Chapter 42


    Chapter 42: A


    Instead of spending a rxing evening together, we spent the time packing up for the move. Pierce had


    come over with a truck and loaded up the bulk of my stuff. It still wasn’t much. I hadn’t gotten anything


    new since arriving, so everything I owned was what fit in my old car. Pierce left before us while


    Kingston talked me into getting breakfast with him before going to the packhouse.


    The meal was nice, but it didn’t do much to settle my nerves. I didn’t know why I was nervous. I was


    ready to meet some more of my new packmates, and since I was settling into my job, I was feeling


    more like an actual member of the pack. Moving into the packhouse was kind of a way to solidify my


    ce here, which I was happy about.


    But I was still nervous.


    We pulled up to a massive, modern building that looked like a cross between a hotel and a mansion.


    Despite being so close to the city, thend it sat on was expansive. We were parked on a long circr


    drive that led up to arge but simplistic entrance.


    Kingston came around the car and held his hand out to me. That’s when I realized why I was nervous.


    Emma had said I wasn’t a secret among the rest of the pack. Apparently, the woman Alpha Kingston


    rescued and took in had been the juiciest gossip in a long time. But it was one thing to be talked about.


    It was another to actually be


    paraded through the packhouse on his arm. And that’s what


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    was about to happen.


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    Our rtionship, whatever it was, was officially going public.


    I gave him a weak smile as I took his extended hand, hoping he didn’t see me struggling with my


    emotions. He led me up the few stairs to the front doors. We entered and made our way down the


    entrance hall and through the building.


    There were people scattered throughout the ce, and I had to fight the urge to pull my hand free of


    his. Many formally greeted Kingston as we passed, offering me friendly-smiles. Thankfully, no one


    stopped us on our way, which I was grateful for. It would be nice to have a few hours to get used to


    things before meeting the people who had been talking about me for weeks.


    When we finally reached a door Kingston ushered me through, it led to a full apartment. I was a little


    surprised at how spa**ous it was. The packhouse was huge, but I hadn’t expected to have this much


    private space. I almost thought it was a mistake, but I saw a few of my boxes sitting on the kitchen


    table.


    “The rest of your stuff should be in the bedroom,” Kingston said. “There’s obviously less space here,


    but I think you’ll still find itfortable.”


    “There’s plenty of space,” I said. “It’s not like I have much.”


    “True,” he said with a smile. “But if you start feeling cramped in here, let me know. We’ll move to one of


    therger suites.”


    “Wait. We?” Was he saying what I thought he was? “Is this your apartment, Kingston?”


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    Chaptre 42: A


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    He looked at me, confused. “Yeah, we’ve been sleeping in the same bed, so I thought we might as well


    just stay here.”


    “Oh,” I said, feeling a little blindsided.


    “Is this okay, A? I just thought it would be easier,” Kingston asked a little defensively.


    “Yeah,” I rushed. “Yeah, it’s fine. You’re right. I’m sorry. I was just caught off guard. I didn’t really think


    about us living together. I guess I just thought it would be simr to the lodge, you know. It’s just a big


    step for everyone to know we’ re like living together’ living together.”


    “A,” his voice softened, “hey, it’s okay. It is a big step. I’m sorry. I should have discussed it with you


    first. We can get you set up in your own apartment tomorrow.”


    “No, no,” I insisted. “I’m okay. Really. I mean, you’re right. I don’ t want to sleep in separate rooms. So


    this is better. Besides, l’ m sure us sneaking in and out of each other’s rooms would send the sameProperty ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    message anyway.”


    “You’re also safer here,” Kingston said. “I wasn’t trying to push s on you, A. Really, I’m sorry. It was


    dumb of me not to ake sure you were ready for this. I was just thinking about keeping you safe. This


    ensures I can do that.”


    “I know, Kingston,” I insisted, sliding my arms around his waist. “I know.”


    “Are you sure?” he asked.


    “Yeah, I’m sure. This is all new to me, is all. Not just being here or the pack. I’ve never been in a


    rtionship. I’m not used to


    having so many people interested in my every move.”


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    Chaptof 42. A


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    “How the hell have you never been in a rtionship?” Kingston asked in disbelief.


    I chuckled. “Working multiple jobs and taking care of a family when you’re a teenager doesn’t leave a


    lot of time for them. I went on a couple dates here and there in my early twenties, but nothing ever


    came of them.”


    Kingston leaned in and kissed me.


    “Okay, I’m d to know that,” he said. “I understand why all of this can make you feel a bit nervous. I’ll


    try to remember that going forward. And don’t be afraid to tell me if I’m moving too fast. If I’m crossing a


    line, A, I need to know. I want to know. Thest thing I want is to make you ufortable.”


    “I know,” I said. “And I’ll do better at being more forting in the future.”


    “Good, because you don’t have to worry about sparing my feelings, A, or protecting me from


    anything. I’m a big boy,” he said with a smile. “I can handle it, okay?”


    I smiled back. “Okay.”


    Chapter 41 Thes


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