Keith and his threats be damned.
The diamond cost a fortune, but it’s nothing compared to her worth. Three carats, princess cut, in a platinum setting that will look perfect on her delicate finger. I had it made special, with her birthstone set in small stones around the band. The jeweler’s hands were shaking when I approved the design, partly because of my alpha presence and partly because of the check I wrote him. Anya deserves only the best, and I won’t settle for anything less than perfect for her.
I make my way down the hallway, my steps light despite my massive frame. The scent of freshly brewed coffee mingles with the sweet aroma of pancakes, syrup, and fresh berries on the tray. I even put a sprig of mint on top of the chocolate chippancakes for a fancy touch. Lorenzo would laugh his ass off if he could see me right now, but I don’t care. I’d do anything for her.
My mind races through what I’ll say when I get down on one knee. Will she laugh? If she says yes, I will have great news to tell my pack.
The thought of her saying yes makes my cock stir against my shorts. I imagine her face lighting up with joy, her violet eyes sparkling as she throws her arms around my neck. Then later, how she’ll look at me with those same eyes as I slide her panties down her thighs, push her back onto the bed, and slide my cock into her tight pussy.
God, what I wouldn’t give to knot her right now, to feel her slick walls clenching around me as I fill her with my cum. I adjust myself, trying to focus on the task at hand. First, breakfast. Then, if all goes well, the proposal. Then, maybe, celebrating in the most primal way possible and having my pack knot her one by one while I watch from my chair.
I pause outside her door, taking a deep breath to calm my racing thoughts. The guys are already hard at work on our backup plan. Lorenzo spent half the night researching available resorts in other locations, sending me links to properties in Hawaii, Bali, and the Maldives. Places where we could start fresh.
“It’ll be fine,” Lorenzo told me, his eyes bright with determination. “We’ve got plenty in savings. The pack can be successful anywhere.”
He’s right. We built this place from nothing. We can do it again. I don’t need the fame or fancy titles. All I need is Anya and my pack.
I knock on the door with my free hand, the smile on my face stretching my cheeks.
“Anya?” I call, my voice soft. “I brought you breakfast.”
I wait, listening for the sound of her footsteps, themurmur of her voice. Nothing. She must still be asleep. I try the doorknob, expecting it to turn easily beneath my hand. Instead, it’s locked.
My smile falters. That’s odd. She never locks her door. Not anymore, not since she started to trust us.
“Anya?” I try again, knocking harder this time. “Wake up, sleepyhead. I’ve got chocolate chip pancakes.”
Still nothing. A whisper of unease trickles down my spine, but I push it away. She’s probably just sleeping deeply. Or maybe she’s in the shower and can’t hear me over the water.
I set the breakfast tray down carefully on the hallway table and reach for the key that sits on the ledge above the door frame.
I slide it into the lock with a quiet click.
The door swings open, revealing her empty bedroom. My eyes dart to the bed, where the sheets are rumpled but clearly not occupied. Clothes are scattered across the floor, drawers hanging open. My unease morphs into something darker, something that makes my stomach clench.
What the fuck?!There’s a makeshift rope of clothes hanging from the open window, disappearing over the ledge.
“No,” I bark. “No, no, no.”
I cross the room in three long strides, my heart pounding as I peer out the window. The rope of clothes dangles down the side of the house, just touching the grass below. She’s gone.
Again.
“Foolish girl!” I snarl, my hands clenching into fists at my sides. How could she do this? After I gave her my fucking heart? Where would she go? The ferry, probably. Or try to find another boat to take her off the island.
But if she succeeds...
My blood runs cold at the thought. Once she’s away from our protection, she’d be vulnerable to any alpha who caughther scent. And if word got out that an unclaimed omega was roaming free... I can’t bear to think about it.
I grab my phone from my pocket, my fingers shaking with a combination of rage and fear as I open the pack’s group chat.
She’s gone. Escaped through her window. Look for her near the boats. Check the ferry first.
Three dots appear almost immediately as Alaric types back. His reply comes through a second later, the single word loaded with disbelief.
Alaric
Again????
