Page 58 of This Pack of Ours

As if she knew anything about family.

“Right. We done here?” I asked, turning to Kit. He gave me a weak, wobbly smile.

He stepped next to Ez, who took his hand, and I nodded toward the door. Together, the pack started to leave, but Esme couldn’t help sneaking in one last comment.

“You really need to find better company, Kit. This gold pack scum has been dragging you down ever since she stole you from that academy.”

I faltered.

Gold pack?

Did she know?

Had she looked me up?

Or fuck, had I been wearing my contacts the last time I saw her?

I whirled around to face her, and she had a small little smirk on her face as I stormed back to the table.

But to my shock, someone else got their first.

Vander slammed both fists down on the cheap laminate surface, sending plates and glasses flying as he snarled in her stupid, nasty face.

She let out a strangled shriek, jerking backward and falling out of her chair. Jhin and Adrian were there in a second, grabbing Vander’s shoulders and yanking him back in a practiced move. I was prepared to lurch at her, but I felt Kit’s hand tight on my arm, tugging me back. My heart was pounding at Esme’s revelation. Perhaps the pack just thought she was bluffing. I glanced at their faces, trying to get a read, but couldn’t get anything.

“Let’s go, Juni. You know she’ll call the police," he warned. She'd done that last time, too, claiming assault. Then she’d demanded a whole bunch of money to drop the charges. I spat at her feet, but let Kit tug me away.

“Yes, I’m sure the authorities would love to know about those contacts you’re wearing.” Esme’s triumphant voice made all of us freeze.

Terror shot through me. She wouldn’t. I was staring at her evil face when Kit spoke.

“Take that back.”

Kit’s voice was thin, trembling with fury. Esme sneered.

“Oh, Kristofer, don’t?—”

“Take that back.Or I’ll cut you off. I mean it.”

He was standing tall, his cheeks red, more anger on his face than I’d ever seen before. My heart was pounding as I looked at him. His eyes were blazing, his face so intent, like he’d never been so sure of anything in his life. And I’d never,everseen him stand up to Esme. She stared at him, eyes dark with fury and contempt. Then she stood, brushing off her dress and giving a little scoff.

“God, so much fuss over a little joke," she said. “Well. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.”

Kit held my hand as we all left the restaurant and climbed into the van, the pack following. God, with Kit’s reaction, it would be hard to deny the truth now. I sat in silence as Adrian started the engine.

Jhin cleared his throat. “Juniper," he said.

“What?” I tried to put venom in it, but I just sounded tired.

“Are you a gold pack omega?” he asked.

I swallowed, and Kit squeezed my hand, but I couldn’t answer.

“If the police come for a check up, would they find illegal contacts?”

“Yes,” I whispered. Before this week, no alpha hadeverfound out I was gold pack. Not since I’d started the Safe House. Now this whole pack knew.

I felt myself shrinking, letting my hair fall in front of my face, my fingers digging into my legs. This was it. They knew I was an outcast. Not only that, a criminal.

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