Page 37 of Pack Owned
Tension tightens the air, thick as the rich sauce clinging to my lips. Dane’s eyes flick to me, then away, a silent pact keeping my secret safe. Liam leans back in his chair, a smirk playing at the corner of his mouth, but he doesn’t give me away, either.
“It was delicious.” I smirk, unable to help myself. “Shame you missed out.” I pop the last of the chicken from my plate into my mouth.
Ryker sits down heavily in the chair, scraping out the bottom of the spicy honey chicken container with an egg roll. He narrows his eyes at me as he scrapes the last bits of sauce from the container.
“You have a healthy appetite for an Omega.” He pops the egg roll into his mouth and chews slowly, watching me.
“What can I say?” I feel my cheeks flush under his intense gaze but force myself to hold it. “A girl’s gotta eat.”
“I’ll give you that,” he grunts, sweeping his eyes over me in an appraising way. “Just don’t make a habit of finishing off my food.” His voice is gruff, but there’s the barest hint of amusement lurking there.
I lean back. “Well, maybe if you got here quicker, I wouldn’t have had to.”
The corners of Ryker’s mouth twitch up in an almost-smile before he smothers it.
“Lucky for you, I’m feeling generous today, Omega.” He pulls his chair up to the table with a screech. “Don’t get used to it.”
My insides are doing somersaults, and I push away from the table.
“You haven’t had your fortune cookie,” Liam holds out his hand, and there’s a wrapped one waiting for me. “That’s the finishing touch on the meal. Come on.”
When Ryker doesn’t say anything, I sit back down and accept Liam’s offer.
Dane looks over at my unopened fortune cookie. “Ladies first.” He nods toward me with a grin.
I feel my cheeks warming but I crack open the plastic wrapper and then the cookie. The little paper has a simple phrase written on it.
“What’d you get?” Liam asks eagerly.
“Courage is the first step,” I read out, glancing up to see Ryker watching me intently as he finishes his egg roll and pulls another onto his plate along with some edamame and Lo Mein.
Liam opens his cookie with a snap. “Here’s hoping for something good.” He pulls out the slip of paper and reads, “Your dearest wish will come true.” He arches an eyebrow at me and grins. “I like the sound of that.”
I roll my eyes but smile, trying to push aside the fluttering in my stomach. Dane opens his fortune cookie next.
“A faithful friend is a strong defense,” he reads with a shrug. “Not bad, I guess.”
“Alright, it’s your turn, Ryker.” Liam pushes the last fortune cookie toward him.
“I’m not done eating.” He frowns.
“Okay, slowpoke.” Liam leans back, opening one of the edamame pods and popping the peas inside into his mouth.
“Fine.” Ryker crunches into his fortune cookie last, crumbs speckling his shirt. He doesn’t bother brushing them away as he pulls out the tiny strip of paper and snorts.
“Let’s hear it, grumpy,” Dane prods.
Ryker’s eyes flick to me again, holding my gaze as he rumbles, “The one you love is closer than you think.”
The weight of his stare makes me feel warm all over. Does he think... No, surely not. I tear my eyes away, my heart hammering in my chest.
Liam lets out a low whistle. “Looks like the fates are smiling on someone tonight.”
Ryker just grunts and crumples the fortune in his fist. “Like I’d put any stock in these stupid things.”
“Hey, man, you missed all the fun earlier. Our little Omega got the bullet out of Dane all by herself.”
Ryker’s gaze lingers on me for a beat before he stands up and pulls a beer out of the fridge. “That so?”
