Page 129 of This Pack of Ours

“Dolphin show,” he said, and we walked outside. He led us up to the back, and he sat right against the wall on the concrete floor. I sat down next to him.

“There’s no one here,” I pointed out.

“Starts in 45,” he said with a shrug. “I think Ez ended when he did to screw me over. He kept going on about how I had an unfair advantage since I saved your life and all.”

I gave a little laugh, and he smiled.

“So what’s the deal today?” I said, hugging my knees. “Did Kit put you guys up to this?”

“Nah,” he said. “My idea actually.”

I snorted, then nudged him with my elbow.

“For real?” I asked, raising my eyebrow. “What, so you told everyone to tell me they like me?”

He turned to look at me, his white-blonde hair hanging over his face. He looked hesitant, almost shy.

“No, it’s not like that,” he sighed. “Juniper, you’re joining our pack, forever. I didn’t want you not to know where you stand with us.Honesty. That’s what I suggested. Whatever that means to each of us.” He nudged my foot with his. “Not fair to you otherwise.”

“Okay. Well, thanks.”

I glanced up at him, lacing my hands together. “So?”

He rubbed the back of his neck. “Yeah, well, I’m not good at this.”

His hand found mine, his fingers lacing into them, and my heart ached for him.

He took a deep breath.

“Okay. If you’d asked me last year. Or even last month… I didn’t think there’d ever be anyone else for me. Like, Jhin was it. But… then I met you.”

He ran his fingers through his hair. “Kit, too, but that’s its own thing. Anyway, you were beautiful and angry and annoying. And I thought I hated you, but in the park when you launched yourself at those assholes—for a moment I pictured you… dead.” He paused, his ice-blue eyes meeting mine. “Even back then, I couldn’t bear to think that, because I knew you were special. A flash in the dark. Someone worth fighting for.”

I squeezed his hand, my throat feeling a bit tight.

“So yeah,” he mumbled, “I’m glad you’re staying, Cherry Bomb. I like being with you, and if you want, I’d like to try beingwithyou.”

“I’m in,” I said, shooting him a grin.

“Oh, thank fuck,” he sighed, his shoulders relaxing.

“Don’t think this means I’m gonna go easy on you if we’re fighting,” I said.

“Wouldn’t dream of it,” he said, rolling his eyes.

A flash of pink caught my eye, and I looked up.

“Oh my god,” I said, grabbing Vander. “It’sgirlKit.”

She had brown skin, but with a cotton-candy puff of pink hair down her back. She had the same freckles and golden glasses, and she was almost skipping along, holding the hand of a tall male beside her.

“She’s even an omega!” I hissed, as I saw the pearly flash of a princess bond on her neck.

“That doesn’t look like Kit,” he said, shaking his head. “She’s like, thick-hot.”

“It’s theface,” I said, pulling out my phone. “Help me get a picture?—”

“No way! I’m not helping you stalk a random person because they have pink hair!”

---