I watched him carefully. I knew he was an alpha, but he was smaller and prettier than most. He smiled brightly, but something about the way he held himself wasoffto say the least.
“I didn’t–” Vinny caught himself. “You know what? Yeah. Thanks for taking her to her appointment.Violet,come here.” He snapped his fingers and pointed to his lap.
She stiffened, looking up at big brother for help.
“Actually, Vi and I are going to have lunch. I just brought a gift for the father of mynibling,” Reed beamed. “Can I give it to you?”
He gestured toward the canvas.
“That would be great,” Serena smiled. “Sorry, guys. We’re having a bit of an alpha chit-chat now.”
The dismissal was polite. Reed didn’t seem to mind. His thick-soled combat boots echoed against the wood as he crossed the room and handed the canvas directly to Vinny.
With Reed this close, the scent of eucalyptus and mint hit my nose. I was sure he’d find a nice pack someday, but seeing as his sister smelled like the best parts of a bakery, I expected her twin to smell less medicinal.
“Take good care of this. My pieces sell for a lot,” he winked at Vinny. “Oh! And I signed the back, so you know it’s legit.”
Vinny stared down at the canvas like it might explode. Reed looped an arm around Violet and guided her away from the room full of alphas.
The second they vanished, Vinny flipped the canvas over.
Sure enough—Reed was right. It was signedReed Lambin elegant, flowing cursive.
He’d neglected to mention the message written underneath.
I’ll kill you :)
Vinny’s eye twitched. Serena giggled.
“Anywhore, do you have any more details on the runaway omega?” Serena asked, flicking her black ponytail over her shoulder. “It’ll be easier to find her if we know what she looks like.”
It seemed like a questionPierceshould answer but he was too busy staring at the archway leading out of the living room.
“You better keep your hands off my fucking omega,” Vinny growled. “She’s delicate. And you have your own.”
“We don’t want your fucking omega, Jesus Christ,” the blond one snorted. “She smells so sweet it hurts my fucking teeth.”
Vinny snapped his fingers and pointed at him. He tried to stand, but between Serena’s death grip on his hand and my head on his chest, he wasn’t going anywhere.
“Don’t talk about my fucking omega like that!”
“What would you rather me–”
The brunette slapped a hand over his blond packmate’s mouth, and while I would’ve loved to say that ended the chaos, five alphas in one room wasnevergoing to be peaceful.
The shouting only grew from there. But while the blond and brunette looked like they wanted to kill Vinny for different reasons, the black-haired one?
He used the chaos as a chance to sneak out of the room.
I scratched my chin as I watched him slink along the wall, heading in the same direction Violet and Reed had.
What was he doing?
Chapter 10
Violet
I’m not hungry, and I want my bunny, I signed as Reed handed me a bottle of orange juice frommyfridge.