I feel sick to my stomach. The coffee churns around in my gut, and nausea overwhelms me.

  I want to vomit right on his fucking shoes.

  “I’m sorry, just so I’m clear,” I rasp, “you came here to tell me that I’m not going to find my friend?”

  He stares at me a beat too long with his grey eyes. “No, I came here as a favor to Landon,” he replies.

  My temper flares. “Great. Well, you can get the fuck out of my café, Vincent,” I snap.

  His eyes widen. “Really,” he says, his voice low. “Do you normally talk to people that try to help you out like this?”

  “You just told me my friend was probably dead,” I hiss.

  “Just because you don’t like what I said doesn’t make it any less true,” he retorts, raising an eyebrow.

  “Well, if I believed that, I would probably lock myself in my house for the next few years,” I say. “Because if I don’t have any hope, there’s no way I’m carrying on.”

  Something I said strikes a nerve with him. “Hope is pointless,” he says lowly. “Reality always sets in.”

  I bark out a humorless laugh. “I’m sure it does,” I say, trying my best to not lose it on him. “Thank you for reminding me of that.”

  He continues to study me, then sighs, frustrated. His fingers card through his hair as he regards me. “Look, I’m not—”

  “Please leave,” I say quietly, giving him a sad smile. “I’m done having this conversation.”

  Maybe I’m being dramatic and rude. I don’t know how far Vincent came to visit me, and he did spend time discussing April with me.

  But I can’t fathom the idea that she’s…

  I just can’t.

  I can’t go down the route, and this Alpha just tried to extinguish the spark of hope I have left.

  Finally, he stands up, keeping his eyes on me. “Nice to meet you,” he grumbles. “I’ll tell Landon what we discussed.”

  I nod curtly, refusing to let him see the tears that threaten to spill. Yet as he walks away, I can’t help but feel like I made a mistake.

  But I snatch up our cups and napkins to toss them away in the back. Then I pull out my phone and send a group text to both River and Landon.

  Your friend is an asshole.

  29

  RIVER

  I’m twenty minutes outside of Skylar’s town, ignoring the angry looks of officers as I walk past crime scene tape and into a house.

  I’m with the Alpha Bureau. If they have a fucking problem, they can call the government.

  It’s another O overdose.

  This time, it’s a nineteen year old college kid.

  Landon is already there, and he gives me a rundown of events.

  “They think this is a new formula,” he says, frowning. “But it’s the first known overdose in this town.”

  “Shit,” I say. “Fuck.”

  “Very astute,” he says dryly. “I’ll be sure to give the parents your regards.”

  “Hey.” One of the Beta officers I didn’t annoy comes up to us. “Are you guys working on any missing person cases right now?”

  We both turn to him. “There’s a missing Omega in Isleton,” I say. “Why? Have you heard anything?”

  The officer shakes his head. “Not about that. The Omega that lived here has been missing all weekend. Twenty years old. Her best friend went missing that same night, too.”

  “Wait, what?” I snap. “What do you mean, they’ve been missing all weekend? Did you idiots even make a report?”

  “River,” Landon warns.

  The officer frowns. “Look, I get that you think you’re hot shit cause you’re with the Bureau,” he snarls. “But we do our jobs here, too. Her parents didn’t mention it until right now.”

  I share a look with Landon.

  Three missing Omegas within twenty minutes of each other?

  “Shit,” I say, at the same time my phone buzzes.

  Your friend is an asshole.

  I notice she sent it to both of us, and Landon pulls out his phone and sighs.

  “What did he do?” he mutters.

  “He was probably himself,” I say. “His unique, charming self.”

  “I really thought he could help her,” he murmurs, shaking his head. “A stupid assumption.”

  “The Vincent of five years ago could,” I say. “Not whatever he is now.”

  I shoot off a quick reply to Skylar before continuing to speak with the officer.

  Sorry to hear that, gorgeous, but I’m not surprised. Can we stop by at your place tonight? We’re in the area.

  She sends a smiley face back, and for a moment, all is right in the world.

  A few hours later, everything has changed.

  I drive to her house, dreading the conversation that’s going to take place.

  Landon says it will go fine.

  But I know her.

  It won’t be fine, and she won’t want to listen.

  But now, we need a united front when we talk to Skylar.

  In a perfect world, I would keep her with me at all times. Take her away from Isleton and lock in her in my apartment where I can have her all to myself.

  But that’s selfish, and I would drive her nuts.

  Landon balances us out, as much as I hate to admit it.

  I’m not even all the way up her driveway when I notice the change in her scent.

  It’s slightly soured.

  She’s upset, and I fucking hate it.

  By the time I’m at her door, I smell the salt of her tears.

  When she answers it, her eyes watery, I can’t help but pull her into my arms.

  “I’ve got you,” I murmur, as she buries my head in my chest. “I’m here.”

  I allow her scent to ground me, and I rumble my chest, offering a subtle purr for her.

  She sighs in my hold, then steps out of the doorway so I can step in. Landon’s on the couch, a yellow macaron in his hand and a mug in front of him on the coffee table.

  “Just used my French Press. You want some?” she asks, a look of defeat on her expression. She looks paler than she did before, and the dark circles are back.

  “What did that asshole say to you?” I demand, following her into the kitchen. I watch anxiously as she pours a large cup of coffee, then hands it to me wordlessly. She goes to sit on the couch next to Landon, sighing.

  I join on the opposite side of her, so she’s sandwiched between us.

  “He has a very defeatist attitude,” Landon says. “He wasn’t very hopeful when discussing April.”

  “No,” Skylar chuckles, staring at the coffee table. “He said she was probably dead.”

  I clench and unclench my fists. That fucker.

  There’s a way to approach those subjects, and now that Vincent stopped giving a fuck, I can only imagine what that piece of shit said to her.

  “I promised myself I wouldn’t cry,” she adds, wiping at her face. “She may very well be gone. It’s just…he was so negative about it. He didn’t even want to try.” Her voice cracks and she groans. “Fuck,” she mutters, shaking her head. “What is his deal? And he said you guys aren’t even friends?”

  I exchange a look with Landon, and he raises an eyebrow, as if saying I’m not the one that’s going to tell her.

  It’s a story even I don’t want to tell.

  “A case went sideways,” I say, doing my best to keep it brief. “And after that, he retired early. We had some disagreements.”

  She looks up at me, her blue eyes shining. “He’s still a dick,” she mutters. “I almost threw my hot coffee on him.”

  Landon quirks his lip. “I would have enjoyed witnessing that,” he chuckles.

  We fall silent, and I relax onto her couch, sipping my coffee. It’s a peaceful moment, after the stressful day, and I want to bask in her scent and company while I can.

  “Oh, well,” she says. “I could organize more searches. And when I’m back at work tomorrow, I’ll make plans with the others. I just have to keep going, so I don’t fall apart.”

  She takes a deep breath and leans back against the couch and presses her legs up on the coffee table.

  The sight is adorable. She’s in pink sweatpants and a grey sweatshirt, and her socks have a variety of colorful cookies on them.

  I don’t want to ruin this moment.

  “Sweetheart,” Landon starts, his gaze falling to her socks as well. “We need to talk to you about that.”

  Landon said it would be fine. We will get her to understand.

  We’re excellent negotiators, after all.

  She stiffens and sits up straight. Her scent, which had started to sweeten back up, develops a hint of sourness. “About what?” she turns to him. “What’s going on?”

  “Two Omegas went missing in the next town,” Landon says slowly. “And more overdoses are happening with the Omega drug.”

  “And?” she snaps, her tone harsh.

  I just know she’s not going to like what he’s about to say.

  “We don’t think you should go back to work for the time being,” he continues.

  30

  SKYLAR

  I blink at Landon, uncomprehending.

  “What?” I say finally, turning to look at River. His expression is just as serious as Landon’s, and I realize I don’t have an ally in this situation.

  “You’re safer at home,” River says stoically. “There’s something going on, but we’re not sure exactly what it is. But three Omegas going missing in under a month is a fucking red flag.”

  “Okay,” I say slowly. “I’ll be more vigilant. I’m not just staying home, though. I have to be at work. The café needs me.”

  “You have a whole staff that I’m sure would be able to cover for you,” Landon says gently. “And technically, you’re still getting over a concussion.”

  I look at him incredulously. “You weren’t worried about my concussion when I was in Heat. What are you talking about?”

  Panic bubbles in me.

  “What are you talking about?” River snaps. “Of course, we were worried about that. We’re always worried about you,” he says intensely. “And right now, you need to listen to us.”

  I have to get off the couch.

  They can’t make me stay home.

  I can’t be trapped in this house alone, pacing around, doing nothing.

  I stand up and turn around to face them. “I am listening,” I say softly, my gaze drifting from Landon to River’s. “And I know it’s dangerous. But I’ll just always have someone walk me to my car. I’ll keep pepper spray on me. I’ll do whatever. But you cannot stop me from going to work.”

  The Alphas look at each other, silently communicating.

  “Besides, what about Devyn? You haven’t said anything about her needing to stay home, right?” I demand, starting to pace nervously. “If it was a big issue, wouldn’t there be a curfew or public warning?”

  “This isn’t public yet, sweetheart,” Landon says. “And it’s probably only going to get worse.”

  “I don’t care about Devyn,” River says immediately afterwards. “I care about you.”

  Landon glares at him as I chuckle humorlessly and shake my head. “You’re an asshole,” I mutter. “She’s my friend.”

  This night is slowly unraveling.

  “Fuck,” River growls, running a hand through his hair. “Fine. It’s not safe for her, either, and we can have Ben talk to her. But you’re not going back to the café until we figure out exactly what’s going on.”

  I freeze.

  “Sorry,” I say finally, “but you don’t get to dictate what I do and don’t do.”

  My hands are shaking, and I fight the instinct to lash out at them.

  But the café is what I have left of April. It’s where I can put all my nervous, erratic energy and channel it into something good.

  I walk around the couch and head into the kitchen, wringing my hands.

  “It’s not that simple,” Landon says as I open my cupboard. I pull out the glass containers and run my fingers over the labels.

  Almond flour. Sugar.

  There’s a hand on my shoulder, and I jump.

  “Hey,” River says, and I shrug away his touch. “This is serious.”

  I whirl around to face him. “I cannot stay here,” I snap. “I can’t just stop what I do. I have to keep telling people about April—”

  “You have to stay safe,” he snaps, his eyes narrowing. “You’re not listening. Two Omegas went missing, just twenty minutes from you!”

  “River—” Landon says, standing up from the couch.

  “Every time you step outside, you put yourself at risk,” River hisses. “And I can’t lose you.”

  His scent is overpowering, now more peppery now that it’s mixed with his anger.

  “And I can’t lose April,” I whisper.

  Landon sighs. “Skylar…” his voice trails off as he shakes his head.

  River reaches for me again, but I shake his hand away. “You think she’s dead,” I realize with horror. My eyes lock with Landon’s, and his expression is somber.

  “If there’s a pattern of missing Omegas, that’s something that we need to consider,” Landon says solemnly.

  I look back at River. “No,” I whisper, shaking my head. “No. That’s not possible.”

  “Nothing’s for certain,” he says. “Not yet. But I’ll be damned if you go missing, too.”

  “NO!” I yell, and both of the Alphas flinch. “You promised,” I half snarl, half sob as I point at Landon accusingly. “You promised me you’d find her!”

  “You did what?” River snaps, turning to him. “You never promise something like that, you idiot!”

  Landon’s brown eyes widen as I storm over to him. “You remember that?” he murmurs.

  “Yes,” I choke out. “In bed. During my Heat. You promised.”

  Suddenly, Landon and River are screaming at each other.

  The walls are closing in.

  This is too much.

  I put my hands to my face and take slow, deep breaths.

  A sob threatens to form, but I force myself to keep it down.

  “You’re asking me to give up the one thing I have left of her,” I say. “And I can’t. I won’t.”

  River growls and slams his hand on the counter. “Damn it, Skylar, you need to listen! This isn’t about making cookies and selling coffee. This is about keeping you safe!”

  “You think this is all about running the café?” I gasp. “It’s mine and April’s place! It’s the last bit I have of her!”

  “And I don’t want it to be the last bit we have of you!” River yells.

  “He’s right,” Landon says, his voice low. “This is serious, Skylar. I’m sorry it has to be like this, but you have to lay low.”

  They’re taking her away from me, I think wildly.

  “She’s my family,” I snap. “You’re not.”

  The room goes quiet, and their scents change into something muddled and dark.

  I laugh bitterly to fight off the tears that threaten to spill as I tear myself open. “I have two people that I cherish in this world: April and her mother. Everyone else has left. Do you understand that?”

  I don’t want to have this conversation now. It’s something I try not to think about too much, and loneliness pricks at my chest as I open myself up to them.

  “My own dad bailed on me as a teenager, and my mom is in a totally different state. They don’t want anything to do with me,” I continue, pacing. “The last Alpha I stupidly dated barely tolerated me and made it very clear I was only an accessory to his ego,” I admit, shame flushing my cheeks. “April is the only constant through all of it. She’s my sister, without the blood relation.”

  I can’t help it anymore. I start to sob, my face in my hands as I cry. Landon curses and pulls me into his arms, and this time, I don’t push away. I bury my face in his chest, letting out every single pent-up emotion for the last month.

  “I’ve got you,” he murmurs, his earthy scent washing over me. “I know, sweetheart. I know it’s hard.”

  “Don’t ask me to do this,” I cry into his chest. “Please, don’t ask me to give up hope.”

  “We’re not,” he says, pressing his lips to the top of my head. “I promise, we’re not.”

  When I step back, wiping away the mess of tears, his expression hasn’t changed. “It’s important for you to remember, though,” he says, “you can only do so much for her. You’ve done more than enough already, Skylar. More than I’ve seen most people do.”

  My stomach drops.

  He still doesn’t get it. Neither of them does.

  “There’s always more I can do,” I murmur.

  “Not if she’s a ghost,” River mutters, and Landon turns to look at him sharply.

  My eyes widen and it feels as if I’ve been struck.

  “What did you say?” I whisper.

  At that moment, he looks as sick as I feel, and he just shakes his head. “It doesn’t look good, Skylar. And we won’t let you be the next one. I’m sorry.”

  My heart shatters.

  The hope that they brought with them flickers and dies.

  If they believe that she’s gone…

  No.

  No.

  I stumble backwards in shock.

  “Skylar,” Landon reaches for me, but I slap his hand away.

  “Get the fuck out of my house,” I say slowly. “Both of you.”

  “Skylar—” River tries, but I turn to him.

  “You think she’s dead. You think this is pointless,” I say, my voice low. “How long have you thought that she’s a ghost?”

  “It’s complicated,” he insists, his scent spiking.

  I can’t breathe.

  “It’s not just black or white,” Landon adds. “But statistics show—”

  “You sound just like him,” I whisper. “Just like Vincent.”

  “I am nothing like him,” Landon growls, startling me. “I’m simply telling you to be realistic about this.”

  “Realistic,” I repeat slowly.

  He nods, his scent spiking with anger.

 

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