Page 31

HALO

I had to admit it, Rowan cleaned up nice.

The suit Charisma let him borrow seemed made for him.

It was a deep burgundy, nearly black, with an extremely narrow cream tie, an ashy button down, and a cream coloured scarf around his shoulders.

His hair was stylishly tousled. Men weren’t where my interests lay, but if they had been, I might have suggested sharing Rowan.

And yes, if he wanted to, he could have been a male model.

I turned my head toward Rowan, who was on my left arm. “Have you ever been to the Paramour?”

“No way. And I never thought in a million years I ever would.” He was in a state of awe, one even more powerful than Skye’s.

“Enjoy it,” I said. “Tonight, you’re one of the pretty, privileged people.”

We took our time walking into the Paramour.

Partially for the photo ops, and partially so Skye could take it all in.

She had never been to the Floating District, the ultra-glamorous side of Port Haven.

Buildings that looked like they were carved from crystal towered all around us, and the lights of the city illuminated the night sky as we walked the red carpet from our vehicle, between velvet ropes, and into the hotel.

On my right arm was Skye, who looked unbelievably stunning in a deep blue cape-sleeve dress that hid everything from the neck down and hugged her figure perfectly. Charisma could make Skye a perfect dress in her sleep.

We entered the ball room, where other socialites and stars were already mingling, or pretending to.

Among the appetizers, the champagne fountains, the upper crust and the expensive artworks on display were easels with cardstock signs that narrated depressing little factoids about the state of Port Haven. Specifically, the dire realities of some shadowy omega-snatching cabal.

Trust the Centre for Missing and Exploited Omegas to engage in a little fear mongering to force open some wallets.

“This seems awfully chipper for such a serious topic,” Rowan said.

“Welcome to charity porn,” I said. “Half the people here don’t know why they’re here, and the other half know why but they just like the photo op.”

Skye looked up at me. “Why are we here?”

“It’s my job to be at these places,” I said, the reality of it made my scalp itch but I ignored it the best I could. If I wanted to advance my middling career, I had to be seen.

“Are omegas really going missing?” Rowan asked.

“According to the statistics on the flier,” I said.

“I had heard about one omega disappearing,” Skye added. “At the support group. An omega’s sister had just… vanished.”

Rowan turned his head and studied one of the canvases on the wall. On a stark white background was painted a red Omega sign with a diagonal slash through it, reminiscent of a no smoking sign. He narrowed his eyes at the tag under it. “Seventy-five thousand dollars?”

“And it’s been sold.” Skye pointed to the little sticker next to the plaque.

“At least it’s for a good cause, I guess,” Rowan conceded.

“We’re patroning the arts,” I said. “This art exhibit is all created by the elusive Dez Ignation.”

Rowan swallowed and it was clear that he was clueless, but didn’t want to ask the obvious question.

“Oh, don’t worry. No one knows who Dez Ignation actually is.

Well, we do, but only by talent, imagination and reputation.

Dez Ignation is completely anonymous. He could be a he.

Or a she. Or both, or neither. Alpha? Beta?

Omega? One person? A pack? A collective?

” I shrugged. “There’s even a rumour that Dez Ignation can actually change his designation, jump from beta to alpha, or beta to omega. ”

Rowan’s eyes were wide. “That’s not possible. Like, biologically.”

“Of course not. But it sure makes a myth, doesn’t it? So, of course, if you manage to purchase an authentic piece by Dez Ignation, well, you’re no doubt a serious collector.” I gestured to the No Omega painting that had so gotten his gall.

The alpha on my arm looked around at the paintings. Most of them were a little out of pocket, but all great art was.

“Do you like art?” Skye asked Rowan.

“I don’t know much about it,” he admitted. “I get that it’s important and meaningful, but I don’t really know how to analyze it, you know? Film, narrative, I find that easier to wrap my head around.”

“Skye, darling, you’ve arrived!” Charisma effortlessly cut her way through the crowd and came to us. After a flurry of air kisses between her, Skye and myself, she leaned back and took in Rowan. “And you must be the reason I lent out a perfectly good suit.”

“Aunt Charisma, this is Rowan,” Skye said. “He’s a friend of mine.”

“Hmm,” Charisma pinched her mouth together and put a finger to her cheek as she studied this new alpha. “Interesting. You wear my design well.”

“Thank you for letting me borrow–” Rowan didn’t get a chance to finish his manners as Charisma turned toward Skye.

“There’s someone you just have to meet.” Charisma said to her niece. “Come along, my love.” And in the next second, Charisma whisked away my mate.

Rowan exhaled. “That was intense.”

“That was Charisma.” I grabbed a pair of champagne flutes as they drifted past. “But, now that we’re alone, you and I can actually talk.” I held a drink out to him.

Rowan took the offered glass. “I knew it was just a matter of time.”

“You’re starting off easy with me,” I sipped my champagne. “When we met, I sensed that you were damaged.”

“You did?”

“Yes. I didn’t know how you were damaged of course, I just sensed it. I didn’t think much of it, if anything I figured that maybe Skye just has a thing for damaged alphas, like Crux. Or that she’s an overflowing font of compassion. It makes sense now.”

“Did Skye sense my damage, too?”

“She sensed something.”

We both watched as Skye and Charisma talked with one of the members of the Lansing Pack. He probably designed our house or whatnot. Skye radiated light and serenity. Goodness. And she made it look effortless.

“I want you to know I’m in your corner, Rowan. But if you ever hurt her, I will rip out your heart. With my teeth.”

“I understand. I’d do the same in your shoes.” He finished his champagne. “How do I handle the others?”

There was only one appropriate answer. “Carefully.”