Page 25 of Pack Larsen

When we came to North Five University, we never anticipated making friends. At the end of the day, we’re here on scholarships with part-time jobs and a life we want to build for ourselves. Distractions didn’t fit into that. But when Juniper Baines wriggled herself into our family dynamic and brought her bonded pack with her, it was inevitable that we’d all grow close over the weeks. It helped that we already knew the Ledger twins, having crossed paths in class a few times, but the moment Munro started hanging out with Juno more regularly, the more we’d ended up spending time with her whole pack until we all sort of formed this one big, dysfunctional family.

“I don’t give a shit about that. What I’m worried about is if I have to tell my woman that her best friend’s pack were assholes to her other best friend who gave them a place to stay and now they’re homeless again. I told her it was a bad idea, because I know what you guys are like with people with money,” Lowie harps on, and I roll my eyes, already regretting this phone call. I should have made Rage do it. He’s the one that fucked up, not me. I actually think Silver might sort of like me.

Cutting him off before he really gets going, I say, “We haven’t been kicked out yet, calm your tits. Rage and I were just looking for advice.”

“Huh. Alright. Hit me with it, then,” he agrees easily, tone shifting from ‘irritated’ to ‘chill’ in a split second.

“You’re an insufferable dick,” I start, grinning when he grunts, partially in agreement and partially in protest. “How the hell did you get Juno to like you?”

There’s a long pause, and I pull the cell away from my ear and place it on speakerphone, right in time to hear Lowie cautiously question, “Do I want to know why you’re wondering how I charmed Juno?”

“You’re a smart man, bro. I’m sure you can do the math,” I snicker, grinning at my brother who closes his eyes like he’s stressed and tired of my shit.

“Oh, no, I’m doing the math, but I thought you all hated Silver? Why do you think I was about to chew you out for blowing it on day two?” the asshole of the Ledger twins informs. “So, what are you really asking me? You need tips or something on how to woo the omega you’re living with now?”

I hear the amusement in his voice, and I don’t like it. “I should have called your brother. You suck.”

Lowie chuckles deeply down the line, and Rage’s lips twitch, though he doesn't open his eyes. Instead, he remains motionless in his seat, tense as he awaits an answer. “Look, Silver and Juniper are two completely different omegas and women, and I’ve got years on you guys when it comes to courting. I’ve been courting Juniper since she was twelve and I was fourteen, and I didn’t even realize it. There wasn’t a time where Juno didn’t know she was mine, even when she was gone, and I told her as much as soon as she came back to us. Different situations and shit, bro. You want Silver to like you? Just be yourselves and get to know her. She’s actually pretty dope when you get past the bubbly exterior.”

I frown. I like the bubbly exterior. It matches her bubblegum scent and vibrant personality.

“Being myself is the problem,” Rage grouches, and Lowie laughs.

“I told you, man. We’re not all bastards with more money than sense,” Lowie reminds my brother with an amused lilt to his voice. “Get over the whole lower, middle, upper class bullshit. Let your guards down a bit and get to know Silver. Trust me, she’ll surprise you. If Juno loves her, then that should tell you what kind of person she is. Juno doesn't love easy, you have to work for it, but Silver wriggled her way in real good and now they’re thick as thieves. Forget everything you know, and make an effort with the girl. She gave you jerk-offs a place to stay so you wouldn’t have to suffer dealing with Evron’s balls. Think about that.”

Sighing, I accept the advice and give Rage a loaded look the moment his eyes open. Cracking his fingers, he sits up in his seat and finally asks, “Don’t suppose you know where Silver works, do you?”

Lowie pauses, muttering down the line with a muffled voice, “Hold on, Angel. Just helping two useless assholes. Stay there.”

When he comes back, voice stronger, he says, “Yeah, I know where she works. You guys heard of Raverz? It’s a club about twenty minutes away from her house. If she’s there tonight when she isn’t booked in, then she’s destressing. Don’t stress her out more when she’s doing her thing.”

“How do you know so much about her?” I wonder, genuinely curious, because he sure does know a fair bit about the omega he isn’t bound to. And sure, maybe there’s an element of jealousy that pushes me to ask, but that’s neither here nor there.

Lowie snorts before answering, “Because my girl is a fucking yapper sometimes, and I’ve been subjected to many a gossiping session. That’s all I’m saying, because she’s currently glaring at me like she’s going to take my balls away.”

Laughing, I scoop my cell up and mutter, “Alright, I’m gonna hang up so you can defend yourself. Thanks for the help, bro.”

“Yeah, yeah,” he answers, a grin in his voice. “Don’t fuck it up, guys. Silver is a diamond in a barrel of rocks. You’d be stupid to mess that up.”

Shaking my head when I hear Juno practically melt with her muffled ‘aww’, I end the call and look pointedly at my brother. He looks back at me, a nervousness etched into his face I’ve never seen before, and I flash him a grin as I ask, “So, you wearing that to a club?”

I eye his matching shorts and shirt to mine, and he looks at my outfit, before shaking his head. “Ten minutes and we’re out of here.”

“Deal,” I answer, then I’m scrambling off the bed and throwing on some decent enough clothes that will allow us entry to a club I’ve only heard of but never frequented.

***

Seated in the corner, tucked away near the speaker that blares out a heavy bass song that rattles my eardrums, I take a sip of my beer, glad for the Uber we took to the club instead of allowing Rage to drive.

“Do you see her?” my brother asks for the fourth time, rolling his own bottle between his hands as his eyes can our surroundings.

Raverz, for all its hype, is actually pretty chill. Either that, or they’re having a bit of an off night. There aren’t many people here, some drinking casually at the bar or in booths like my brother and me, but none are dancing and enjoying themselves like I thought they would be at a club like this. Maybe it’s because it’s a Sunday night as most of us have classes tomorrow, or maybe it’s because the soundtrack currently playing is total shit. Whatever the reason, it’s dead in here, even though a place like this looks like it should be packed no matter the day of the week.

With black tables and leather seats, a marble-top bar with neon lights shining down on the plethora of alcohol bottles that line the wall, and beams of light that strobe all through the club, Raverz is a swanky place, classy but current and not at all tacky like I would have imagined. It’s low-key and slightly hidden from the beaten path, and it seems like the perfect place to unwind after a long week of work or school.

“Nope. No sign of her,” I mutter, gaze roaming over every face I see, checking the waitresses and bar staff. “What did you say she was wearing again?”

“Fishnets. Pink fishnets. Cut off shorts, chunky white boots, and a sparkly shirt with a denim jacket that looked like it had been sent through a woodchipper and only barely survived. She looks like a wet fucking dream,” he answers distractedly, looking for the elusive omega. It doesn’t help that she’s, apparently, decided to wear a suppressant spray that mutes her sugary bubblegum scent which always gives me a craving for something sweet.

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