Page 154 of Mark & Don't Tell

“Enjoy the beta, Diana. He’s pathetic.” Felicia’s condescending laugh grates against my skin.

Oh, hell no. That’s it. She can insult me all day, but talk shit about my pack? Fuck no.

Spinning on my heel, I storm toward her.

“Daria!” Vic roars.

“Aw, look, the waste of space is trying to protect you,” Felicia says.

My palm cracks across her face, and she shrieks, threatening to call the cops on me if I touch her again. The threats aren’t enough to break through the red bleeding into my vision, and as I lunge for her again, strong arms band around my waist and carry me back. Rich and heady myrrh wraps around me, and I thrash in Vic’s hold.

“Let me go,” I snarl, desperate to drag this omega across the concrete.

“No.” His lips brush over my ear. “Stop.” He whispers the command, but it’s as sharp as an alpha command.

The fight rushes out of me.

“You know what?” Ryan’s face is bright red, and the vein in his forehead is pulsing. “You all deserve each other. Come on, Mom.”

Vic holds me tight as they storm away. My chest heaves, body thrumming with frustration. How is it they left this altercation thinking they’re better than us? My pack is so amazing, and Ryan is a liar and a piece of shit.

His mom is no better.

“You’re okay,” Vic murmurs in my ear.

I turn in his arms, and he hoists me up until my legs are wrapped around his strong body and his palms are cupping the bottoms of my thighs. “Why are you comforting me? I should be comforting you.”

His eyes trace over my face, something I don’t quite understand shimmering in the depths of his irises. “Felicia’s insults stopped meaning something to me a long time ago.”

“You’re amazing, you understand me?” I run my fingers over the back of his neck. “I love you.”

“I love you too, little doe.”

“Come inside,” Kai calls from the door. “Linc is making post-game snacks.”

My eyes travel to where the alpha stands, watching us with what I can only call pride on his face. “This pack would be nothing without you,” I tell Vic.

He kisses my neck. “Stop being nice to me.”

“Never,” I promise, and grab his chin and smash my lips against his, swallowing a throaty moan and giggling when he practically melts beneath me. Making this beta weak for me feels like a superpower. “Take me home, Vic.”

He carries me inside. The door shutting closes a chapter of my life and gives way to a new one. One where happiness far outweighs the pain. For once, I’m not anticipating the worst. For once, I’m content.

Fifty-One

DARIA

Nerves swim in my gut as we park. It’s been a few weeks since the incident with Ryan, and our pack bond has never been stronger. I needed some reprieve before we shared the news with Letti and my dads, and I thought I was ready, but now that we’re here, I’m terrified of what everyone will think.

Vic’s brothers are already here, and that means Alma is too. Vic shuts off his truck and glances back at me. I’m sitting between Marco and Linc. Kai is in the front passenger seat, and he turns to face us as well.

“It’ll be okay.” Kai is so sure.

I’m hopeful there won’t be a major falling out. Regardless of that, there will be some shock and maybe emotions none of us are ready for. I’m the most concerned about how my dads will react to me taking up with a pack that’s almost the same age as them. Will they be pissed?

Marco squeezes my hand. “We’ll do it together. As a family.”

Smiling at my brother, I nod, then muster up enough courage to climb out of the vehicle. Marco slips out behind me and closes the door. My pack waits for my lead. I love that they haven’t pushed me to do this. I love that they’re always considerate of my feelings. I love them. I really fucking love, love.

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