PROLOGUE
SPENCER
The house was empty. Completely. Fucking.Empty.
Well, notcompletelyempty, because—obviously—Spencer was there, sprawled on his bed and dwelling on this tragedy of emptiness, and that made it technically occupied. But his two roomies were missing.Missing.
Well, actually, Chase was in class, so in theory, Spencer knew where he was, but Noah was for sure MIA. He’d sent some vague text about needing to be elsewhere for the afternoon—and probably evening and overnight, too, judging by recent patterns.
And itwasbecoming a decided pattern.
Spencer wasn’t fooled, either—Noah was for sure fucking someone in a serious way. Which was great. Awesome. So totally chill. Noah was the best guy around and deserved to be balls-deep in the person of his choosing at all consensual times.
But why the damned secrecy? Like, what did the golden boy alpha have to be ashamed of? Was it Spencer? Was he worried Spencer was too abrasive? Too self-absorbed to be around? Or did he think Spencer would go so far as to try to snag his boo?Did he really think Spencer was that much of a slut? That would be a major bummer, to put it fucking lightly.
Thiswas why Spencer wasn’t allowed to be alone for too long. His thoughts went wonky. They needed people to latch onto, these thoughts of his. Real, in the damned flesh, humans.
The doorbell rang.
People!
Spencer rolled off his bed onto all fours, then hopped up and ran to the front door.
The sight that greeted him was becoming all too familiar: two undergrads, a few grades below him, both absolutely, absurdly fucking hot. And both absolutely, absurdly fucking off-limits for … fucking.
The first—standing there with his hands on his hips like he’d come ready for battle—was unpresented, designation unknown, all dirty-blond curls and flashing amber eyes. He was slim but toned, with a deadly fucking smile he didn’t display as often as he should.
And behind him, lurking over his shoulder with an impressive glower, was his alpha shadow, all dark intensity and fine-ass muscles and more tattoos than should have been legal at his tender, young age.
Ash and Ryder, a.k.a. Noah’s younger brother and his ever-present bestie.
Spencer leaned against the doorjamb, tucking his hands into the pockets of his sweats. “He’s still not here.”
Ash scowled. “What thefuck?”
Spencer nodded in commiseration. “I know, right?”
“Are yousureyou don’t know where he is?” Ash stepped forward, pointing a finger in Spencer’s face. He was lucky Spencer’s alpha instincts were kind of muted compared to some, or he’d get that finger chomped off. Or, at least, like, frowned at. “Are you keeping his secrets?”
Spencer pushed Ash’s accusing hand away. Gently, though, ’cause he didn’t want Ryder deciding today was the day Spencer needed to die. “I told you—he’s been seeing some mystery omega.”
“You’re wrong.” Ash’s pretty brow furrowed, though, like he wasn’t quite sure. “He’d tell me.”
It was weird, seeing Spencer’s own hurt and confusion reflected back at him. “Yeah, well, I thought he’d tell me too. I was mistaken.”
Ash cocked his head. “Your beloved bestie hurt your feelings?”
“Yep.” Spencer saw no point in lying. It wasn’t like he was ever subtle with his feelings.
Ryder’s gruff baritone broke in. “What are you doing in there?”
Spencer straightened in surprise. Ryder usually only spoke to Spencer to snarl at him. He was too shocked to think of anything cool, so Spencer told the truth. “Whining to myself.”
Ash huffed. “God, you’re so in love with him. It’s gross.”
Spencer blanched. “Who? Ryder?”
Ash gave Spencer a look he was very familiar with—one that accused him of saying something unbelievably stupid. “Noah.”
