“I’m sure it’ll show up,” I chime in, hating how disappointed she looks. “We can try looking?”
Victoria’s lips part to reply, but then she freezes, bolting upright, like she’s been prodded by a cattle rod.
I look around in confusion, watching as her gaze finds Calder standing in the doorway. A flush creeps up her neck, and her eyes ignite in fury, pinning him with a glare that could turn a person to stone.
Ezra’s eyes flicker between the two, no doubt picking up on the palpable tension that makes the air fizz. “What’s going on?”
Calder’s jaw drops before he slams it shut and jabs an angry finger in Victoria’s direction. “You!”
In response, her nose wrinkles like she’s smelled something unpleasant. “What are you doing here?”
Calder rakes a hand through his wavy hair. He usually meticulously smooths and styles it, but right now, he looks scruffy as hell. “This is my apartment.” Calder plants his hands on his hips. “I should be asking you the same question.”
Victoria’s eyebrows shoot up. “Your apartment?”
Riven lunges for Victoria’s mug before it slips through her fingers or she hurls it at Calder.
Ezra chuckles. “I should have made popcorn.”
I look between the two of them, wondering what Calder did. “You two know each other?”
“Know each other?” Victoria’s eyes narrow like she’s trying to burn a hole straight through Calder. “He stole my job!”
“I think you’ll find that it was never your job to begin with,” Calder argues. “Need I remind you that you stole my car and got an old lady to wrestle me? You should be offering to pay for my dry cleaning.”
Ezra rubs his hands together. “This is too good.”
“Are you forgetting the part where I saved your life after you helped yourself to my food?” Victoria snarls. “I think we’re even.”
Calder scans her attire. His eyes bulge, only just realizing she’s wearing a shirt with very little underneath.
Calder whirls around to Ezra, his lip curling. “Ezra, tell me you didn’t.” He pinches the bridge of his nose.” She’s a student!”
“I didn’t.” Ezra raises his palms. “Well, not this time.”
“Hale?” Calder takes a step back. “Do you realize what you’ve done?”
“I helped an omega through a heat spike.” I shrug. “I’m not ashamed of that.”
Calder shakes his head, rubbing his temples. “This is bad. Really bad.” He looks beyond frustrated, like he aged five years in the past three minutes. “Do you know how much trouble this could cause?”
“If you’re talking about Victoria’s pack?—”
“Victoria?” Calder’s face scrunches in confusion. “Who’s Victoria?”
Is he mistaking her for someone else? “Victoria.” I motion to Victoria who stays silent, arms circled around herself.
“So she lied to you.” Calder laughs dryly. “Figures.” He points at the stunning omega in our midst. “That’s Kady Sinclair, and right now, everyone is looking for her because they think she’s missing!”
“Missing?” I balk. “What’re you talking about?”
“Maybe you should ease up on the caffeine, huh?” Ezra rolls his eyes. “How many coffees have you had today, Calder?”
Riven sniffs. “I’d guess at least five from the smell.”
“Do you want to tell them the truth?” Calder faces Victoria—or Kady, or whatever the heck her name is—crossing his arms. “Or shall I?”
“I lied about my name, so what?” She doesn’t flinch. “In my defense, Victoria is my middle name. And I lied for good reason.”
