Page 4 of Pack Favero

When Laz reappears sometime later, I raise an eyebrow as his eyes drop to the sleeping omega using me as a pillow. His entire demeanor changes, his shoulders dropping and a soft expression taking over his face, and he’s distracted as he says, “Everything will be taken care of. She won’t have to pay a penny for anything.”

I nod, relieved.

A relief that’s snatched away when he says, “I did have to keep up the ruse of us all being a pack in order to pay, so that might be a discussion for when she wakes. And I had to call Alek, because I didn’t have all the details needed to complete the payment. He’s going to pay for it over the phone shortly, so that’s one less thing to worry about.”

I blow out a breath. So much for doing this slowly. Apparently, Zira is going to be thrown into the deep end without warning. I’d feel more guilty for it if it didn’t mean she would be taken care of.

So, resigned for what’s to come and hoping things don’t blow up in my face, I sit back in my seat and take Zira with me. All the while, I’m thinking of every outcome to come out of this, what will happen next, and weighing up the risks of introducing her to my family before she’s ready. Now might not be the time or place, but if it means she has more people in her corner while her mom goes through surgery, then it’s simply a risk I’m willing to take.

Chapter 1

Zira

Six Weeks Later

Trembling, I climb out of the bath filled with melting ice, teeth chattering while my body aches fiercely. There’s an emptiness in my stomach, a hollow pit in my chest, and despite the numerous self-provided orgasms I’ve given myself over the past five days, it’s done nothing to elevate the agony going through a heat alone has inflicted upon my body.

Being a packless omega sure is the pits on days like the past five I’ve suffered.

Wrapping myself in a threadbare towel that does nothing to battle the chill that has burrowed deep beneath my skin, I pad my sorry self to my bare nest and instantly regret it. Sweat and unsatisfying sex permeates the air, thick and cloying with remnants of my sickeningly sweet scent that clings to what little I have in this room, reminding me of the five days I’ve survived without alphas to help me through another heat that almost feels like it broke something inside me.

Holding my breath, I go in search of clean clothes, finding my burnt-orange shirt that I love, a pair of black slacks, and my black pumps that add four inches to my height. I grab random underwear and bundle everything in my arms before I rush out of the room, heading straight back for the bathroom where I can shower my misery, self-pity, and annoyance from my flesh.

Just as the towel drops and I’m stepping into the steaming shower, the promise of the water’s relaxing touch beckoning me forward, my wretched phone rings from where I left it in the living room.

Fighting back a groan, I turn off the shower and wrap myself in a towel once more, heading for my cell, in case it’s Mom calling from the care home she lives in now. Gritting my teeth against the new wave of frustration and annoyance that comes with the reminder that she no longer lives with me and the why’s of the situation, I reach my cell and roll my eyes, declining Barne’s billionth call and adding it to the other notifications that also belong to him.

Realistically, I know I can’t avoid him indefinitely. A shame, really, even though he’s sex on a stick and smells like the familiar bergamot and incense I’ve grown pretty fond of. Or, I had, until he decided to invade my life and turn everything upside down and topsy-turvy. Now, the smell sends pangs of longing and irritation through me, and it sends me deeper into a spiral of anger whenever it hits me. But alas, avoiding the professor isn’t an option since we work together, and he’s made it a habit to come visit me during his free period lessons. I’ve only managed to avoid him for the time being because I booked a week from work for my heat, knowing it would hit soon, because I’m anal about tracking my cycle.

Since it’s Friday today, the last day of the school week, I’m sure he’s vexed that I haven’t been there all week to ignore him in person. Thus, the never-ending barrage of calls, with a couple from Lazarus, just to really jazz up my notifications.

When my cell rings again, I decide to actually answer, now that I’m not on the verge of begging him to ease the ache I’m always plagued by while in heat.

Swiping the screen, I answer the call just as he’s speaking, “...won’t answer me, so the next step is to go over there and knock on her damned door.”

“Leave me and my door alone,” I grumble, too tired to find the appropriate ire in which I’ve resorted to talking to him.

Silence greets me for a long moment before Barnesfinally sighs and asks, “Where have you been, Freckles?”

“I don’t think that’s any of your concern. You’ve already invaded my life enough without me having to report my whereabouts,” I mutter, feeling petulant after almost a week of pure hell that are my heats. If I had a pack, if I had alphas, then I wouldn’t need to suffer so badly. Alas, my aversion to men renders me packless. Or it did, until Barnes and his pack niggled their way into my life, invading every aspect so thoroughly that I can’t cut them out. Being in debt would do that, I suppose.

Barnes grumbles down the line, and I diligently ignore the flurry of butterflies that always appear at a single note of his voice, as smooth as butter and just as intense as the man himself. “How much longer are you going to be angry with us, Zira? It’s been weeks of you avoiding me, ignoring me at work, and dodging my calls.”

I shrug, despite him being unable to see it, and mutter, “Until I’m no longer in debt to you and your pack and Mom is back home where she belongs.”

Only one of those is more likely to happen than the other, and it’ll be a million years until I pay them back. I have a better chance of doing that than getting Mom home, since she’s just about as stubborn as I am.

“Zira,” Barnes sighs, not for the first time during these interactions. “How many times do I have to tell you you’re not in debt to my pack and me? We didn’t pay your mom’s bills to trap you into thinking you owed us something. We wanted to ensure she had the best care possible and made sure she got what she needed. Your mom needed care that would be provided around the clock at the center where she is. She wanted to go there. You were in the room when I asked after she woke up from surgery. We were just trying to help and ease a few burdens I knew would weigh heavily on your shoulders.”

“Without discussing it with me. Without any kind ofwarning. Without my approval. You can’t just show up into someone's life and start throwing around thousands upon thousands of dollars like it’s loose change, Barnes. And I won’t allow you and the pack I didn’t know you had until six weeks ago spend an abysmal amount of money on medical bills that aren’t yours to pay. I’m paying you back every single cent, but before then, I’m not obligated to inform you of where I am, where I’ve been, or where I’m going,” I repeat, my voice sounding tired and worn out, enough that I don’t receive the usual argument in return.

Instead of Barnes warnings to thwart any attempts of repayments, just as all six instalments have been thus far, he pauses before asking, “What’s wrong? You sound tired.”

Sighing deeply, I rub my forehead and trudge back to the bathroom, muttering, “I am, and your incessant need to blow up my phone isn’t helping the matter. Lazarus can stop, too, for that matter, though he’s a little less excessive than you.”

“Are you not sleeping? Is that why your presence has been missing from North Five all week? Why aren’t you sleeping?” he asks in quick succession, ignoring my barbs, and I shut my eyes as I fight the bubble of amusement that tries to break free of the surface of which I’ve buried all emotions other than annoyance and frustration toward the professor.

“Would you also like to know what I had for breakfast this morning?” I ask, irritation bubbling to the surface. Sadly, I can’t actually tell whether it’s irritation toward Barnes and his meddling ways, or if it’s because of the heat I just came out of and has zapped all of my energy.

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