Page 44 of Zoinks! Nice Pack, Bro

I’m in a house with four alphas I absolutely do not know. I have rolled my eyes at book FMC’s for less but here I am, risking it all ... .and for what?

Scent mates? Pack?

All things I don’t believe in.

Blinking away the sleep that tries to take over, I roll over, texting my boss to call out and slipping from the sheets of the bed as I give up on sleep.

I send a quick text to Clarissa so that she knows I’m alive too because we may be online friends but we still have a bond.

I hug my arms around myself, a shiver running down my spine because I’m never warm enough.

If Paxton knew how I always ran cold he would have probably really taken me over his lap and spanked me. And that shouldn’t send a warm delight through me.

I am still in Cameron’s sweatshirt, tugging it over my knees, as I sit down on the window seat and try to warm up. They definitely had someone decorate the house for them because no grown man would think to buy this many throw pillows.

Reorganizing the pillows, I try to make myself comfortable and give up on the idea because I just can’t seem to get them the way that I want them. Maybe because I know it’s a borrowed space so I can’t let myself relax.

My head leans against the cool glass, looking over the backyard. They were in the part of Hawes where the backyard was situated on a hill. It overlooked a forest with skyscrapers from Boston looming in the distance. With the sun rising it bathed the backyard in golds and peachy orange hues. Softly waking up everything it touched with the gentle nudging of light.

The bedroom they had put me in was just a little bit smaller than my studio apartment and it made me wonder why four guys lived in a house together without a few betas or any omega.

It was common for packs to have a beta live with them to help during ruts or an omega that they were courting could also be used in those situations.

But these alphas just had each other.

Did they even want an omega?

How the heck did I end up in situations like this?

My anxiety peaked, wishing it was later in the day so I could text Clarissa and have a back and forth with her. Give her some sort of proof of life as she sent me a string of laughing emojis and simultaneously checked in to make sure I was okay.

But I had no one. I was alone. Like usual.

How long can a person be alone before it fundamentally changeswho they are? When does omega nature shift? Because I’ve been alone for so long that it’s harder to be around people than not.

Until these four bozos.

My mind reminds me and I shiver again as I think about it.

It’s so easy being around them without feeling like I’m going to be murdered. Which isn’t easy for me.

A soft click as my door opens makes my head turn from the window to look at the hulking figure taking up the space. He looks like he is trying to sneak in and check on me. So careful in his hulking form that it’s almost cute.

Paxton is handsome.

He’s clean cut, no tattoos showing or piercings. Soft blonde stubble and blond hair pushed back, almost like Charlie Hunnam but more muscles. Thicker in a way that makes me know he takes care of himself.

The way he carries himself is sure, like he knows exactly what he’s doing. It's the raw confidence mixed with masculine energy that radiates off him like power. How he smells less like alphas with their harsh liquors and instead smells so calming to me.

His scent washes over me as he enters, spiking for a second when the shock of seeing me awake and in bed hits him. All that black tea and cardamom making me want to nuzzle his neck to breathe him in from the source.

They should bottle this alphas scent for the spray people use for their pillows to make them feel less lonely at night. It would make so much money.

“You’re awake.” The low gruff grumble of his voice feels like a seductive whisper as he stands in the doorway not coming all the way in. He’s giving me space and I appreciate the thoughtfulness of his gesture.

I shrug, keeping my eyes on him as he glances in the hall and then back at me, “Can I come in?” My head bobs in a nod without recognizing what I’m doing.

Paxton steps inside and moves to the side. It’s a small gesture but it makes me feel like I have a way out. He’s not blocking the door ortrying to keep me here and I feel that same safe feeling I did when Cameron held me.

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