There's murmuring at the front door. Ragon's low rumble. Jasper's dry welcome. Marie's curiosity. Drake's uneasy humor. Eli's careful politeness.
I consider retreating. Instead I put the cups upside down in the rack, wipe my hands, and stand there until the voices move toward the living room.
"Vee?" Eli calls gently. "Can you come in here a minute?"
I inhale once, slow. Exhale.
Then I go.
They've arranged themselves like a committee—Ragon in his big chair, Drake on the end of the sofa, Eli perched on the armrest, Jasper leaning against the bookshelf. Marie is tucked in the opposite corner, legs curled under her, hands wrapped around a mug.
The new alpha stands near the coffee table, a leather messenger bag at his feet.
He's annoyingly handsome.
Tall but not looming, dark hair threaded with early silver at the temples, beard trimmed close. His mouth is soft at the corners. His eyes are a deep, steady brown that flick to me and staywithout pinning.
Button-down and dark jeans, sleeves rolled to forearms, a lanyard hanging from his pocket. The OPA badge clipped to it has his photo and a name:
Dr. Arden Hale.
Of course Jasper's friend is a walking brochure.
"Verena," he says, and the way he says my name isn't clinical. "Thank you for joining us. I'm Arden."
He doesn't offer a hand. He doesn't come closer. He just waits.
I stand on the threshold a beat longer, then step into the room and perch on the very edge of the farthest end of the couch. His scent shifts a little, like he's pleased I didn't bolt.
"How are you feeling about having me here?"
Direct. No small talk.
I blink. "Indifferent. Mildly annoyed. Curious."
One corner of his mouth tips up. "That's honest. Good."
Ragon clears his throat. "We called you in for a consult. My omega's been off. There were some incidents. I want to make sure we haven't missed anything."
Arden's gaze flicks briefly to him, then back to me. "I read the outline Jasper sent. I'd like to hear it from Verena as well. If that's okay with you."
His attention stays on me while he asks.
That simple courtesy does something weird to my chest.
"Sure. I'm sure the entertainment value is high."
He actually smiles, quick and genuine. "I'm not here to be entertained. I'm here to assess and, if you want, to help."
"We want that," Ragon says. His scent curls firmer, possessive. "She's ours. We want her whole."
"I was speaking to Verena," Arden replies, still mild.
The subtle check makes Drake's mouth flicker. Jasper smothers a smirk.
Arden gestures toward the armchair across from me. "May I sit?"
"It's your consult. You can stand on your head if it helps."
