Page 69 of This Pack of Ours

“See? He’s not reacting like it’sfucked up,” I said as Jhin picked it up. We both watched as his throat bobbed. He carefully walked it over to the nest room.

“He’s just being polite,” she said.

“With no one else around?” I asked. Jhin was taking a long time to decide when he was going to put it down. I nudged Juniper as Adrian came into the kitchen next, going straight for the coffee maker. Ez followed him, giving a big yawn and scratching his head.

Adrian picked up the tea towel on the coffeemaker, still looking half-asleep, and moved it to the side. He turned and blinked at it, a little confused, then picked it up again, bringing it right up to his face. He dropped it in surprise, his face going red.

“See?” she hissed.

“Look at his face,” I said, annoyance tinging my voice. “He’s all flustered. Not disgusted.”

Ez came over and Adrian snatched the towel back up, looking panicked. We couldn’t hear what they were saying from out here, but judging by the expression on Ez’s face, they were all equally confused and intrigued.

I stifled a laugh when Ez made a grab for the towel in Adrian’s hand, but he held it up high, out of Ez’s reach.Short little fucker.

They scuffled for a moment, before Jhin turned around and plucked the towel out of Adrian’s hands. He then took both towels back to Juniper and Kit’s room and laid them on the floor beside the door.

My eyes darted to the third tea towel on the kitchen table at the same time Ez noticed it, and while Adrian and Jhin were both distracted, he casually walked over and stuffed it into the back pocket of his trousers.

“See?” I said, satisfied.

“Maybe he just likes tea towels,” she said doubtfully.

“No, it’s because you smellnice, Juniper, and he’s completely shameless.” I shrugged, pulling myself onto the wicker chair and taking the blanket off. Juniper looked mildly worried, standing up with her arms folded as she stared inside through the sliding glass door. None of them were paying attention to us.

She looked at me, eyes narrowing.

“Well? Did you have fun?" she asked. I shrugged again, leaning back.

“‘Course. I love proving stubborn little omegas wrong,” I said, shooting her a grin. As if I’d tell her the truth.

She rolled her eyes and stomped back inside.

JUNIPER

I came back in and grabbed some more coffee before sitting down on the love seat. Vander joined Adrian in the kitchen, chatting while they made scrambled eggs. I tried not to look at him, or the tea towels now by our bedroom door. I was very annoyed at him forpotentiallyproving me wrong.

I glanced at Ez again, who still had his stolen trophy in his pocket. I’d just… never even considered that someone might like my scent. Kit never complained, but he smelled so sweet I figured it neutralized mine.

Jhin had settled on the couch with his own cup and a piece of toast, and I could see he’d started a crossword on his phone. Ez came up behind him and started massaging his shoulders.

“Listen, Jhinny-boy?—”

“I’m not giving you pack lead, Ezra,” Jhin said, sipping his coffee.

“Come on! Just for one day!” Ex whined.

“No.”

“Dammit.” Ez started to move away.

“Stay,” Jhin commanded, waving his hand at Ez. “Finish what you started.”

“Ugh,fine,” Ez said, returning to his massage. “If I do a good job, will you give it to me?”

“No,” Jhin said. “As I have told you many times.”

“One day, dude.” Ez shot me a wink.

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