Working for a pack like the Silverwoods would be intense with powerful alphas everywhere. But the distraction would be perfect. Something completely new to focus on instead of Mother’s confession and the funeral.
“I’ll do it,” I say before I can overthink it.
Carmen raises an eyebrow. “Are you sure? It would mean living in their pack house. Being immersed in their world 24/7. That’s a lot for anyone.”
“I’m sure,” I say firmly, taking another sip of soda as my mind races. “When would I start?”
“They want to interview you next week. If all goes well, you’d start immediately after.”
Lena reaches over and squeezes my hand. “This could be good for you, Franny. A fresh start.”
A fresh start. Away from this apartment filled with Mother’s things. Away from the memories and the lies.
“Yeah,” I agree, squeezing her hand back. “A fresh start is exactly what I need.”
Three
DRAKE
I miss her already.It’s crazy, but I do.
The beautiful cherry scent that she keeps trying to hide beneath scent blockers is unforgettable. I can hardly concentrate as I slowly pour lemonade into my glass.
My wolf paces restlessly beneath my skin, eager to track her down again, to claim what it already recognizes as mine.
I followed her car all the way to her apartment, quietly watching her, but now I’m back at the pack house, intent on going back.
I’ve never reacted this way to an omega before. Never felt this immediate, visceral need to protect, to possess, tomate.
It’s exhilarating.
And it’s exactly what I’ve been waiting for my whole life. The calling and the need to mate with a beautiful omega like her.
“You’re quiet,” my older brother Kieran observes, not looking up from his laptop. His fingers tap methodically against the keys, the sound precise like everything else about my older brother.
I turn, lemonade sloshing dangerously close to the rim of my glass. Kieran sits at the massive dining table, surrounded by blueprints and digital renderings of our newest luxury resort.His dark hair is pushed back from his forehead, and his ice-blue eyes flick up to mine for just a second before returning to the screen.
Even in a simple charcoal sweater and jeans, he exudes authority.
“Just thinking,” I say, taking a long sip of lemonade.
“Dangerous pastime,” Kieran murmurs, the ghost of a smile on his face. “I’m hoping you’re not coming up with another harebrained scheme of yours that could damage the company.”
I ignore the jab, sliding into the chair across from him. A year ago, I made a costly mistake by purchasing a property for millions without talking to my pack, which was soon destroyed by a bad storm in a bad area.
We inherited this pack house from our parents, along with their real estate empire and the responsibility for our baby sister.
“I met a girl today. An omega. I think she’ll be perfect for our pack.”
Kieran’s fingers freeze over the keyboard. His eyes lift to mine, the blue darkening slightly with surprise.
“An omega,” he repeats, voice flat.
“Yeah,” I press, leaning forward. My wolf surges with excitement, pushing against my control. “For the pack.”
Kieran sighs, closing his laptop with a soft click.
“Maybe we could wait a few more years,” he says carefully. “Before an omega comes in to distract us all. Maybe until Nora grows up and leaves the home.”
