Page 137 of The Packaged Deal

“Yes. I’ll be bringing the pack.”

“So, it’s true? You aren’t leaving?”

I hate the note of anxiety in my little brother’s voice. “Si, I’m sorry.”

“No, it’s all right. I know you wouldn’t have left without a good reason. I just couldn’t imagine being in Silver Falls without you.”

I sit up and groan. “How are things with you and-”

“We’re great. He asked me to marry him, formally, with a big ceremony for the parents.”

“You said yes again, of course?”

“I did.”

“So we’ve got lots of news for Mum,” I say carefully. “She’s going to get weepy.”

“Yeah, she will. But happy tears.”

I heave a sigh. “You better bring those cakes she likes. I’ll grab the toffees.”

Simon laughs, and then falls silent. “Are you happy, Adrian?”

“I am,” I say honestly.

He exhales roughly. “I’m happy for you, bro.”

“Are you crying?” I ask suspiciously.

“Course not. Gotta go. See you on the weekend.”

He hangs up, and I stare at the phone for a little while. Simon’s a good boy. He’s solid, and his attention to detail is second to none. I tried to shelter him as best I could from the things at home, but there’s a vulnerability inside him that I don’t have. The violence of our youth showed our true selves. I’m stone cold. Simon’s softer under the exterior.

I thought that was who I am.

But I have that softness in me. It just took them to bring it out.

Kandi sees me lingering in the door and comes to lean against me. “How long do you want them to stay?”

“An hour.”

“Done.” She glances up at me. “You good, Ads?”

Ads? I like it.

“Yeah, I’m good.”

She grins up at me and walks away. I’m getting used to her frequent touches. She’s a toucher. Puts her hands on people she cares about. I’ve spent the last two weeks observing the phenomenon. Kandi’s touch grounds the omegas, Hazel, Missy, Soren, Barren, Dylan, and Jade. Onyx does the same, but where Kandi does it through her arm over your shoulder and around your waist, Onyx holds fingers and pats arms.

They do it with the alphas, too.

It takes the temper from the rooms, brings emotions back down to a manageable level. I’d thought that this theory about betas was shit, but all this time, Kandi’s been keeping Jade grounded. Trying to imagine her not grounded makes my mind boggle.

Sven snags the beta’s fingers as she walks past him and drags her into his arms.

He rests his chin on her shoulder and watches as Darion puts a huge tray of meat down.

“What’s that?” I ask with alarm.

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