Chapter 8 #2
I straighten, trying to steady my breathing. “This is all amazing, but I can’t go in there with three men I’m dating,” I say, looking between them like my life has become a math problem with abs.
“They’re an actual pack,” Katie says. “Anita’s here with one of her Alphas. You’re just… overachieving.”
“Anita brought one. I have three.”
“Quality and quantity. You’re an inspiration.”
Corey points at Katie. “I like her.”
“You would,” I mutter.
Brody steps closer, not touching, but close enough that every inch of me becomes aware of him.
The memory of his mouth flashes through me so sharply I almost forget we’re standing outside a wedding venue where my entire family is waiting to witness my downfall.
Then Corey shifts on my other side, restless and grinning, in a suit he apparently may or may not be wearing underwear beneath, and Jakob stands opposite me, quiet and composed.
This is a lot, and some reckless, secret part of me likes it.
“You wanted to make your ex regret walking out,” Brody says, his voice low enough that it seems to slide beneath the panic. “What better way than showing up with a pack who chose you?”
The word chose makes me way happier than I should be with the stress and awkwardness I’m facing.
“I can’t do this.” My fingers tighten around my clutch. “My family’s in there, and I intended to arrive with one person, quietly, and then vanish like a normal woman who has not accidentally collected Alphas on the way to a ceremony.”
I glance behind me, and there are too many people beyond the entrance—voices, stares—and too much expectation is pressing down on my skin. The familiar spiral winds up in my ribs, and for a second, I already feel myself shrinking.
Jakob unfolds his arms. “It might be too late for ‘quietly.’ ”
I turn to him slowly. “What does that mean?”
“When I arrived with your friend,” he says, nodding toward Katie, “your father was outside by the entrance. We spoke briefly.”
The blood drains from my face. “About what?”
“He asked if I was with Katie.” Jakob’s expression doesn’t change. “I told him I was your date.”
My mouth opens. Nothing comes out. Not even a dignified death rattle.
“In fairness,” Brody says, rubbing the back of his neck, “I should probably mention that I got here early and ran into your sister by the bar.”
“No,” I murmur.
“She asked if I was here alone.”
“Oh, no, Brody.”
“I said I was here with you. She said, and I quote, ‘Finally, she found someone,’ then took a photo of me for your mom.”
“God!”
Corey makes a low whistle. “Your family moves fast.”
I turn to him, desperate. “Please tell me you haven’t met anyone else in my family since we arrived,” I say jokingly.
Corey holds up both hands. “Blank slate. Totally clean.”
I exhale.
“Although,” he adds, “if anyone asks, I’m willing to be the mysterious one.” The three Alphas, along with Katie, are giggling. Am I the only one freaking out right now?
My fingers tremble against my clutch bag. “This can’t… I can’t explain this.”
“Yes,” Katie says, stepping in, “they’re going to think you found a pack.”
All three men study me, silently. Brody’s gaze sharpens. Corey’s grin slips into something warmer. Jakob’s attention settles on me with a steadiness that makes my stomach dip. I barely know these men, and yet they’re ready to help me out.
For one impossible second, I contemplate doing this, how jealous Louis would get and how good it would feel.
Katie catches my wrist and pulls me behind a stone pillar before I can combust in front of them. Her hands close over my shoulders.
“Claire. Listen to me. Louis dumped you on the worst morning of your life. He took your ring while his new Omega waited outside. He texts you because he likes knowing he can still crawl around inside your head whenever he wants.” Her eyes bore into mine.
“Tonight, he’s in there expecting you to show up alone and broken. So don’t.”
My throat burns.
Katie squeezes my shoulders. “Walk in with three men who can’t stop looking at you. Let him watch. Let your family see you being wanted for once without having to earn it, explain it, or apologize for it. One evening where you don’t hide. You deserve that.”
I glance past the pillar.
The three of them are waiting for me, chatting to each other, laughing at some joke. Probably this ridiculous situation. “Okay, I got this.”
“You go, girl,” Katie says.
My anxious brain is screaming that this is too much, yet the rest of me is already leaning toward them as though I know exactly where safety stands.
I wipe beneath my glasses, inhale once, and step back out.
Their attention turns toward me all at once.
It should terrify me, and maybe it does on some level, but there’s something powerful in knowing I’m not walking into that wedding alone.
“All right,” I say, my voice unsteady but real. “We’re doing this.”
Corey cracks his knuckles. “Best wedding I’ve ever been to and I haven’t even offended a relative yet.”
Jakob offers me his arm. Brody steps to my other side. Corey falls in beside us. Katie blows me a kiss and backs toward the parking area. “Good luck.”
I stare at the entrance, at the glow of lights and the sound of laughter and the life I was afraid to walk back into.
Then three Alphas move with me. My hands are trembling. My chest is tight.
I push my glasses up my nose. Lift my chin. And we stroll through the doors.