Page 129 of Pack Darling, Part One

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Orion answers the pointed question meant for me. “We’re working on a project. What are you doing? You’re not scheduled to be here.”

I don’t imagine the hint of a growl in his voice.

I definitely don’t imagine how it makes my thighs clench. I want to feel that growl against my throat.

“I came to check on you,” Craig says defensively. “And good thing.”

I open my mouth, ready to tear him down the way this creeper so desperately deserves, but I catch a hint of caramel.

My heartbeat skyrockets, and I realize my temperature is up, a flush stinging my cheeks.

How long?

Did Orion already notice?

I throw off the blanket, grab my tablet, and flee.

“You don’t have to go,” Orion calls behind me.

“Bathroom!” I call, singsongy and fooling no one.

I breeze past Craig, holding my breath, trying to will my pores closed. Downstairs, I fly into the shower.

My perfume keeps rising.

I toss my clothes and pad that needs to be sealed up and burned, then start to scrub.

A while later, I step out of the bathroom, lotioned, wearing nothing but a towel, and clutching my soiled clothes like they’re radioactive. I need to do laundry again, erase the damning scent.

I’m booking it to my room, already planning how to hide my latest slipup when I bump into Craig.

My brain’s a million miles away, and he snatches my wrist before I can dodge, pulling my entire arm as he lifts my dirty clothes to his nose.

Craig pulls in a breath, and his pupils blow.

I am so fucked.

***

Thirty-One

LILAH

“Nice perfume.” Craig licks his lips, and it’s like fire ants crawling in my panties. I wrench back my arm, clothes falling to the floor.

“What are you doing down here?” I ask shakily.

“That’s not real important anymore.” He takes a threatening step toward me. “How long have you been lying to the pack?”

“I’m not lying.”

“Then you won’t mind if I tell Atlas he’s housing an awakened slut, and I caught her seducing our omega.”

My jaw locks.

I know the truth as well as he does. I haven’t seduced shit. Wasn’t going to.

But the other thing I know?

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