Page 63 of Claiming the Pack's Omega
Now?
Now as my eyes trace each of the four marks on Luna’s neck, I can’t help but imagine what it would feel like to carry the bonds of the Graylock pa?—
What the hell am I thinking?
I’ve barely known them for twenty-four hours. Sure, I’ve known some of them for a few weeks now—which really isn’t better, in the scheme of actually getting to know someone—but those few weeks were built upon lies.
I shake myself, trying to get a hold on my stupid thoughts and emotions.
“Congratulations,” I say, mustering up my best attempt at a smile. I take a deep breath, letting the cold seep into my lungs.“It’s good to see you, again. Without a hole in your arm, you know?”
“I never got a chance to thank you,” Luna says, clasping her hands in front of her.
“For?”
“For everything. For taking care of my gunshot wound. For calling my bondmates. You saved my life, Reyna.”
I give her a slow nod.
“You’re welcome.”
Helping her was the beginning of the end, I suppose. I’m pretty sure Stone got his undercover cop assignment because of the attention Luna’s kidnapping got.
“How did you end up here?” Luna asks, slowly.
I glance at Madden, who seems to be content keeping his distance and letting us talk.
“How much do you know?”
“Nothing, really,” she says. “I heard from my pack that a Southside omega helped get Officer Stone out of his undercover mission when things went, well, south, but I didn’t know it was you.”
“Surprise,” I say, shrugging, a tight smile on my lips. “I didn’t expect you to show up either, I didn’t know your pack was involved.”
“They were the ones who completed the extraction mission,” Luna explains.
“Ah, I see.”
“So, how did you end up on the Northside?” Her expression is earnest. She’s not talking like she thinks I’m trash that doesn’t deserve to be here. If anything, there’s a small crinkle between her brows that makes me think she’s a little concerned about me.
I drag my worn sneaker against the smooth concrete of the parking garage.
“Well, long story short, it looks like I’m going to be the Graylock pack’s star witness in their big case.” I glance up at Luna. “Technically, one of their star witnesses.”
“Oh, my testimony mostly has to do with my situation and kidnapping. The Graylock pack’s case is a lot bigger than that, from what I understand. I was only pimped out of my adoptive parents’ basement, not…” She winces, clamping her mouth shut.
“Not being pimped out for real?” I say, letting out an ironic bark of laughter.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it like?—”
“No, it’s okay, you don’t have to apologize.” I continue dragging my shoe against the concrete. Why the hell would you make concrete this smooth anyway? “It’s the truth, right?”
“I—I?—”
“It’s fine, Luna, really,” I say, glancing up at her and softening my voice as much as I can.
From the first moment I saw her, curled up in her PJs on the floor of that basement a few months ago, I thought she was sweet as pie. Too sweet for the life I lived.
I know now, talking to her again, that I was right.
