Page 42 of Last Pack Standing
The bond hit like a slow-building flame, rising through my chest until it lit every nerve in my body. I felt Ash as the bond connected us. His feelings came through, soft but excited, his emotions like waves against mine as they connected. He had been so unsure of how lovable he was, but I pushed all my care toward him, letting him know how I felt. I could see on his face how shocked he was to feel the strength of how deeply we cared for him.
Cassie was next. Once I bit into her skin, I felt her too - radiant and brave. Then Jace, steady and sharp. Rys, wise and grounding, the calm undercurrent to my fire.Each connection snapped into place. We were still separate, but connected to each other in an undeniable way, like a beautiful web. I felt them all. I wasn’t just Leo anymore - I was Leo of this pack. We were one.
Chapter 41
Ash
I always thought I’d carry my pain alone. Even with friends or family, there was always that space between me and everyone else, an invisible line no one could cross. There were parts of me too bruised and too private to ask someone else to share. But all of that changed tonight.
Lying in our makeshift nest, the firelight barely reaching us from the other room, I could feel every thread of the bond pulling through my chest like warm silk. The bond took root like it had always been waiting, as if it recognized me, like it was fated. And the pain I’d been holding for years, the quiet ache of uncertainty - it was like it flowed into them through the bond. Not in a way that would harm them, but in a way that made it lighter.
I felt Rys first. His soul was like a medicine to every pain I’d held onto. All that calm confidence hid someone just as vulnerable as I was, and when the bond slid into place with him, I knew he’d carry me every time I needed him, and trust me to hold him in return. Leo was next, warm, resilient and deeply protective. He didn’t flinch at the weight I passed on. He just absorbed it like it was just another part of me he was ready to love. Then Jace, steady and strong, filled me with his adoration. The way he accepted me without the feeling of needing to fix me… it made me cry, quietly, into Cassie’s neck.
And when I finally felt Cassie’s little teeth in me, as I bit her in return, well. The love I felt from her nearly unraveled me. She didn’t just accept me, she craved me. So badly, like I was essential. Her bond wrapped around me, fierce and soft all at once, and I couldn’t stop shaking from the happiness I felt. I kissed her shoulder, her face, her hand, any part of her I could reach. I couldn’t get enough of her. I wanted her to know I was there for her, now and always.I’m yours, Cassie.
All the fear I had, all the thoughts that told me I’d never find a place, never find someone who wanted all of me, they were silenced tonight. I belonged to them, and they belonged to me.
And as much as I’d never say it out loud, I’d never, ever regret signing up for what I thought was a silly show and a way to make money. I thought Last Pack Standing was a joke. But it was what led me to my pack, and for that, I’d always be grateful.
Chapter 42
Cassie
6 Months later
I stepped into the main room of the gallery, listening to the sound of conversation starting up as people flowed in. I still couldn’t believe it. I’d gone from being a viral embarrassment, to making my art to sell online, to yet another viral sensation after the show, to now having my own feature in a gallery. There were other exhibits, but I knew mine might draw a small crowd just because of my fame and association with Last Pack Standing.
The pieces I made were raw and unfiltered, all the parts of me that I’d been able to put down on canvas. I was a bit nervous that the public would see everything, but after having had the worst of me shown on national TV, I felt like I could handle pretty much anything. And still, I felt like I might throw up.
After our dramatic time on TV, we had plenty of press invites, RSPVs to parties, and everyone online had an opinion. The fame helped us in a lot of ways, but having my art in a gallery was something I’d never dreamed would actually happen. Then, I felt a calming thrum of confidence flowing through my bond from Leo.
“Cassie,” he whispered, appearing at my side like a hero, slipping his fingers into mine. “Breathe.”
I took a deep breath, slowly. And when I looked up and saw my pack scattered around the space, mingling and smiling and watching me with nothing but pride in their eyes… the panic subsided. Being bonded wasn’t something I’d ever thought much about. But now, I couldn’t imagine life any other way. Each day I learned something new about my mates, and each day I grew closer to them. I had a team by my side - for life.
Jace was proudly introducing himself to everyone, while Rys was deep in discussion already with someone about one of my pieces. And Ash, my sweet Ash, was lost in one of my paintings, his lean frame looking extra dapper in his slacks and button down. His dark curls had been pushed back loosely, and his deep, expressive eyes were locked on the painting, wide with wonder. He’d opened up by leaps and bounds since we bonded, letting us in and letting himself feel for us openly. He was so perfect, a shining gem that I couldn’t live without. He must have felt me thinking warmly about him, because he turned, giving me a wink.
I caught my sister’s eye from across the room. She smiled and gave me a double thumbs up that made me laugh out loud.My parents were also nearby, chatting with someone proudly, my mother’s hand clutching her chest like she might burst with pride. She turned to me after a few minutes, looking thrilled to be here. She and my father walked over, their expressions so open and relaxed compared to when they’d first met my pack.
“Well! Who would have thought after all this, you’d have your own exhibit!” She remarked, and my dad nodded in agreement.
“We certainly are proud of her work. She’s put so much of herself into each piece.” Jace had joined us. I looked up at him, loving that his jaw had just enough scruff to be distractingly handsome. His hand brushed the small of my back as he smiled at my family, warm and confident. Now that we had bonded, my family had warmed to the idea of them, and we’d smoothed things over for the most part.
“Well Jace, we’re glad that you were such a huge support for her pursuing her art.” My father added. Jace nodded, leaning down to kiss the top of my head as I blushed. I couldn’t believe after all that time we worked together that I’d never appreciated how absolutely stunning he was. Now, I could barely keep my hands off of him.
“I have to say, this is pretty amazing.” My sister chimed in, looking around the gallery as she joined us. My mom flushed, then cleared her throat.
“Well, despite my initial opinion, this new career of yours turned out to be a good opportunity.” She said. That was about the closest I’d get to hearing her say she was wrong. But I justsqueezed Jace’s hand and smiled. I loved my family - they wanted the best for me, even if they disagreed with the way I'd gone about things.
Rys walked over, the artistic light of the gallery making his dark, wild hair even more dramatic. “Good evening,” Rys said, nodding at my family. “Glad to see you here.” My family smiled back at him, and I felt like this moment was one of the highlights of my life. This night couldn’t be more perfect. I had my pack, my family, and my success, all at once. Nothing could stop me now.
Suddenly, I heard a voice ring out.
“Hey! She’s famous!” A few people in their twenties were pointing at me, then started talking to each other quickly as they looked my way. They approached me excitedly. “I know you!” One of them said. I smiled to myself, suppressing a sigh. It wasn’t a rare occurrence - plenty of people came up to me after the show, and all of them wanted to ask questions about it. I prepared to be bombarded with the same type of curiosity.
“You’re so familiar, I can’t quite place it - oh yea! Now I remember! You’re the girl from that presentation fail!” He finally said, and I felt a whoosh of air leave me as my eyes got wide. The group seemed to recognize me after that, laughing and moving along as they realized I was the viral sensation, the meme girl.
Six months ago, such an occurrence would have sent me spiraling. But now, all I could do was try not to laugh at the irony. Leo looked at me, amused. “You okay?”
