Page 30 of Pack Larsen

Leaning against the counter while I stare at the shiny fridge door, I sigh deeply and begin untying my hair from the two pigtails that have grown messy and wonky through the night, my reflection looking as haggard as I feel.

Fuck me, what a weekend. I knew this was going to be a disaster and I’d regret offering my home the moment the words slipped free of my mouth. I never expected the whole thing to go to shit quite so quickly, though. Seems only Juno and Alek can tolerate me these days.

Ah, well. It is what it is. No use dwelling on it.

Hair free and an ache left over from where the hair ties have been wrapped tightly for too long, I’m about to leave the kitchen with my hand rubbing against the left side of my head when raised voices stop me.

I don’t mean to be nosy, because the last thing I want is to eavesdrop on any conversations. I’d like nothing more than to scurry away and hide again, in all truthfulness. What stops me is the risk of being spotted and forced into another conversation I don’t want. I just want to fucking sleep, for the love of all that is comfortable and warm.

“She was starting to fucking like me, you asshole,” Aero snaps, close to shouting, his voice carrying clear enough that I hear every word as though I were standing right next to him.

“What does it matter? We’re not here to get her to like us,” Munro counters, though there’s less bite in his words when they’re directed at that omega. Seems it’s just me he has an issue with.

“Speak for yourself, Ro,” Aero volleys with a vehemence that shocks me. It’s the first time I’ve heard him sound genuinely furious, and I’m almost flattered that it’s over me. “Just because you have your hangups over that conniving bitch, Veronica, doesn’t mean every wealthy omega is the same. It’s clear to anyone with eyes that you want Silver, you’re just letting the shit Veronica pulled on you guide your stupid ass through life.”

“That’s not true,” Munro tries to argue, only he doesn’t sound so sure himself.

I hear a scoff before Rage’s voice reaches my ears, his tone harsh and mocking, “Don’t fucking kid yourself, bro. I might have been an asshole to Silver, but, apparently, that had nothing on the shit you’ve been putting her through. It actually stung my chest when I saw that look of hurt flash over her face before she tried to hide it. And you… you made her cry by shouting at her for something that was my fault. You know what she told me earlier? That you hurt her feelings more than any of us, on a daily basis, and that she thinks she’s growing a tolerance to it. You think that looks like a tolerance to your crap?”

Before Munro can answer, Haze continues, “Veronica fucked you up, but Silver isn’t Veronica. Anyone with two brain cells to rub together can tell they are two polar opposites. The only reason you gravitated toward Juno despite her being an omega is because she’s you in female form. There’s no way she could hurt you. Silver, though? If given the slightest chance, you know she could break your heart, and you’ll end up right back into that shitty headspace you were in for a whole year when Veronica upped and left. Just say you're scared, get over it, and start realizing that Silver isn’t your enemy. Have you even thanked her for letting us stay here, you ungrateful prick? Would Veronica have let a pack she didn’t know live with her for free? One that actively ignored, avoided, and made no effort to get to know her?”

Silence follows that outburst, and my chest warms at hearing the twins defend me. I might not know who this Veronica is, but she sounds like a bitch, so it’s nice to hear them separate me from her. They can all still fuck themselves. I’m done.

“Quit taking your problems out on Silver, just because you’re finding the most miniscule similarities between her and the woman that broke your heart three damned years ago,” Aero finally concludes, before there’s a sound of material shuffling and footsteps along the floor. They pause a moment later, and I hold my breath, still rubbing my head to ease the ache. “For the first time in my life, there’s a girl I want. Really fucking want, and you just went and ruined it because you can’t tell your head from your ass. You either fix it, or step the fuck off, because Silver Gage will be mine whether or not you want to be a part of it. Think about that the next time you want to bite her head off.”

The sound of footsteps disappearing follows after Aero’s outburst, and I imagine he’s decided to ditch his pack so he can have an omega-worthy pout without an audience. It’s certainly what I would have done, so I can relate.

Munro groans deeply, and I can picture him dropping his head to the back of the couch, but I’m entirely too distracted by Aero’s words. The omega wants me? Actually wants me? What the fuck? I mean, sure, he mentioned dating, but then he brought up the friend thing, so I figured I was looking too deeply into it. But now? Well, hell, you could push me over with the slightest nudge for how shocked I am.

“Where do you stand with this? Based on the glares I’m getting from the twins, they seem to be in agreement with Aero,” Munro grumbles, sounding chastised and remorseful. I’ve never heard his tone sound so soft, so full of regret, and I’m sure it’s all because the guys are pissed at him and not because he made me cry. I mean, I’m not so full of myself that I believe I could cause such a reaction out of the guy that hates me so thoroughly.

It takes a moment for me to hear an answer, Pace’s deep baritone reaching me with ease. “I never had a problem with Silver to begin with. I simply kept my distance for several reasons. You seem to have issues with her, we’re broke and were on the brink of homelessness, and she’s a wealthy and unbonded omega who would expect more than we have to offer. Doesn’t mean I don’t like the girl. Just didn’t see much of a point in showing as much before.”

“What does that mean?” Haze wonders, genuinely curious.

I won’t lie, I kind of am, too.

So, like a despicable eavesdropper, I lean against the counter and strain my hearing in hopes of hearing the answer.

Sure enough, one comes a second later. “If you want honesty, I think she’s beautiful, funny, has a heart of gold like I’ve never seen before, and somehow rolls with the punches she keeps getting launched at her. I’ve just been trying to figure out how any of this could work with Munro’s hangups, Rage’s aversion to wealth, and the fact that we now live with her after struggling with simply getting through the week.”

“So, you’re into her?” Rage questions, and I can’t quite make out what it is I hear in his tone.

I don’t hear an answer, and I’m unreasonably frustrated by it, but then Munro questions, “And her being an unbonded omega? Thought you didn’t touch those with a ten-foot barge pole.”

Silence answers again, and I’m convinced Pace isn’t going to answer, so I decide to take that opportunity to escape. I don’t need to hear his answer. I’m on a massive overload as it is, fighting an exhaustion I feel deep in my bones, and am ready to crash out until I have to wake up in the morning and get ready for class.

So, with all the stealth of a prowling panther, I slip my feet free of my boots and begin tiptoeing to the stairs that are thankfully hidden by a part of the wall that separates the entry way and the living room.

I’m halfway up the stairs when I think I hear Pace reply, his voice quietened enough that I’m sure I mistook his words, “Might not be a risk if it’s with Silver.”

What doesthatmean?

Eyebrows pinched and mulling over those words, rolling them around and around in my head, I continue up the stairs and through the hallway. I don’t stop until I’m shut behind the door of my nest, and I make an active effort to twist the lock of my door, testing the handle a couple of times to ensure there won’t be any morning visitors with bagels and juice waltzing straight in.

Slightly in a daze, I go about changing into comfy sleep clothes, washing my face in the attached bathroom and brushing out the knots in my hair. After twisting my blonde and pastel-colored hair into a loose bun at the nape of my neck, I yawn loudly and decide that I can overthink all I heard after I’ve slept on it. There’s too much swimming in my head to make much sense of it all, and I’m in no frame of mind to be unpacking it all.

Yawning once more, I crawl into my nest, inhaling my scent and the faint whiffs of Aero’s frosted plum that clings to every piece of material he came into contact with. I snuggle into the cloud of comfort, wrapping up tight, and I’m dead to the world within minutes.

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