Page 134 of False Catch

Jackson extends a hand to pull me out, and when I take it, he doesn't immediately let go. His dark eyes hold mine for a moment, something shifting in their depths.

"You were perfect out there," he says quietly.

Before I can respond, he leans down and kisses me. Right there on the dock, in front of everyone. It's gentle but sure, his hand cupping my face like I'm something precious.

When he pulls back, Eli is there, eyes warm with approval. "Our turn to stop hiding," he says, then kisses my forehead with surprising tenderness.

Zane bounces over, wrapping me in a wet hug that lifts me off my feet. "Knew you could do it, Cox!" He sets me down but keeps an arm around my shoulders.

Even Cameron approaches, normally so careful about public displays. He takes my hand, squeezes it, a silent promise of things to come.

We're standing there, all nine of us tangled together in various forms of contact, when I hear it. A voice that makes my blood freeze.

"What the hell is this?"

I turn to find my parents standing twenty feet away. Mother's face is pale with shock. Father looks murderous.

But they're not alone. Harrison and Helena Lockwood stand beside them, equally stunned. The four of them must have planned to watch the race together. Of course they did.

"Reese Catherine Callahan," my father's voice cuts through the celebration like a blade. "Step away from them. Now."

I don't move. Can't move. The team shifts closer, protective.

"I asked you a question," Father continues, his voice rising. "What is this disgusting display?"

"It's not disgusting," Gray says, stepping forward. His parents' faces twist with disapproval.

"Gray," Harrison warns. "Don't make this worse."

"Worse?" Gray laughs, bitter and sharp. "You mean worse than trying to force me into an arrangement with Katherine Kincaid? Worse than threatening to cut me off if I don't play your games?"

"This is neither the time nor place—" Helena starts.

"No daughter of mine," my mother interrupts, her voice shaking with rage, "is going to whore herself out to eight Alpha predators."

The word hangs in the air. Whore.

Nobody moves. Nobody breathes. Even the other crews nearby have gone silent, sensing the violence in that single word. My mother's face is twisted with disgust, like she's looking at something contaminated. My father stands beside her, jaw tight with agreement.

Jackson growls, actually growls, and takes a step forward. Bo catches his arm.

"Predators?" Gray's voice is deadly quiet, addressing my mother. "We've protected her while you were too ashamed of her designation to even acknowledge what she is."

"Don't you dare—" my father starts.

"An Omega," Gray continues, louder now. "Your daughter is an Omega. And instead of helping her, you tried to hide her, suppress her, make her into something she's not."

"Watch your tongue," Harrison snaps at my mother. "That's my son you're speaking about."

"Your son is part of this... this perversion!" Father shoots back.

"Perversion?" Tyler steps forward, voice clinical but cold. "It's called a pack bond. It's recognized legally and medically. It's biology, not perversion."

"You're children playing with forces you don't understand," Helena says.

"We're adults," I say, finding my voice. "And we understand perfectly."

"You understand nothing!" Mother's composure cracks completely. "Do you have any idea what you're throwing away? Your reputation, your future, everything we've built for you?"