“Didn’t know you’d realize.”
“You’re an asshole, you know that?”
“I know, baby,” I murmured.
Kiara didn’t try to steal the knife, putting it on the counter and shoving an apple slice into her mouth. Why was the way she chewed sexy? I’d been around too many omegas to be having these potent reactions to her.
“And now you’re calling me baby, great,” Mercury muttered. “I thought we agreed you wouldn’t do that at around the same time we agreed it was best not to sleep together.”
I sighed, laying my head back and closing my eyes. Neither of us hadwantedthat. Mercury had put a pause on our years-long relationship because he thought it would be better for Dash. Our devolving pack lead was the most bitter about being rejected by our scent match, and Mercury thought it would help if he didn’t have to see us being affectionate all the time.
At least until Dash had someone to be romantic with, too.
I doubted that was happening anytime soon.
“You’re saying we agreed as if it was a mutual thing. It was a slip of the tongue, Mercury. Won’t happen again.”
He went silent. I could picture the look on his face, his teeth chewing nervously on his bottom lip and his brown eyes wide.
“Please just don’t—”
I snapped my eyes open when I heard the door to the kitchen opening. Kiara stepped through with her last piece of apple. A glance confirmed the gleam of silver still on the countertop. No weapon. The only daggers she had were in her glare as she went back over to the couch.
“—you need to tell me where you’re going.”
The tail end of Mercury’s words made it clear what he had said. “I won’t leave you hanging again. I’ve got to go.”
I choked back the ‘love you’ that wanted to come out, slamming my thumb on the end call button instead.
“Did you get in trouble with your pack lead?” Kiara asked slyly.
I bet she hoped I had. She wanted me to be forced to run home with my tail between my legs, leaving her alone to manipulate Leighton into giving her that dark bond. Didn’t she realize what a negative impact that would have on Leighton’s life?
“No,” I said. “He’s happy I’m here to keep Leighton company.”
The lie made her eye twitch, jaw clenching. Mercury wasn’t pack lead—Dash was, and he wouldn’t be keen to hear Leighton Winston’s name. Kiara didn’t know that, and I didn’t plan on enlightening her.
“So, you’ll be staying then?” Her hand pressed to her thigh.
“Yes. I’ll stay for as long as you do.”
She crossed one leg over the other and huffed, falling back into the couch cushions. Every brush of those pillows wafted more of her scent into the air.
Chocolate, coconut, and Leighton’s vanilla cream were everywhere.
Why did the omega’s scent have to be so delectable, and such a perfect match to my lover’s?
“That’s unfortunate,” Kiara said.
Her voice was quiet, and I took it for resignation. Maybe she would tell us how she’d ended up here now I’d made it clear she wouldn’t get what she wanted. I wasn’t opposed to helping her. Anyone Soren deemed useful had to have some shit going on.
We wouldn’t be helping her at the expense of Leighton’s professional or personal reputation, that was all.
She watched TV until her anxiousness forced her up to pace. Leighton had said she would be back around lunchtime with food and clothes for Kiara, and it was drawing close to that time. I would be grateful for a moment with her, considering Kiara’s company wasn’t exactly thrilling.
“Is there something you would rather do than pace?” I asked. “We could play a game. Leighton has to have a pack of cards around here somewhere.”
She spun to glare at me. “A game?”
