Page 97 of Pack Rivals, Part One

"Bea," he says, those silver eyes swimming all over my body.

"Hi," I say, my own eyes doing the same to him. He's dressed in a gray fitted suit that complements the color of his eyes and emphasizes his well-built stature.

"What are you doing here?"

"What do you mean?" I ask. I know I'm not rich like most of the other guests but I'm sure that doesn't preclude me being here.

"You came to an event like this unaccompanied? You know, we've talked about this." We have. True to their word, a member of the Boston pack has met me after work each evening to accompany me on my run. I've tried to persuade them there is no need, but all three have been insistent, reminding me of the dangers that exist for lone omegas like me.

"I'm not unaccompanied. I came with Pack York."

His face, all soft and full of concern one second before, darkens with storm clouds. "You came with Pack York," he snaps, so loudly the people around us stop dancing and several more peer our way with interest. He huffs through his nostrils and grabs my wrist, dragging me off the dance floor and to the edge of the ballroom where we can speak in private. "You came with Pack York," he repeats. "What happened to not dating?" The darkness fades and real hurt seems to shine in his eyes. He takes my hands in his, brushing his thumb pads across my knuckles with such tenderness I feel my knees buckle. "I thought we had something going here, Bea. I thought we were getting to know you better and you us."

"It's not a date. It's business."

"What?" His thumbs pause.

"I'm …" I haven't confessed this next piece of information to Angel and his pack yet. Mostly because I thought it would go down like a lead balloon. My opinion on that hasn't changed one bit. But I can't let him believe I've broken my word on the no-dating thing, especially when he looks so darn hurt. "I'm working for Pack York's company as an admin assistant. It's not like the most complicated job in the world but I'm making my own money and that is important to me."

"I know," he says.

"You know! How do you know?" I sigh. "Silver."

"Silver," he confirms. "But I don't see–"

"They needed a date to this event for business reasons and I agreed to help."

Angel snorts. "Business reasons my ass."

"No really, it's true."

"So why exactly did they need you to come?"

"Because of the stupid no-pack-without-an-omega rule."

"What rule?"

"The rule that said packs weren't allowed to this event without an omega." I tilt my head, a pang of jealousy flashing in my stomach out of nowhere. "Who did you bring?"

"No one," he says firmly. "Because that 'rule' is bullshit."

"I know," I shake my head with feeling. "It's prejudice and–"

"No, it's bullshit as in non-existent. Not real. Fake."

"Wh-what?"

"Bea," he sighs, "I'm guessing they made up that shit to get you to come to this party with them. And, shit," he keeps shaking his head as if trying to dislodge a thought from his mind, "I can't blame them. Do you know how incredible you look?"

"You don't look so bad yourself," I mumble, then frown, remembering what he's just told me. "Those sneaky bastards." Then I can't help but giggle. How stupid was I for falling for that?

"I told you they were." He smiles, his face lighting up and my knees do that thing again, my heart thumping in my chest. It's so difficult to be this close to these men and not succumb to their charms, to the way they make my body feel. To the way they make my heart feel – the crazed thing beating like it's trying to break free. "Shit, I wish I'd come up with that play, then you'd be here with me." He tugs me close and rests his fingertips on my hips. "How about you switch packs and become our date? Let me drive you home."

"I couldn't–" I begin, but before I finish what I'm saying, he's tugging me behind the curtain that runs around the ballroom and up against the wall.

"Wh-what are you doing?" I ask.

"Finding us some privacy. Nearly all the alphas in that ballroom are looking at you like they want to eat every last piece of you up."

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