But he’s not quiet enough, and the people around us hear.
“This is absurd. You expect me to believe you conveniently helped her out when you bought her debt? That it was a romance? Don’t be ridiculous,” Grandma snaps, stepping through the crowd until she’s standing on my left. “You’re taking advantage of young omegas and preying on them.”
They frown but don’t deny it.
“She stole a car and a dog. Unless she is prepared to pay reparations, she’s got to come back and face the letter of the law,” he says it smugly and loudly like he’s got us backed into a corner.
“I see.”
I glance at Gran.
“Too bad we don’t have an army, huh?” Grandpa murmurs.
Her eyes widen, and she glances back behind us before shuffling away.
“What are reparations?” Elijah asks.
The lead alpha smiles and sets an amount that is ten times what the car is worth.
Elijah nods his head. “Deal.”
I turn quickly to face him. “What?”
“You never wanted to talk money, Devon, but we’re actually exceedingly well off. This won’t even dent what we have.” Elijah walks towards them, Milton at his side.
“Sign this paper. You have been paid for the repairs. You are transferring possession of the puppy to Sofia Sol. And the matter is settled.”
“Wait,” one of the alphas says and looks around at us. He thinks he’s getting scammed.
“You don’t want to do that. You’re in our territory now, and Sunshine Cove takes care of its own,” I warn quietly.
Spectators stand up, moving slightly, and the pack finally realises how alone they are.
“Sign it, and let’s get out of here. We can buy her a new dog,” the nervous alpha says.
They sign the paper, and Felix places Danger’s lead back in Mack’s hands.
“It has been incredibly unpleasant, Sofie. Goodbye.”
“Sofi-ah, dumbass,” Sofia hisses and whirls around, disappearing behind me.
“This isn’t right. That dog belongs to Giselle.” The smallest alpha growls. He stalks towards us.
Three things happen in quick succession.
Danger slips free of his harness and rushes the alpha, growling and snapping. Holding him at bay, preventing him from getting closer.
“Ugh, you stupid mutt!”
Sofia, Cordelia, Felix, and Asher jump past us and throw buckets of food. Chips, fish, gravy, bread, and other things I can’t place. Sofia turns and looks back up at the sky. I follow her eyes and see the intent and predatory gaze of Sergeant Sully. He opens his beak and lets out a truly thunderous squawk.
“Attack!” Grandma shouts.
The sky turns white.
“Oh, my God,” Sofia whispers between giggles. “How many are there?”
I glance up but ignore them as I dive forward and take the kick meant for Danger.
