Page 30 of Pack Favero

And that’s not even the best part. Where money would change even the best people, these guys are the most down toearth, humble, and full of life men I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. Their vibrancy for life and living is as infectious as their smiles, and I’ve found myself growing more and more obsessively addicted to each and every one. With their different personalities that mesh so well as a group, it’s hard not to acknowledge that I could see myself falling for them all with very little effort.

I’m lost to my daydreams, thinking about the past week and the men that have started occupying every one of my thoughts, when I’m suddenly assaulted by the harsh stench of burning rubber and spilled gasoline. Damn it. I almost made it to lunch without an uncomfortable visit.

Pasting a smile on, I lift my head from the documents on my desk and greet the biology professor before he reaches my desk. “Professor Johnson. How are you? I hope your first week went well.”

Hunter flashes a smile, seemingly pleased that I spotted him this time, and he leans against my desk a little too close of my liking, forcing me to subtly sit back in my seat. “It’s been enlightening, to say the least. You were right. I think I’m going to love it here.”

I nod, feeling awkward and uncomfortable around the man, having built very little tolerance for him despite the number of times he visited my desk last week. Some might say it was excessive. It’s me. I would say it was excessive. And the man somehow always times it perfectly enough that Barnes always misses his visit, though he did catch the lingering scent of the strange alpha on the Friday just gone.

“I’m glad to hear it,” I respond politely, wrapping my hands around my bare knee, instantly regretting the move when Hunter’s eyes fall to where my flowy skirt has ridden up a fraction. Clearing my throat and drawing his attention away, those sharp eyes coming back to mine, I ask, “Is there anything Ican do for you today? I don’t think the book I’ve ordered for you will be in until the end of the week, but I’m happy to email you when it’s arrived.”

“Oh, no, that’s fine. I was just hoping for a chat with someone familiar,” he assures, waving his hand as though to dismiss my attempt to discuss the book he’s checked on three times the past week.

Plastering on a faux sympathetic look on my face, still feeling all kinds of weird vibes from the man, I ask, “Is there anything particular you wanted to talk about? I’m about to head to lunch, so I can’t stay long.”

“No matter. I’ll join you. I forgot to pack a bag this morning,” he laughs, rolling his eyes as though he thinks himself ditzy, the smile he tries to play off as charming coming across as smarmy and icky instead.

If I didn’t want to have him near me before, I certainly don’t now, especially when his eyes drop back to my knees when I stand. I need an excuse, and I need one fast, before I’m forced to have lunch with the man I’d rather be friendly to from a distance. A far, far distance.

Thinking on my feet, I smile apologetically and blurt, “I’m sorry. I’m having dinner with…my alpha.”

I’m absolutely kicking myself when the words slip free, because I wasn't having lunch with anyone but myself. I was going to go to Gabby’s to read for an hour while I ate, knowing Barnes is busy grading his students' artwork between classes today. I can’t very well do that without company now, can I?

There’s no way I’m inviting Hunter to join me, so I do the next best thing. I lie through my teeth and pray that one of the guys will come to my rescue.

“Your—uh, your pack?” Hunter questions, the smile vanishing from his face so quickly that it sends a chill through my body. A mask falls over his face, turning his expressionintense and a little worrying, and I have to actively fight to keep the friendly smile on my face when all I really want to do is beeline it straight out of the room and far away from this man. “I wasn’t aware you had a pack. You smell like an unbonded omega, so I assumed you were available.”

Oh my fucking god.

My eyes widen a fraction at the blunt and inappropriate comment, knowing he’s been scenting me when he’s been near, and I choke on the forced giggle that I offer to cover up the fact that I’ve gone from wildly uncomfortable to excruciatingly intolerable to the man’s presence. Picking up my purse and slinging it over my shoulder, I reach for my cell and wiggle it, forcing the words from my voice box to say, “We’re not bonded yet. We’re still in the courting stage, but they’re very much my pack and I’m happily their omega. In fact, you’ll have to excuse me for a moment. I just need to check my alpha hasn’t forgotten he’s meeting me for lunch. Sometimes he’s so busy with work and such that time runs away from him.”

Without waiting for an answer, I unlock my phone and press the first name that appears in my contacts. I’m dialing Alek not a second later, pressing my cell to my ear and offering a flash of a smile to appease the man now watching me like a hawk.

Prickles of unease stab at my nerves, and I damn near sigh with relief when Alek answers, “Little lady, to what do I owe this very fine honor? Are you already missing my spectacular personality?”

The words are flowing from me before I can think of what I’m saying, the need to get away from Hunter driving them from my lips. “Hey, baby. I’m on my way to you now. Are we still meeting at Gabby’s?”

Silence answers me for a long moment before Alek’s voice trickles into my ear. “Baby? Hell, I love it, but that’s bold for you, little lady. I don’t recall making plans to meet at Gabby’stoday, though.”

I force a laugh, begging Alek to catch on without me blatantly telling him I need his help, praying for a damned miracle as I say, “You forgot, huh? Nose stuck in the blueprints? That’s okay, babe. I can eat lunch alone.”

I’m met with silence once more, and I pull a goofy face at Hunter, playing the part. He doesn’t smile back, simply stares with that same intensity that makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.

“Okay, what’s going on? Did the twins put you up to this?” Alek asks, suspicion in his voice now. It would be funny if I didn’t desperately need him to pick up what I’m putting down.

“That’s okay. I know how busy you are,” I respond.

“What? That… doesn’t make sense. Zira, are you okay? Did you call the right number?” Alek questions, sounding genuinely confused. “I hope that’s not the case, because I don’t want to know who the hell you’re calling baby if it’s not me or one of my packmates.”

I actually melt, and a real smile blooms across my face at that, even though it’s absolutely not the time or place. Instead, I lightly chuckle before I say, “I can just meet you at Gabby’s, it’s fine.”

I’m sure I’m confusing him more, but when he pauses this time, I begin walking to the exit, Hunter falling in step with me. I could actually sob like the biggest baby when Alek finally says, “Zira, is someone there with you listening?”

“Yeah,” I laugh, fixing a grin in place. “Yeah, that’s okay. I’ll wait for you here.”

“Do you need me to come save you, little lady?” he asks, his tone serious now, and I could kiss the man the second I see him. Hell, I just might, because he’s caught on. He’s actually caught on.

“Mhm. That works for me, baby. I’ll wait just outside thelibrary for you,” I breathe, thanking whatever deity is looking down at me for sending me Alek, moreso when I look over at Hunter and catch the flicker of fury cross his face before he wipes it away just as quickly as it appeared.

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