Page 30 of Building My Pack

"I just wanted to apologize for everything that's been happening," he tells me. "I'm not apologizing for them because they've got their own apologies coming to you. I just wanted to make sure that you knew our pack as a whole had nothing to do with their decisions."

I want to tell him to stop worrying because I don't hold grudges against anyone but the two of them but can't bring myself to do it. Doesn't matter anyway since I feel a warm body press against my back and, immediately, I know it's safe. A hand wraps around my middle as burnt-amber fills my nose.

"Take your hand off her if you're planning on keeping it," Mitchell growls out.

David drops my arm instantly. Half lit and focused on the conversation; I'd honestly forgotten that he even had a hold of it. Mitchell pulls me away from him, leading us over to the small dance floor that's filled with people while the karaoke takes a break to actual songs. Tonight has been an extreme jump from one emotion to another, and I don't realize what a toll it's taken on me until he tucks me close to his body and we start moving. It's not the fun fast-paced dancing from the other night, but somehow, he knows that's not what I need right now; this is.

"Let me know if any of them bother you again, okay?" he murmurs in my ear after a minute. When I nod, he adds, "I'm sorry about earlier. I didn't mean to challenge your alpha like that in front of you."

I'm so tired of trying to debate that no one ismyalpha, so I don't bother. Instead, I prepare myself for what's to come when he inevitably says that they'll not be coming around anymore. It's just the way my life has been going lately.

Imagine my shock when he sucks in a lungful of air and admits, "Can't say I'm happy about it, but I can learn to share. Especially since I actually know enough about him to know he's a damn good alpha and an even better man."

Tightening my arms around his middle in thanks for not making my life harder than it has to be right now by making me choose between them, I press a kiss against the stubble on his cheek. Which earns me a smirk before he slants his mouth over mine. It's just a quick press of lips together, but it's enough. Apparently, it's the last bit of assurance I needed to relax tonight.

We finish our dance and get more drinks. By the time we're leaving, Thomas, Chloe, and I have the giggles and stumble a bit walking. It's so bad that John tosses Thomas over his shoulder while his twin does the same with Chloe. Kennedy acts like he's going to do the same and I threaten him with bodily harm if he tries, but I do concede to slipping my heels off just in case. I'd been worried that telling everyone goodnight was going to be the super-awkward event after the alpha show inside, but they'd taken complete control of it. Mitchell and Waylen went to wait by Kit's truck while Santiago and Kennedy both stole a hug and even snuck in a kiss before hopping in the former's car with a quick wave. I then strolled dangerously barefoot to where the others waited.

"Well, this night out didn't go exactly like the last one," I say, making the three of them laugh with me.

"Still worth it, though," Waylen says, hugging me tight and lifting me off my feet to spin us around in a quick circle.

"You may not want to do that," I warn. "Kit said he doesn't like people puking in his truck."

Waylen throws his head back with another laugh as Mitchell pulls me out of his arms. For the second time tonight since our dance, I feel safe tucked against his body. He presses a kiss against the top of my head and promises to call tomorrow.

When we're finally alone again in the truck, Kit turns to me. "I don't know about you, but I'm ready to crash. Tonight has been...something."

"You can say that again," I tell him tiredly. "You're more than welcome to stay in my guest room tonight so you don't have to drive home when you drop me off."

"I might just take you up on that," he says, sliding the truck into gear and pointing us toward my house. Reaching across the seat between us, I take his hand and hold it the whole way there.

Chapter 15

Kit

I should've turned down Bryce's offer of staying in her house. The next morning as I lay staring at the ceiling, I lazily throw an arm across my middle while listening to her moving around in the room across the hall. It'd take nothing at all to step in there and give her a ‘good morning’ kiss like I've been dying to do since the very first day of seeing her out in the garden. She'd been pretty broken that day, and I'd felt that I had no other choice than to help her. My mom would've been proud, I think.

Last night when she'd offered to let me stay, I should've said no, but all I could think about was how I just didn'twantto. The conversation with Mitch and Way hadn't been a lie. As much as I love the area, I feel like I'm wearing out my welcome with the guy who'd signed me on as a temporary roommate while his friend was abroad. Ever since his real roommate came back two weeks ago, I've been sleeping on their couch, wearing out my welcome. Obviously, the proposition from my new friends was out there, and I'm sure it's a genuine proposal. I'm precisely aware of what's likely to happen if I stay, though. The more time I spend here, the harder it'll be to leave. Which is why I shouldn't be sleeping on the soft mattress of her spare bedroom that has the hint of her enticing banana scent living in it.

Running my other hand through my hair with a sigh, I recall the way Mitch and Kennedy were at the bar last night. I've never been attracted to another man in my life, but that play of dominance between the two of them seriously had me questioning my entire existence. If I left now, I might as well be throwing her to the wolves. Four alphas in two separate corners vying for her without a beta to keep them from tearing her apart. Figuratively speaking.

She can handle it,that little voice in the back of my mind says reassuringly.Mitch is a good dude and wouldn't let anything happen to her.

With my mind made up, there's only one thing left to do. Getting out of bed, I make it as neat as I found it before tugging my clothes from last night back on. I'd heard Bryce heading downstairs a few minutes earlier, so that's where I head to, sparing a moment to glance in her space as I'm walking by. It'll be the only time I ever see it. With that morose thought, I run a hand through my hair that I haven't bothered to pull back yet as I start down the steps.

I reach the kitchen in just enough time to watch her bend over to get something out of one of the bottom drawers in the fridge. She's not wearing anything less than what's she's been in for the past couple days, but for some reason those shorts clinging to her hips underneath an oversized sweater is doing shameful things to my dick.

Trying to stop staring at her ass, I lift my gaze and paste a lazy smile on my lips just as she turns around. A small squeak of surprise pops out as the berries she's holding almost makes a swan dive to the floor. Catching them at the last minute, she slaps the other hand to her chest, "Holy moly, Kit. You scared the life out of me right then. I didn't even hear you come in."

"Sorry," I tell her, easing my own hips behind the counter so she can't see the boner I'm still sporting.

"I hope I didn't wake you," she says, turning back to the task at hand.

"Not at all," I reply. Honestly, I'd been awake for hours waiting for her to wake up while thinking about what I want to do.

She tosses an easy smile over her shoulder, "Care for a smoothie?"

My stomach is clenching tight with nerves at the upcoming conversation, but I'm not going to turn her down when she looks at me like that. "Sure, thanks."

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