Except, I just met this man, and it’s not like he’s just a random man we met off the streets.
He’s Kiara’s.
Fuck. Kiara.
Following Crew’s line of sight, I realize the omega’s eyes are already on my stepsister. Her face is tear-streaked as she leans into Ruby’s side, and my stomach turns at the sight.
Allison steps in front of them, cutting off my view of Kiara, and I have to bite back another growl.
That’s just what we need—me pissing off Christopher more. Now certainly isn’t the time to find out which of us is the stronger alpha.
I startle when Alexander’s hand lands on my shoulder and squeezes. His warm spice scent wraps around me like a hug, but it can’t wipe away the scent of Crew’s distress. Glancing over my shoulder, I find him grinning at me.
Why the hell is he grinning when it’s clear that both Crew and Kiara are upset?
Deciding to deal with that afterward, I turn my attention back to Kiara. “Princess? What’s wrong?”
“Ruby and I have decided that we’re taking Kiki out to eat. There seems to be an abundance of men here to do the heavy lifting, and we’ll just end up in the way.” Allison crosses her arms over her chest, the look on her face daring us to argue with her.
I haven’t had as many interactions with Allison as I have with Ruby, Christopher, and Tyson, but if she’s anything like the other members of her pack, I really don’t want to argue with her.
“That sounds like a great idea, Ally.” Christopher tosses her the keys. “Take the SUV. Take all the time you need. If we get done before you get back, then someone can drive us home.”
“But Kiki just got here.” I can’t seem to keep my mouth shut as I frown.
Allison sneers as her eyes find me, one perfectly shaped black eyebrow lifting in disdain. “And?”
I shrug. “Maybe we’d like to spend some time with her?”
I know I would.
When I found out she was moving back and staying in the house I grew up in, I told the guys it was time to schedule the final renovations on our pack house. Not just because it meant we would need to stay at the house too, but because we’ve always known Kiara was meant to be a part of our pack.
We’ve never cared that she wasn’t an omega and were prepared to live an omega-less life, but then she turned up with our scent-matched omega.
Honestly, we should all be shouting from the rooftops.
For once, fate didn’t screw us over.
Not only is Kiara back home, but we also found our omega—one she’s already in love with.
“And you can—later. For now, y’all need to get to work unloading Kiara and Crew’s stuff. If she wants to spend time with you, she’ll let you know when we bring her home.”
All I can do is gawk at the beta as she leads Ruby and Kiara to their SUV.
“Can I come?” Crew asks, and the three women freeze at the uncertainty in his voice.
I don’t manage to bite back the growl that slips loose at the idea of him leaving me.
Kiara’s shoulders straighten as she turns back, eyes locking with Crew’s. “No, Crew. I think you should spend some time bonding with your new pack.”
Then she’s being rushed into the SUV, leaving all of us to stare after the car as it flies down the driveway and out of view.
“What the fuck just happened?” Davis asks, coming to stand at my side, and I just shake my head. His whiskey, leather, and lemon scent has always been a comfort to me, but right now, all I smell is soured peach, and I hate it.
I have no idea what the hell is going on right now, but it’s clear something isn’t right. I need to figure out what it is and make it right.
Just remembering the tears on Kiara’s cheeks has my alpha raging—something we don’t need right now.