Page 128 of How to Lose a Pack in 10 Dates

“We’re not bonding because we feel guilty,” Jace growls, his hand gripping mine. “We’ll do it when it’s real. When you’re ready. When we all are.”

Wes is trembling with restraint, like it’s killing him not to bite down. I want to argue and scream, and I want to force their teeth to my skin andmakethe bond happen.

But deep down… I know they’re right.

“Soon,” he says. “But not like this.”

I nod, tears blurring my vision, and when I come, it’s with all of them around me.

There’s no bond yet, but there’sus, and right now, that’s enough to undo me completely.

Chapter Thirty-Five

Cam

If I had to organize the last seventy-two hours, I’d file them under: disaster narrowly avoided via group therapy, knotting, and accidental emotional maturity.

Now it’s Friday night, and somehow, we survived the worst of Aimee’s heat.

We’re back at the pack house, where she’s currently curled up on the couch wearing a t-shirt I’m pretty sure used to be mine, though everything smells like her now, so who knows. Her cheek’s pressed to Wes’s pillow, and her feet are tucked under Jace’s old team hoodie.

Even in her sleep, she’s surrounded by us. We’re not goinganywhere.

Well. Unless it’s outside, with tents, and fire, and ideally someone crying in a sleeping bag out of sheer emotional progress.

“So,” I announce, “I have a plan.”

Wes looks up from the laptop he hasn’t stopped glaring at all afternoon, while Jace is mid-fold with a fleece blanket, which is probably a euphemism for something.

“Camping,” I grin at them. “We gocamping.”

Wes blinks rapidly, his expression utterly horrified. Meanwhile, Jace has the face of a man already mentally packing.

Aimee is… to be decided. Her eyes are still very much closed.

“Camping.” Wes repeats, lowering his laptop. “Is this a joke?”

“Nope,” I say, cheerfully. “Just imagine it: trees, a tent, a cozy fire.S’mores. It’ll be healing, and full pack song potential.”

“We are not pack singinganything,” Wes practically growls.

“Well, maybe we can teach Aimee how to make hot dogs without burning her eyebrows off.”

“I can hear you,” she grumbles.

I grin. “And you love it.”

Jace’s face lights up. “I’m in.”

Wes groans. “No.”

“Yes,” Jace repeats, already rolling up his sleeves. “I’ve got the gear.”

Wes gives him a long, exasperated look. “You say that the way serial killers say ‘I’ve got the basement.’”

“It’s organized by category.”

“That doesn’t help.”

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