Page 99 of Mask and the Magnolia

My notifications must be frozen because they aren’t showing anymore either.

My father broke my phone from miles away, and when he gets here, he’s going to break my heart. And possibly a few bones.

Oh my god, he’s coming here.

I cock my arm back and send my phone sailing through the air, the electronic crashing against the bookshelf across the room, little pieces of glass splintering as it makes contact.

The office is shrinking, and spinning. It’s closing in on me. Smothering me.

My hands move to my throat as I claw at my sweater, desperately trying to get some air into my lungs but it feels like they’re sealed.

I have to go.

I have to get out of here.

I can run away, make a new life in some obscure country, change my name and everything about me.

My heart squeezes in my chest at the thought of separating from my pack, the idea of leaving them behind one that has tears welling in my eyes.

I need them.

With an urgency I’ve never felt before, I rush toward the door and whip it open then run into the hall like my ass is on fire, and crash right into something warm and solid that smells like home.

”Maggie?” Korvin grunts as he stops me from falling. “Magnolia, sugar, what is it?”

I shake my head as my tears start to fall.

The last thing I wanted, or needed to do was cry, but I can’t help it. I feel like everything is coming to a head and I don’t know what to do about it.

”Magnolia?” Calix whispers as he starts rubbing slow circles on my back. “Tell us what’s wrong.”

Sniffling in an incredibly unattractive way, I look up at their faces, committing every detail to memory.

Please don’t let me lose my pack.

Korvin cups my cheeks then looks around the hallway, pressing a kiss to my forehead before he takes my hand and leads us back into the office.

“You have a nest in here?”

I blink a few times as Vin and Calix look around the room like they haven’t been here a thousand times before.

“Isaak said something about trying to throw one together when you had your panic attack.” Korvin sighs as he gives my hand a reassuring squeeze. “Thought maybe you’ve used it since.”

He almost sounds… Jealous? I’m not sure if that’s the word for it, but it’s the only one I can think of right now.

All of the boys know about our nests, I’ve been hoarding their stuff in mine ever since Des and Vin left me their socks when we bonded and I’m sure Isaak has been doing the same. We’ve explained why they’re important, which is why he’s asking about it now, but this is the first time I’ve heard that tone in my alpha’s voice during a conversation about this.

My brows furrow for a beat before they shoot up to my hairline. “Are you mad that I might have a nest here and I haven’t invited you into it?”

“No,” Vin grunts as Calix nods and says, “That’s exactly what his tone is about.”

Korvin grunts something under his breath, still holding my hand, still looking around the room, and for some reason, I’m not upset anymore.

No, I’m far from it, actually. So much so, I start to laugh.

“Stop it.”

I shake my head and cover my mouth. “Korvin Severe, you’re jealous of a room.”