Page 161 of Lyric & the Heartbeats

Pack is pack.

And Desi was a part of their little misfit family, whether she liked it or not.

But Desi crawled onto the mattresses without hesitation and wrapped her arms around Lyric.

“I’m sorry about your friend’s mom. But we’re here for you, okay? Just tell us what you need. That’s what pac—friends are for.”

That’s what pack is for.

Lyric heard her words even though she’d stopped herself and almost wanted to correct her.

“I know,” she answered instead.

“This is actually pretty comfy,” Henry commented as he lay down. “I had my doubts, but you guys are right, this is nice.”

“I’m glad you agreed,” Javier said as he appeared in the doorway, and his presence was like a puzzle piece sliding into place.

Lyric glanced up at him and released Desi, who crawled to the right and set herself up on a pile of pillows.

“Was this your idea?” she asked.

Javi shrugged and shifted his grip on a tray, too far above Lyric’s head for her to see what its contents were.

“Whenever my sister was upset, nesting was her favorite thing to do. I thought you might appreciate something to distract yourself with.”

In any other circumstances, Lyric might have been embarrassed that her worries could be forgotten with some pretty pillows and soft blankets, but in that moment she was just thankful to have someone to look out for her.

“Thank you,” she told him sincerely, and made grabby hands at the alpha. “What did you bring me?”

The blinding smile he sent her made her blink. How was one man so goddamned pretty? She wanted to run her fingers though his hair and trace the laugh lines with her fingertips.

“I had been storing these for a rainy day and, well, if the clouds had ever opened up and poured, I’d say today is one of those days. You’ve been eating well recently, but fried foods are welcomed on special occasions.”

The tray was filled with a pile of all the finger foods Lyric could dream of. Fries and tater tots, fruits and tiny sandwiches, crackers, and of course… gummy bears.

“You did all of this?” Lyric asked, heart leaping at the thought. Javi lowered the tray to the ground, glancing up at her from his crouched position.

“Of course, because you needed it, pajarita.” The endearment rolled off his tongue and pierced her right in the chest. “Enjoy.”

Javi stood and turned his back before Lyric understood what he meant.

“Javi,” Lyric called out. “Who said you could leave? Stay and hang out with us.”

Among the fresh smell of the fried goodness on the platter before her, another scent was mixing in the room with those of the rest of her pack.

“Are you sure? I don’t want to intrude…” He turned back around and paused, gaze slowly drifting from one alpha to the next.

It was Adra who spoke up. “You heard the lady. Sit.”

Javi’s lips twitched but he obeyed. “Let me text the driver. We’ll be back on the road shortly.”

“How long until we get to the venue?” Lyric asked.

“Long enough,” Henry answered, tapping the face of his watch. “Get comfy.”

Lyric was already comfy, surrounded by her pack. Nohen was to her left, and he nudged her as she reached out to grab a fry from the platter.

She nudged him back, and he wrapped an arm around her waist as he leaned around her and snatched a tot from the pile.