Chapter 7 #2
So I give them the broad strokes: my sister’s surprise engagement to my exes with a specific request that I not only attend their last-minute destination wedding but take responsibility for planning it while my entire family looks on.
Cash is the first to break the silence, his lips quirking in a small smile. “So this is a revenge thing?”
“Not exactly?—”
“It’s more about making them eat their words and all their assumptions,” Matheo interrupts with a chuckle. “I am absolutely here for it.”
But Lucas gives me a look of solemn sympathy. “It sounds like they really hurt you.”
I shrug off the sudden ache in my chest. I don’t miss my exes, but I can’t pretend this situation is what I want. “It was a long time ago.”
Lucas just shakes his head, looking troubled .
“In case it isn’t obvious,” Cash interjects. “We’re in for whatever you need.”
I tap my fingers against the table, considering.
They’re leagues above any other candidates I’ve seen today.
Professional, well-spoken, and they actually smell good.
With the suppressants in full effect, I don’t get much beyond a hint of woody pine of Matheo, citrus from Cash, and supple birch from Lucas.
Scents that really shouldn’t work together, but somehow do.
It’s a damn sight better than the beer, sweat, and ditch weed of the last group.
There’s only one problem, and it is entirely self-inflicted.
I clear my throat, preparing to deliver the news that will probably send these three perfect specimens walking right back out the door.
“There’s just one problem,” I say, folding my hands on the table. “I may have gotten myself into a bit of a…situation.”
The three men exchange glances.
“When I first brought up my supposed pack, I might have mentioned that I had three alphas.” I wince at my own stupidity, hoping I haven’t just ruined the best thing that has happened to me this week.
“In my defense, I was being cornered by one of my exes, who was being particularly nasty about my inability to keep an alpha interested, much less an entire pack.”
Cash’s eyebrows shoot up, and Lucas’s mouth forms a small ‘o’ of surprise.
“I understand if this is a deal-breaker,” I continue quickly.
“I’m open to hiring one of the individual alphas I interviewed today to round out the group.
” Which I can barely even say out loud without making a sound of disgust myself.
“But if you’re not comfortable with me bringing in an outsider that you have to pretend to be packed up with…
” I grit my teeth as the omega in me screams no, no, no!
“I completely understand you needing to walk away.”
Before Cash or Lucas can respond, Matheo jumps in with an immediate response.
“Actually, we already have a fourth pack member,” he says smoothly. “We just weren’t sure if he’d be available because of his schedule.”
Cash’s head whips toward Matheo so fast I’m surprised he doesn’t get whiplash. “Matheo?—”
“Kyren is out-of-town at the moment,” Matheo interrupts. “But I know he would be just as interested as we are, enough to make his schedule work.”
“Kyren?” I repeat, looking between the three men.
Cash’s jaw tightens visibly. “I’m really not sure Kyren will be available.”
Matheo shoots Cash an unreadable glance before turning back to me with a reassuring smile. “Trust me, he’ll make the time given the circumstances.”
The tension between Cash and Matheo is palpable, but I’m too desperate to question it. “Tell me about him.”
Lucas jumps in first, as the others seem inexplicably at a loss for words. “Kyren is great. He’s really funny and?—”
“Unpredictable,” Cash interjects, his tone carefully measured.
“Resourceful,” Matheo counters.
“Charming,” Lucas adds.
“A menace to society,” Cash mutters under his breath.
I bite my lip, trying and failing to read between the lines. “Is he...dangerous?”
“Not to you” Lucas says quickly.
“Not physically,” Cash clarifies, adjusting his glasses .
Matheo sighs. “Kyren is...an acquired taste. But he’s loyal and exceptionally good at reading people. Which could be useful in your situation. If he were here, I’m sure he’d promise to be whatever you need.”
I take a deep breath, weighing my options. Four perfect strangers pretending to be my devoted pack versus facing my ex-fiancés alone. When put that way, the choice is obvious.
“And you all agreed on this?” I ask, looking at each of them in turn. “I don’t want to cause problems within your pack.”
Lucas nods enthusiastically and nudges Cash, who gives me a gentle smile despite the unease in his expression. Matheo’s dark eyes meet mine with a vehemence that makes my stomach flip.
“We’re agreed,” Matheo confirms.
Lucas leans forward, his blue eyes sparkling with mischief. “I just have one more question.”
“Yes?”
“Would you like to do a compatibility check?”
My cheeks flush instantly. Compatibility checks are traditionally done between potential mates—a brief scenting to determine basic biological compatibility. They’re perfectly acceptable in professional matchmaking settings, but still intimate enough to make my pulse quicken.
“That’s not necessary for a temporary arrangement, if you don’t want to do it.” Cash says quickly, shooting Lucas a warning glance. “We don’t want to scare her away.”
But I find myself nodding before I can overthink it. “Actually, I think it’s a good idea. If we’re going to convince my sister and my exes that we’re a real pack, we should at least know if we can make a good show of it. ”
And if they can manage to even slightly penetrate the emotional wall of my heat suppressants, then it probably means we’re very compatible.
Then the three of them turn to me—with varying levels of intensity in their direct gazes—and I wonder if I’ve made a terrible mistake or the best decision of my life.