Page 22 of This Pack of Ours

“Yeah. Well. Congratulations," she said, forcing a small, strained smile. Their voices were low, but we could still hear them. I desperately hoped they knew that, because this seemed like a private conversation. I couldn’t look away, though, my eyes glued on them. Anytime I tried, my attention was sucked right back in by their omega magnetism.

“Makes sense,” Juniper said. “Because you’re pretty much perfect and I’m just—not that I wanted?—”

It was kind of terrifying watching her try to be so nice. I’d seen some omegas totally lose their shit over far, far less. And despite what Vander said, we’d obviously meant enough to her that she was upset about this.

“Ah, shit, Juni, this is so not fair,” Kit said, wringing his hands. “Look, if they really meant that much to you, maybe we can still work something out?”

All my danger alarms went off as her posture shifted, her face shuttering. Abort, dude,abort.

“Work something out?” she echoed.

“Yeah, Juni, I wouldn’t mind. I mean, I think I’d be fine with it, for you. If you want.”

“Fine with what?” Juni snapped. Kit finally seemed to hesitate.

“You joining us?” he asked.

Juniper’s mouth fell open, and she gave a strained laugh. Her incredulous eyes met Kit’s.

“You think I want to be yourpity bond?”

There was a horrible silence as all the blood drained from Kit’s face. Juniper shook her head and moved, heading straight for the exit. Kit darted behind her.

“Wait, that’s not what I—” Kit said, but Juniper cut him off.

“Just stop.Fucking stop," she snapped, wrenching open the door and storming out.

“That’s not safe,” Kit said weakly as the door closed behind her.

“Vander. Follow her, make sure she’s okay," said Jhin. Vander’s head snapped up.

“Why doIhave to—” he started, but Jhin rounded on him.

“Go," he barked, and Vander gave him a death glare as he stood and stomped after her.

“Noooo,” moaned Kit, burying his head in his hands and sitting heavily down on a chair.

He folded over, hugging his legs. He was quite possibly the cutest sad person I’d ever seen, though I wasn’t sure that was really an appropriate thought. I could feel the pull toward him, even from here, and wanted to go wrap my arms around him.

The moment I’d caught the scent of his almond buttercream scent, I’d felt that undeniable tug in my gut, as if something had just clicked into place. It was extremely disconcerting, having Juniper next to him. I’d thought scent matches would obliterate all other desires, but…. it hadn’t. Perhaps it was because we’d just spent a heat with her, or maybe the way their scents were mixed together in the air, almost clinging to each other. Thinking back, there had even been a slight trace of him in her scent before—I’d thought it was just an undertone of her own, but I recognized it here. Maybe that was why?

Jhin sat down stiffly next to him, looking exhausted.

We stayed like that for a minute until the barista walked up with a wet towel and put a disposable cup of coffee in front of Kit. The whipped cream tower on top wobbled as she set it down.

“On the house," she said, before turning away. Bless her.

“Well, thatcouldhave been worse," said Ez, pulling up a chair and sitting down backward so he was leaning on the backrest.

“How could that have been worse?” I asked flatly, leaning against the wall.

“Dude. I mean, no one died, right?" He looked around, and then huffed, sinking his head onto his arms.

“Just trying to stay positive," he muttered.

Kit let out a miserable whine, making me want to punch something for him.

Jhin hesitated, lifting his hand before resting it on Kit’s shoulder. Kit shifted into his touch, and I could see some tension lifting from Jhin’s shoulders.

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