42. Chapter 42
Cassie
I stepped into the main room of the gallery, listening to the sound of conversation starting up as people flowed in.
I still couldn’t believe it. I’d gone from being a viral embarrassment, to making my art to sell online, to yet another viral sensation after the show, to now having my own feature in a gallery.
There were other exhibits, but I knew mine might draw a small crowd just because of my fame and association with Last Pack Standing.
The pieces I made were raw and unfiltered, all the parts of me that I’d been able to put down on canvas.
I was a bit nervous that the public would see everything, but after having had the worst of me shown on national TV, I felt like I could handle pretty much anything.
And still, I felt like I might throw up.
After our dramatic time on TV, we had plenty of press invites, RSPVs to parties, and everyone online had an opinion.
The fame helped us in a lot of ways, but having my art in a gallery was something I’d never dreamed would actually happen.
Then, I felt a calming thrum of confidence flowing through my bond from Leo.
“Cassie,” he whispered, appearing at my side like a hero, slipping his fingers into mine. “Breathe.”
I took a deep breath, slowly. And when I looked up and saw my pack scattered around the space, mingling and smiling and watching me with nothing but pride in their eyes…
the panic subsided. Being bonded wasn’t something I’d ever thought much about.
But now, I couldn’t imagine life any other way.
Each day I learned something new about my mates, and each day I grew closer to them. I had a team by my side - for life.
Jace was proudly introducing himself to everyone, while Rys was deep in discussion already with someone about one of my pieces.
And Ash, my sweet Ash, was lost in one of my paintings, his lean frame looking extra dapper in his slacks and button down.
His dark curls had been pushed back loosely, and his deep, expressive eyes were locked on the painting, wide with wonder.
He’d opened up by leaps and bounds since we bonded, letting us in and letting himself feel for us openly.
He was so perfect, a shining gem that I couldn’t live without.
He must have felt me thinking warmly about him, because he turned, giving me a wink.
I caught my sister’s eye from across the room.
She smiled and gave me a double thumbs up that made me laugh out loud.
My parents were also nearby, chatting with someone proudly, my mother’s hand clutching her chest like she might burst with pride.
She turned to me after a few minutes, looking thrilled to be here.
She and my father walked over, their expressions so open and relaxed compared to when they’d first met my pack.
“Well! Who would have thought after all this, you’d have your own exhibit!” She remarked, and my dad nodded in agreement.
“We certainly are proud of her work. She’s put so much of herself into each piece.
” Jace had joined us. I looked up at him, loving that his jaw had just enough scruff to be distractingly handsome.
His hand brushed the small of my back as he smiled at my family, warm and confident.
Now that we had bonded, my family had warmed to the idea of them, and we’d smoothed things over for the most part.
“Well Jace, we’re glad that you were such a huge support for her pursuing her art.
” My father added. Jace nodded, leaning down to kiss the top of my head as I blushed.
I couldn’t believe after all that time we worked together that I’d never appreciated how absolutely stunning he was.
Now, I could barely keep my hands off of him.
“I have to say, this is pretty amazing.” My sister chimed in, looking around the gallery as she joined us. My mom flushed, then cleared her throat.
“Well, despite my initial opinion, this new career of yours turned out to be a good opportunity.” She said.
That was about the closest I’d get to hearing her say she was wrong.
But I just squeezed Jace’s hand and smiled.
I loved my family - they wanted the best for me, even if they disagreed with the way I'd gone about things.
Rys walked over, the artistic light of the gallery making his dark, wild hair even more dramatic.
“Good evening,” Rys said, nodding at my family.
“Glad to see you here.” My family smiled back at him, and I felt like this moment was one of the highlights of my life.
This night couldn’t be more perfect. I had my pack, my family, and my success, all at once. Nothing could stop me now.
Suddenly, I heard a voice ring out.
“Hey! She’s famous!” A few people in their twenties were pointing at me, then started talking to each other quickly as they looked my way.
They approached me excitedly. “I know you!” One of them said.
I smiled to myself, suppressing a sigh. It wasn’t a rare occurrence - plenty of people came up to me after the show, and all of them wanted to ask questions about it.
I prepared to be bombarded with the same type of curiosity.
“You’re so familiar, I can’t quite place it - oh yea!
Now I remember! You’re the girl from that presentation fail!
” He finally said, and I felt a whoosh of air leave me as my eyes got wide.
The group seemed to recognize me after that, laughing and moving along as they realized I was the viral sensation, the meme girl.
Six months ago, such an occurrence would have sent me spiraling. But now, all I could do was try not to laugh at the irony. Leo looked at me, amused. “You okay?”
“Yeah,” I said, shaking my head with a grin.
Ash had wandered back, sensing something was up. “The video?”
I nodded. “Someone recognized me from it.”
Rys smirked. “You mean the video that launched a thousand edits?”
My pack and I started laughing at the irony of it all. Looking back, although it was one of the lowest points of my life, it landed me here, at my highest. I was filled with nothing but gratitude as I laughed, trying not to be too loud in the gallery as we chuckled.
And in that moment, surrounded by my art, my family, and the pack that changed my life - I felt completely, utterly content.
Yes, I was the viral sensation. I was the omega who was voted off of Last Pack Standing.
And I was also Cassie, artist and loving member of my pack.
Fame would come and go. But my pack, my love, they were forever.
THE END