“You were my omega, and I was your alpha, from birth. Don’t you ever miss when it was just us?”
I paused, trying to remember those days, for the most part, I couldn’t. But, I did miss being able to talk, and the freedom that came with high school before Logan claimed me, so I nodded.
“If something happens, I have extra room in my art studio,” he added softly.
If something happens.
As if it were inevitable. As if my new home, my new pack, the alphas, beta and omega who made me feel safe and wanted could just up and disappear.
I didn’t want to nod again. I didn’t want to give him anything more.
But Reed was looking at me like he used to when we were kids, back when he fought my battles despite me asking him not to.
I have a home now,I signed, slow and careful.You don’t have to save me anymore.
His face hardened just a fraction.
“Yeah,” he said, standing straight. “I understand.”
But I wasn’t sure he did.
He ruffled my hair before walking out, he didn’t say good bye, and I was glad, because he’d pissed me off with his little comment.
Before I had the chance to fully process our conversation, Vinny stormed into the room. His broad frame was tense, shoulders squared, jaw set tight, and his eyes immediately found mine.
“Violet,” he said sternly. “We need to talk.”
My stomach dropped. Not from fear, exactly.
He didn’t even acknowledge Reed, who was halfway to the door. The tension between them screamed with something unspoken. Reed didn’t look back, and Vinny stepped closer, stopping just short of me.
“Office. Now.” he growled.
He didn’t sound angryatme. But something was wrong,verywrong. I just had no idea what.
Vinny paced in front of his desk, a glass of amber liquid firmly in his hand. It sloshed with each turn, but never spilled. He never drank it either, and I was fairly certain he just needed something to hold onto.
I sat in his desk chair, doing my best to stay completely still as I clutched my bunny. I wasn’t sure if I should sign, or run up and hug him to beg for forgiveness, or if I should just disappear.
“I need you to tell me the truth,” he said, not looking over at me.
I shrank back slightly.
“Were you married to Logan Stellar?”
My gaze fell to my lap. I’d heard before someone died, that their whole life flashes before their eyes. It didn’t any of the times Logan almost killed me, it also didn’t happen when Serena hit me with her car. But right now? I saw every good moment I’ve had with my pack flit through my mind, as if my subconscious was tormenting me. Instinctively, I shook my head no.
“Don’t fucking lie to me, Violet.” Vinny snarled, slamming his hand onto the desk. “You let me take you into my house, into my pack, and you didn’t think to mention that?”
I hadn’t meant to lie. I’d just chosen silence. For safety. Not that he’d understand. I didn’t even think Logan would ever come up.
My fingers trembled around the bunny’s ear, and I wished it still smelled stronger.
“Youletme care for you,” he hissed, stepping away from the desk like the sight of me physically pained him. “You sleep in my bed. You eat at my table. You’re carrying mykid.And that bastard’s name never came up?”
I swallowed hard and shook my head.
“You’re the missing fucking omega, aren’t you?” His voice trembled now. “The reason I got fucking shot?”