Page 142 of This Pack of Ours

I glanced at Jhin, nervous, and he gave me a reassuring smile.

“And it‘s always so stressful finding the right place. And all our pick up driving and security is done by Daisy’s dads, but they can’t do it all the time. And I’d like to get the hosts properly trained for weapons and stuff.”

“That’s a great start,” Vex said.

“Found it!” came a triumphant call from the back room. Vander was snickering and holding a furious Adrian back, while Ez struggled out with an Oreos packet in his hands. Kit trotted out after him, trying to unstick his hand from a Pringles can, eventually succeeding with a loud pop.

“M’lady,” Ez said, setting the Oreos packet down on the table in front of Vex with a bow. She leaned forward and opened it. There was one half-eaten Oreo left inside.

“Thanks,” she managed, leaving it. Love’s eyes narrowed at the pitiful offering.

“I just wanted to say…” Kit slid next to me and Jhin, his face very serious. Jhin shifted, moving as if he might try to tug meandKit onto his lap; I grabbed his arm, stopping him.

Kit folded his hands and looked up at Vex with his most sincere face. The kind where his eyes shone with a soft, eager earnestness.

“If Juniper is in trouble for being late to your meeting, that wasallmy fault. See, we were both in the car beforehand, and I tookwaytoo long to agree to fuck her.”

I heard Vander cackle from the back room as I stared at Kit in horror. He wasn’t stopping.

“It was our first time, so?—”

I leaped at him, my cheeks scorching, shoving my hand over his mouth.

“It was a heat spike,” I said, mortified.

“Oh, shit. That’s not enough Oreos,” Ez said, reaching down and picking up the packet, peering inside. The half eaten Oreo fell onto the floor. Ez paused, then picked it up and started eating it.

“Better add that to the shopping list, Daddy Jhin,” he added, spraying crumbs everywhere. Jhin stiffened behind me.

“I amsosorry,” I managed. “We weren’t expecting guests—they’re really high?—”

“Oh yeah, me too,” said Drake, nodding slowly. I blinked at him.

“Jus’ came from a signing,” he told me as if that explained anything. Vex took his hand and squeezed, shooting me a smile.

“Please don’t be sorry, we’re the ones who surprised you,” she said, and I could have cried with relief.

“It’s a Tuesday morning,” said Love.

“And?” asked Jhin, looking at him. I swear electricity crackled in the air as his piercing black eyes met Love’s blue ones and they just stared at each other. I double checked to make sure no one’s aura was actually out.

Love didn’t reply, just kept his intense gaze on Jhin’s.

“All we meant was, no judgement here,” said Vex, patting Love’s knee and giving me a reassuring smile.

I nodded, glancing between her and Drake. He’d grown up in the Gritch too, I remembered, and he definitely made me feel a lot more comfortable than the others.

“Would I be able to come see it?” Vex asked, looking at me hopefully. “The Safe House?”

I frowned.

“Yes, but,” I hesitated. “We can’t bring your whole pack. People get uncomfortable if there are too many unneeded alphas there.”

“If you think we’re letting her go to a random heat house in the Gritch by herself, you’re insane,” Ebony cut in. I straightened my back, trying to keep my face polite.

“It’s safe. All the staff know how to defend themselves.”

“Omegas?” he replied.

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