Page 103 of This Pack of Ours

I nodded.

Three hours later, I was being led into a room filled with small vials of scent samples. I tested one after another, my hope falling with each one.

Then I stopped, my stomach dropping.

I didn’t think I’d believe it would happen until this moment.

A scent that changed the world.

“That one,” I said, pointing at the sample. The scents there had hit me like a wave, crashing through my despondent thoughts and offering a breath of fresh air. New purpose.Be with them.

My pack. I pulled the sample closer, breathing it in again, because, like Vander had said, for a second it was all I could think of.

“Ah. Sample 5763. Congratulations, Miss Anders, on your scent match. Let me go and fetch the pack’s information for you.”

Shit.

It was done.

There. I could stop fucking thinking about Kit. About the Argo pack. About how much I missed them. About how much I wanted Kit next to me, taking my hand and giving it a squeeze.

I raised the sample to my nose again, trying to focus on the scents, and it washed over me, cleansing me.

I had to move forward.

Someone came to collect me, and I filled out some more paperwork, then arranged for the rest of the payment.

“Ah. Here you go, Miss Anders. We’re just contacting them now. The pack lead’s number is on the file, and they’ll be receiving yours too.”

“Thanks,” I said, clutching the folder to my chest.

I still hadn’t opened it by the time I got into the car.

I took out my phone and winced at the amount of unanswered texts. Seeing the missed calls from Jhin, I put the phone down again and opened the pack’s file.

Pack Carlisle:

Valerie Carlisle

Rick Gideon

Jake Gideon

Lewis Reid

Curious, I picked up the first page on the pack lead.

Valerie Carlisle

I blinked down at the picture—a selfie. She was gorgeous, her long, blond hair swept up in a sleek ponytail, with large gold hoops dangling from her ears. Her makeup was impeccable, and she was looking at the camera with a cool gaze, one of her elegant, arched eyebrows raised.

I was a bit surprised to see a female alpha as pack lead, but honestly I didn’t care. This pack had the power to erase all the pain from my mind.

I scanned the rest of the pack. They were all attractive: Rick and Jake were brothers, both with dark hair and strong jawlines. Lewis had light brown curls and a smug smile that reminded me of Vander.

Don’t think of Vander.

They were my mates. My future. My absolution.

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