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SEVEREN

“This is too much,” Halo said. “She’s an adult. We don’t need to wait up for her.”

“I’m on Severen’s side on this one,” Crux said. “There’s nothing wrong with waiting. She might even appreciate it.”

“Or she might think we’re being overprotective like her mother used to be,” Halo countered.

“I can tell you one thing,” Crux said. “I know I would have loved it if my birth family actually cared enough to wait up for me even once.”

This caused Halo to soften. Her plum and brown sugar scent floated throughout the room.

While they bickered, I just quietly paced the living room. The open concept of the main floor gave a clear view from the living room to the kitchen, and out the window into the road. Light shifted on the wall and ceiling as a car slowed down outside.

“She’s home,” I said. My jaw strained as I waited for her to open the door and walk inside. Instead, she seemed to linger.

He was kissing her. I was almost certain of it, even though I could sense her through our bond and I wasn’t picking up the shame of betrayal, or the thrill of unfaithfulness.

Only pleasant, warm gratitude and curiosity.

The warmth grew in intensity, and I realized Halo had gone to the kitchen and peeked out the window.

“He opened the door for her,” she reported. “She’s petting the dog. Dog is giving her kisses. She’s giggling. She’s coming out of the car.” Halo paused. “They hugged.”

My aura grew spiky and heated at the thought of another alpha holding my omega.

“It’s warm but his hands aren’t wandering.” Halo continued her play by play. “Skye’s walking to the door and waved back at him.” With that final narration, Halo busied herself with filling the tea kettle in an effort to remain inconspicuous.

The rattle and scrape of Skye’s key, turning and unlocking, then the slight stick of the hinges as she opened the front door and walked in.

“Oh,” Skye’s gaze swept across the pack, looking at each one of us in turn. “You didn’t have to wait–”

“Why are you so late?” I demanded, crossing the living room into the foyer. “The movies ended at eleven!”

Skye’s brows knit in confusion. “We stopped for ice cream–”

“It’s almost one in the morning!”

“Severen,” Crux cut in. “Stop interrupting her. Let her explain.”

Skye pressed me. “Do I have a curfew now? Or am I not allowed to go out for ice cream? Or do I have to run all my decisions by you first?”

“You always did before,” I answered.

“You mean before you started pulling away from me so I can’t even talk to you when I want to?” she countered. Halo and Crux went absolutely still.

“Can’t you feel it in the bond, Severen?” Skye asked. “Don’t you know I’m not hiding anything from you, or am angry with you? I’m confused. And hurt. And you make me feel selfish, and ugly, just because I can’t stand to see someone else suffering.” Her eyes filled with tears.

“Rowan didn’t try anything. And even if he had, I wouldn’t have let him because I love you . He’s nice . What’s so wrong with someone just being nice?” Skye walked past me but I grabbed her arm. She spun and stared at me. “Let go.”

A growl rumbled in my ears. It wasn’t my own, it belonged to Crux, and it was directed at me.

“Has it even occurred to you that he doesn’t like you ,” I sneered. “He likes the heart you’re borrowing.”

“ Enough! ” Halo barked. A true alpha bark, which forced me back a step and for Skye to stumble away from me. I let her go.

Skye didn’t grace me with another word. Tears streaked down her face as she bounded up the stairs, only to stop halfway. From her perch on the stair, she turned and looked down at the three of us. She wiped her eyes.

“Rowan asked me to lunch tomorrow. I said yes.”

With that, Skye continued up the stairs. The slam of her nestroom door felt like a punch to my chest.

“You know, Severen,” Crux said. “Maybe the reason you can’t finish writing your book is because lately, it seems that the only things you have to say are just cruel. And stupid.”