Page 87 of The Packaged Deal

“It’s your choice,” I say to her quietly.

She closes her eyes. “Lukas-”

“No, it’s done. Grab your stuff, let’s go. I have another job I want to put you on,” Lukas says evenly.

They stare at each other for ten long seconds. His impatience fills the room.

“I resign,” Kandi says in a rush.

Lukas stops moving. He turns back and stares at her. “But you’re best friends with Missy.”

“And I love her, but this is my pack. My pack is more important than a job. So, sorry, Alpha Raptore, but effective immediately, I’m quitting. I’ll come by later to clear out my belongings or you can just drop them off.” She shrugs and sags. “They’re right, Lukas. If someone had walked in and tried to smack you, even in jest, Missy would have torn them apart. You didn’t have the right to be here, screaming at Adrian like that. So, guess you can explain to Darion about manners, huh?”

She’s trying to be lighthearted, but I can see how much it’s hurting her. Kandi and Adrian had been trying to hide how much Sven’s absence hurt them all of last night. I’d behaved a little bit like a mama tiger, but in fairness, they’re in pain.

We’re silent as Lucas picks himself up and stalks, silent and furious, from the room. His departure takes all the energy with him.

Adrian explained what had happened, and after a bit of thought, we inspected Kandi’s lower lip and found a crescent of teeth marks. She did wear his bond.

They had Sven’s bond, and I didn’t. And now I’ve chased him away. Her best friend away. Caused her to lose her job.

I’m like the worst luck bringer ever.

“He’s coming back,” I say to Adrian and Kandi. “He is coming back.”

Kandi shakes her head and flops down on the couch. “It could be months.”

“It won’t be.” I don’t know why I’m so certain, I just feel like I know. He’s coming back, and it will be soon. He won’t make us wait long.

Adrian walks out of the room.

Two days have passed, and though Kandi and Adrian have been attentive, they are both so deep in their depression that they are barely functioning. Kandi and Missy had a huge fight via text. She tried to hide it but didn’t realise I could see the texts in the window’s reflection. The only reason I haven’t said anything is because I realise Missy is just looking out for Kandi.

Adrian is just as miserable.

Sven is the man they both are desperately in love with, though both of them seem resigned to accepting this shitty behaviour from him without argument.

I, on the other hand, am not overly happy nor impressed by his disappearing act and the toll it’s taking on Adrian and Kandi.

I’m flipping through a magazine when Adrian comes and sits beside me.

“What are you doing?”

“Trying to decide what I want to do with my life.”

“Oh, what do you want to do?”

“Well, that’s just the thing. I was told I had to sit at home and be an omega, and that was all I could do. But maybe there’s something more.” I huff in frustration and turn several more pages. “The answer is here, I just can’t find it.”

“Like what?”

“I don’t know, a purpose, a passion. Kandi loves her job. She’s miserable without it. I want to feel like that.”

“Miserable?” Adrian teases with a lopsided smile.

I shove at his arm. “Yes, brat. I want to be miserable because I love something so much I don’t want to give it up. The way I felt when you told me you wouldn’t be my alpha.”

Adrian sucks in a pained breath. “Guess I deserved that.”

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