Page 106 of This Pack of Ours

Vander shrugged. “I reckon if you tell her what you just told me, she’d say it all back. And you should, because we want her in the pack too. It’s been torture to think we might lose her.”

Ah.

Shit.

JUNIPER

I hadn’t been able to sleep properly last night. I’d dozed off a bit in my closet-nest, but woke with gritty eyes and a slight headache. Still, I dragged myself up to brush my teeth and get dressed. I hadn’t brought much, and it wasn’t really date-worthy but I didn’t really care.

Kit’s bond had faded, just glimmers of his worry and anxiety leaked through now and again. It was easy to push it away completely as I tiptoed past Luna and climbed into another car-share to meet my scent matches.

They hadn’t brought flowers.

That was the first thing I noticed, though it didn’t matter. Nothing would ever match Jhin’s tall, lean form and the serious expression on his face as he held that bouquet out to me.

I could feel their power, the tug of them as I caught their scent.

Mine.

It was intoxicating, drawing all my attention to them. Valerie was tall, and her heels made her tower a good head above me. Her skin was tan, and she was obviously some kind of athlete, her frame thick with muscle. She still boasted generous curves, and her yoga pants showed off thick hips that I couldn’t look away from as she swayed toward me.

“Oh, just look at you, sweetheart!” Valerie held my shoulders and tucked my hair behind my ear. “Justgorgeous.”

I found myself being pulled into a warm amber and grapefruit hug. My cheeks were resting against her ample breasts, and she smelled absolutely divine. I focused on that, on sinking into the way it was obliterating every other thought except her.

“I mean, it’s just so perfect, right? Like our own poor little gold packdarling.”

She stepped back, and Rick was suddenly there instead. His hair was cut in an expensive-looking fade, the black tips hanging over his honey-brown eyes. He wound his arm around me, burying his nose in my hair and inhaling deeply. I swallowed.

“Mm,” he said, his nose rubbing against my neck. “God, you smell divine. Our little cherry tart.”

Jake tugged him away. He looked like Rick, only leaner and his hair was buzzed. Same honey brown eyes, and Ez and Adrian had the same eyes, too?—

“Hi, love,” Jake said, thankfully cutting off my thought as he stepped in front of me. He tilted my chin up, a smile on his face.

“Share, boys,” said Valerie, rolling her eyes. “Animals, I tell you, but you gotta love them.”

I took a deep breath, taking in their scents, trying to push away the discomfort. I was reverting to my interaction strategy I’d had anytime I met alphas with Kit—just be quiet.

“Welcome to your new life, Juniper, we’re going to just spoil you. Get you all new clothes and stuff.”

Valerie’s aura was tugging at me, sweeping me away in a river as I found myself nodding before I could think.

“Oh, that’s okay. I don’t need much,” I said, pulling out of the odd feeling, and Valerie gave a little laugh.

“No, darling, we’ll make sure you have anything you want. How could we say no to those huge, sad eyes? Jake, doesn’t she look just like a doll? So cute!”

For a second, I imagined what Vander’s face would look like if he was here—probably a mix between incredulous and disgusted at the fact I was just letting this happen.

I buried the pain by nestling closer to Rick, seeking his cedary smell.

His hand circled my waist.

“Well? I’m sure you have questions for us?" she said, and shook her hair back over her shoulder.

“Sorry,” I said, blinking up at her. “I’ve had a rough week. Need some rest.”

“Oh, howinsensitiveof us, darling. Of course, I can’t imagine what it’s like for you, living in the Gritch.” She shuddered. “You know what will cheer you up? A shopping date!”

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