Page 39 of For the First Time

“Ishe a really good lawyer?”I asked.Did it matter?I just wantedalawyer.Even if they wouldn’t take my case, someone to answer my immediate questions.

Everett pulled out his phone, sliding it over to me.Oaks slid his chair over, so he was close enough to see while Atlas stood and came to stand behind me to read over my shoulder.

It wasn’t an official website, but a magazine interview with a pack.The author of the article was calling this pack the most desired bachelors in the city.Apparently, it was filled with four alphas—Ezra, Bartholomew, Ambrose, and Rainier Kelly.A chancellor at one of the most prestigious Alpha Academies—which had only recently opened its doors to betas—a kidney doctor, a lawyer, and an underwater welder.Definitely a pack that didn’t worry about money.They no doubt ran in the highest of social circles, something that wasn’t lacking in the city.

The article was mostly just an interview about gossip.All the alphas admitted to not being ready to settle down.Their work was important, and they didn’t want any distractions.

I wasn’t sure which one of the four was the lawyer, but I knew for sure, “Someone like this would be expensive.More than just regular-lawyer expensive.This is, like, a lien on the house kind of expensive.And don’t forget, I did do what I’m being investigated for, so that means I’m already set up to lose.”

“Maybe a good lawyer like this could convince Adam,” Oaks’s voice growled just mentioning Adam’s name, “not to even pursue charges.After all, fighting you costs the city money.If he thought you were an easy target, then he could claim you as an easy win.Any sort of resistance, especially the type someone like this might be able to build, might just deter the whole thing.”

“The least we can do is reach out,” Everett added.“See if he’ll meet for a consultation.”

Anytime we talked about this investigation it filled me with anxiety.It was pointless to worry about everything out of my control—not that the mental acknowledgement helped with my emotions.

I just wanted to enjoy this time with my pack.I wanted to move on and forget about what I’d done.

Unfortunately, that wasn’t an option.“All right.Just an email for a consultation,” I agreed.

Chapter Eleven

As I was starting lunchfor Atlas and Oaks—Everett took his lunch of leftovers to the office with him since he worked closer to the city—a simple avocado wrap with turkey, tomatoes, thinly shredded cucumbers, sour cream, and bell peppers, I decided I would make my first phone call for my sister’s party.

I technically had all the phone numbers for my sister’s pack, although that was mostly for emergency situations, rather than party ones.Oh, well.

Pulling out my phone, I decided on Rosalie.She worked from home so I was fairly sure she would be able to answer a midday call.I was right.It took only three rings before she picked up.

“You’ve reached Rosalie.”

“Rosalie, yes, hi.This is Eve.”

A moment of silence passed.

“I’m sorry.Eve?I’ve been so busy lately, I can’t quite recall...”

“No, um, Chloe’s sister, Eve?”