Sometimes bondings are followed by a ceremony or party. Some couples do a formal wedding but that's usually between couples and not packs. Bond marks can be visible, and certain couples and packs choose to wear rings for the occasion. However, I don't see any on these women, though that doesn't mean the bond marks aren't hidden beneath their clothing.

"No, none of us," Winnie confirms.

"Not yet." Clara winks. "How about you?"

"I was in a serious relationship before I came here, and I thought we would get married," I admit. "But it didn't work out." There's a moment of silence. I dread this part, where people try to figure out how to react or what questions to ask. The questions are the worst. To my great surprise, neither happen.

"Well, fuck him," Sunny says, causing Clara to burst out laughing. "We know you're nice, so he must have been a real jerk." I can't help but giggle.

"He really was," I confirm, taking another long sip of wine. It was something I didn't see about him until the very end.

Winnie reaches across the low table and takes my hand. "We're glad you came here." My eyes burn, and I fight back tears. I hardly know these women but they all seem too genuine to not believe in their sincerity.

"Oreo?" Rose asks, holding a small stack of two cookies. I laugh and happily take them.

The rest of the night is filled with lively gossip, wine, book recommendations, and fun. By the time I leave, we've chosen our next book. Winnie picked a nonfiction title, prompting Clara to groan. However, we agree to meet for brunch two Saturdays from now. I feel lighter than I have in... I don't even know how long.

Calliope

Sundaydriftsbyina cozy haze. The snow falls gently outside, transforming the world into a serene winter wonderland. Not wanting to venture out and risk getting stuck in the fluffy white shit, I nestle into my favorite armchair by the fire. The warmth envelops me as I fill my mug with steaming tea—though it isn't as delightful as what I'd enjoy at the Evergreen Café.

I lose myself in a stack of books while enjoying the soft crackle of the fire. Pulling out my coloring book, I let the pigments flow, accompanied by the gentle sounds of pre-downloaded audiobooks wrapping around my thoughts. Despite the cottage being a bit remote, with an old-fashioned landline for emergencies, the absence of the internet is soothing. It gives my tired mind a chance to disconnect from the outside world.

On Monday, I, unfortunately, need to face the real world again.

The day is almost over, and I'm staring at a beta mother and her seven-year-old son.

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