Page 112 of Pack Frenzy
I tug the strap through my hands, testing the tension. “If this cuts into you, tell me.”
“It’s fine?—”
“It’s not.” I adjust the length, fingers working the knot without looking. “You don’t mention this stuff. You just carry it.” Our eyes lock. “That stops now. We notice. We handle what you shouldn’t have to carry alone.”
Her breath hitches. ‘Rowan?—‘
“I know you’re scared,” I say quietly, because if we’re doing this, we’re doing it honest. “I know yesterday spooked you. But you don’t get to hide the hurt anymore. Not from us.”
I should step back. Give her space. Instead, I’m still close enough to catch the way her pulse jumps at her throat.
“You know what?” She tilts her head, a smile playing at the corner of her mouth. “You’re going to be unbearable on a ski slope.”
“Probably.”
“Fixing my form every five seconds. Adjusting my poles?—”
“You won’t need poles.”
She laughs, but she doesn’t stop watching my hands as I reach for my coffee.
The slider scrapes open. Eli steps out, phone pressed to his ear, and I know before he speaks that the morning’s over.
“Yes. Tonight.” His jaw sets. “Understood.” He pauses, gaze moving to Jess. “We’ll bring her.”
“What?” My voice drops to the register that makes contractors nervous on job sites.
“Nexus wants another debrief, but in person this time.” His gaze softens on her. “We can take our time leaving. Eat first, then pack. There’s a dinner tonight with all the recently placedOmegas—some on a trial period like Jess—others on a more permanent basis, and they want to check in with everyone. Nexus elders and former members will be there too.”
Cassian’s expression goes flat. “A dinner to ‘check in.’” He doesn’t hide his contempt. “Is that what we’re calling it when they evaluate whether she’s performing adequately?”
“Cass—” Eli warns.
“Don’t.” Cassian’s eyes are on Jess, sharp with something protective and angry. “They’re going to sit her down with other trial Omegas like they’re comparing livestock. Ask invasive questions about ‘integration’ and ‘bond progression’ and whether she’s properly submitting to the Pack hierarchy.”
My jaw locks. Every muscle in my body coils tight because he’s right, and I hate it. Hate that bureaucrats get to measure what happened last night—raw, real, ours—and judge whether it meets their fucking metrics.
My hand finds the rail, grip tight enough that the wood creaks. Cassian’s eyes flick to my knuckles, reading the violence I’m keeping leashed.
He gives me a single nod.I know. Me too.
“Then we make sure she’s ready,” I say, voice low and final. “We prep her for every question. We don’t let them catch her off guard.”
“I’m not afraid of Nexus.” She straightens her shoulders. “Had plenty of hard-nose teachers back at the Omega Institute.”
“Nah, these guys would make your teachers look like angels.” Eli shakes his head.
“If you want out of a conversation,” I say, “touch the inside of my wrist once. Twice means water. Three times, we leave.”
Her chin lifts a fraction. “Even if they don’t like it?”
“Especially then.” I look at Jess, and something in my chest turns to steel. “And if they imply for one second that you’re notgood enough? I’ll remind them exactly who they’re evaluating and who protects you.”
Cassian tips his chin at Jess, a quietYou good?She gives him a small smile that saysClose enough.
The smile doesn’t reach her eyes, but she’s holding steady. Good. She’s tougher than they’ll expect.
Eli disappears, already making a quick breakfast for all of us. Cassian follows him inside, a hug of a wave breaking and moving back out again. The deck feels larger with just us, which is a trick the morning does when it wants you to notice what matters.
