Page 5 of A Pack of Mistletoe
Sunny shakes her head. “Nope. Full bonding, bites and everything. They can’t even just bite someone and live separately using mental blocks. There’s legal verification, close media monitoring, the whole deal.”
Clara whistles low. “Sounds rough.”
“The dominant alpha is pissed, apparently.”
“They’re all staying at Bee Haven?” Winnie asks. Bee Haven is the Night Pack’s new resort on the lake.
“So wait,” I cut in. “They have to bond with an omega orwhat? A fine?”
Sunny shakes her head. “They lose everything. It’s all based on an inheritance that Logan received from his father. Since they used that money to build the business everything they’ve built is tied to the clause. Their whole empire would go to a cousin on Logan’s dad’s side.” She lowers her voice dramatically.
“Damn.” That makes my predicament almost look tame. Almost.
“Where do they think they’re going to find an omega?” Cali asks.
“Not here. I already warned them not to go sniffing around,” Sunny says, crossing her arms. No one in their right mind would ignore Sunny’s warning.
A strange idea starts to take shape in the back of my mind. I crush it immediately. It wouldn’t work. It can’t. To go up against my family—it isn’t impossible, but it’s close. They’re not untouchable, just powerful enough to ruin anyone who tries. Any pack that got involved would have to stand toe-to-toe with them—and with the pack I was promised to.
“Cole already met with the dominant alpha of Logan’s pack, Harlan Stonewell,” Sunny says. “Cole tipped them off about the opening for a restaurant up here at the hotel.”
My head snaps up. For a second, I forget how to breathe. “Harlan Stonewell? Like from the Stonewell family?”
Four sets of eyes turn to me.
“Yes… I think so. Have you heard of them?” Sunny asks.
“I—” Think, Rose. “... used to do some side media for one of his restaurants,” I lie quickly.
Thankfully, they buy it. I’ve gotten too good at lying.
The Stonewells are new money, but formidable. Strong enough to stand up to my family—and maybe even the Blackbear Pack. They have reach. Connections. And Harlan Stonewell has gone toe-to-toe with my father before… and won. My family hates him for it.
Something stirs deep inside me—the hollow space where my omega used to be, fluttering weakly, painfully alive. The drugs must be wearing off faster than I thought.
Suddenly, the idea doesn’t seem so impossible. A plan begins to take shape, slow and steady, like a picture developing in the darkroom of my mind. Each piece falls into place. Each risk feels worth it.
I’m about to make excuses to leave early when Sunny’s next words freeze me.
“Their CFO is working with Cole on a deal to handle the hotels’ food services, along with the restaurant. Kai Lee. He’s—”
“Kai Lee?” I blurt, louder than I mean to.
They all stare at me.
“Yeah, he—”
But I’m already on my feet, shoving my things into my bag, the world narrowing to a single pulse of sound—my heartbeat. The girls call after me, voices sharp with confusion, but I’m out the door before they can stop me.
By the time I reach my car, the rush of hope is burning so bright it hurts. I start the engine, hands shaking, and drive straight toward Bee Haven.
Kai
The space for the restaurant is interesting—modern, all chrome and glass. Only the best for Logan’s brother. Wyatt’s been talking for five straight minutes about cohesion and locally sourced ingredients, but my brain’s stuck on a different image entirely. Golden-brown skin, curls catching the winter light.
“Earth to Kai.” Evander waves a ring-laden hand in front of my face. When the hell did he, Harlan, and Logan get here?
“Something on your mind, Kai?” Harlan asks, his deep voice rolling through the empty space.
