Yet I squirm off Zero’s lap and over the arm of the couch to run toward the Alpha. “Lion…”
I throw myself into the startled Alpha’s arms.
Lionzio embraces me, as if shocked that I would hug him like this. I am crumpling his gray suit, but he is too busy breathing in my scent to notice.
But then, I am too busy breathing in his intoxicating scent as well. I forgot how hard it hit.
Being with him is like finally discovering my home.
I glance up at him. He’s fucking gorgeous.
“Looks like you’re working just as quickly, handsome.” Zero sprawls on his front on the couch, kicking his legs like he’s at a slumber party. He watches Lionzio and me with twinkling eyes. “Say hello to my Alpha, the prick. How to describe him in three words? Genius, protector, workaholic. He’s totally fucking head over heels for you, love. I’ve never seen him like it.”
Lionzio’s eyes flash. “I only need one word for you, Zero.”
“Brat?” Icarus supplies.
I can tell that Icarus approves of Lionzio by the way that he’s assessing the smartness of his outfit, his slicked back silky black hair, and the fact that he’s already dressed at this time in the morning and hard at work.
Unlike our diva Beta.
I can’t believe this.
How could I have got it wrong about Lionzio? This Alpha isn’t an accountant — he’s the wealthy Alpha of a celebrity Beta.
A guest.
This changes everything, right?
“Do you still want to get to know me?” I ask in a small voice. “I thought that you were staff. You helped me with my boss. But now, you’re here in this swanky suite, while I?—”
“That’s the point, mio tesoro.” Lionzio’s expression hardens. “When I saw you shivering in that freezing garden, without warm clothes, while that asshole threatened you, it killed me. I hate that I may have scared you by requesting you like this but I couldn’t think of another way to make sure that you were safe and warm over Christmas. I can order you anything you want to eat. I’ve always dreamed about having a female Omega to hand feed. You don’t have to. I know that I haven’t earned it, but?—”
“I would love that.”
“Where’s Zoe?” Lionzio glances around me, hopefully. “I bought her a lion stuffie. Is that okay? I admit that I don’t know much about kids but I’m excited to see her again.”
My eyes burn with tears.
My daughter has never had a new plushie bought for her.
Lionzio misunderstands my tears, pulling back from me. His expression shutters.
“Am I moving too fast?” Lionzio smooths down his tie. “I apologize. I shouldn’t have presumed that you would want me getting to know your daughter yet. I will find a way to make this pack yours if…"
Instantly, Icarus stalks closer, exuding uber dominant pheromones that I know are meant to intimidate. By the way that the shorter Alpha trails off, I know that it’s worked.
“Let me introduce myself,” Icarus says with a weaponized politeness, “I am Icarus Sinner, Grace’sChief Alpha.”
Lionzio automatically holds out his hand, as if it’s a reflex reaction that has been beaten into him. “Lionzio, sir.”
He blinks like he didn’t mean to add thesirbut it just slipped out.
No guest has ever called Icarussirbefore.
Broke as Icarus is, hearing it now from this billionaire is pushing all his buttons.
Icarus’ pheromones immediately calm down, and a wicked grin breaks across his face. “You may be Grace’s scent match, but I am her Alpha by choice. I love her, I will standby her, and always support her and Zoe. In any pack that we form, I will be the Chief Alpha. Is that understood?”
