“Are you sure you don’t want company?” Delilah looks up from the book she’s reading at the breakfast bar while monitoring her bread baking in the oven. “I can come with you.”
“I’ll be fine.” I throw back my shoulders, psyching myself up. “I have to go out eventually. I can’t fall behind in my classes.”
“Remember, I’m just a phone call away if you need me.”
I bid her goodbye then head out. A plume of white bursts from my lips, telling me winter is closing on SVU. I tighten the lumpy, green scarf wrapped around my neck. Delilah knitted it for me last Christmas. It’s not my usual chic style, but her face lights up every time she sees me wearing it, and it does a good job of keeping out the cold breeze whistling down from the mountains.
I inhale the crisp morning air. It’s the first time I’ve set foot outside in days.
Margie waves as she trudges past, garbage bag in hand. “It’s good to see you again, Kady.”
“Thanks.” I hug my body, rubbing up and down my arms to stay warm. “I really appreciate everything you’ve done for me.”
“Don’t mention it.” She waves her arm. “Between us, I was glad when I readTheValley Voicearticle this morning and sawthat your courtship with the Blandon Pack has ended. They’re not good enough for you.”
I force a smile as I wave goodbye, signing ontoTheValley Voice’swebsite the moment she’s out of eyesight. Yesterday, Lindsay gave me advance warning that news of my breakup was being published. SkimmingThe Valley Voicearticle, it looks like they’ve basically regurgitated the same story.
Kady Sinclair and the Blandon Pack - Courtship is DEAD!
Speculations are running as to why, though this courtship was never going to last…
There are already over a hundred comments on it. The general consensus is that the Blandon Pack are jerks, and I’m an entitled rich girl who’ll do anything for publicity. I groan, stuffing my phone into my bag.
Calmness washes over me as I step into the quiet library. How I’ve missed it here. The comforting silence. The smell of bound books. The muted turning of pages. I make my way to my favorite section—a snug spot on the third floor, nestled between shelves in front of a window looking out over the treetops. Few people come up here for the mathematical theory books.
After assembling a pile of books by my side, I lose myself in the world of international criminal law. I’m happily consumed by what I’m reading when an icy voice comes from behind me, sending chills down my spine. “So you finally decided to leave Omega Village.”
I spin to find Tyler leering at me, leaning against the shelves. I didn’t even have to turn; I’d recognize his nose-stinging sterile scent anywhere.
“You’ve been ignoring my calls.”
“There’s nothing left to say.” I keep my gaze fixed on my work. “Our arrangement is off.”
“But you didn’t fulfill your end of the deal.”
I huff, reluctantly tearing my eyes away from my book. “What are you talking about?”
“You said we’d have our pick of an omega.” He sounds like a pathetic child. “But everyone thinks we did something wrong, causing you to dump us. We’re a campus laughingstock.”
“If omegas don’t find you desirable, that’s not my problem.” I check my nails, making a mental note to book myself a manicure. “But I did get you some attention. That has to count for something.”
“We’re the pack that Kady Sinclair cast aside. You need to make a statement.” He’s blathering under his breath so fast that I can’t catch every word. “Say it was your fault! Tell them how well we treated you.”
“How well you treated me?” I scoff. “You made me look like a simpering high schooler in the press. Besides, you got a front page cover and national attention. We’re more than even. Let’s just draw a line under this and move on, okay?”
“I could tell the papers how you’re an awful omega, tell them why no pack wants you.” His sallow cheeks redden. “If you don’t do as I say and help change people’s minds about us, then?—”
“Is that a threat?” I arch an eyebrow. “My father’s press team made sure you signed an NDA. You cannot say one word against me unless you want to feel the full weight of the Sinclair legal team. Don’t be stupid, Tyler.”
“You…” He scowls, arms shaking in anger as he shoots me a look of pure hatred.
I thought that Kyro and Shea were the ones to watch out for, but seeing this side of Tyler has me thinking differently. While the Cockburn twins are the pack muscle, he’s the driving force, the puppet master pulling the strings.
“I think you should probably go.” The low growl from behind the bookshelf causes Tyler to jump back in surprise.
He staggers, quickly composing himself as Riven rounds the corner, casting Tyler in a dark shadow.
“Who are you?” Tyler lifts his chin and squares his shoulders, trying to act tough, but the sweat patches soaking through his shirt give him away. “I can talk to my omega however I?—”
