THREE WEEKS LATER
It’s been a few weeks since Jagger announced his pack status, and we filed all of our bonding paperwork. It’s been a whirlwind. While we’ve been shying away from any publicity, we did grantThe Valley Voicean exclusive interview with us—the only interview we’re going to be doing—which has exploded their views and put the college paper firmly on the map.
I try to avoid going online, since I know that the reaction to our news has been mixed. Initially, many fans blamed me forPack Firesplitting. However, after a few scandals came out about how Brad and Drew have been using their fame to exploit omega groupies, many now believe that Jagger made the right choice to leave them behind. Even Valerie’s name has been dragged through the dirt after evidence came to light that she helped cover up some of their less favorable escapades, leading to her losing her job.
Humming, I open the lovingly wrapped care package my mom sent me. While my family was shocked when they first heard I’d found a pack, and more than a little skeptical when they discovered a rockstar was part of it, they came for a visit and quickly fell in love with the guys.
I grin down at the contents in the hamper to see that Mom added gifts for the guys too—some special motor oil for Nash, coffee beans for Tae, a resin guitar pick for Jagger, and a jar of her homemade jam, which the guys go feral for.
Looking out at the warm sun slanting across the yard, I check whether the vanilla cupcakes on the cooling rack near the window are ready for frosting. Almost, but not quite. Hopefully, I’ll be able to finish them before the Stellas arrive.
I’ve only been back to Stella House—just to collect a few things—one time since the day the photograph was released of me and Jagger. I’ll be returning this weekend to pack up the rest of my belongings and officially move into the guys’ place in Forestville.
Despite it probably being easier to skip town completely, Jagger insisted that we’ll stay as long as I want to. He’s adamant, but I’m still torn about what I want to do. Since the article in TVV came out, I’m constantly being stared at. Wherever I am around campus, I garner so much attention that it makes me uneasy. However, I’m not ready to leave my friends just yet.
With our news causing chaos on campus, Jagger decided that it was best he drop out of SVU. Plus, he’s been so inspired and lost in his writing lately that Dean Rivers probably would’ve expelled him for bad attendance eventually anyway.
His quitting school has freed Nash up, so he’s taken on the role of being my personal bodyguard. He can’t ward off all of the attention, but I do feel safer with him by my side. For now, I plan on finishing out the rest of this semester at SVU, then I’ll decide if I want to return again next year.
As much as I enjoy my studies, I’m finding a lot more inspiration from being at home and experimenting in the kitchen.
On my weekends and spare evenings, I’ve also been helping Dora out at Delilah’s. News that Jagger bought the bakeryincreased foot traffic ten-fold—Fireflies are traveling from all over the country to visit—so even with my extra help, she’s been struggling to keep up with the demand. I’m happy to pitch in, though. Plus, she’s been giving me helpful pointers on how to make artisan sourdough, and she even shared her family pecan pie recipe with me, which I can’t wait to prepare for Thanksgiving.
Heavy footsteps approach before Tae barrels into the kitchen, almost tripping over his own feet in excitement. “These look so good.” His hand hovers above the cooling rack. “Can I…?”
“Just one.” I smile. “But don’t tell Nash or he’ll?—”
“Don’t tell Nash what?” My giant alpha follows behind him, holding something in his arms.
“Nothing!” Tae pops the cupcake into his mouth.
“Is that…?” My eyes are drawn to the mixer Nash’s carrying.
“Yep.” Nash grins proudly. “I finally got it working again.”
“Oh my gosh!” I squeal in excitement, racing across the room and throwing my arms around him—well, as best as I can with the mixer between us. “I can’t believe you did it.”
“It took some tinkering.” Nash chuckles. “But replacing the motor and greasing some of the old parts was really all it needed.”
“Thank you so much,” I gush as he places it down. As amazing as the mixer I’ve been using has been, nothing compares to my old one that feels like part of the family. “I can’t wait to use it again.”
The ringing doorbell echoes through the house before I hear Jagger call from the other room, “I’ll get it!”
A few moments later, he joins us in the kitchen with Kady and Faye.
“Good writing session, huh?” I ask Jagger, nodding at his ink-stained fingers.
His lips tilt up bashfully, then he kisses me on the head. “I’m lucky to be living with my muse.”
“You two are adorable,” Faye comments. She’s looking extra cute today with a flower garland resting on her golden tresses, holding a basket filled with fresh herbs. “I thought you could make use of these. I grew them myself.”
“Thank you.” I take them from her. “That cilantro smells incredible.”
“Are those your vanilla cupcakes?” Kady peers at the spread of food all over the island, rolling up the sleeves of her gray blazer. “I’ve missed those, and eating all the buttercream when you’re making them.”
“Help yourself.” I motion to them. “Have you heard from Sabs?”
“She said she’d make her own way here when I spoke to her yesterday,” Faye replies. “She’s coming straight from practice.”
