Truth or Pack (Willow Lake Omegaverse #1)

Chapter 1

“ S ay it with me. Not just no, but fuck no,” my best friend directed through speakers in my car. I was starting to regret calling her in the first place.

“I really don’t think I have to worry this time, Bea,” I reassured her, even as unease settled in my stomach.

“Girl, keep lying to yourself all you want. I’m just trying to help you be prepared to face off with your family yet again. You know I’m only one call away,” she argued.

“I set boundaries last time. They’ll respect it. My dad promised, remember?”

“Oh, like that time they promised it was just family at your parents’ anniversary party, then they set you up with the most boring pack in the world?”

“But they had money, looks don’t matter anyway,” I mimicked my mother’s snotty tone. For a pack that was working class and lived a modest life, my mother had made it her life’s mission to marry me and my sisters off to wealthy packs.

Two down, I was the last to go.

“Honestly, your first red flag is that you’re set to arrive half a day before anyone else in your family. That and you said dear old mom stopped responding to your texts last night,” she said. Her voice was a little more gentle this time. “If that’s not an omega setup, I don’t know what is.”

“If it’s a setup, then I’ll kick them out, turn off my phone, and enjoy a week at the lake with my pretty new stack of books. Sun, water, books, and a lazy vacation? Sounds magical, honestly. Is it wrong to hope they don’t come?”

Bea’s laughter had a grin stretching across my face. I had one of the book boxes I put together go viral, so I’d spent the last month working like a psycho and barely able to keep up with orders. Smiles were hard to come by when I was barely staying awake.

“Nope,” she said around a snort. “I hope they don’t, too. Lord knows you need a break. Oh! Maybe some other vacationing packs will be around and you can find you a sexy alpha or two to keep you company. If so, send me pics!”

“You’re ridiculous,” I said as I took the last turn down an old country road that meant I was only twenty minutes from Willow Lake.

Even if I was a bit worried about what I’d find at the end of my drive, I couldn’t help but feel the warm swell of nostalgia hit me.

Things were different when we were kids. We spent the entire summer here the year before I went to high school. Our family was normal back then. Lots of late-night movies and family time. Country drives. Days spent in the water. Trips to the ice cream shop and local pizza place.

Until the very last night.

That was when they decided to tell me I’d been accepted to Craven University. A stupidly elite private college. Everything I read on it seemed perfect, but when I delved deeper, I learned you had to have insane money to go.

Or a scholarship, I realized too late.

Not to mention, I applied to my own schools. Ones I wanted to go to. Eventually, I gave in.

Those were the worst years of my life and I was still haunted by the bullying I went through. All to make my parents happy.

Whoever said omegas were sweet and not vicious were fucking liars. They were the ones that made my life hell.

And here we were again with the lies. I already knew it.

Bea was right, I should have cut contact after I turned eighteen. It would have served them right.

Maybe my sisters were happy to go along with it, but I wanted a romance like I read about in books. Sweet, doting packs who were obsessed with their omega. Plenty of spice to keep it interesting. Dates, heats, everything changing when we meet.

I wanted it all. Call me naive, but I was holding out hope with everything in me.

Yet, each year I went past thirty, the more my mother bombarded me with blind dates and awkward introductions.

You’d think packs being angry with her for setting them up to fail would convince her to let it go, but my mother was a stubborn woman.

“I’m about to lose signal, Bea. I’ll call you when I get to town. You know how these country roads are,” I finally said. She must have picked up on my tone, a long sigh escaping her. Though, from the way her response was choppy, I wasn’t wrong about the signal.

“Call me,” she managed before the call dropped, my phone beeping to let me know I was officially nearing Willow Lake.

Ending the call, I rolled down my window and breathed in deep. It smelled like fresh air and nature.

The large wooden sign with a depiction of the lake itself and willow trees surrounding it popped into view as I hit the last curve, officially bringing me to the small town. I hadn’t realized just how much I’d missed it the past few years until I was seeing it in person again.

Willow Lake was busy most of the year thanks to tourists coming in for the lake and fishing, or those of us who had lake houses passed down through generations.

My grandfathers bought this place as a courting gift. Who could blame grandma for giving into their charms with a gesture like that? I’d swoon for sure.

We always called it a cabin, but really the lake house was a rustic lodge. It had a master suite, four guest rooms, and a huge common area. The kitchen and dining room was built for a big family.

I truly did love it here. Already I was making plans of places I wanted to visit while I was here.

The town of Willow Lake was downright charming. They had a lot of local, small businesses and mom and pop shops. Everyone walked on foot and they held cute little festivals a few times a year.

I’d only ever made it to a few, but I always loved them.

Maybe for old times’ sake I’d convince my parents to take us out to Luca’s Pizza Den for dinner and we could hit Lakeside Creamery for dessert.

Finally, the lake came into view. It was as beautiful as ever. The lake was fed by a small spring that kept it fairly clear. Willow trees surrounded it, making it seem like some sort of painting instead of real life.

A few houses were dotted along the edges of the lake on either side of the big marina and docks that belonged to the town.

I wound my way down the gravel road to the east side of the lake, pulling into the driveway once I spotted the familiar “Ellis Lake Resort” sign.

Even though I knew I’d be the first to arrive, my stomach bubbled with nerves as that really sank in.

This wasn’t a good sign.

Every single time we’d come up here, my sisters and parents always raced to get here first. Especially for the first trip of the season.

What was different this time?

With nothing else to do but face it, I parked my car and climbed out, grabbing my bags from the trunk and heading up the porch.

After entering the keycode in, I pushed open the door and dropped my bags in the foyer. Mom always hired a cleaning crew at the beginning of summer so it wasn’t musty, but I flipped on the lights and cracked the windows anyway.

A bright-pink envelope on the dining table had me freezing in place as I turned away from the window.

Bea was right.

This was a setup.

My hands shook as I picked it up, my mother’s familiar handwriting on the front, addressing it to me.

“You better not have, Mom,” I growled as I tore it open, the letter short and to the point.

Dear Taryn,

I know our attempts in the past have failed and you told me under no circumstances am I to set you up.

But.

This time is different. I used a matching service to find you a pack I knew would be compatible. I kept the pictures off of it so you’ll be a lovely surprise. Who can resist those pretty blue eyes of yours?

Keep an open mind. I promise, if you give them a chance, I’ll let it go. I’m just doing what any mother would and looking out for her daughter.

This is it, Taryn, your time to shine. Pack Dixon will be your future, I can just feel it.

Love and kisses,

Mom

Anger and frustration had tears burning behind my eyes and I rushed over to the fireplace, tossing the letter inside.

I can’t believe she did this. After everything I said and all the promises she made, she set me up again .

Not just that, but left me here to face a pack of strangers in one of my favorite places in the world.

Tears burned my eyes as I pulled out my phone and texted Bea to let her know she was, once again, right.

Taryn

Guess who isn’t here but a letter was, telling me all about the MATCHING SERVICE SHE SIGNED ME UP FOR

Bea

I knew it was fishy… pun intended

Taryn

What do I do? Leave?

Bea

Hell no. You wanted this week, take it. They can fuck off. Tell them to get the hell out when they arrive and live your best hot girl summer at the lake. Just keep your phone close since they are strangers.

Taryn

You know what… that sounds fucking perfect.

I pocketed my phone and grabbed my bags from where I dropped them, before I headed to the master suite.

Even with the set-up I was a little giddy about having the big room to myself.

When I was little I always told Mom that I couldn't wait until this was my place. I’d get to sleep in that California king bed and soak in the big tub in the bathroom.

My sisters always said the same thing, but they hadn’t come back here in years. Thanks to their new pack status, places like this were ‘beneath’ them.

I thought maybe this weekend was different. That we’d get a bit of family time in, like old times. You’d think I’d be over the wishful thinking by now. Maybe it was time to finally wake up and take Bea’s advice.

Why was it so fucking hard to cut them out?

For this week, at least, I would treat this lakehouse as if I was queen of the cabin and no one was going to tell me otherwise.

My cell phone dinged and I almost thought to ignore it, but I didn't want Bea to think that I was avoiding her, too.

When I pulled it out and saw the name on my phone, I almost threw it.

My mother.

Did she really think that I wanted to talk to her after that letter? With an eye roll, I dropped my phone on the night table and started unloading my books, placing Do Your Worst on the top to read first.

It felt fitting.

Continuing to ignore the incessant buzzing of my phone, I moved on to my clothes, hanging up what needed to be and the rest went in the dresser.

It was petty, but having her be out of the loop felt a bit like fighting back. She always found a way to guilt trip me into complying and I wasn’t taking chances this time.

My stomach rumbled after the last pair of pants went in the drawer, reminding me I now had to make my own dinner plans.

Another groan escaped me as I pulled open the fridge, then pantry, realizing dear old mom didn't think about feeding me or the guests she invited.

How could I impress this pack if I didn’t have anything to cook? That sarcastic thought almost had me sending her a text to say that exact same thing, but that would only open me up for more bullshit.

Instead, I’d have to make a grocery run. Not that this other pack was staying, but a girl had to eat while she lost herself in her endless Tbr.

Plus, my mom wasn't going to ruin my week off and I had every intention of making the best of this. So, pizza and ice cream it is.

Snagging the book, my wallet, and phone, I headed out to my car. If it wasn't almost dark, I would have made the walk to town. I could use some fresh air to figure this one out.

In the few minutes it took to drive to town my phone went off more times then I cared to count. Part of me considered throwing it out the window. The only reason I didn't was because it was a tool for my small business and I couldn't afford to replace it.

If my mystery book boxes still continued to go well maybe I would splurge on an upgrade.

Luca’s place was already busy as hell, especially for a town so small, but I managed to snag a spot in back.

Maybe I wouldn’t be enjoying a book and pizza while dining in, there was no way I could concentrate if it was this insane.

I followed the crowd inside, breathing deep when the burst of air hit me. It smelled divine. Like fresh dough and savory herbs.

Thankfully, there was an open seat in the bar. The hostess set me right up and the best part was that I was hidden away in the corner. At least here in the bar the music drowned out the chatter.

There was hope yet. I desperately needed a win today.

An older alpha bartender approached, sliding a coaster in front of me.

"Hi, I'm Bobby. Welcome to Luca's. Your first time here?" he asked with a wrinkled smile that pulled one from me as well. It was nice to see a friendly face after walking into the mess I did.

"Thanks, Bobby. Nope, Luca’s is one of my favorites when I'm in town," I explained. “My family comes here every summer usually.”

"Good to have you back, then,” he joked, giving me a wink. “What would you like to drink?"

"Lemonade, please. I’m also ready to order.” It wasn’t like I ever changed my mind. There was only one superior pizza. Even if my mom liked to call my choice boring.

"I like a woman that knows what she wants," he smirked, grabbing an order book then looking back at me with a raised, bushy eyebrow.

“A small pepperoni pizza and cheese sticks.”

He gave me a nod after he wrote it down and turned away to put my order in. Before I could enjoy my dinner I needed to face the music and check my phone in case my mother had any more tricks up her sleeve.

Knowing her, I’d only seen phase one. Being blindsided wasn’t going to improve anything.

Bea's single text was the only message that wasn’t from Mom. I swear she was certifiably insane over marrying off her daughters. Thirty-six texts was pure insanity.

A laugh burst out of me as I opened the only safe text. Bea sent me a meme about annoying mothers and hit the nail right on the head.

Taryn

How did you know that I needed that?

Bea

I got you, bestie. Fuck them and enjoy the break.

Taryn

Way ahead of you. At Luca's going to drown my sorrows in grease and cheese.

Bea

Maybe a cute guy or two

Taryn

Book boyfriends only.

Bea

Girl, you need to let your hair down and get a little wild.

Taryn

Oh, I am. I brought a non-fiction book.

Bea

Bobby came back with my drink and I thanked him before I sent one more message to Bea.

Taryn

Going dark for the night. Love you, bitch.

Bea

Love you more, jerk.

I quickly traded my phone for the book. Despite my joke to Bea about non fiction, I was more than ready to get lost in a fictional world and get out of my own head.

This book sucked me in right away. Give me a charismatic pack, magic, and a bit of fate and I was happy. Just as I was about to turn the page, Bobby came back with my food.

"Don't tell me you're one of those book nerds," Bobby joked as he slid the plates closer and dropped a stack of napkins to soak up the grease.

"Oh no, I am the book nerd," I shot back, owning every bit of my nerdiness with pride. If I learned anything in high school when those assholes bullied me, it was that their opinions never got to influence what I thought of myself.

And I wasn’t going to let anyone, even my own mother, change that.