Chapter 44 Kady #2
“There you are!” Devon greets us, sweeping over in his long, black trench coat. He grabs a tray filled with drinks and offers them to us. “You need to try these. They’re so good.”
I take a sip—a punchy hit of pineapple and rum, countered with a hint of coconut and possibly rhubarb.
“How did Calder afford all this?” I muse.
“Who cares?” Devon gleefully raises his glass. “It’s time to celebrate.”
“Hell yes!” Sabs grabs a drink, clinking glasses with each of us. “And your eyeliner is on point, Devon. I can never get mine so flicky without my hand wobbling.”
“Thanks.” Devon grins proudly. “It takes a lot of practice.”
While they discuss makeup application techniques, I spot the Valen Pack beside the snack table with Faye and the Silverwood Pack.
Riven loiters awkwardly, holding a plate in one hand while rocking on his heels while Laz bounds over to speak to him.
Despite their differing personalities, the two of them struck a new friendship at our recent Mario Kart tournament.
Laz promised to take him to some secret arcade club on campus soon, which Riven’s super pumped about.
Next to them, Ezra and Faye are talking animatedly about something—likely plant-related—while the rest of her alphas chat to Hale, who looks particularly handsome in a pressed shirt.
Meanwhile Calder fusses around the food, muttering to himself.
As if he can detect me, Hale’s head turns, a dazzling grin tilting his lips when he sees me. His smile makes my heart somersault. For an omega who didn’t want to find a scent match or pack, I sure lucked out.
“Wait until I tell the book club that I’ve been here.” Delilah bounces on the balls of her feet. “Did you know that half of them applied to work for the paper when they arrived, but were rejected?”
“It’s a competitive gig.” I shrug. “We might have some openings next semester, though.”
“Maybe you could put in a good word for them with the editor.” Delilah nudges me as Calder rushes over to greet us.
“It’s good to see you both.” His tailored gray tee and dark pants are perfectly smart-casual. “Thanks for the catering recommendation, Delilah.”
“No problem,” she replies. “I’m only sorry I couldn’t do it myself because I love baking for occasions, I’ve been swamped with assignments lately.”
“You already do enough by keeping the Stellas fed with all of the baking you do,” he tells her. “Ezra won’t stop raving about the lavender shortbread you made last week.”
“Oh, it’s nothing.” She flicks her wrist casually before her gaze rests on the snack table. “I’ll be right back. I can’t wait to see what dips they’ve paired with the mini pretzels.”
Calder kisses my cheek. “You look stunning this evening.”
“Have you forgotten our agreement already?” I suck my teeth.
Although we agreed to keep our relationship strictly professional in the office, his lips grazing my cheek catapults a tremble of longing through me.
He holds his arms up guiltily then smirks. “How can I resist when you turn up looking like that?”
“You’ve got to try harder.” I bump him playfully, knowing I can’t stay mad at that gorgeous face for long.
“What do you think of the party?” He motions to the space. “Not bad, huh?”
“You’ve done a great job.” I nod, impressed.
“Although we may need more food.” I eye the snacks.
There are two complete packs in the room who I know can empty kitchen cupboards in minutes.
A few of the reporters are starting to look a little glassy-eyed too.
“Especially with how good the cocktails are.”
“Don’t worry.” Calder squeezes my arm. “Mei will be coming up soon. I got her to make wok boxes for everyone, so you have nothing to worry about. This is your time to celebrate too, remember?”
Begrudgingly, I sigh. He has a point, and it’s taken a lot of self-control not to meddle in his plans.
“But before we celebrate…” Calder’s eyes scan the room. “I have a special announcement to make now that everyone’s here.”
He clears his throat then coughs loudly, but he doesn’t attract any attention.
I roll my eyes then open my purse to grab a pen. I chime it against my glass and call out, “Listen up, everyone!”
He grins when a hush falls over the room. “You just can’t resist helping, can you?”
“It worked, didn’t it?”
Everyone turns in our direction, forming a semicircle around me and Calder.
“Don’t worry, I won’t keep any of you for too long,” he addresses the room.
“I want to say a few words before the night gets underway. First of all, I’d like to thank you all for being here.
Without you, this wouldn’t be the most popular college paper in the country.
” There’s a round of applause before he continues.
“The Valley Voice is an important part of SVU culture. As your new editor, I’m both honored and deeply impressed to be working with such talented individuals who can work across many different mediums, including Jell-O. ”
A roar of laughter comes from the photography department. His drawer still smells of lime, no matter how many times he cleans it.
“I also have an important announcement to make.” Calder tugs at the collar of his tee. “After much consideration, I have decided to step down from the editor’s position.”
Mouths fall open, and practically everyone in the room draws in a sharp breath. I ogle him in confusion. Why didn’t he tell me this was coming? He’s so enthusiastic about the paper, it’s his biggest passion.
“I believe it is only right that The Valley Voice traditions are properly upheld.” His eyes meet mine. “I have selected Kady Sinclair to take my place, who I think we all know, should have been the rightful editor following Leah’s departure.”
Delilah squeals in delight while Sabs and Faye clap like crazy and Devon stomps his feet. My other alphas watch on with knowing smiles. I guess they’ve all been in on Calder’s little plan to keep this a secret. All I can do is gape at Calder in utter shock.
“The job is yours, Kady.” Calder turns to me. “It always has been.”
If this is what I’ve wanted and worked for since I stepped foot inside this office, why does it feel like a dead weight has settled in my stomach?
“Speech, speech, speech!” Laz hollers from the sidelines.
I can feel the weight of everyone’s eyes as they stare at me. For once, I’m lost for words, but I draw in a cleansing breath to pull myself together quickly. I know what I have to do. “As flattering as Calder’s offer is, I’m afraid that I can’t accept it.”
“You’re turning it down?” Sabs gasps. “This is all you’ve been talking about since the first week of freshman year.”
“Admittedly, I was Leah’s first choice, and initially, I wasn’t particularly pleased when Calder got the position.”
He mumbles in agreement, and the crowd snickers.
“But you’ve earned this job just as much as I have, Calder.
” I speak directly to him, not caring that we have an audience.
“You managed a crisis with national papers during your first week in post. You secured extra funding and refurbished the office. You’ve worked night and day since you arrived to prove yourself.
You’re just as worthy of the editor position as I am, so I’d like to propose that we be co-editors. ”
“Are you sure?” His lips curve into a smile. “Co-editors?”
“I’m positive. I think it’ll be the first time in The Valley Voice history.” I nod, thrilled by this idea. “Of course, Dean Rivers will have to approve it, but I don’t see why he’d have an objection.”
Calder is beaming. The fact that he was willing to give up the one thing that means the most to him in the world tells me all I need to know about how much he cares for me.
“And as your co-editors,” I turn back to address the room again. “We want you to enjoy the rest of the evening.”
“But not too much, because we have a new issue to release in two days,” Calder adds.
Everyone claps before returning to their conversations and breaking out into smaller groups.
I shake my head at him. “You should have told me.”
“I wanted to surprise you.” He inches up a shoulder. “Are you sure that you’re happy about sharing the position with me? You don’t have to.”
“Of course, I am,” I insist. “I couldn’t imagine it any other way.”
The rest of our pack and my friends come over to join us.
“Pack photo!” Sabs choruses, ordering me and the Valen Pack to stand together before blinding us with a series of flashes.
Vision swimming, I step back.
“Congratulations, baby girl.” Ezra kisses me on the head. “Now you have the official authority to order Calder around.”
“Hey!” Calder objects, punching him in the shoulder. “We’re co-editors, remember?”
Hale smiles down at me. He doesn’t need to say anything, but my heart fills with warmth as I feel a wave of pride and happiness radiating from him. Hopefully, one day, we’ll be able to support him in following his dreams too.
Riven hovers on my other side. Noticing the way his eyebrows crease together in the way they do when he’s concentrating, I sense he wants to say something but is struggling to find the right words.
“Thanks for coming to celebrate tonight.” I kiss him on the cheek, and a flush creeps up his neck. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
“I wouldn’t miss it,” he replies.
“Congratulations, Kady.” Faye squeezes my hand, flanked by her pack. “We’re so happy for you both.”
“Thank you all for coming.” I look around at everyone. “It means a lot to have you all here.”
“Well, I never thought I’d see the day when Kady Sinclair offered to share her editorship,” Sabs sighs dramatically.
Delilah pulls me in for a hug. “I’m so proud of you.”
In this moment, surrounded by the people I love and the friends who have become family, I don’t think my heart has ever felt so full. I always thought life was easier to face alone without any extra complications, but for once, I’m happy to admit that I was wrong.
“Guys!” Devon hurries over, waving his phone in the air. “You’re never going to believe the tip that just came into the inbox!”
“We probably shouldn’t be talking about that here,” I say, noticing Sabs’s eyes light up with excitement. “Remember, source confidentiality.”
“Everyone will find out soon enough anyway,” Devon dismisses my concern. “This will be picked up by the nationals in no time.”
“What is it?” Calder probes.
“It’s Jagger Knight.” Devon grins triumphantly. “He just confirmed that he’s transferring to SVU next semester.”
“Wait.” Hale scratches his head. “Why does that name sound familiar?”
“He’s the lead singer of Pack Fire,” Riven supplies, his ears wide. “Their last album was pretty good.”
“Are you sure?” I question as Sabs wraps her arm protectively around Delilah’s shoulder. “Maybe there’s been a mistake?”
“He announced it on his social media page,” Devon confirms. “There’s no mistake.”
Delilah’s body seems to collapse in on itself, her shoulders slouching. It’s a good thing that Sabs is bracing her, otherwise she’d probably sink to her knees.
Delilah’s eyes swim with tears. “I n-need some fresh air.”
Fury courses through my veins at seeing Delilah’s broken expression. My guys look around in confusion, not understanding the reason for her reaction or why this is such a big deal. I shake my head quickly to indicate that now isn’t the time to ask any questions.
Jagger Knight is the asshole who broke Delilah’s heart. Who led her on. Who left without saying goodbye after helping her through a heat. Who claimed that she was his scent match. She only just got over him, and now she’s going to have to face that jerk, strutting around SVU like he owns the place…
Thank you SO much for reading!