I roll my lower lip between my teeth. “Not if Rose Pharmaceuticals has anything to do with it. They’re working on a fertility treatment that would allow alphas to conceive.”
“The bond between alphas and omegas is sacred.”
I look up at Ian. “Not to the Soldiers. Not to Halcyon. We’re a scourge to them.”
“What is Radcliffe planning? What is his part in all of this?” Cassian asks. Fury flashes in his smoke-and-whiskey eyes, dark and dangerous, powerful and potent.
I shake my head. “I wasn’t able to find that out yet. But I do know he hasn’t shown results yet.” I don’t tell my men that Rad mating me is contingent on him showing results, that it could only be a matter of time before he forces our hand. “But that’s why I need to keep courting him. And when I know enough, I’m going to bring that motherfucker to his saints-damned knees.”
“Not alone,” Ian swears.
I meet his eyes with a faint smile. “No, not alone.”
“But you have a break from him, right?” Simon cuts in, reaching across the table and shoving my untouched plate toward me, indicating that I should eat.
“I do. He’s still in Massachusetts, working at the Radcliffe Industries headquarters. I’m sure he’ll fly up here at some point, but until then I’m free.”
Free. Saints, what a thought. I’m free to love these amazing men, to spend time with my friends, to attend classes. I snuggle into Ian’s shoulder, and he wraps an arm around me, pulling me close. I’m free to enjoy more ofthis.
As I dig into my pizza and look down the long table, I realize that Cassian never intended for this house to be for just him and Simon. The table easily seats eight, enough for our little group and a few guests. Enough for a pack.
“I’m making ‘pack dinner once a week’ a rule,” Simon says, loading my plate up again. “Just so you know.”
“We’re… we’re not a proper pack.”
“My darling,” Ian says, tipping my chin up. “We’re pack in all but bites and name. Even if we’re not a traditional pack, the people who care most for you in the world are all right here in this room.”
I feel my eyes prick with tears and nod. He’s right. These men all care for me and I for them. Ultimately, isn’t that what makes a pack?
The rest of dinner is a shockingly cozy affair and my heart sings with the rightness of it as I sit between Luca and Ian and across from Simon. In fact, it’s practically perfect.
Eventually, the conversation turns toward the approaching school year.
“You’ll find Professor Cadigan tough, but fair,” Cassian says, snatching a crust off Simon’s plate.
Truthfully, I very much doubt that. Cadigan has made his disdain for me—and my association with Ian—well known to the alpha beside me, and I’ve gleaned enough through overheard conversations and whispers from my affinity.
“I don’t think he likes me much,” I admit. “But I intend on working hard in his class. In all my classes, and out of my classes as well.” I press my lips together and turn to Ian. “I need to strengthen my abilities with my affinity.”
He nods. “We’ll train whenever you’d like. Cassian and I set up a space for it in the basement, knowing you might want to.”
“Then you’ll need a punching bag too,” Marcus says, a rare smile gracing his lips.
Cassian’s eyebrow shoots up in surprise. “You box, Junes?”
“I like to hit things when certain alphas don’t meet me where and when they say they will.”
He cringes. “Point taken.”
“But I’d also like to be able to smash Rad’s fucking face in.”
“There’s my vicious kit-kat,” Simon says approvingly, ruffling my hair. “I wouldn’t mind a place in line behind you.” He grimaces as he rubs the spot over his heart where Rad used the Ever Ember to torture him.
“It’s going to be a long fucking line,” Luca mutters, cracking his tattooed knuckles.
I amperfectlyokay with that.
* * *
