Page 86 of Pack Owned
“Oh no, not the wasabi of doom!” Liam feigns terror, clutching his chest dramatically. “Whatever shall I do?”
“Seriously, Dane, tell us.” I give him my best puppy dog look, and he laughs, shaking his head.
“Fine. It’s honestly no biggie. A friend of mine in the army showed me. His dad owned a place in New York that made the best you’ve ever tasted. Puts mine to shame.”
“I doubt that.” I wave my chopsticks at him. “These are fantastic.”
“Glad you like them.” Dane beams.
“How come you never made sushi for me and Ryker?” Liam narrows his eyes at Dane.
“Because you two are happy with a slab of meat and potatoes.”
Liam throws his head back and laughs, a warm sound that fills the room.
We finish our food, and I’m stuffed. Liam wipes his mouth with a napkin.
“Hey, Kayla, I found a new area in the game. Looks like prime loot territory. You in?”
“Oh no, I promised Ryker I’d go for a ride on his motorcycle earlier, but the storm stopped us.”
Liam pulls out his cell phone and types for a few seconds before showing me the screen with a radar on it. “Another storm is coming and is ten minutes from here. Gonna be a short ride.”
“Bummer.” I frown.
“Ryker’ll get over it.” Liam types into his phone again. “Told him you are so heartbroken about not being his riding buddy, but that I got it covered, and you won’t get rained on or struck by lightning. So, you up for a few rounds?” He waggles his eyebrows, and I can’t help but laugh.
“Definitely.” My heartbeat picks up at the thought. “Just need to ditch these greasy clothes first.”
“Take your time,” he replies, but there’s an eagerness in his tone that matches mine.
The shower is a rush of hot water and steam, a chance to scrub away the grime of the morning from when I helped Ryker on the Mustang. Slipping into clean clothes after feels like shedding old skin—soft cotton clinging comfortably to my body, simple but so damn cozy.
I find Liam in his room, with the door open just a crack. He’s got that look of concentration that usually means he’s plotting his next move in-game. Pushing the door wider, I step inside, my pulse thudding in my ears.
“Ready for this?” I ask, my voice coming out steadier than I feel.
“Born ready,” Liam grins, patting the spot next to him on the bed. And just like that, we’re plunged into another world, one where survival is key, and every treasure found is a victory hard-won.
The tension eases from my shoulders as we navigate through digital dungeons, the outside world fading to nothing. It’s just me and Liam and the electric thrill of the game. But beneath it all, a different kind of heat coils low in my belly—a reminder that I’m not just any player in this game. I’m an Omega, and my heat is creeping closer, making it harder every second to focus on anything but the desire simmering under my skin, but it’s way too soon to have sex.
“Hey, Kayla.” Liam’s voice cuts through the haze of my thoughts. “You’ve been holding onto that controller like it’s a lifeline. You good?”
I nod, trying to keep my composure. “Yeah, just... into the game.”
He chuckles, his gaze not missing a beat. “Sure you are. Let’s take ‘em down then, partner.”
We dive back in, side by side, our avatars cutting through enemies and looting chests. With each victory, Liam’s excitement is contagious, and I find myself laughing more freely than I have in ages.
“Check this out,” he says, pointing at the screen where a hidden passage reveals itself. His arm brushes against mine, sending a jolt of awareness through me. Damn it, focus.
“Nice find,” I manage, even as my brain screams at me to jump him right here and now. But I can’t, not with the soreness still lingering from before and the fear that giving in could make it worse.
“Kayla?” His voice is low, concerned. He pauses the game and turns to face me, dark eyes searching mine. “What’s really going on? Talk to me.”
I swallow hard, feeling like I’m about to spill secrets I don’t even want to admit to myself.
“It’s nothing.”
