Page 40 of Last Pack Standing
For the first time since I was voted off, the ache inside me eased. The hole that had torn through my chest began to stitch itself back together, piece by piece, with every look, every word, every touch.
“I thought I lost you forever.” I breathed.
“You didn’t.” Rys said, his large, stable presence giving me much needed comfort. “And now, let’s take this somewhere private.” He said with a hint of amusement. I looked around. We were still in the lobby of my apartment, with various residentspassing us by awkwardly, unwilling witnesses to our reunion. I remembered I hadn’t showered in a few days and bit my lip. At least my sister got me out of my ratty clothes before I ran down here.
“Yeah, uh, let’s get up to my place. It’s not at its cleanest right now.” I admitted, thinking about the depression pit I’d turned the living room into.
“That’s fine, Cassie. Your sister warned us.” Leo said with a chuckle. “We’re just glad to have you back.” I grabbed his hand and started to lead them up the stairs.
“I have to explain to you what you heard in the video, I know it was awful-” I started to explain, but Rys interjected.
“Your sister told us about it. We know there was more than what we saw.” He explained.
“Still, I know it was awful that I said those things. I didn’t want to admit to my family, or myself, that I was falling for you on tv.” I said, cringing as I took each step.
“I mean, it is a little embarrassing.” Ash said with a playful nudge. “Even I didn’t want to admit it. But now, I don’t care. I’ll shout it from the rooftops.” He said, and I had to agree.
“I kind of do want to shout it from the rooftop. Or at least my patio.” I joked, and we stepped into my apartment, which my sister had tried to hastily clean in the few minutes I was away.
“Well, this is it.” I said, waving my hand around. “And Julianne, who you’ve already met.” My sister smiled at them, extending her hand. Leo bounded over to her, wrapping her in a hug that nearly lifted her from the ground.
“So glad to see my future sister in law!” He said, and I bit back a grin. The rest of them walked over to greet her, each of them wrapping her in a hug.
“Uh, looks like you all seemed to work things out!” My sister replied. “I’ll just step outside and run some errands. See you all later!” She said with an awkward grin as she tried to give us some privacy. Once she stepped out, I walked toward the patio and threw the doors open.
“What are you doing?” Jace asked, his eyes curious.
“Shouting it from the rooftops.” I said, looking back at them before I stepped onto my patio and looked at the people walking about below on the street.I took a deep breath, delirious with happiness as I shouted down to everyone who could listen:
“I’m in love with my team!”
Chapter 38
Jace
Before I auditioned for Last Pack Standing, I was starting to think I was a loser. I lost the girl, I’d lost my purpose, and I was adrift. Now, even though I didn’t win the show, I still felt like the world’s biggest winner.
I’d won another chance with the girl I thought I lost - the omega of my dreams. And not just her - I also found Ash, someone I’d never expected, and now I had two omegas that I was absolutely obsessed with. I found my voice. And even though we walked off the show, I didn’t care about being the last pack standing. I cared about who was still standing with me at the end.
Cassie’s laughter rang out, interrupting my thoughts. She was crossing the villa gardens with Ash, their hands linked as he gave her a twirl. She giggled, spinning joyfully, and he looked at herlike he was absolutely head over heels - and she looked back at him with the same adoration.
Just behind them, Rys followed casually. He’s so centered that he can be hard to read, but I’ve known him long enough now to catch the small curve at the corner of his mouth. He was watching them too, and probably thinking the same thing as I was - I can’t believe we got so lucky.
Leo walked past me with a latte in his hand, back to his usual easygoing self. He's already moved on from the drama, and started chatting casually with one of the crew members, because of course he didn’t hold a grudge. He can’t help himself - it’s part of what we love about him.
We were back on set. Not as contestants, though - this time we were here on our own terms. The network might not have wanted it this way, but the audience made it clear that our team was the real story. Not the team that eventually won the last challenge, and the show. As it turned out, ratings speak louder than any contracts or scripts. And when we walked away at the height of our popularity, it caused a panic behind the scenes and an audience uproar.
So we were invited back for the reunion, with a check nearly the size of the one we’d have received if we’d won. The five of us were ushered onto the set with the host, who was a bit more subdued than when we saw him last. Our pack was seated next to all the other past contestants, and this time we had a live audience.
The host, Frank, avoided eye contact with us for a while as we sat on our own separate couch just like all the other teams who were brought back for the reunion. A few of them could barely even look at us, especially the influencer team that lost because of their omega’s actions. But some of the teams actually looked happy, and I wondered if any of them managed to find love on the show as well.
Frank sighed and prepared himself as the cameras started rolling. "Good evening, everyone, and welcome to the Last Pack Standing reunion special! I’m your host, Frank,and tonight, we are bringing you all the drama, the secrets, and the truths you didn't see on camera!" I settled back as the drama began anew.
The reunion started about how we expected, with barbed comments, passive-aggressive jabs, and the usual reality show drama. But it became very clear who the crowd was really here for. Every time we stepped we were mentioned or spoke, the audience lit up. We received cheers, applause, even a few standing ovations. We weren’t just the fan favorites - we werethestory.
Finally, toward the end of the reunion, Frank turned to address our team. “You've found something real together it seems - love, loyalty, and a pack. What’s the next chapter look like for Team Silver?” The host asked, his smile so tight I swore he was doing it just to keep from snarling at us.
Leo leaned into his mic with a grin. “Funny you ask,” he said smoothly. “Because while we were off the air, we got a few calls. Seems like people really want a show that’s a little less scripted.”
