I find Pix staring out the window, watching our street, his face perfectly blank.
“I need a favour.”
He stares at my reflection in the glass.
“You’re not going to like it, and I wouldn’t ask, but I’m fairly certain I’m being hunted by Marrow.”
He turns around, every part of him on alert.
“I need you to get Roseland off my tail.”
He inhales sharply, and then his expression turns into a mask of pure evil. “Say no more. I’m on it.”
Pix slips out of the party, disappearing.
I regret having to ask him to do that, but I know he’s the only one capable of it. I need that detective gone.
Rory approaches slowly. I can feel him rather than see him. Everything about me goes on alert, turning to face this alpha like he’s the sun in the damn sky.
“What are you plotting, little omega?”
“So many naughty, naughty things.”
He grins and pushes me up against the window, holding me there. The chill from the glass seeps into my clothes and my skin as he leans down, his nose running down my cheek and to my throat, where he opens his mouth, hesitating before he swipes his tongue over my skin, swirling it over my pulse.
“Rory,” I moan.
“Vale has a plan for tonight. Is there any way we can get out of this early?”
I snort a laugh. “We can leave.”
I tangle my fingers with his and drag him across the room to where my parents are standing together.
“We’re leaving,” I say shortly.
“Going hunting?” My dad asks optimistically.
“Of a sorts,” I retort.
He stares at me, shaking his head sadly. “There is no planet anywhere in the cosmos, no reality of me that ever wanted to know that.”
I smirk at him. “Good night, parentals.”
“Good night, spawn of my loins.”
Rory stops and shudders dramatically. “That is terrifying.”
Dad and I look at each other and laugh.
“He’ll do.”
My heart lifts. I’ve got Dad's approval now. His actual, real approval. Mum nods her head, and I know that whatever comes, they’ve been accepted into the fold.
As we cross the road, heading for home, I glance at Vale.
“You’re family now. They’ve all accepted you.”
He stumbles.
