“Who’s in the salon if you’re here?” Revea starts to stand.
“It’s, like, 6 PM. Serena just got into her omega taxi. There’s no one left.”
She frowns, glancing at her watch. “Shit.”
“She hasn’t eaten all day,” I mumble as my brother places the tray on the table.
He grabs another chair, turning it around so he can lean his arms over the back.
He shakes his head, fixing his furrowed gaze on her. “Revea…”
“Oh, don’t try to scold me like I’m a child,” she scoffs, but thankfully drops back into her seat. “I make up for it when I get home. I eat, like, double the amount. Breakfast, dinner, and tea all at once. Maybe a pint of chocolate ice-cream to polish it off.”
“I don’t believe her,” Luc murmurs.
I huff my agreement.
Her mouth gapes, then snaps shut, glaring between us. But before she can give another excuse, my alpha has clearly had enough.
“Eat, omega.” It isn’t a bark, but it’s stern enough that all expression drops from her face.
Fuck. Why the fuck did I say that?
I’m about to apologise when she swallows. I find myself tracking the movement of her throat, her bare, creamy skin with a fluttering twitch hiding her pulse.
“Please,” I add, hoping that dulls the bite, even if I am staring at her neck.
“Fucking hell, Val. You’re almost worse than me,”Luc shares over the bond.
I don’t say anything, but I don’t deny it, because the second she reaches for a sandwich, my chest erupts with a soft purr I can’t even try to hide.
She pauses, fingers denting the bread a little, before taking a small bite. Thankfully, she’s choosing to ignore my purr, whereas my brother stares at me, eyes bulging.
“We’re talking about this assoonas we leave.”
Again, I don’t respond. Just keep staring at the omega who eats while never taking her big green eyes off me.
“Think I managed to speak with pretty much everyone today, ma’am.” Luc helpfully breaks the tension, enough that my purr finally fades.
“You did?” She gives him a little smile. “How did it go?”
“Who’s the beta with glasses and red, curly hair?”
“Margret?”
He snaps his fingers. “That’s it. Man, she’s a talker. At one point, Serena actually stepped in to save me.”
“She did?” Revea’s eyes widen, but her soft smile wavers slightly. “I never thought Serena… If she can do that, maybe she’ll get what she wants.”
We all go quiet, and she takes the silent invitation.
“I feel like you need to know this for context.” She shifts in her seat, looking at us both. “Serena was set up for an arranged marriage with thisawfulpack.”
“Marriage? She looks like a kid?” Luc frowns.
“She’s eighteen, so it’s legal, but she looks younger, and the way she behaves is a little young too. On the lead up to the wedding day, she met with the pack a few times, and from what she’s told me…” Her gaze loses its focus, looking past us. “They abused her in every way.”
Growls of displeasure fill the room, and Revea blinks, clearing her throat.
