PROLOGUE - KATE
“Stop fiddling with your clothes, Kate. You look fine.”
“Not as fine as your boss,” I mutter, casting the other omega an envious glance. Suzanna LaGrange is old money, born into one of the richest packs in New York. She inherited not only the investment firm where Lee works as a junior associate, but also this sprawling estate in the swanky part of Long Island. All around us are elegant marble statues, sumptuous rose bushes, and immaculate lawns that sweep down to the ocean like bolts of green velvet. It’s a beautiful backdrop, but Lee didn’t say anything about it being a garden party, which means my plum-toned pantsuit stands out like a bruise against all the pink and white chiffon dresses. “A heads up would have been nice. I could have borrowed one of the spring bonding gowns, especially if Florence knew half the city’s elite would be here.”
Florence is my boss at Sweet Eternity, where I design gowns, suits, and accessories for a pack’s special day. It’s my dream to one day open my own bonding store, although that’s a few years off since Lee is still working his way up at the firm.
At leasthe’swearing one of my designs. His navy suit brings out the gold flecks in his blue eyes, and I feel a familiar flutter ofpride as Suzanna’s gaze lands on us for about the fifth time since we arrived. She has that classic Hollywood glamor with her long red hair and pale skin, her mint green gown a perfect foil to her striking looks. A willowy version of Jessica Rabbit pops into my head and I can’t resist reaching up and straightening the silky knot in Lee’s tie. “Meanwhile, you look so handsome even your boss can’t keep her eyes off you.”
Lee huffs at my teasing, his spicy scent souring in my nose. He’s in the process of flagging down a server, and as he hands me a glass of champagne, it sloshes over the top of the crystal flute and splatters my wrist. I shoot him a surprised glance, but before I can complain, he’s steering me away from the crowd of his coworkers, his fingers digging into the point of my elbow. I’m suddenly glad I’m wearing wedges, because we’re cutting across a mile of spongy lawn that would no doubt swallow his boss’ four-inch heels. “Lee! Slow down. Where are you dragging me?”
“Just over here. I thought you’d like to see the pool.”
I snort and look around for somewhere to put my drink. My stomach is so empty, I’m afraid that after a few more sips, I’ll start singing for my supper - literally. “What I’d like to see is a platter of appetizers that are bigger than my pinkie nail. Why are rich people so stingy when it comes to party food?”
“Kate, can you just give it a rest?” Lee snaps, running an irritated hand through his hair as he drags me along. He’s started wearing it slicked back in a severe style, and while it gives him an older, more sophisticated look, his fingers keep snagging on the tacky product. “I told you not to come. I knew this wouldn’t be your scene.”
He did. Repeatedly. But this would be the third weekend in a row where he was busy with a work function, and I was starting to forget his scent.
I tug on his arm now, pulling him to a stop beside a gleaming swimming pool shaped like an oversized kidney bean.We haven’t been given a tour of the estate, but I’m guessing the fancy building next to us is the pool house. It’s bigger than our first apartment, but I can see the appeal for rich kids who want their independence wrapped in all the comforts of home…
When I spy something through the doorway, the wry smile on my face fades into a frown. “Lee, why is your gym bag here?”
There are a couple of other guests out enjoying the pool area, but at my sharp tone they melt away like rain. Although, that might just be my narrowing vision, because every atom in my body is focused on the pool house door. It’s frosted for privacy, but ajar enough for me to see Lee’s duffel bag with the Gucci logo on the side. I teased him mercilessly for buying such an expensive bag just to cart around his smelly workout gear, but the last thing I feel like doing is laughing as I spy the fancy swim trunks he bought in Hawaii last year. They’ve been tossed carelessly across the back of a chair, right next to a tiny cherry red bikini that would look obscene on my curves.
“What bag? What are you talking about?”
Lee is using his irritated voice again, but this time I give him an incredulous look. “You think I don’t know what your gym socks smell like after six years of doing your laundry?”
He clicks his tongue as I approach the door, his cloves-and-ginger scent growing stronger the closer I get to his belongings. “I work out here sometimes, that’s all,” he says, reaching to pull me back. “You seem to appreciate my efforts, so I don’t see why you care.”
I turn towards him, and he gives me one of his rakish smiles, but I’m too distracted to notice his dimples – or his nicely muscled biceps - right now. “But why? Why would you come all the way up here when there’s a Planet Fitness on our block…” It’s not really a question, and when I turn to look at Lee, the answer is shining back at me from his guileless blue eyes.
No.No.
“Everything alright out here?”
I step away from Lee, my blood running cold as our host and one of her mates appear around the corner of the pool house. Somehow, she made it past the shoe-swallowing lawn, and now she’s staring at Lee with bright, hungry eyes. I met the alpha behind her when we first arrived, but even if he wasn’t lurking in the shadows, I’m certain I wouldn’t be able to pick him from a lineup. All of Suzanna’s three mates are tall, dark, and attractive in an aloof, bored kind of way. Exactly like Lee when I start to tell him about my latest design, or a museum exhibit I want to see. “Do you need some help here, Lee?”
The flutter in my chest cavity becomes an uneasy thump at the way my mate is staring at his boss. “It’s not a good time, Suze.”
Suze?The woman with the perfect bone structure and mane of luscious red hair looks the furthest thing from aSuzethat I’ve ever seen.
I expect her to turn and leave us to our awkward squabble, but she floats towards us in her green silk dress, her hand extended in my mate’s direction. When we first arrived and she greeted us in a similar way, I’d said something glib about the number of bonding rings on her fingers, earning a strange look from Lee. I stare at them now, all huge diamonds that gleam on her slender fingers like drops of liquid moonlight.
“She has to be informed at some point, darling,” she says, taking Lee’s hand in her tiny, pale one. “It’s probably best if we get it out of the way. It will give it time to sink in before the announcement appears in the papers.”
“Announcement?” My voice is so raw, I sound like I’ve got the flu, and as I stare at Lee’s averted face, I feel moisture drip down my cheeks. Did I slip and hit my head on the side of the pool? Is that why I feel like I’m drowning? Or is it because I can’t tear my eyes away from where Suzanna’s breast is brushing my mate’sarm, now tucked possessively against her body? “What are you talking about?”
The omega gives a sigh, and I wait for Lee to pull away, to tell her she’s had too much champagne, but instead he gives me an apologetic look. “I’m sorry you found out like this, but I need to move on with my life.”
“Move on? Movewhere?”
For some absurd reason I think he means the pool house, but that’s not it. He’s not just here to use his boss’ gym. Not when he’s cradling her hand like it’s the most precious thing he’s ever held. “I know it’s hard to hear, but this is my future now, Kate. I’m starting a new life with Suze and her pack.”
My first thought is it sounds like a bad eighties cover band, but the mockery is washed away by the agony in my heart. And those relentless tears, dripping down my cheeks and clogging my nose until I can barely breathe. “Lee! Please! Why are you doing this?”
He grimaces, but it’s more embarrassment than regret shining from his handsome face. “You knew this was coming. Don’t pretend things were still working between us.”
