Page 96 of False Catch

Reese's laugh follows. "So we're the underdogs now?"

"We're something," Zane responds, and there's a thoughtfulness in his tone that people miss if they only see his golden retriever energy.

Normal sounds. Pack sounds, if I'm honest.

My phone buzzes. My father. Again.

Father: Your mother mentioned you haven't RSVP'd for the Marshall's charity gala. The youngest daughter is a lovely Omega, very accomplished.

I delete it without responding. There's only one Omega I'm interested in, and she's currently roasting Beckett about his form during power pieces, her voice carrying that edge of authority that makes my Alpha instincts stand at attention.

"You coming?" Tyler asks, turning around on the steps to look at me.

"Right behind you."

He nods and walks inside. I stay at my Rover for another minute, looking up at the team house. Through the windows, I can see movement - my pack gathering, existing in the same space without pretense.

Tomorrow everything could change. The investigation could escalate. We could fail at the regatta. The team could implode completely.

Or we could win. We could prove that a mixed-designation pack can dominate on the water. We could choose each other officially, formally, legally.

The thought terrifies me more than failure.

But for the first time in months, it also feels possible.

My phone buzzes again. This time it's Reese in the team group chat.

Reese: Team meeting after dinner. Not optional. We need to talk strategy for tomorrow.

Strategy. Sure. But I can tell what she's really saying. We need to be together. All nine of us. Pack.

Gray: I'll order pizza.

Zane: Already got film loaded up - found footage from Oakwood’s victory last year if anyone wants to scout

Beckett: Film study? Who are you and what did you do with fun Zane?

Zane: I contain multitudes, Monroe

Jackson: Just everyone show up.

Bo: Already here.

Eli: On my way back.

Cameron: I’m out on the deck. You can literally see me.

Even Cameron's responding. That's how I know things are really changing.

I head inside, where the scents of eight Alphas and an Omega trying to coexist hits me full force. But underneath the noise and movement, there's something else. Connection. Purpose.

Pack.

My father would hate it. The administration would fight it. The rowing world would be scandalized.

But watching Reese command the room with just her presence, seeing my team respond to her like she's their center of gravity, I think Tyler might be right.

This might actually work.