Page 71 of Pack Frenzy
“Eli might be the only reason I could find what happened to her.” I look at him then, and see grief and determination and something fiercer in his expression.
“I can search the Nexus database,” Eli says. “But I can’t promise anything, Jess. If Nexus screwed something up with your sister, they wouldn’t keep records.”
“I know.” And I do because Dad would’ve used his mafia ties to get info. I’ve made peace with the likelihood that I’ll never know what happened to Sabrina. But having someonetry—having someone care enough to look—that’s more than I’ve had in years.
“Thank you,” I whisper, and the tears I’ve been fighting finally win. They spill hot and fast down my cheeks.
Eli rubs my back in slow, soothing circles. Rowan keeps his grip on my fingers, steady and sure. And Cassian lifts my palm and kisses my knuckles before tucking it against his heart, and his pulse there is strong and alive andreal.
We sit like that for I don’t know how long. Long enough for my tears to slow, for the hammer in my chest to ease, and for me to remember how to breathe without it hurting.
“Fair’s going to be closing soon,” Rowan says eventually. “Do you want to leave?”
“No.” I stand, reluctantly letting go of them both. I wipe at my face, probably smearing mascara everywhere, and I don’t care. “I want to do the knife throw again. Get my prize.”
They exchange looks—concern and surprise, and something that might be pride.
“You sure?” Eli asks.
“I’m sure.”
Because I need this. Need to take back control of something. Need to prove to myself I’m not just the broken girl crying on a bench. I’m also the girl who can put three knives in a target without flinching.
We walk back to the booth, and the attendant’s eyes light up when he sees me. “Back for more?”
“Back for the big prize.” I hand over more tickets.
He grins and sets out three fresh knives. These are slightly better balanced, like he’s pulled out the good stuff for a repeat customer. “Let’s see what you’ve got.”
The first knife settles in my palm. I don’t think. Don’t hesitate. Just breathe and throw.
Thunk.Dead center.
The second knife feels eager, like it knows where it wants to go. I adjust my grip and throw it.
Thunk.So close to the first, the handles nearly kiss.
The third one is heavier, but my body knows what to do. My arm cocks back. My wrist snaps. The blade spins silver under the lights.
Thunk.
All three clustered in the red heart, tight enough to make the attendant whistle low. “Lady’s got a gift.”
Rowan’s watching me with something intense in his expression. Cassian gives me a high five. Eli just shakes his head, smiling.
The attendant clears his throat. “That’ll get you any of the big ones.” He gestures at the wall of prizes hanging on hooks—massive stuffed animals in a range of colors.
“The shark,” I say immediately.
The shark has eyes that go in different directions and looks more comical than scary. It’s ridiculous. It’s perfect. And choosing it—choosing something absurd and joyful after everything I just shared—feels like reclaiming something I didn’t know I’d lost.
“Are you sure?” Cassian asks, eyeing a dignified stuffed polar bear.
I laugh, and it sounds clearer this time. Lighter. “Obviously. It’s hideous and I love it.”
The attendant wrestles it off a hook, which takes genuine effort, and shoves it across the counter. Cassian takes it, and the visual of a broad-shouldered Alpha hauling a giant plush shark through a fair like contraband is going to live in my memory forever as one of my favorites.
We walk the pier, and a brass band plays a song I almost remember.
