Jealousy gnaws at my stomach at just the thought of her dating anyone else.
“You don’t have to compromise on anything for us,” I promise her. “We’re a team. That’s what being part of a pack is all about.”
“Besides, if you dropped out of school, who else would make Calder’s ass miserable at the paper?” Ezra teases.
Calder nudges him playfully. “Asshole.”
“I guess I can try to keep Calder in check.” Kady smirks. “But it won’t be easy with his massive ego.”
“You can try.” Calder winks at her. “As long as you’re willing to accept the consequences.”
At his wicked smile, her perfume blooms, a sign of how good their night together was. Calder needs someone to challenge him, and she definitely seems up for the task.
Now that we’ve had that conversation, the atmosphere shifts, like the heavy cloud of dread that was hanging over us has blown away. Everyone seems lighter—Calder slurping his coffee and Riven humming while eating his muffin.
“My housemates will freak out when I tell them what’s happened this weekend.” Kady presses her palms to her cheeks. “This was supposed to be casual.”
“It was never casual for us.” My heart feels so full, no longer afraid of scaring her off by telling her how I really feel. “Not when it comes to you.”
She smiles shyly then groans as she glances at the clock on the wall. “We probably should hit the road soon, right? I’m sure Ezra has classes to prepare for.”
“Don’t remind me.” He winces, a pained expression contorting his features. “Though I probably should tell Dean Rivers about us courting before I resume teaching.”
I slap the table before standing. “I guess we better pack, then.”
I hum to myself, my heart soaring. We’ll be returning to Forestville with our omega.
THIRTY-SEVEN
Kady
After the conversation with the guys, I head up to pack. As soon as the door to Riven’s room closes behind me, I video call the Stella girls group chat. Usually, I’d rather process things alone, but right now, I need my friends to help me unpack everything that just happened.
“Kady?” Delilah’s image flickers onto the screen. She’s sitting up in bed, bleary eyed, her curls wrapped in a gorgeous silk scarf.
“You’re still in bed?” I arch an eyebrow as she props herself up on her cushions. “Usually, you’re pounding dough by now.”
She massages her head with her free hand. “The book club might have gotten a little out of hand last night and ended up in Club Knotty. Never again.”
“Kady!” Sabs shrieks, joining the call. Delilah winces at the sudden, loud noise. “What’s up?”
“Hi guys.” Faye joins the chat then waves her arm at someone off-camera. “Shh!” Turning her face back to the screen, she shakes her head. “Sorry, Laz was making silly faces while flipping pancakes.” I hear Cole and Laz arguing in the background as Faye leaves the kitchen. “I’m going to leave them to it. Hopefully, Cole doesn’t murder him for getting one stuck to the ceiling again. How’s your weekend going, Kady?”
“I’m just packing now.” I pan the phone to show them my clothes strewn over Riven’s bed. “But my dad and Warren just showed up.”
“What?!” Sabs yells.
“Can you keep it down?” Delilah squeezes her eyes shut. “I can hear you from upstairs.”
“Sorry.” Sabs’s grin tells me she isn’t really truly apologetic. “I’ll join you in a sec.”
“What happened with your dad?” Faye asks. “I’m hoping no one ended up in jail this time?”
I hold off on filling them in till they’re all on, chitchatting idly when Sabs hangs up then, seconds later, appears in Delilah’s bed. Delilah grimaces as she sways from side to side while Sabs gets comfy next to her.
“I thought it’d be easier if we were in the same room,” Sabs explains, although from Delilah’s frown, I’m not too sure she’s happy about it. Sabs is the last person you want chatting in your ear when you’re hungover.
“It went better than expected.” I steer us back on topic. “At first, he tried to get me to come back to New York with him, but then I told him that the Valen Pack is my scent match.”
