Page 14 of Match (Damselverse #1)

Chapter fourteen

Aiden

H alle’s beautiful laughter echoes through the clinic, chasing away the shadows as the once-shy dog licks her face.

It turns out that the dog that Dane rescued will be fine after all, and luckily, I managed to find an address when I checked his microchip.

His owners will be arriving soon.

However, I would like to keep him at the clinic for another few days. Just until he is on the mend.

The poor dog has been through quite the scare.

Dane laughs along with Halle as he pets the dog on her right. Penn keeps to himself in the corner, unable to take his eyes off the Omega.

I saw what almost happened between them in the kitten pen. But I decide to keep it to myself.

They were about to kiss. Or at least that was how it looked.

I almost feel bad about interrupting them, but I’m happy for Penn.

It’s about time he got back on the dating scene again. It’s been too long. I’m sure Halle won’t break his heart like that last one.

I’d never met the woman, considering Penn dated her just before we met, but if I ever do see her, then I would like to exchange a few words with her.

Impolite words.

That woman was pure toxic.

“I’m so glad it had a happy ending after all,” Halle whispers, talking about the dog as he continues to lick her face, his tail wagging away.

I chuckle. “Me too. This is why I love this job.”

I try to hold on to the happy stories. The sad ones always get me down.

There will always be some animals I can’t save, though. I push the morose thoughts out of my mind and concentrate on the sweet sight of Halle.

She truly is a sight for sore eyes, and I thank whatever God sent her our way.

I also thank them for giving Dane the foresight to check that goddamn basement.

Because if they hadn’t… damn.

I can’t believe I ever doubted Halle as she hands the happy dog over to Katie, who then returns him to his holding cage.

As if she would ever deliberately cause a fire.

As if she would want to hurt anyone…

Just maybe, Dane is right. Perhaps she is the one for us.

However, I will keep my emotions in check for the time being. We still don’t know much about her.

So, I will keep my distance.

***

I wait for Penn and Dane in my office, gazing at Halle outside in the yard as she walks Sabrina.

When the Alphas step through the door, I meet their eyes, folding my arms.

Dane takes a seat. “What is it?”

Apparently, Dane’s captain over at the firehouse gave him leave so he could help Halle settle in at the house, even though she is technically not his Omega.

No. As it turns out, she belongs to another.

At least, that’s what the ominous note I found in the mail suggests. It's cryptic, but the threat is there.

Penn takes the seat beside Dane, and silence passes between the three of us.

With a sigh, I push the note toward them, and they both lean forward to read. Dane growls, and Penn balls his fists.

“Who sent this?” Dane rasps, meeting my eyes.

I lean back in the chair, rubbing my face. “That’s what I have been wondering. It turns out that Halle may have Alphas after all.”

Shit.

Penn's shoulders slump. “So…she lied to us…”

Only the sound of Dane’s low rumble fills the silence as we ponder Penn’s words. “Seems that way.”

The better question is why she lied. She said she had no Alphas, but it looks like we have only invited trouble onto our doorstep.

Dane shakes his head. “No. She must have had a good reason. I mean, just look at that note. They’re obviously a bunch of psychopaths.”

He's right. As the note says, “We know you have her, assholes. Bring her back or we will destroy you.”

My fists curl, and then my Alpha rears his ugly head. Halle isn’t going anywhere. As far as I’m concerned, she is still packless.

There are no bond marks on her neck. I’ve checked.

A heavy exhale escapes me. “Look, we will play this by ear, but we mustn’t tell Halle. We can handle whoever these creeps are. All right?”

Penn is as still as a statue, and I feel for him. He has never been the violent type, and he hates conflict.

The Alpha would sooner bury himself in a book than find himself in the middle of a fight, but we must protect that Omega out of principle.

I’m a vet. Dane is a firefighter.

And Penn is a book lover.

We’re the good guys, so it’s what we do.

Dane and Penn move to leave the office, and I issue one final reminder as they head out the door.

“Remember, she can’t know.”

Dane nods and exits the room. Penn remains for a while, studying me carefully before taking his own leave.

Once they’re gone, I fall back in my seat, thinking for a moment.

What a pickle we have found ourselves in, indeed.

But I swear I will keep that Omega safe. There’s a reason fate brought her to us, and I’ll be damned if those Alphas find her again.

Halle is ours.

She is mine.