Page 115 of Ashley & the A-Listers

“I don’t like it,” Cam said.

River hummed supportively. “So this is more serious than the last time we talked. What were you hoping from this whole experience? The training, getting ready for the film?”

Cam sighed as River cut right to the heart of things. “I don’t know.”

“Yeah, you do. You’re a romantic at heart, Cam.”

Begrudgingly, Cam admitted he was right. “Okay, fine. So what if I imagined the crush blooming into something romantic and permanent?”

“Who says it still couldn’t?” River asked.

Cam’s brow furrowed. Was River just humoring him?

“Says the life bond the two of them just committed to,” Cam drawled.

“So? In a pack, multiple people can be bonded.”

Cam paused. A pack was… a lot. Was River interested, or was he just spouting ideas to make Cam feel better?DoIwant a pack?

He wanted River. And he wanted Ashley, who now came as a package deal with Dylan. Doing the math certainly pointed to a pack.

Twoalphas? When Cam usually couldn’t stand an alpha at all?

Then again, Cam had known Ashley was different from the beginning, her awkwardness not at all like other alphas he knew. And Dylan had earned his respect—and maybe even appreciation, but Cam wouldn’t ever tell the alpha so—after all their time spent together.

But having a pack meant so much more for him than it did for an average omega. He wasfamous. He’d have to clear it with management, and figure out how to “debut” them as a pack.

He lifted his head to peer up at his beta, brow knotted over jade eyes.

It would make River happier. To be public together, as a pack.

That thought alone almost made Cameron want to jump head-first, to commit to this not-so-wild but maybe impulsive idea.

But then all of their lives would be put under a microscope, and that was a lot to ask. What if Ashley and Dylan didn’t want a pack, didn’t want to be part of a movie star’s life?

“I don’t know,” Cam said, deflecting as doubt filled him. He took a breath and explained what happened on the mat with Ashley. “We’re joking about this like a pack is already an option, but I don’t think she’s even interested like that.”

River shook his head. “Or… maybe she was just worried her connection with Dylan was going to jeopardize her position as trainer. Think about it,” River said, patting his back. “I mean, from what we’ve gathered, Dylan definitely fucked off at a wrong time, for a long time. I’d feel a type of way about that. It only makes sense that she’d try to beat you to the punch.”

“But I wouldn’t ever?—”

“She doesn’tknowthat, babe,” River continued. “All I’m saying is, don’t give up all hope yet. And quit pouting.”

“M’not pouting,” Cam muttered, definitely pouting.

“Sure,” River said. “You wanna court her?”

“Courting is reserved for omegas,” Cam pointed out.

“Yeah, true. But as we’ve already pointed out, you’re neither rational nor normal,” River teased.

Cam shook his head. “You’re unbearable.”

“Am not,” River said, and Cam felt his warmth as he leaned down to his ear, mustache tickling the sensitive skin. “You love me.”

“Yeah, but I’m not rational nor normal, remember?” Cam retorted.

“Rude,” River murmured, and nipped at his neck. “Hmm. How do you think they did it?” His hand trailed down Cam’s shoulders to his lower back, gripping tightly.

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