Page 47 of Pack Deception: Part Two

She told me she missed me first. Btw.

Mason

You look beautiful <3

Maverick

I hope Wells is there with you.

Mason

You’re quite the charmer, babe.

I grin at Mason’s response after rolling my eyes at Maverick’s. They’re all taking the threat Pack Monroe poses seriously, but Maverick and Brooklyn have been the most anal about my safety lately. Hudson’s constant texts to Wells notwithstanding; I’m pretty sure that’s just his way of trying to be friends with Wells, anyway.

And Mason is back to “babe-ing” Maverick. They’ve been back to being the perfect couple since Maverick apologized and we all spent the night together. Thinking about it has heat rising to my cheeks and my scent spikes as flashes of sweaty bodies and clenched teeth–.

“Whatever you’re thinking about, can you stop? It already feels weird being in here with you. I don’t need you perfuming all over me,” Wells hisses, leaning back in his seat and honest to the Goddessplugging his nose with his fingers.

Brat. I stick my tongue out at him and look back down at my screen as my phone buzzes again.

Maverick

Mason’s right. You look beautiful. But you always do.

Me

Thank you, handsome <3

Maverick

So is he?

I groan. Silly, overprotective alphas. This time, I snap a picture of Wells while he’s scanning the restaurant and send it to the group chat. Which I promptly close and put back in my purse, in case he asks more questions. Like why Wells’ phone is out andis he distracted.

He knows Wells takes my safety seriously. Especially after last night when Wells pulled into the garage right behind us after we got home from the tattoo parlor.

Maverick had grumbled something about how he thought he gave Wells the night off. To which Wells just shrugged and said he went on a night drive to clear his head. A truly awful lie, but Maverick hadn’t seemed to care as respect shone in his eyes.

My phone pings again, and I only last thirty seconds trying to ignore it before caving and pulling it out.

Mason

Called that tattoo parlor. They’re fitting me in tonight after work.

Hudson

Me too?

Mason

Hell no. You assholes can make your own appointments.

A bubble of laughter breaks free. Maverick was right. As soon as I got home and showed them all my new tattoos, Mason was on the phone trying to call the shop. But they were already closed; having only stayed open longer for me anyway.

Brooklyn got a little emotional seeing the tattoos. I swear I saw tears build when I explained what the bouquet of flowers was for. Part of me wanted to tell them right then about the call from Doctor Tanner. But I couldn’t. I kept imagining the way they’d start to see me differently. They’d say it was okay. That they didn’t need biological kids to be happy. Maybe even that I was enough for them. But then the resentments would creep in. The realization that I wasn’t, and could never, be enough.

So I haven’t told them.

---