Page 53 of A Pack of Pumpkins
“Maybe he wanted you more. Or maybe because he died on land,” Winnie suggests. “We can’t know.”
“Well, the guys know about Finian, and we’ve basically agreed to go with it. I can’t imagine leaving one of my mates out. Even if he’s not technically alive.”
We giggle, though it’s nervous.
“As for bedroom details… we’re still figuring that out.” Images of swirling shadows over bare skin make my cheeks heat.
“Updates when they happen, please,” Rose says, thumbs flying over her phone.“What about that thing with the deputy at your book signing? Anything happening there?” Winnie asks, concern etched on her face.
The whole situation with Henry makes me feel more exhausted than anything else.
“I don’t know. He’s been acting strangely since I started seeing the Ember Pack. We were never together. I don’t understand why he doesn’t just move on and find someone else,” I say, my voice edged with frustration.
“That might be why he can’t let it go,” Cali says. “Some guys become more obsessive over the things they can’t have, not less.”
I bite my lip. The whole thing makes me feel like pressure is slowly closing in around me.
“Maybe we should get back to the book.” I suddenly feel drained and just want the escape.
“You mean the one written by the alpha you live and sleep with?” Sunny teases.
“I still can’t believe you’re scent-sensitive with Bram Razor,” Rose says, almost whining. She’s been a fan of his books forever, and nearly fainted when she met him at the barbecue.
“Which is why I’ll say I loved it and not that it made me scared of the dark for the first time since I was five,” I reply in a falsely bright tone.
We all giggle, and the rest of Book Club passes in chatter. I’ve had far too much cider by the time we step into the crisp autumn night.
It’s dark. Stars scatter across the sky. Leaves rustle in the trees, sounding like rain. Bram, Dagan, and Jack are by their car talking with the Evergreen Pack and the Night Pack. Any lingering tension from the barbecue seems gone. They’re laughing easily.
When they see us, they focus.
Sunny bounds across the drive and flings herself between Jess and Hunt—her two alphas, who are also in love with each other. They catch her easily, sandwiching her in kisses and scent marks, while her older alphas chuckle and open the car doors.
Cali doesn’t run, but at nearly five months pregnant she moves quickly to her pack. Each greets her with a kiss, a scent mark, or a warm hand over her belly.
Watching their complete packs sends a pang through me. I’ve always dreamed of my fated mates, and I’m glad I didn’t give up. Because what Bram, Jack, Dagan, Finian, and I are building feels deeper than anything I’ve known. But life isn’t a fairytale, and packs are complicated. A ghost alpha was never in my tarot readings. And Victor?
I still don’t know what to do about him.
Dagan
Courtingdatesareamystery to me. Some alphas seem to organize them out of thin air, but I’m not one of them.
Am I going to admit that to my other packmates? No.
Am I going to admit it to my brother?
“What do you expect me to do about it?” Victor drawls, full of arrogant-asshole energy. He’s leaning back on his bed with his laptop in his lap, and I’m propped against his dresser.
“Come on, just help me out,” I sign.
He rolls his eyes, but I can already see him starting to relent. He rarely—if ever—denies me something I truly ask for.
“It’s a courting date. Buy flowers, chocolate, and call it a day,” he signs.
I level a flat stare at him.
He huffs. “Fine, fine. You met on the beach, right? I mean, after deputy fuckface and all that.”
