“He frightens me, Aspen,” I whisper, because like Rad, Aspen likes me afraid. He likes me small. Small when my honor guard likes me troublesome.
I get the feeling that you're going to be a heap of trouble, Juniper, but the very best kind of trouble.
“Good,” my brother growls, tracking the other alpha around the ballroom. But there’s more than just my wanting behavior that has my brother so agitated. He steals glances at me and there’sfearin his eyes, eyes so like mine. It’s like looking into a mirror of my own terror, but what does Aspen have to be afraid of?
Something to do with the business Rose Pharmaceuticals is presently engaged in?
For the first time I can remember, I hear my brother’s voice in my mind, saying just a number, over and over on repeat. A number he is so deeply afraid of.
CHEI-8736153.
“I’ll do better,” I whisper, repeating the number over and over until it’s forged into my memory, forever emblazoned in my mind like sparks dancing from my yellow nail-polished fingertips, like butterflies made of light taking flight beneath the pier at Rose Beach, like shooting star wishes whispered in the night to the alpha I loved.
Love.
Aspen shoves me back into Radcliffe’s arms just in time for the countdown to the new year, growling out a warning in a low voice. “This is so much bigger than one pathetic omega, so much bigger than your pitiful existence, so do as you’re told. Don’t give him your cheek. Act like you will then give him your lips. Do it, Juniper. You won’t like the consequences if you disobey.”
Rad’s arm is tight around my waist, fingers skimming down my hips through my velvet dress. When the clock finally strikes midnight, he looks me in the eyes, but all I see is an all too familiar mask.
“I’m starting this year as I intend to end it,” he swears, his lips at the shell of my ear, my jaw. “By this time next year, youwillbe my mate, witch. Mine to do with as I feel necessary. As I please.”
Dominate, degrade, defile.
He brushes his lips across mine in what could almost be a sweet kiss if not for the alpha kissing me and the promise he seals with it.
* * *
Our guests stayabout an hour beyond the turn of the year, and I avoid my family and Rad for the rest of the party, circulating, smiling brightly.
It’s Claire that finally finds me as I’m instructing the caterers to begin turning down their service.
“You and the young Mr. Radcliffe certainly make a handsome couple! I can’t wait until you’re mated. How lovely a couple you’ll be.”
“I’ll have a pack, Claire. Not a single mate. I’m too potent for a single alpha.”
“So you think, dear sister. So am I, but omegas of a certain status—like us—are often doomed to suffer with only a single mate. Alphas like Aspen and Andrew don’t like to share, you know.”
“It isn’t a sound fiscal decision. My father would never consent to mate me to a single alpha when he could secure three more contracts on my behalf.”
Claire smiles dreamily, but there’s an undercurrent of fear, of fatigue, souring her sweet omega scent. “Ah, but haven’t you seen how he looks at you? He’ll pay handsomely for the privilege of mating you. You’ll see.”
As she turns to leave, she offers me a wan, weak smile. “As is below, so is above, sister dearest.”
* * *
I finally makeit back to my room just before two, shower off Rad’s repulsive scent then tug on leggings and a Fairhaven sweatshirt, but I’m too anxious to sleep. Rad’s promises, Claire’s oddly prescient platitudes, and Aspen’s warnings all whip around in my mind like wild winds, the roar of them enough to deafen me.
Which might be why my phone rings four times before I breathlessly answer it.
“Come stargaze with me?”
Just hearing his voice melts away some of the ragged tension curled tight like a spring between my shoulders. “Luca? It’s two in the morning and I’m in Greenwich.”
“So am I. Can you sneak out?”
“I… I’ve never snuck out before,” I whisper.
“I’m parked down the road, out beyond the carriage house, but if it’s too dangerous, don’t you dare try. But if you want and—”
