Chapter 1 #2
I press my fingertips against my temples. “Josie, you’re twenty-one. You’ve been in college for three years, and you’re barely a sophomore in credits. What kind of extended break are we talking about here?”
“The permanent kind?” She winces. “But before you start lecturing me, I have amazing news.”
The knot in my stomach tightens. In Josephine’s world, amazing news has historically included things like adopting a ferret without her roommate’s permission or maxing out our mother’s emergency credit card on a spontaneous trip to Cancun.
“I’m getting married!” She squeals, bouncing in her seat.
Coffee sloshes over the rim of my cup as I jerk in surprise. “Married? To who? Since when are you even dating someone seriously?”
“Well, that’s the thing.” Her smile widens, practically glowing with excitement. “It’s not just someone. It’s a pack. ”
I blink, trying to process this information. “A pack. As in multiple people.”
“Three alphas. I met them at that alumni event last month. They’re all successful and established, and they adore me.” She clasps her hands together. “I know it’s fast, but when you know, you know.”
The rational part of my brain—the part that makes detailed spreadsheets and contingency plans—is screaming. My baby sister is dropping out of college to marry not one, but three alphas she’s known for less time than it takes to prep sourdough.
“Josie,” I start carefully. “Don’t you think this is a little... impulsive? You’ve known these men for what, two months?”
“Nine weeks on Thursday,” she corrects, as if that extra week makes all the difference. “And they’re perfect, Trin. They have a beautiful house in the suburbs with a pool and everything. They want me to focus on being happy and starting a family.”
Of course they do. Three alphas with an omega trophy wife who dropped out of college to birth their pups. It’s like a stereotype come to life.
But the hopeful look on her face stops my lecture before it starts. I’ve spent my entire life trying to protect Josie, but I can’t make her decisions for her. And if I push too hard, she’ll just dig her heels in deeper.
I take a deep breath. “Well, I’d like to meet them before the wedding. When do I get to be introduced to my future brothers-in-law?”
Her face lights up. “Really? You’re not mad?”
“Mad isn’t the word I’d use. Though I am concerned.” I reach across the table to squeeze her hand. “But you’re an adult, so if this is what you want, then I’ll support you.”
“You’re the best.” She bounces in her seat. “They’re actually eager to meet you, too. I’ve told them all about my amazing big sister.”
“At least show me a picture so I know who I’m dealing with.”
“Of course.” She fumbles for her phone, swiping through screens before turning it toward me with a flourish. “Aren’t they gorgeous?”
My coffee turns to acid in my stomach.
The world tilts sideways as I stare at the screen. Three faces stare at me, each of them devastatingly familiar.
Egret Mahoney.
Brendin Haxfield.
Saren Bowie.
Also known as my ex-fiancés.
Or more specifically, the alphas who dated me on-and-off for three out of four years in college and then dumped me for being too strong-willed and independent when I actually expected to use my degree after graduation.
I set the phone down again before I’m tempted to throw it across the room.
“Trinity?” Josie’s voice sounds distant. “Are you okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
My lungs forget how to function. Egret’s familiar smirk stares back at me from Josie’s phone screen, the same expression he wore when he told me I was “too much” for him.
Brendin’s arm is draped possessively around my sister’s shoulders, his fingers splayed against her collarbone in that proprietary way he always touched me.
And Saren, with those intense eyes that once convinced me we’d build empires together, gazes at her with adoration.
“Trin?” Josie waves her hand in front of my face. “Hello? Earth to Trinity? ”
I blink rapidly, forcing myself back to reality. “Sorry, I just...they look familiar.”
“Really?” She glances at the photo, head tilted. “Maybe you’ve planned an event for them? They’re pretty big in commercial real estate development.”
Oh, I know exactly what they’re big in. I also know Egret’s tendency to leave wet towels on the bathroom floor, Brendin’s habit of interrupting women mid-sentence, and Saren’s passive-aggressive sighs when dinner isn’t ready when he gets home.
“Maybe that’s it,” I manage, taking a too-large gulp of coffee that burns my throat.
This can’t be happening. It has to be some cosmic joke. The universe must be laughing its ass off right now.
I should tell her. I need to tell her. The words crowd my throat: Josie, I dated all three of them in college. They’re my exes. The ones who broke my heart.
But something stops me. Maybe it’s the radiant happiness on her face. Maybe it’s the knowledge that Josie has never stuck with anything in her life long enough to be this excited about it.
Or maybe it’s the small, ugly voice whispering that they couldn’t possibly want my sister because of her connection to me. That would make me narcissistic beyond belief, wouldn’t it? Thinking these three successful alphas orchestrated this entire relationship just to get back at me?
No, that’s ridiculous. It has to be a coincidence. The world isn’t that small.
But then I remember how Egret’s eyes hardened when I refused to quit my internship to accompany him on a summer-long European vacation.
How Brendin’s jaw clenched when I suggested we split household responsibilities equally.
How Saren’s voice dropped dangerously low when I landed a six-figure job offer months before graduation.
These men don’t like being challenged. They don’t like independent omegas. And they especially don’t like being refused.
“Trinity?” Josie’s concerned voice pulls me from my spiraling thoughts. “You’re being weird. Do you not approve of them?”
I force my features into something resembling a smile. “No, it’s not that. I’m just surprised. It’s a lot to process.”
“I know it seems fast,” she admits, fidgeting with her straw. “But they’re so wonderful, Trin. They make me feel special. Like I’m the center of their universe.”
That’s because you are. Until you’re not. That’s what they do.
“I want you to be happy, Josie.” I reach for her hand, squeezing it tightly. “I just want to make sure you know what you’re getting into.”
“I do,” she insists, eyes bright with conviction. “And actually, there’s something else I wanted to tell you.”
The knot in my stomach tightens. “What’s that?”
“We’ve already set a date. Can you believe it?” She claps her hands together, practically vibrating with excitement. “The guys have connections, and they pulled some strings, and—oh my god, Trin, you’re not going to believe this—we’re getting married at Heat Island.”
My coffee cup freezes halfway to my mouth. Heat Island is the most exclusive resort in Southeast Asia, booked solid for the next five years with a waiting list longer than the Great Wall of China. I’ve had billionaire clients who couldn’t secure it for a high-season event.
“Heat Island,” I repeat dumbly. “As in the private island resort off the coast of Indonesia that costs more than a luxury vehicle to book for a single week?”
“Yes,” she squeals, oblivious to my shock.
“Isn’t it amazing? They know the owner or something.
We’re having the ceremony on the beach at sunset, and—” She stops suddenly, grabbing both my hands across the table.
“Trinity, I want you to plan it. The whole thing. You’re the best event planner in New York, and you’re my sister, and it would mean everything to me. ”
The words I was about to say, the confession that was forming on my lips, die instantly. My sister wants me to plan her wedding to my ex-fiancés. The cosmic joke just keeps getting better.
“I don’t know, Josie,” I hedge, trying to find a graceful way out. “I usually don’t plan events for family. It gets complicated.”
“Please?” She gives me those puppy-dog eyes that have been working on me since she was three. “The guys are already impressed with your business. I showed them your portfolio online, and they think you’re perfect for this. They specifically asked if your services would be available.”
They asked for me. Specifically.
A chill runs down my spine. This isn’t a coincidence. It can’t be.
Maybe this is some elaborate plot to get back at me. More likely, they found the perfect omega and its icing on the cake to make a fool out of her stuck-up sister.
But I can’t share those theories with Josie now. Not when she’s looking at me with such hope, such excitement. Not when I don’t have all the facts. What if I’m wrong? What if I’m letting old wounds cloud my judgment?
I need to know more before I break her heart. I need to understand what game these alphas are playing .
“When’s the wedding?” I ask, already dreading the answer.
“Six weeks from now.” She bounces in her seat. “I know it’s quick, but when you know, you know, right?”
Six weeks. They’re rushing this. Why?
“So, will you do it? Please, Trin? It would mean everything to me.”
I look at my baby sister—trusting, optimistic, na?ve Josie—and decide.
“Of course I will.” I force a smile that I hope is believable. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”