Page 26 of The Silver Pact

I smirk at the two of them. “Okay.”

Silver jerks, abruptly nods, turns around, and starts walking away.

“Wait! Silver, what were you looking for?” I call out with a mocking laugh.

She pauses, turns back, and then marches back towards us, coming behind the island. Her cheeks turn this delicious red colour as she pours a glass of water.

We watch as she drinks it, though I wonder if she’s going to choke on it, but she finishes and sets the glass in the sink, and then calmly walks out of the room. Like nothing just happened and that wasn’t the most awkward moment ever.

“Where are you going, Silver?”

She stops, startled. “I have to get ready.”

“Yes. I do, too,” Ian says, but his voice doesn’t sound certain. I lean against the island and watch as Ian, too, retreats from the room.

A smile plays on my lips.

Today is going to be a good day, I just know it.

eleven

Ian

Three years and two weeks ago

Two days before the Omega Meet starts

Silver

He’s here! How can this even be? He hasn’t recognised me yet. He hasn’t seen me. But I saw him. I’d know him out of a million faces. When he touched me, I vomited on myself. I made an excuse to Pack Vore and ran away.

I can’t do this. I can’t have a pack that can’t protect me. It will be Onyx all over again.

Perhaps I could tell them? No, they would never believe me.

I can’t ruin their lives.

I’m going to have to stop.

No contact.

I hate this. I hate my life.

I wish I’d never met them. Why can’t I stop crying?

Present Day

I show her around my office, and then take her to lunch, sitting in a quiet café that isn’t fancy. Part of me expects to hear her make a comment about the lack of class, but she surprises me. She relaxes as soon as we are hidden from the prying eyes of the public. I remember the bonding and wince. She was so weak; she doesn’t look weak anymore; Silver looks alive.

She looks beautiful. It’s hard not to reach across the table and take her hand in mine. It’s been growing harder for the last couple of weeks to avoid her. To keep from pulling her into my arms.

I’m supposed to be angry with her. I’m supposed to be using the callous rejection she threw at me like a shield to keep me away, but I’m falling vulnerable again. Weak to her.

Ross keeps telling me I need to learn to trust.

“What would you like to eat?” I say, instead of letting my mind wander.

She hums. “You decide for me?”

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