I’m getting more than caffeine this morning…
I roll my eyes. Despite some people finding Devon’s appearance intimidating, he has no problem picking up guys and he rarely goes home alone at the end of the night. He claims that his special piercings help him seal the deal. Although he’s happy being a lone alpha, he’s rarely spoken about whether he wants to find an omega partner one day. While many alphas are happy to date betas, some still experience a biological yearning to find an omega. Unfortunately for him, male omegas are so rare that I’ve never actually met one before.
ME
Have fun!
I sling my backpack over my shoulder then set off. The carnage from last night is evident in the street from discarded pieces of costumes to ghosts hanging listlessly off trees and even a few rogue shoes. Margie will have it cleaned up by lunchtime.
Although campus is eerily quiet, there are more carts and bicycles whipping around than usual, delivering food. A few students are sitting, white-faced, nursing coffees while attempting to eat a few bites of some of the “hangover cure”breakfasts. Some of them are still in costume, presumably having stayed up all night.
“Want one of my new wok boxes?” Mei calls through the open door of Noodles and Chill when she sees me. “I made extra sesame tofu with a kung pao sauce, and I know how much you love your crispy wontons. I’ll even pop in some of my new bao buns. It’s a special recipe.”
“Sure,” I cave. “That sounds delicious. I’ll take one for Leah too. I’m guessing she’s already upstairs?”
“She arrived an hour ago.” Mei shakes her head. “There’s also—” She doesn’t get a chance to finish her sentence as her assistant requests her help. They talk quickly in Cantonese as she boxes up two gigantic portions and hands them over. Chinese food to start the day is one of my guilty habits.
The delicious smell stalks me as I climb the stairs to the office. However, the moment I reach the landing, another scent hits my nose. A scent far more delicious and mouthwatering than what’s in my hands. It smells like summer has rolled up to the office—warm lemon, a zesty twist of crisp apple, and the comforting steadiness of driftwood that’s just been washed ashore.
I push open the door to find Leah and an alpha mid-conversation. I inhale sharply, his scent filling the entire space and making it hard to think straight. I try to shut my nostrils off, reminding myself that I need to act professional. If someone is here at this ungodly hour the day after Halloween, they may be a source.
Then I notice Leah’s desk. Usually, it’s littered with papers and empty coffee cups, but this morning, it’s completely bare.
“Leah?” There’s a cardboard box in her arms, piled high with her possessions. “What’s going on?”
“Kady.” Her eyes widen in surprise. “I didn’t think anyone would be here this morning.”
I put the food down on the nearest desk. “Is everything okay?”
The alpha she was speaking to keeps his back to me, so all I can tell is that he’s very tall—around 6’2”—wearing jeans and a white T-shirt that highlights his golden, sun-kissed skin. Although it’s a basic outfit, it’s obviously well-tailored, hinting that it’s expensive.
As Leah shuffles from one foot to the other, my internal warning alarm blares like crazy. What is she hiding? “I’m leaving SVU earlier than expected. My transfer came through already.”
Disappointment has me frowning. “You were going to leave without saying goodbye?”
Devon and I had started planning a farewell party, and I’d already spoken to Delilah about baking a cake that looks like a newspaper with a custom headline.
“It was a sudden thing.” Her eyes don’t stray from her shoes. “I’m sorry, Kady. Really.”
“Do you need any help moving your belongings?” The alpha finally speaks in a no bullshit tone.
“I think I have everything,” she replies curtly. Her lips purse, the way they always do whenever she disapproves of something. She heads past me then pauses, turning back to face me. “It’s been a joy to work with you, Kady. You’re talented. And for what it’s worth, this isn’t how I wanted it to happen.”
Is she talking about the new editor role? Has she put in a recommendation? It’s SVU tradition for the current editor to select their replacement.
“What do you…?”
I lose my train of thought as the alpha places a shiny placard on Leah’s desk. It’s embossed with his name: Calder Soren, and underneath it, “TheValley VoiceEditor.”
“Good luck, Kady,” Leah murmurs.
I’m speechless as she scuttles out of the office without looking back.
Calder Who-Gives-a-Shit-Bighead Soren leans against his new desk and smirks. Yes, actually smirks like he’s already made himself at home!
“Calder Soren.” He holds out his hand, drawing my attention to his tanned perfectly defined muscles. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
My eyes bulge, crossing my arms in disbelief. “You’re the new editor?”
