Page 43 of Pack Me Up
I turn to him, full-on, daring him to meet my eyes. “You excluded yourself. You said ‘an alpha should stay with her.’ You made the plan, but you left yourself out.”
His jaw works for a second before he answers. “Because that’s how it’s supposed to be. Alphas handle heats. Betas… we’re just support. I’m not—” He breaks off, shaking his head like he can clear the thought by force.
I scoot closer, the air prickling between us. “Is that what you want? To be support, and nothing else?”
He shrugs, but it’s a miserable gesture. “It’s all I’ve ever been good at.”
I reach for his hand. He hesitates, but lets me take it, fingers trembling in my grip. His skin is warm and callused.
I squeeze, hard enough to make him wince. “You don’t get to decide that for me.”
His eyes, ocean blue, dart to mine and then away, unable to hold the contact for more than a breath.
“Fox,” I say, voice rough, “I need you too. Not just the alphas. Not just the ones who can… knot or whatever. I want you. All of you, just the way you are.”
He laughs, a bitter edge to it. “You say that now, but when you’re in heat, you won’t even know my name. You’ll want them, and I’ll just be there, making sure you eat. I’m okay with that.”
My grip tightens. “That’s stupid, you’re my pack, and whether I’m in heat or not, my omega wants you. Right now, she’s demanding to know why you’re pulling away from her.”
His expression flickers with hope, then fear, before settling back into guarded resignation. “It’s not the same.”
I let go of his hand and cup his jaw, turning his face to mine. He goes utterly still, like I’ve short-circuited something in him.
“It is to me,” I say, low and final.
For a second, he just breathes, lips parted. Then, so soft I almost miss it, he says, “Okay. I’ll try.”
I nod, not letting him look away. “Promise me.”
His hand comes up, hesitant, but he threads his fingers through mine, the hold gentle but sure. “I promise.”
It’s not a grand gesture. There’s no swelling music, no dramatic vows, but the way he looks at me, raw and unguarded, like he wants to be seen and is terrified of it, makes my heart lurch.
“Great, then you can be the first person I spend some time with,” I declare.
His scent blooms into something happy and hopeful with sweeter apples and more sugar in the cinnamon, and I know I’ve done the right thing.
“That sounds great, songbird.”
I decide to be bold and ask for what I want. I think that’s the best path with Fox and maybe all of them. “Can I sit on your lap?
He smiles. “Absolutely.”
I slide over into his lap and wrap his arms tight around me, and everything feels right.
Beta or alpha, Fox is mine.
Brittney
PACK EM UP GOSSIP COLUMN
BRITTNEY RYAN SEEN NEST SHOPPING WITH HER SECURITY
April 25th
I’ve been snuggling with Fox on the couch for hours when he presses a kiss to my head and leans back to look at me. “I’ve loved being here with you, but I know I have to share. What do you think about spending the night with Saint in his room? Being surrounded by his scent will help the process even more.”
I press a kiss to Fox’s cheek. “Are you sure? I don’t want to leave your arms.”
