Page 50 of Pack Deception: Part One

The word pops out on the page, big and bold and damning.

Miscarriage.

"Thank you," I tell Tanner in a daze, standing and shouldering my way out of the office, ignoring her call after me as I run out of the building and into the street. Someone shoulder checks and curses me for standing in the middle of the sidewalk. My feet move of their own accord, and I'm walking down the street, eyes unseeing, and thoughts racing. I bump into several other people, and I don't even have it in me to mumble apologies. I'm running on autopilot, my body numb.

It's only when their scents hit me that I realize I've walked to Nonna's, the little Italian place we decided to meet for dinner.

I refocus on my surroundings to see Hudson, Maverick, Mason, and Brooklyn all huddled in a circle outside the restaurant, waiting on me. I've just turned a corner and am several feet away, but then I hear my name and stop in my tracks.

"I'm telling Summer today," Hudson says to the group.

"Today? Are you sure?" Maverick asks, worrying his bottom lip with his teeth.

"We went through her heat with her. If she's ever going to believe she's our mate, it's now," Hudson replies confidently. "After that and the week we had together—all of us—it's time."

A few glances are shared between them, but they all eventually nod in agreement.

No.

Please, no. This can't be happening again. What did I ever do to deserve this twice? I slip back around the corner before they realize I'm there and take off at a run. My breaths come fast and hard, and my feet beat against the pavement in what sounds like a loud, thudding death knell.

Finally, I've made it to my apartment building, and my hands shake violently as I try to fit the key into the main door. It takes three tries before I push the key in and almost fall into the dilapidated foyer. Still breathing deeply from my run, I take the elevator up to my floor. By the time I'm at my own door, my hands have stopped shaking just enough that I get in on one try. I slam the door behind me and slide down it until I'm in a heap on the floor. Sobs wrack my body, and I tuck my head into my knees, hands sliding into my hair and pulling harshly to distract myself from the emotional turmoil racing through me.

If she's ever going to believe she's our mate, it's now.

Goddess, how could I have been so stupid? So gullible to have fallen for it again. They never wanted me for me, they want me because I'm anomega.Just like Pack Monroe. Someone to keep house. Clean and cook and fuck whenever they want. Someone they can knot and show off to all their friends. But they don't wantme.They want someone amiable. Agreeable.

I won't do it. Not again. I can stay away from them long enough for the drugs to leave my system, and then I won't feel this gut-wrenching need to be around them anymore. I'll have to call Doctor Tanner and see how long it takes for it to leave your system. At least this time I caught it early.

My hand drifts to my stomach, and the utter despair turns to a blinding rage.

Miscarriage!

It was never my fault after all. Suddenly, one emotion overpowers all the rest. Beyond the sorrow, the despair…the rage. Right now, all I feel is the need for retribution.

I scramble forward, crawling toward my purse I tossed on the ground when I made it inside. Pulling up my messages app, I manually enter in the three numbers I memorized years ago and never forgot. When they're all in a group message, I type one sentence, and damning the consequences to hell, I hit send.

Twenty-Nine

Jade

We’re sittingin the living room together—Brody, Connor, and I—with our laptops out, still working for the day, when all our phones ping at once.

The guys shoot me questioning looks, but then we all check them. It’s a group message from an unknown number. I tap to open it, and fury boils through my veins.

Unknown

I know what you assholes did, and I’m going to make you PAY.

THE END…

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