Page 45 of Pack Favero

“In what world is that your place, Mr. Johnson?” I blurt,the leash on my control slipping enough that my words contain a bite to them that doesn’t go missed.

Hunter stands straight as those sharp eyes gleam, almost like he’s enjoying getting a rise out of me, and a sick burn fills my stomach at the sight. He tries to pacify me with what he thinks is a soft, caring smile, but I see right through it, his words fueling my anger when he says, “I know I probably overstepped a mark, but friends take care of friends, right? At any cost, I just wanted to warn you before you did something permanent.”

I shake my head, disbelief coursing through my veins. The audacity of this man. All pretense of friendliness evaporates, and I narrow my eyes on him slightly. That gleam in his dark eyes expands and I’m sure he almost smiles before he keeps the worried façade in place. “Just be careful with who you’re entrusting your heart to, Zira.”

“Miss Favero,” I correct sharply, my voice coming out like a whip.

“Yes. I apologize. Miss Favero,” he coos, like he’s talking to a fussy baby, the asshole. “Look, men like that only have one use for pretty girls like you. High society and wealthy alphas like them aren’t looking to settle down with an omega. They haven’t had a single woman between them all in over a decade, from what I’ve read. They’re not into commitment, and you’ll be discarded soon enough when they’re done getting what they can out of you. You’ll be the flavor of the month until a new, shiny omega comes along to give them what they want. Just look out for yourself, Miss Favero. I’d hate to see something happen to you.”

I’m so stunned by the sheer nerve of the man, his words rattling me more than I care to admit, that I don’t stop him when he flashes a sympathetic smile at me that I don’t buy and disappears from the library before I can find the words to throw back at him.

It’s how Barnes finds me five minutes later, staring into the distance in a fog of anger, mind reeling and heart beating heavily in my chest.

One look at my face and Barnes is rushing toward me, cupping my face gently between his large hands as he asks me sternly, “Freckles? What’s wrong? What is it?”

I shake my head between his hands, trying to pull myself out of the angry snit that asshole has shoved me into, using Barnes’s touch to help center myself before I tell him, “Did you ever look into the new biology professor?”

Barnes looks a little thrown by the question, but nods anyway. “There was nothing to find, honestly. He’s a privileged son of an alpha aristocrat and his beta wife, hasn’t known a day of hard work in his life, and owns two horses that his parents paid for. He’s a spoiled country club kid, but he doesn’t have any records or anything to look into. He’s clean, got the new job through his parents, and owns his farmhouse outright. Why? Did he do something?”

Eyeing the alpha before me, seeing the deep concern in his eyes and the unwavering support he’s willing to offer, I blurt it all out to him. I don’t leave anything out, repeating all Hunter said to me before leaving me to stew in his words. The more I talk, the more serious Barnes starts to look, and I almost worry I’ve made a mistake when his jaw clenches tightly.

That is, until he gently pulls me into his embrace, hugging me securely as he presses his hand to the back of my head. My nose goes to the collar of his shirt as a reflex, seeking comfort and safety from my alpha, and I inhale his scent in deep pulls as I try to navigate my way through the anger still bleeding through my veins.

It takes some time, but eventually, his touch and smell has the desired effect and I feel myself gradually calming down enough that my chest no longer feels tight and I can actuallythink straight again. It’s only then I hear Barnes whispering, “You’re okay, Freckles. I have you. He doesn’t know what the fuck he’s talking about, so don’t you dare let his poison infect you.”

The last of my anger ebbs away as I listen to him, his smooth voice sure and steady, and I sag into him the moment my mind clears entirely.

“There’s my girl,” he sighs, pressing a kiss to the side of my head as he continues to comfort me with the affection I’m always greedy for. When I nuzzle into him, he starts purring for me, and my arms band around his waist as I finally hug him back. My sanity comes back to me and I wash away any insecurity that might have niggled its way through my armor. I know this pack. I know my alphas. What Hunter said about them is pure nonsense, and I refuse to buy into the delusion he’s trying to force upon me. I don’t know why he bullshit me the way he did, but he can keep his worries to himself.

“What a bastard,” I whisper, soaking in Barnes’s touch and scent, sighing when Barnes agrees.

“I’ll talk with the Dean about it. What he did was unprofessional and way out of bounds. I’ll deal with it first thing on Monday, Freckles,” he promises, kissing my temple once more before pulling back to look at me. “For now, what say you to movie night at mine? If you don’t want company, then how about you lock yourself away in my bedroom until you’re ready for movie night?”

His playful words lure a smile out of me and I nod, wanting to change into comfy clothes, pig out on good food, watch movies with my alphas, and call it a day.

Barnes smiles sweetly. “Is that a yes to movie night? Or a yes to hiding away?”

I snicker. “Movie night sounds beautiful.”

“Then let’s get you out of here,” he says, leaning in fora kiss that I prolong when he tries to pull back. He kisses me soundly, then, cupping my jaw between his hands and brushing my cheeks with his thumbs as he languidly strokes his tongue against mine, filling my senses with his flavor until he’s all I can smell, taste, and feel.

By the time he pulls back, my head is a little airy and I only just remember the events that took place prior to my senses being deliciously assaulted by my alpha.

“Come on, beautiful girl. Let’s get you home,” he says, taking my hand and linking our fingers together, leading us out of the library, waiting for me to lock up before continuing toward the staff parking lot.

Holding the passenger door open to his car, my own still parked outside my apartment, rotting with disuse since the guys often like to drive me around with them, Barnes releases my hand and waist for me to climb into the car before shutting the door gently after me. He’s seated in the driver’s side a moment later, his hand resting on my thigh with my hand atop his as he drives us from the university to his house.

“What do you want for dinner tonight, Freckles? You name it and I’ll make it for you,” he offers sweetly, flashing me a beautiful smile that I return.

“Anything?” I prod, biting my lip as I try to ignore all that Hunter said. It’s harder than I thought it would be, even though I know it’s nonsense. Barnes’s actions prove as much. I mean, what alpha would put this much energy and effort into ensuring I was okay if it didn’t mean something? Barnes has gone above and beyond for me, they all have, and I’d be stupid to let Hunter’s words plant the seed of doubt in my mind when I know how wrong it is.

With more seriousness than I would have expected, Barnes glances at me and squeezes my thigh gently as he says, “If you don’t know it by now, Zira, I’d do absolutely anything foryou. You want sushi for dinner? I’ll make it for you and try to gag as little as I can. You want to go straight to bed when you get home? I’ll run my hand through your hair to help you sleep or soothe you. You want to be alone? I’ll keep my phone on me for when you’re ready for company, even if it’s just to text. You want to yell and shout and kick someone’s ass for a while to burn off the anger I know is still clinging to you? I’ll volunteer Alek as your punching bag and cheer you on with you pummel him into the mats. Do you have any idea how important you are to me? To us, Freckles?”

I stare at him with my mouth slightly agape, stunned silent and blushing profusely, sure my cheeks are hot to the touch. I mean, I know what we have means something. I know it’s growing every single day, at rapid speeds that doesn’t scare me as much as I thought it might, but hearing the seriousness of his words as he speaks them so genuinely surprises me more than it should.

“Based on the shock on your face, I’m going to say there’s some doubt in that beautiful mind of yours, Zira. I’m more than happy to prove to you what that jackoff told you is so far removed from the truth that you’ll laugh about it tomorrow,” Barnes promises, turning his hand on my thigh for my hand.

I drop it into his immediately, and he wastes no time linking our fingers together before lifting our hands and kissing the back of mine before placing them in his lap as he continues to drive us home.

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