Page 162 of Just One Bite
Aster flips me off when I glance over, and Barrett glares at me. He’s only here for the photo op of them supporting her. Nothing saysI didn’t have anything to do with the drugging scandallike showing up to every performance and supporting the ballet company with money. They’re permanently roped into funding for them.
I wave, knowing I’ll be seeing them bright and early at the breakfast table next week.
Gavin and his pack are in the row behind me, and he clamps me on the shoulder for support. And then there’s my pack …
“Your car is here, Alpha.” Ryker shows me the notification on his phone. “And your hotel reservation is confirmed.”
“We might have arranged a small gift inside.” Chase smiles.
“Thank me later.” Ryker snickers.
None of us picked it. They came all the way to the city to see Olivia in the hospital when the news hadn’t broken yet. They felt connected to me, sensed the danger, and got on the next train in. Packs aren’t always chosen. Sometimes, they find you. Maybe it is like Olivia said. There are lone wolves out there that were waiting on me to step up as Alpha.
I’m still adjusting to it. Adding slowly, but it will probably be next semester till I have more recruits. Right now, they both function as my Seconds because it just makes sense. They’re a good team as my right-hand men. It’s weird having them help me with stuff, but they make it funny as shit most of the time, and it alleviates the awkward bits. Zant calls them my minions to annoy them during Rage practice, and they rightfully give him hell for it. I think the whole thing has made the team stronger though. The moon festival is next week, just one more free weekend to catch some alone time with my girl.
I wade through the velvet seats to meet her backstage, and she jumps into my arms.
“I’ve got flowers, food, and a car waiting to whisk us away.”
Her violet and gold eyes glimmer, her hair is in a sparkly bun and looks to be covered in layers of hair spray. “My feet hurt, can you carry me?”
“Can I? I’d love to.” I thrust her over my shoulder, still holding the goods. “I’ll have the guys come get your bags.”
“Congratulations.” Darien appears as I spin around and he hands me Olivia’s bouquet. “Might want to take a short cut through the woods if you want to avoid a few paparazzi hidden out on the lawn.”
More and more are making it past the gate.
“Come to be helpful?” I ask, looking around for his motive, then a man with a camera comes around and snaps a picture of the three of us.
“Won’t we look like the best of friends for all of Vviveren.”
I push past him toward the back of the theater. You couldn’t pay me to care about Darien’s social status right now.
“Hope you two come back nice and rested. Lots of council business to attended to Owens."
His voice fades into the murmur of voices backstage.
There are layers of velvet curtains and various people passing us and congratulating her despite her being on my shoulder. I have a ring burning a hole in my pocket, and that keeps me grinning the entire time.
“Parker, your hand is on my ass. People are staring.”
“Good. Just how I like it.”
Epilogue
Emma
“Doxlothia’s Power Couple Takes the World by Storm.Wow, what a headline,” I say, scrolling through my phone. Cheers erupt in the stadium. The ice is bathed in blue light for the moon festival offseason game. You wouldn’t think it’s a big deal, but everything is a big deal here. I’m wrapped in a blanket because short skirts and sitting in an ice rink don’t mix.
Sports have never been my thing, but supporting Olivia and Parker is pretty much a hobby for me at this point.
“They always exaggerate,” Olivia says.
Her hands are covered in mittens. She claims it’s because it’s cold in the ice rink, but I think she’s trying to hide that rock on her hand everyone keeps trying to take pictures of.
“Yeah, okay. I’m just tired of my feed being flooded with my sister making out with her fiancé.”
I’m happy for her. Olivia deserves it. Did I kinda want a hot werewolf man to want me? Sure. Did I also want to pursue my dream and enter the culinary club and can’t because council member Dacre Everhart decided he wanted to be a dick about it? Double sure.
