Chapter Seven.

Theo's declaration hung in the air like a challenge, a truth that demanded acknowledgment. I stared at him, my heart racing, unsure of what to say. Every instinct in me screamed to step back to keep my guard up. But the way he looked at me, his dark, intense gaze, left me rooted to the spot.

Callum broke the silence with a low whistle. "Well, that escalated quickly," he said, amusement dancing in his eyes. "Theo, maybe let the poor girl breathe before you drop life-altering statements."

Theo didn't take his eyes off me, his expression unyielding. "She deserves honesty."

Elias leaned forward, his posture relaxed, but his green eyes were sharp as ever. "Honesty's fine, Theo, but maybe ease her into it. You've barely given her a chance to introduce herself."

Micah nodded in agreement, his soft brown eyes darting between me and Theo. "He's right. At least ask her name, Theo."

Theo's brows furrowed slightly, and he tilted his head, almost sheepish. "Fair enough." His deep voice softened as he spoke directly to me. "What's your name?"

"Ivy," I said, my voice barely audible above the muted thrum of music in the background.

Callum grinned. "Ivy. It suits you." He raised his glass in a mock toast. "Welcome to Theo's little kingdom."

"How old are you, Ivy?" Elias asked, his tone gentle but curious.

"Nineteen," I replied, feeling the weight of their attention. It was overwhelming, being the center of so much focus, but none of them seemed inclined to back off.

Theo nodded slowly, his expression unreadable. "You're young. That explains a lot."

"Explains what?" I asked, my voice steadier now, though my heart was still racing.

Callum set his glass down, leaning forward with an inquisitive glint in his eyes. "We were wondering something else, Ivy. Why haven't you presented yet?"

The question hit me like a physical blow. I felt my face flush, and I glanced down, suddenly self-conscious. "I... I don't know," I admitted, my voice barely a whisper. "It just... hasn't happened yet."

Micah's expression softened even further, and he reached out, his hand brushing against my arm in a soothing gesture. "It's okay, Ivy. There's no rush. It happens when it's meant to."

I nodded, grateful for his kindness, but I still felt exposed under their scrutiny.

Theo's voice was calm but firm. "Micah's right. There's no need to feel pressured. We're just... curious. It's rare for someone your age, that's all."

"I'm not broken," I said defensively, the words spilling out before I could stop them.

"Of course not," Elias said immediately, his tone steady and reassuring. "No one's saying that, Ivy. It's just part of who you are, and that's fine."

Theo stepped closer, his towering frame casting a shadow over me. "You're not broken," he said, his voice low and intense. "You're perfect just the way you are."

My breath hitched at his words, and I felt a lump form in my throat. I didn't know how to respond, but the sincerity in his voice made my chest ache.

"Come here," Theo said suddenly, gesturing toward one of the plush leather couches. "Sit down. You look like you're ready to bolt."

Before I could protest, he reached out and gently took my hand, guiding me toward the couch. The others shifted to make room, but instead of letting me sit beside him, Theo pulled me down onto his lap. My breath caught as I felt his strong arms encircle my waist, holding me securely.

"I-" I started to protest, but he cut me off with a quiet, "Relax, Ivy."

His scent wrapped around me, intoxicating and comforting all at once. I could feel the weight of his gaze, the steady rise and fall of his chest against my back. It should have been overwhelming, but instead, it felt... safe.

Micah offered me a reassuring smile from his perch on the arm of the couch. "Theo can be a little intense, but he means well."

Callum chuckled, raising his glass again. "A little intense? That's the understatement of the year."

Elias smirked, but his gaze remained steady on me. "You're in good hands, Ivy. I know this might feel like a lot, but we're not going to push you into anything you're not ready for."

Theo's grip on me tightened slightly, and he rested his chin on my shoulder. "They're right. You set the pace, Ivy. We're just here for you."

I swallowed hard, the knot in my stomach loosening slightly at their words. I still didn't fully understand what I'd walked into, but for the first time in a long time, I didn't feel completely alone.

"Thank you," I whispered, my voice barely audible.

Theo's lips brushed against my temple in a feather-light kiss, and I felt my heart skip a beat. "You're ours now, Ivy," he said softly. "And we take care of what's ours."

I didn't respond, unsure of how to process everything.

The atmosphere in the VIP lounge had softened, the tension from earlier giving way to something warmer and more intimate. Theo's arms around me were firm but not constricting, his warmth seeping into my back. The steady rhythm of his breathing was strangely soothing, grounding me despite the chaos of the club outside.

I glanced around, unsure of what to do or say, when Micah caught my attention. He had been perched on the arm of the couch, watching the interaction with quiet amusement, but now he moved. With a lightness that seemed to match his Omega energy, he slid gracefully into Elias's lap.

Elias didn't even flinch. He shifted slightly to accommodate Micah's weight, one arm curling possessively around his waist while his free hand rested on Micah's thigh. Micah leaned into him without hesitation, his head resting on Elias's shoulder as though it were the most natural thing in the world.

Micah shifted in Elias's lap, his head resting comfortably against the Alpha's broad chest. Elias's hand moved lazily through Micah's soft curls, the gesture intimate and familiar. I tried not to stare, but their closeness caught me off guard, even after the little research I'd done on pack dynamics.

"So," I started hesitantly, my fingers gripping the hem of my sweater. "You're all... together?"

Micah smiled, his warm brown eyes meeting mine. "We are," he said simply, his voice soft but unwavering.

Elias looked at me with an easy confidence, his green eyes calm and steady. "You know what a group pack entails, don't you?"

I felt heat rise in my cheeks, caught. "Maybe," I admitted. "I mean, I've read about group pack dynamics before, but... this is different. You're different."

Callum, sprawled across the opposite couch, laughed, his sharp blue eyes gleaming with amusement. "She thought we'd be a stereotypical group pack-dominance, hierarchy, all business."

"I didn't say that," I muttered, though the flush on my face betrayed me.

Elias chuckled softly. "It's okay. A lot of people have the wrong idea about group packs, especially if they've never experienced one up close."

Micah tilted his head, his soft curls brushing against Elias's chest. "It's true," he said gently. "Group pack relationships are often misunderstood. We're not about rigid roles or control. It's about connection, trust, and love."

Callum grinned, raising his glass in a mock toast. "And sometimes a little fun, but hey, that's what keeps it interesting."

I blinked, unsure how to respond to that, and turned my gaze back to Micah and Elias. "So, this... this isn't unusual?"

"Not at all," Elias said with a small smile. "Group packs thrive on intimacy, like any other, emotional and physical. It's natural for bonds to form between all of us."

Micah nodded, his voice soft. "It's not about instinct alone. It's about comfort, safety, and belonging. That's what makes any pack strong."

Theo shifted behind me, his grip tightening slightly. "Group packs like ours aren't rare," he said. "We're just honest about who we are."

I looked down, trying to reconcile what they were telling me with everything I'd been taught growing up. Group packs weren't supposed to be this... warm. This affectionate. They were supposed to be cold, transactional, ridgid in their hierarchy. My parents and I counted as our own pack, but it was a simple Alpha, Omega, Omega daughter.

I went to the local omega academy and was trained to fully expect to live out an incredibly similar lifestyle, especially after I experienced my first heat. But this pack? They were nothing like that.

"You're surprised," Theo said quietly, his deep voice cutting through my thoughts.

"Yes," I admitted, glancing back at him. "But I guess I shouldn't be. I read about this sort of thing... just not in as much detail."

Callum smirked, his head tilting lazily against the back of the couch. "You mean you've been reading about group pack relationships online? Dating sites, maybe?"

I shot him a glare, but the flush in my cheeks deepened.

Elias chuckled, his green eyes gleaming. "You're curious. That's good. It means you're trying to understand."

"I just..." I hesitated, looking at Micah. "I didn't think it would feel so... normal."

Micah smiled, his expression kind. "That's because it is normal-for us, and for a lot of packs. What you've been taught might have painted a different picture, but this is what pack life is really like."

Theo leaned down, his lips brushing my temple. "It's okay to be curious, Ivy. It's okay to take your time."

Callum's teasing tone softened slightly. "You're pack now, whether you realize it or not. And in our pack, there's no rush. We'll wait for you to figure it out."

"Pack?" I echoed, my voice barely above a whisper.

Micah leaned forward slightly, his warm brown eyes meeting mine. "If you want to be," he said softly.

The air seemed to thicken, their words settling heavily in my chest. I felt the weight of the invitation, the unspoken promise of belonging, of something I'd never allowed myself to dream of.

"I don't know what to say," I whispered, glancing around at them.

"You don't have to say anything," Theo murmured, his voice low and steady. He pulled me onto his lap with a firm but gentle motion, his arms wrapping around me as though he'd done it a thousand times before. "Just let yourself feel it."

Micah leaned back against Elias, his smile soft and reassuring. "We're not here to rush you, Ivy. We just want you to know you're safe with us."

I believed it.

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Take a shot every time they say Pack. 🤣