Page 94 of This Pack of Ours

The pack had gone to their apartment again to sort some more stuff out, and I stayed in my room, avoiding Kit. I kept staring at my suitcase, and when I heard Kit start the shower, I sneaked into the nest room. I wasn’t proud of it, but if I was leaving, my omega was demanding I take some things with me. I snatched up the remains of Kit’s favorite pillowcase, my heart pounding. I tried to leave but turned right back around as I contemplated leaving the mix of pack scents that permeated the room. Shit. I was weak. I needed something they wouldn’t miss. My eyes fell onto the clean laundry basket in the corner, piled with clothes that were waiting to be folded. I heard a bang outside and panicked, grabbing a handful of fabrics that seemed to smell like all of them and rushing back into the spare room. My face burned as I realized what I grabbed when I started packing it into my suitcase. Turns out I was an underwear thief now.

My phone pinged, reminding me of the appointment I was having with the Aisha Foundation today. I dragged myself up to change my clothes and make myself look presentable, trying to push the emotional mess from my mind.

I smoothed down my outfit. It was the nicest dress I owned. Maybe the cut was a little low, and I didn’t know if the thin straps were really proper business attire, but my other options were graphic tees. At least this one made me look more mature. I was gold pack, so I knew I needed to work extra hard with my appearance for people to take me seriously.

The pack wasn’t back yet, and Jhin and I were supposed to drive to the appointment together. I needed him. A text came in on my phone.

Jhin: Sorry, some complications at the apartment. Why don’t you go ahead and I’ll meet you there?

Me: Are you going to make it?

Jhin: Yes. I promise.

I drummed my fingers on my phone, biting my lip. But he had promised. I could go to Westside by myself. I walked out into the living room to grab the car keys. Kit was resting on the couch, looking up with a smile when he saw me.

“I’m going out for a bit,” I said, snatching the keys from their little bowl. I didn’t want him to worry.

“Oh! Can I come?" he asked, jumping up from the couch. “Maybe we could make it a trip, I’ve been meaning to go to the craft store for more paint.”

I tried to find an excuse.

“Oh, I should do this alone, it’s boring work stuff,” I said.

“Maybe I could drop you off?” he asked, some of that sad hopefulness in his voice, his puppy dog eyes boring into me. My kryptonite.

“Okay,” I relented.

* * *

“Wow,” Kit said as he found some street parking and looked up at the building. “What kind of work stuff is this?”

“Oh, it’s like a bank meeting,” I said, hoping he wouldn’t ask any more questions.

“You sure you don’t want me to come?” he asked. I shook my head, and opened the door, climbing out of the car.

I hadn’t walked more than five feet before a cramping pain made me double over. I could feel my temperature rising, and cursed. Something was really wrong. This was the fifth serious spike I’d had since my heat had ended almost a week ago, and they weren’t getting any better.

Shit. I tried to stand up straight. What was I going to do? Ihadto make the appointment today, and I needed a plan. Needed something.

I was leaning against a parking meter when two soft hands wrapped around me and helped me stand up. One stroked my side and I smelled Kit’s familiar almond buttercream scent. I let out a whine as his fingers brushed my bare shoulder.

“Shit,” he said, helping me back to the car, and yanked open the back door. I collapsed inside and he followed, hovering over me.

“Lock,” I groaned, trying to shut the door. Couldn’t let anyone smell me like this.

I looked up to see his wide brown eyes framed by his large glasses. He seemed to swim in my vision, brows pinched, his pink hair blurring. He was pressed against the car door, as far away from me as he could, taking shallow breaths through his mouth.

“You need help,” he said. “I’m going to call Jhin. Or shit, maybe I should take you to a clinic. They could tell you why this keeps happening.”

And he was moving away, moving to go to the front seat. I grabbed his wrist, and he paused, looking at me as I shook my head.

“No… time,” I was almost crying in frustration. “The meeting…” It could be my one chance.

“Juni, you can reschedule. They’ll understand.”

I shook my head. It would be so rude, and I knew rich people could be fussy about that. I was gold pack, so I needed everything to be perfect for me to have a chance. Icouldn’tmiss this.

“No,” I hissed through the pain, and was trying to struggle up, causing him to lose his balance. He fell, his face inches from mine. My skimpy dress had gotten stuck beneath me, and as I struggled to get up, it caught and pulled, baring a single peaked nipple on my heaving chest.

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