With firm hands, he shaped a thick puck, then dug his thumbs in, opening up the center of the clay. This part, the best part, always went too fast, but it relaxed him for those fleeting moments. This time was no different: As he pulled up the walls of what decided to become a vase, his playlist switched from the Band to the Dead, and the guitar intro to “Sugar Magnolia” started up.
Elliot groaned as a combination of good old angst and longing bubbled up within him. He shouldn’t have kissed Fern, butfuck, he was glad he had.
He let himself relive those moments at her apartment until his vase was finished and set aside to dry. Then he wiped down his equipment, rinsed his hands, and shut down the studio to head inside for the night.
Couldhe ignore the potential bond? Was Adam right? Did he need to get it out of his system?
Who knew.
He needed a shower, some tunes, a bong rip, and he’d toss together some dough for an overnight proof. Hopefully, by then, he’d have found some much-needed clarity on how to proceed with his potential mate.
Stripping off his shirt, Elliott walked into his bedroom and straight toward the master bath. A familiar vibration stopped him short, and with his pants and boxer briefs around his knees, he shuffled around until he found his phone abandoned on the nightstand.
He’d meant to bring it to Northrop House but forgot to put it in the basket his bear had carried in his teeth. Clothing and jewelry could travel through a shift, but electronics couldn't make the jump. No one knew why. They always stayed behind.
He found seventy-five missed messages in the friend group chat. He knew before he scrolled up thatAdam had told on him. Nothing elsewould have led to this outpouring of rapid-fire communication—not when they’d all seen each other a few hours before.
Yep. That’s exactly what happened. Everyone panicked when Adam said he’d been attacked. And naturally, they all lost their goddamn minds when they learned about Elliott’s potential bond with Fern.
He wanted to be angry, but he got it: Adam had no choice but to give details—they needed to understand why Elliott’s bear went wild. It rankled. Now they’d all be playing matchmaker.
He scrolled down and his jaw dropped.
Liv
We need to tell Fern about shifting before something goes awry
Ben and I are talking about it now
Beck
The betas agree
Noa and Able were on board, too. Although, since the alphas and betas decided already, no one else’s opiniontechnicallymattered. Elliott’s personal feelings were definitely irrelevant after his outburst, not that anyone asked him anyway.
They were going to fucking tell her. She’d know the truth about Beckett Falls, about the pack, abouthim. Then what? He hadn’t the faintest idea. His bear started rumbling—no,purring—the turd was purring, and Elliott just stared at his phone.
Blood rushed in his ears, and he swayed on his feet, scrolling through the rest of the conversation. His friends were starting to panic, worried he’d shifted again and run off, feral. Or worse, they feared he’d gone to find Fern.
Liv
He’s not with her. I justchecked
Noa
He’ll turn up. You know he always forgets his phone
Beck
I can drive over and see if he’s staking out her place
Liv
I need you to make me those pancakes first if you’re gonna leave
Elliott
Nice to know you all trust me.
