Chapter 18
LANDON
I stareat myself in the mirror, scrutinizing the dark circles under my eyes.
Skylar’s home, but I haven’t seen her yet.
It’s my turn to keep watch while River and Vincent work cases, and I can’t help the uneasy feeling that coils in my gut.
Guilt.
I studied the surveillance footage of the café before Vincent agreed to work with us.
Isaw John Briggs’s behavior on the cameras the day April went missing, and I did a background check.
I even went to his home in Isleton, and when he didn’t answer, I planned to make another trip.
That was the same week April went missing.
But I didn’t check any property records outside of the county.
Vincent did. Vincent was the one that found her.
I was the closest to Skylar’s house the night she disappeared. I was near her driveway, yet I didn’t detect any intruder.
I failed her.
And I don’t fail.
John Briggs had April’s apron that whole time. The piece of shit wannabe Alpha had April’s apron, and yet he’s not talking.
You failed Skylar.
Straightening my tie, I let out a shuddering breath and head out the door of my motel. Vincent, River, and I are in Isleton for an indefinite amount of time, employed as private contractors by the city until further notice.
I haven’t seen Skylar since she was sleeping in the hospital bed, far too frail and pale. Her scent was muted and bitter from the heavy doses of suppressants they gave her.
But now, as I pull up to her driveway, her sweet scent fills the air.
It’s an aroma of sugar, blossoms, and honey.
River greets me with a nod at the front door, and I don’t even feel a tinge of jealousy as her aroma wafts off him.
She’s being taken care of, and that’s what matters.
If this past month has shown me anything, it’s how deep River’s feelings for her run.
And Vincent’s, as well.
I’m not sure if River has put it together yet—that a pack is slowly forming between the three of us.
“She needs to eat,” River grumbles as a greeting. “Make sure she eats something.”
I notice the dark circles under his eyes have faded slightly. He’s still wearing his scowl, but it’s not as deep as it normally is.
He’s relieved Skylar is back home, just as I am.
“Did you bring up the statement?” I ask.
“No,” he mutters. “I figured you would be better at bringing it up.”
“You mean you’re not good at having a difficult conversation?” I ask, cocking an eyebrow.
He scoffs. “Sure, asshole. I mean, I didn’t want Skylar being pressured to tell Ben everything that happened to her the first time she sees us.”
“Hmm.”
“Hi, Landon!” Devyn chirps from the kitchen as I enter the front room. “Skylar is still sleeping. Do you want coffee?”
“That would be great, thank you.”
I can barely smell Devyn. All I can sense is Skylar and her sweet Omega scent that causes my mouth to water.
But she’s still sleeping, and I need to be patient.
I hear River huff and turn to look at him. “Is there a problem?” I ask carefully.
He shakes his head. “No, just…it’s hard to leave her,” he mutters, running a hand through his hair.
Devyn casts him a sympathetic look as my eyes widen, surprised at his admission. “I’m sure it will be the same for me, too,” I say. “But she’s home. And she’s in good hands with you and me.”
“And Vincent,” Devyn adds, beaming.
River rolls his eyes and doesn’t bother saying goodbye as he shuts the door behind him.
Devyn makes a face as she hands me a mug. “I thought everyone was getting along,” she says, her eyes falling to the door. “You guys have been working together for a month.”
I take a sip of the coffee. “I don’t think River’s ready to accept the idea of Vincent wanting her,” I say carefully.
“Oh. So, it’s like…a weird pack mentality.” Devyn takes a loud slurp of iced coffee from her cup. “How is that going to work?”
“The same way you and Ben work, probably. You figure it out as you go along.”
Hopefully, I think.
All I know is that the three of us want Skylar. I can accept it. River will have to as well.
Devyn hums thoughtfully, followed by another slurp. “I’m so glad you found her,” she adds. “I can never thank you enough.”
Vincent found her, not me.
I was the one who failed to put together obvious clues.
I was the one who could have prevented this from happening in the first place.
But I don’t tell Devyn that. Instead, I look at the loyal friend that has stayed by Skylar’s side, the one who helped us turn our Omega’s house into a home.
The person that never stopped having hope that Skylar would be found.
“You’re a good friend, Devyn,” I say sincerely. “I’m glad Skylar has you.”
She places her cup on the counter and grins. “I’m happy she has you,” she says. “It’s nice to see her be treated the way she deserves.”
I nod. “She should have been treated that way a long time ago,” I continue. “It’s unfortunate that wasn’t the case.”
“Yeah, didn’t you and River go visit her ex?” she asks. “How did that go? Did you beat him up?”
I give her a wry smile. “We couldn’t do that,” I say as I sip my coffee. “But River may have done something to his truck.”
“I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that,” Devyn says delightedly, “so Ben doesn’t feel obligated to look into it.”
“What did you guys do?” a soft, beautiful voice says, and I turn to see Skylar standing in the entryway to the kitchen.
I stop breathing.
Time stills as I look into her eyes, the brilliant blue irises burning into mine.
She’s so frail. Her emaciated frame is drowning in a pink sweatshirt and grey leggings, and her face is hollow from a month of starvation and dehydration.
It takes everything within me to stay where I’m standing and not pull her into my arms.
Mine, my inner Alpha chants.
Take care of her.
Comfort her.
But I won’t make the first move, no matter how much as it pains me. Just as I’m sure River didn’t.
It has to be on Skylar’s terms.
So instead of pulling her into my arms, I give Skylar a soft smile. “Hi, darling,” I murmur, before I’m able to stop myself.
She doesn’t recoil at the pet name. Instead, she returns my smile with a tentative one of her own. “Hi,” she breathes.
Her scent swarms me.
While Devyn’s is muted and pleasant, Skylar’s is everything.
I clear my throat to hide my reaction to being around her.
I have to keep it together.
Everything is on her terms.
“Well, I think I’m going to go!” Devyn chirps, interrupting the tension in the room. “My shift starts in a few hours, and Ben just pulled up.”
Skylar perks up as she looks at Devyn. “How’s the café doing? I need to come back soon. I could get dressed and go with you today.”
Devyn shoots a worried glance at me, but I remain silent, not daring to start an argument with Skylar. “We’re good! Um, I think you need to rest a bit before you come back, though.”
Skylar turns her attention back to me, then her shoulders sag. “Yeah,” she says softly. “I think I do.”
My chest burns.
The disappointment on her face kills me, but there’s nothing I can do.
She needs to heal before she can go back to work, and it’s obvious she knows it.
“I love you, Skye,” Devyn says, going to her friend and hugging her. “I’ll text you soon, and I can come back tonight.”
Skylar’s arms wrap around Devyn, and once again I’m reminded of how frail she is.
It’s a miracle River didn’t kill Briggs when we found him.
“Love you, too,” Skylar whispers, and I ignore the irrational flare of jealousy at her speaking the words to her friend.
Devyn shoots me a smile, tells me to take care of Skylar, and leaves us alone in the kitchen.
Without the other Omega’s scent, Skylar’s honeyed aroma fills the air completely.
My cock twitches in my pants, and I fiddle with my tie to distract myself.
I’m nervous, I realize.
She could reject me.
The last time we were here, it didn’t end well.
When I showed up today, there were a million things I was ready to say.
But all of them leave me as I drown in Skylar’s scent, in those tired eyes and that too-pale skin.
“God, I missed you,” I breathe, my voice hoarse.
Her eyes widen and she takes a step towards me but loses her footing. I’m crossing the distance to her in a second, wrapping an arm around her waist to keep her steady.
“Shit, sorry,” she hisses, gripping my shoulder. “This is so embarrassing,” she huffs. “It’s not like I forgot how to walk.”
“You’re healing,” I assure her. “Your electrolytes are probably out of balance, too. When’s the last time you ate?” I ask her gently.
She steadies herself as I reluctantly release her. “I can’t remember,” she mumbles. “River wanted me to, but nothing seemed appetizing.”
I’ll be damned if she doesn’t eat while I’m here.
I can handle not holding her or touching her, to a degree.
But she’s eating if it’s the last thing I do.
“I’d be happy to cook for you, if you’d like,” I say, smiling at her.
She blushes. “Oh, you don’t have to do that,” she murmurs. “I’m perfectly capable of cooking for myself. And you guys have already done so much for me.”
“Skylar,” I say as she follows me into the kitchen.
“Yeah?”
“Let me take care of you.”
“But you don’t have to?—”
“I want to,” I say. “I want to so badly it makes me sick. Sweetheart, let me do this for you,” I insist.
I need to provide for her. Care for her.
“Okay,” she replies, giving me a half smile. “If you insist.”