Page 89 of Pack Owned
“Name it.”
“Get Dessert Rose lipstick, please.”
“Which is...?” I’m combat-ready, not beauty-versed. This is unfamiliar territory.
“Just any pink lipstick,” she insists, her grin growing, and it’s like a punch to the chest, how it makes me feel.
“Alright, pink lipstick,” I echo, committing her simple wish to memory. It’s a small thing, but for her, I’d move mountains. For now, I’ll settle for navigating the aisles of a convenience store.
“Be back soon,” I say, my voice a low promise as I grab my jacket and head out, the scent of her still clinging to my senses.
The ride into town feels like it takes forever cause all I want to do is be back. I focus on the hum of the engine, the grip of tires on the tarmac—anything to keep her image from my mind. But as the town’s outlines sharpen against the morning sky, so does the gnawing feeling in my gut.
I park at the local market, my movements are mechanical as I load up on supplies—a soldier on a mission. The mundane act of selecting cereal and bread is grounding until I hit the cosmetics aisle. Eight shades of pink lipstick stare back at me, each promising to be the one she wants. I grab them all; Kayla’s fleeting smile in the kitchen is worth every fucking cent.
I pay and head to my truck, unloading everything. I put the shopping cart away, but when I return, a man is poking his fucking head in my truck.
“Hey,” I yell, “What the hell are you doing?”
“Nice haul,” the man leaning against my truck drawls, a smirk playing on his lips. Nexus. He’s the same guy from the other day that forced a search on us with his other two goons and Ryker had to hide Kayla in the garage. What the fuck is he still doing in town?
“Got a problem?” I block his view of the cab, where the lipsticks lay among the groceries. Did he see them?
“Curious is all.” He eyes the bags. “Your Alpha bringing the whole pack for a picnic?”
“Our fridge busted and we had to throw out everything,” I lie smoothly, even as my pulse quickens.
He rubs his chin thoughtfully, and I can almost hear the gears turning in his head. “Surprised none of you have left your home much. I thought you’d all be hunting for those missing Omegas. There’s only three now, you know that right?”
My body stiffens.
“Rewards doubled.” His tone is casual, but the implication is clear. “Might want to focus on your job—the one you accepted. Shame to lose out on a bounty over a...broken fridge.”
I maintain my stance, an immovable object before him. Internally, I’m a raging storm, ready to break. I shrug nonchalantly. “I’ll let Liam and Ryker know. Now, get the fuck out of my way.”
He chuckles, retreating a step.
Once he’s out of sight, I slide into the driver’s seat, slamming the door shut. My heart pounds against my ribcage just like whenever I was on the battlefield.
But I’ll be damned if I let Nexus—or anyone—lay a finger on Kayla.
My knuckles are white around the steering wheel. The drive back is a blur; all I can picture is Kayla’s face when she hears the news. Sweet, strong-willed Kayla. My mind races with possibilities—ways to protect her, to keep her safe and here with us.
When I finally pull up to the mansion, gravel crunching under the tires, my muscles are coiled tight, ready for anything. I haul in the groceries.
“Meeting,” I bark out, not bothering with pleasantries.
“What about?” Liam yawns, scratching his head.
“Get Ryker and Kayla. Now.”
“Gesh. Did they not have your expensive eggs today or what?”
I glare at him and he holds his hands up backing away.
“Fuck. Fine,” he says.
Quickly, I unload the stash of groceries that need to be refrigerated or frozen, everything else can wait.
