25. Lily

Chapter 25

Lily

" W e have to go," Jack says, his arms crossed. He stares down at me in a way that makes me think I'm in trouble.

"Go where?"

"Back home."

"So go." I glare up at him in much the same way, and he shakes his head.

"No, you are coming with us. That Nigel is still out there even if Emily is safe, you are not."

"What about my shop?"

He pauses, running a hand through his hair. "You'll have to shut early. Your safety is more important right now."

I sigh, feeling my resistance weaken. As much as I hate to admit it, he's right. This Nigel character gives me the creeps, and I'd rather not find out what he's capable of. "How long are we going for?"

"As long as it takes to sort this situation out with Max."

Ah. There it is. The summons from the prime alpha, more than likely about why he is suddenly in his rut with no warning.

"Fine, let me grab a few things."

Jack nods, seeming relieved, and I quickly run around, grabbing my bag, phone, and the paperback I started reading a few nights back. Who knows how long they will be in a pack meeting, and I don't want to be left twiddling my thumbs, thank you very much. On second thought, I grab a second paperback, a steamy romance with a dude who's lost his shirt on the cover, and chuck that in my bag as well.

When I'm done, Jack escorts me downstairs to the car, where Sam is waiting in the driver's seat, looking just as serious. As I climb in, I can feel the tension. It's like wading into jelly. Jack and Sam exchange a glance that tells me how much trouble they're in.

"Everything okay?" I ask anyway as we drive off.

Sam snorts. "Depends on your definition of ‘okay.'"

"Don't blame him for being mad. What we did was wrong," I say softly.

Jack turns to face me and cups my face. "And that right there is why I love you."

Sam glances at us through the rear-view mirror. "We're here for a reason, right? Let's just get through this, and then we can sort everything else out." He pauses for a moment before adding, "And for what it's worth... Sorry for dragging you into this mess."

"Apology accepted," I say lightly, though Jack and I share a look that says we both know there's more to come.

We finally arrive at their house – a sprawling farmhouse that is divine and surrounded by land. It's both charming and slightly intimidating, like stepping into someone's family history.

The moment we step inside, Max is already storming down the hallway towards us, furious.

"Welcome back," he growls at Jack and Sam. "Got an explanation for this rut bullshit?"

Both alphas have the decency to look sheepish. "It's complicated," Jack begins.

Max snorts. "Clearly."

He turns on his heel and marches back the way he came, not even acknowledging me. That does not bode well.

Jack gives my hand a quick squeeze before he and Sam follow Max, leaving me in the entrance hall, feeling like the sixth guy in an orgy. "Well, great," I mutter and slink off in the opposite direction to find somewhere to, at the very least, sit down.

I end up in the kitchen, which is surprisingly comforting, with its sprawling wooden countertops and mismatched mugs hanging from hooks. I sit down at the large farmhouse table, pulling out one of my paperbacks to pass the time, but my mind isn't in it. My thoughts keep drifting back to Jack, Sam, and Max. I get up to make some tea and decide on a pot in case the pack meeting is cut short, and everyone needs a cuppa to calm down.

I finish pouring the hot water into the teapot, trying to stay calm and keep myself occupied.

As I settle back at the farmhouse table with my steaming mug of tea, I look around. The kitchen is warm and inviting, with its rustic charm and homey touches, but the tension from the meeting happening elsewhere in the house seems to seep through the walls.

I pick up my paperback, determined to distract myself, but the words swim on the page. My mind keeps drifting to Jack, Sam, and Max, wondering what's being said in that meeting. Are they explaining everything? How is Max reacting? My ears feel like they should be burning.

Sighing, I set the book aside and get up to explore the kitchen. It's a beautiful space, clearly designed for a pack that enjoys cooking and eating together. The large farmhouse sink overlooks the sprawling back garden, and I find myself drawn to the window.

The view is breathtaking. Rolling hills stretch as far as the eye can see, dotted with sheep and the occasional ancient oak tree. It's the kind of view that makes you want to curl up with a good book and a cup of tea, glancing up every now and again to remind yourself of where you are. My errant mind wanders to what a gorgeous place this would be to raise kids and live out life in the safety and comfort of the pack.

I shake my head, trying to dislodge the wistful thoughts. This isn't my home and probably never will be.

Turning away from the window, I return to the table, my tea now slightly cooler but still comforting. I pick up the paperback, flipping through its pages absentmindedly, hoping that the meeting is going better than I expect it is.