Page 68 of Welcome to Seaman’s Cove: Part Two

I spot Evie near our building and make my way toward her. The second she sees me, she’s running. Her arms lock around me in a fierce hug, but when she pulls back, her expression is pure anger. “Where the hell have you been, Madison Grant? You just dropped off the face of the map. No phone call. Nothing. Not even an email. I’ve been worried sick. Pack Douchebag said you were with them, but I didn’t believe that for a minute. One more day, and I would have called the cops.”

I’m surprised Pack Prescott covered for me, but I guess they’re the only ones who could have. They saw me get kidnapped, afterall.

“I’m sorry.” I squeeze both her hands in mine. “Girls’ night tonight? I’ll tell you everything. I promise.”

I hear grumbling from my men at the suggestion that I might spend a night away from them, but a stern look shuts them up. I’m not the girl to ditch her best friend just because she found her pack.

Someone jostles into Evie, sending her stumbling closer to me.

“Watch it!” she gripes.

The guy walks past without apologizing. Everyone seems eager to get closer to the stage, curious to know what’s going on. There’s an excited energy in the air that makes me wary.

“So, what’s all this about, anyway?” I ask, glancing at the crowd quickly filling up the quad.

“Oh, didn’t you hear?” Evie squeals. “You’re gonna be so excited. Or maybe disappointed.” She wrinkles her nose. “I know you wanted to find it yourself, but better someone found it than no one at all, right? The university is putting together a team to excavate, and I’m sure you can get on it.”

There’s a weird sinking feeling in my gut. “What are you rambling about, Evie? Spit it out.”

“The Prescott pack discovered the lost city of Ocearus.”

“What the fuck?!” My exclamation is so loud that everyone nearby turns to stare at us.

That’s when I notice Branson standing on the platform next to his father, who’s on the board, and the university president. Rodrick and Carter are right behind him with a few other faculty members from the humanities department.

Before they can start addressing the crowd, Hunter grabs my hand and storms right up onto the stage with me.

“Were you seriously going to claim Ocearus for yourselves?” Hunter jabs a finger at Branson’s chest.

“You’re back.” Branson’s face goes a little white. “We thought…”

“Dr. Anderson,” President Sherman scolds. “Mr. Prescott told me he was part of Miss Grant’s team in this discovery, and you tried to cut him out.”

“Like hell,” Hunter growls.

“Hunt.” I place a hand on his arm without thinking. The university president’s gaze drops to the spot where we touch. Shit. I know we talked about going public, but this is hardly the place or time.

“Mr. Prescott also told me an interesting story about the two of you.” The president narrows his gaze and crosses his arms. “Look, Hunter, we’ve known each other a long time. You’re my friend, and I respect you, but if there’s an⁠—”

“We can talk about that later. This is about Ocearus.” Hunter scowls. “Branson and his pack may have been present for the discovery, but this is what Madi’s dissertation is on. It was her research that led to us finding Ocearus, as I told you when I first reported it. And now, you’re holding what I can only assume is a press conference to announce the discovery without her. If anyone is being cut out, it’s this brilliant woman at my side.”

My love for this incredible man pulses through our bond, telling him without words how much I appreciate him standing up for me. I don’t need him to fight my battles. I’m more than capable of doing that myself. But it feels good to have his support, to know I don’t have to do this alone.

“Additionally, you can’t punish Madison for being my scent match.” Hunter’s voice is low, but firm.

“Scent match?” President Sherman rears back, his face a mix of shock and disgust. He looks at Branson. “You didn’t tell me that.”

“He didn’t know,” I say, speaking up for the first time. “I had no intention of cutting Pack Prescott from the team. In fact, I asked them to fundraise for the excavation, but…” I pull my shoulders back, thinking of my Aunt April and all the people who belittled her, discredited her for believing Ocearus was real, including this man in front of me. “I want credit for what I discovered.”

I can almost see how hard President Sherman is trying not to roll his eyes, as if he thinks I’m some little girl throwing a tantrum. Academia is still a boy’s club through and through.

“Branson,” he drops the pretense and reveals his familiarity with the Prescott Pack, “will you confirm what Dr. Anderson and Miss Grant are saying?”

Seriously? He’s going to leave this up to Branson fucking Prescott. He’s going to lie, I know it.

“Branson’s biased,” I blurt. “We dated, and he has it out for⁠—”

“Miss Grant! That’s quite enough.”