Page 33 of Pack Obsession

Then reality filters back in, piece by jagged piece. The Alphas’ house. The strange bedroom. The Nexus bus crash.

I crane my neck up from the pillow and find Nash slumped in the oversized armchair not far from my bed, one long leg stretched out, the other bent at the knee. His head rests against the wing of the chair, deep blonde hair falling across hisforehead in a way that softens his usual sharp edges. His glasses sit slightly askew on his nose, and in sleep, the tension in his jaw has eased. An empty whiskey glass rests by the chair leg.

I vaguely remember his words cutting through my earlier nightmare. "I heard you crying out," he’d said during the night, appearing in my room like some dark guardian angel. Great. Nothing says ‘totally stable person’ like me screaming through my night terrors in front of the Alpha who was involved in my kidnapping.

Though I guess I kidnapped myself when I offered to help with their heist instead of letting them deliver me to Julian.

Just thinking his name makes my skin crawl, like phantom hands ghosting across my skin. I shove the feeling away, the nightmares that never leave me, focusing instead on the sleeping Alpha in the room. It’s strange seeing Nash like this, all that controlling side of him at rest. He looks almost innocent.

The need to use the bathroom hits me, and I glance down to see I’m only wearing my tank top and underwear with a grimace. Perfect.Real dignified, Casey.

Slowly, carefully, I ease out from under the covers. The bed creaks once—a sound as loud as a gunshot in the quiet room—and I freeze. Nash doesn’t stir, his breathing still deep and even. The rug is soft under my bare feet as I take one step, then another, passing him to reach the en suite. Just three more steps to freedom. Two. One?—

His hand snaps out and catches my wrist as I almost slip away. I flinch hard, can’t help it, old memories rising like bile. But his grip is gentle despite the lightning-fast grab, his skin surprisingly warm against mine.

"Did you sleep okay?" His voice is rough with sleep, eyes still closed, and something about the casual question makes my breath catch.

I stare at him, at the way his dark lashes fan against his cheeks, at the slight stubble shadowing his jaw. Really? That’s his question? Not ‘where are you going’ or any of the thousand things Julian would have said?

"Yeah, thanks," I manage, ignoring how his thumb brushes absently across my pulse point. "You can leave my room now. I’m safe."

His fingers release me—no lingering touch, no attempt to maintain control. I scurry toward the bathroom door but can’t resist glancing back. He’s turned in the chair, very intently awake now and very much studying me. Those storm-green eyes trace a path from my bare legs up to my face, and the heat in them has nothing to do with dominance.

I roll my eyes and shut the door with perhaps more force than necessary, but my heart’s still racing. Not from fear this time, and that’s... dangerous. The way he looked at me, like he wanted to... Not going there. These Alphas might be better than Julian, but I have to be cautious because even Julian was charming in the beginning. After all, what kind of person chooses to help criminals just to avoid their ex?

A desperate one, whispers a voice in my head that sounds suspiciously like my brother.A smart one.

The bathroom is surprisingly luxurious for a safe house, all gleaming tile and brushed metal fixtures, with fluffy towels. The shower calls to me like salvation, and I strip quickly, stepping under spray hot enough to scald. Steam rises around me as I let the water pound away the nightmare’s lingering touches, washing away memories that never quite fade.

A sharp knock at the door makes me jump, water splashing into my eyes.

"I’m in the shower!" I call out, proud that my response doesn’t shake.

"I’m heading into the city for supplies," Nash replies through the door, his deep words somehow carrying clearly over the water. "Need anything specific? Any..." There’s a pause. "Female stuff?"

I mirror the cringe in his voice but appreciate the awkward thoughtfulness. Then, his words fully register. The city. Where I lived with my brother, Kai. Maybe...

"Wait a second!" I shut off the water and grab the nearest towel, not caring about the puddles I’m creating as I rush to the door. I crack it open just enough to peer out and find Nash filling the doorframe, all six-foot-something of him somehow managing to look both rumpled and devastating. His black t-shirt clings to broad shoulders, still twisted slightly from sleeping in the chair. Deep blonde hair curls damply at his neck like he’s already showered, and those arms... Focus, Casey.

"Can I come with you to the city?"

"Hell, no." The answer is immediate, his expression sharpening from sleepy to alert.

"Come on, Nash." I tighten my grip on the towel as cold air from the hallway raises goosebumps on my wet skin. Water drips down my back, and I’m acutely aware of how little separates me from his gaze. "I’ll wear a hoodie, lie low..."

"Why?" His eyes narrow behind those steel-rimmed glasses, and he takes them off to clean them on his shirt. "What do you want? I’ll get it for you."

"I want to see my brother."

He slides the glasses back on and folds his arms across his chest, muscles flexing. His glasses slide down his nose slightly as he fixes me with a look that clearly saysnot on your life.

"You realize everyone’s probably watching him?" There’s an edge of Alpha authority creeping into his tone. "Nexus, Julian... you think going there is a smart move?"

I grind my teeth, tasting the metallic tang of frustration. "I just need to contact him. I’m guessing a phone call is out of the question, too?"

"You bet." His lips press into a thin line. "Probably tapped."

A frustrated sigh escapes me, and I lean against the doorframe, forgetting for a moment how exposed I am until his gaze drops to where the towel has slipped slightly. I adjust it quickly, but not before catching the way his pupils dilate.

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