Page 180 of The Alpha's Pen Pal

Imogen walked over to the frames on the wall and looked at each one, then turned to the mirrors and laughed. “He’s going to put a real mirror there,” I said. “This is just temporary.”

“No, it’s perfect. It’s so thoughtful of him to put a bunch of mirrors there until the actual wall mirror can be installed.” She sighed and turned in place, looking at the room one more time. “I want a werewolf soulmate!” she whined, her bottom lip sticking out.

I just giggled, and I heard Maya laughing down the hall as well. “I thought you weren’t a one-man woman?” Maya yelled.

“I’d turn into one if he was a sexy werewolf who made me a dance studio in his house ’cause I was mad at him!” Imogen called back. “Not your sexy werewolf,” she clarified, looking at me. “I have no intention of trying to steal him from you. You two are clearly meant for each other. Anyone can see that.”

“Except Reid, apparently,” Nolan said as they walked down the hall with two boxes each in their arms.

“Never going to let me live this one down, are you?” Reid grumbled.

“Not until the next time you lose one of Seb’s bets,” Maddie answered from behind him, her arms also full of packages.

“We only have one bet left, and I’m never losing that one,” he said.

“And what’s that bet?” she asked.

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” he answered, smirking at Maddie over his shoulder.

“Duh, that’s why I asked, dickhead,” she replied with a roll of her eyes.

“Well, it’s a good thing he built you this studio. You’ll need a place to rehearse and condition,” Imogen continued as the three of them disappeared into the bedroom, and we heard the boxes being opened.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“Since you won’t be at rehearsals? Or classes?”

I blinked at her. “I’m sorry, what?”

“Oh. Um…” She glanced over my shoulder, and I turned to see Nolan standing there, leaning against the doorframe.

“Wes should really be the one to talk to you about all this, but he doesn’t even know yet,” he sighed. “We met with Alpha Harrison and Peter. They agreed you’ll need to stay here in our territory and not go to the city for rehearsals.”

“Until they catch Lennox,” I said with a nod. “That makes sense,” I told him. “It sucks, but I get it. They want me to be safe.” Nolan just stared at me, and Imogen looked at her feet as she did some impromptutendús. “That’s not what you mean, though, is it?” I asked.

“No,” he sighed and rubbed his head. “It’s not just keeping you safe while Lennox is on the loose. The other alpha is still out there too—the one we were trying to incriminate—”

“Tiny Tim,” Maddie said as she walked around Nolan.

“What?” he asked, frowning at her.

“Tiny Tim. I figured with all his big talk and showboating and everything, he must have a tiny dick he’s trying to compensate for,” she told him.

Nolan lifted his eyes to the ceiling and muttered, “Goddess, help her mate.” Then looked back at me. “Anyway, he’s still out there somewhere, too. But the biggest issue is your healing.”

“But I’m healed,” I said, my hand moving to my scars.

“Exactly,” Maddie nodded. “You shouldn’t be healed yet. The company all knows about the attack, because nothing is a secret ever, and if you show up at rehearsal tomorrow with only a few scars, well. They’ll be suspicious,” she explained, glancing at the scars on my neck and taking my hand.

I swallowed against the tightening in my throat but nodded. “Of course,” I whispered. “That makes sense.”

Because it did make sense. I hated to admit that they were right, but they were. It would be suspicious for me to show up to rehearsal already healed after an extensive injury like I’d had. Too many people would ask too many questions.

“You need to make it seem as though I’m still healing. Still in the hospital,” I continued. “But if I can’t go to rehearsals, then I won’t be able to be in the next ballet. InThe Nutcracker,” I added.

Nolan shook his head. “I’m sorry, Luna.”

I blew out a breath and didn’t even bother to correct him for using my title instead of my name. “It’s fine. I’m fine,” I told them, even though I wasn’t. “I understand.”

---