“And you ruined our chances when you took AlphaPrime to the mixer,” Tyler snaps, silencing him. Shea sulkily slouches against the wall, hanging his head before Tyler turns back to me. “If we agree, what would be our next steps?”
“We’d swap numbers and stay in touch.” I keep my tone light and casual. “Our first public outing can be Halloween, where we can be photographed together. I can even get a feature about us written inThe Valley Voice.”
“Are we really going to let some omega order us around?” Kyro eyes me with suspicion. “We’re supposed to be the alphas.”
“Unless you want me to report on what your brother did at speed scenting inTheValley Voice, I’d think more carefully about how you talk to me—and any omega—in the future.” A loud exhale rushes through my nose. “It’s no wonder you haven’t found a match with an attitude like that.”
Kyro steps forward, fists clenched. I don’t move, meeting his furious glare with icy defiance.
“I’m your pack leader, Kyro. You do as you're told.” Tyler must sense we’re on rocky ground, knowing this opportunity isn’t one to be passed up. “Kady is a Sinclair. If we’re goodenough for a Sinclair, think about how many omegas are going to be lining up to court us after a breakup.”
“Hell yeah, brother!” Shea punches the air. “Think of the river of slick.”
Repulsed, I wrinkle my nose then turn back to Tyler who is at least managing to maintain some sense of decorum. “No one can find out this is a fake arrangement.” Not that I think they’ll tell anyone, especially now that I know about Shea’s antics. “Do we have a deal?”
I hold out my hand.
Tyler’s sticky palm clasps around mine. “We have a deal.”
Kyro and Shea chest bump and start chanting, “Omega, omega, omega!” like a pair of baboons.
“Good.” I nod, wiping my hands on my dress. “Let’s stay in touch.”
After quickly exchanging numbers, Tyler grins from ear to ear as he stands on the doorstep, raising his hand in farewell. “We’ll see you at the party, omega.”
Fresh air fills my lungs as I step outside, making my shoulders sag in relief.
“Wear a shorter skirt next time!” Kyro shouts after me. “We like our omegas to show more skin.”
My hands curl into fists. He’s lucky I don’t take a swing and break his nose. I have a mean punch. Instead, I spin around and pin him with a death glare. “If you ever talk to me like that again, our deal is off, and I’ll make sure every single omega on Earth knows how much of a piece of shit you are. Got it?” While Kyro’s mouth opens and closes like a flailing fish, I smile sweetly—just in case we’re being watched by any other alphas. “Make sure your pups fall in line, Tyler. See you soon.”
Although I’ve got what I set out to achieve, dread churns in my stomach. All I’ve got to do next is make our courtship seembelievable, but how am I supposed to pretend that I’m in love with those Neanderalphas?
THREE
Kady
DELILAH
Do we need to send out a search party?
FAYE
Are you okay, Kady? Let us know you’re safe.
SABS
We can help you kick ass, if needed! I don’t have to go to my volleyball game, if you need me to help find your fake pack?
I quickly type a reply.
ME
I’m fine—still working on it. Go to your game, @Sabs! Will be at The Valley Voice until late. Don’t wait up.
I shouldn’t lie, but I’m not ready to unpack today’s chaos with my Stella sisters yet. I know how badly they’ll react to finding outthat the Blandon Pack—the biggest “alpha-holes” on campus—are my fake boyfriends for the foreseeable future.
DELILAH
