“I didn’t offer because you were an omega.” He blinks in confusion, standing up and towering over me at 6’1”. “I offered because it’s the right thing to do. Did I get that wrong?” Hisforehead wrinkles. “I didn’t mean to cause offense. I’m not good at this whole “people” thing.”
“No.” I sigh. “Sorry. It was nice of you to offer, really. And you should, obviously. I mean, offer to help an omega get home safe if they’re alone after dark. That is the right thing to do.”
“But I shouldn’t have asked you?” He frowns. “Why’s that?”
“Because…” I can’t think of a good explanation aside from my own pigheadedness. Thankfully, I’m spared from having to explain by my phone ringing. “I should get this.”
I pick up to hear a hysterical Delilah, worried about where I am after discovering that I didn’t leave with the Blandon Pack. Apparently, she just saw them in the VIP room gloating to anyone who’ll listen about their new rich omega.
“Calm down, Del,” I say as soon as I get a word in. “I haven’t been kidnapped or anything. I’ve just been… stargazing.”
“Stargazing?!” Her screech makes me wince. “I’ll meet you outside Club Knotty in a few minutes, okay?”
“I’ll walk with you?” Riven suggests after I hang up. “I can make sure you’re not hurt by any alphas falling out of trees.”
“I’m pretty sure you’re the only alpha at SVU who will be stargazing on Halloween. Besides, it’s just over there.” I point in the direction of the club, their lights visible from here. I shrug off his blanket then thrust it back into his hands. “Here.”
“But you said it was the right thing?—”
“Look, if it makes you feel better, you can watch me through your telescope. Thanks for tonight.” I turn my back on him and set off.
“You didn’t tell me your name,” he calls after me.
I look over my shoulder and say, “I know.”
My shoes will be absolutely destroyed after making my way over the muddy lawn, but I feel like I’m floating on air. Riven’s scent still lingers on my skin, wrapping around me like a calming cloak that keeps me warm. Too bad his serene influence fadesthe closer I get to Club Knotty. Although the stars seem to be winking, like they know a secret I don’t, my chest tightens, bringing me back to reality as I get farther away from the handsome pumpkin-covered alpha I left behind.
I quickly glance back at the pumpkin patch when I see Delilah in her bright orange dress, arms flapping in my direction. But I can’t see Riven at all, making me question whether he was real or a ghostly apparition.
EIGHT
Kady
Riven’s clean scent still clings to my sweater. I slept with it wrapped around me, his scent providing a calmness against the chaos of my thoughts. My brain still buzzes with questions. Where did he come from, and why did he transfer mid-semester? Unable to shake my curiosity, I decide to use my access toTheValley Voicearchives to do a little digging about the hot alpha who fell from the sky.
I plan to leave Stella House before Delilah and Sabs wake up. After being reunited, I decided to come home early, but the two of them were out until close to five. I heard them stumbling in, Sabs singing at the top of her lungs while Delilah tried to wrestle Persephone House’s entry to the pumpkin carving competition out of Sabs’s hands, despite Sabs insistence that it would help us win. I doubt I’ll see them before midday.
I approach my getting ready routine the same way every day. I don’t have a long routine, but I favor quality products and spend time carefully massaging in my moisturizer before applying extra concealer under my eyes. I apply a light layer of mascara to make the edges of my eyelashes curl then scoop my hair up into a high ponytail before looking at my phone to re-read Devon’s message.
DEVON
I can’t even imagine what kinda shit you’ve gotten into, girl! Are you sure you know what you’re doing? Just say the word, and I’ll take the article down!
I quickly load upTheValley Voiceblog. We have an entire page dedicated to courting announcements—it’s similar to how people used to announce engagements in newspapers in times gone by.
My stomach clenches when the photograph of me and Tyler dancing together fills the screen. I frown, inspecting it. If you were to look at it objectively, the smile on my face indicates I’m happy. I guess it’s good enough.
Seeing it online makes it so much more official, but combined with other students antics from the Monster Masquerade, I don’t expect it to blow up too much. I’m sure there’ll be more exciting things to report on after such a huge party. Something salacious always seems to happen on themed nights—a cheating beta exposed, a football player making a fool of himself, a hockey player trying to bite during a one-night stand… All of that will cloud the announcement of me and the Blandon Pack. Or so I hope.
I pack my bag then head out, making sure I’ve got the print-out of my application for the editor role with me. The deadline is tomorrow, but after adding some finishing touches and checking it over for the third time, I’m ready to turn it in, and I want to hand-deliver it to Leah personally. Usually, I’d have handed it in earlier, so I already feel out of my groove. However, with everything else going on, I had to ensure it was my best work. And now that my dad will stop hassling me about finding a pack,I can really throw myself into my studies and role of TVV editor—if I’m successful.
ME
Just seen the article. Thanks, Dev. Heading to the office. Want me to bring you a coffee?
Seconds later, Devon sends me a picture of him cozied up against a muscular guy’s chest with the message:
DEVON
