29. Elowen
ELOWEN
We take our time the next morning. Over breakfast of tea and toast prepared by Julian, reality seeps back through my pores. Nine days. If the pattern is to be believed. And, with Calder’s rut, my mind is only now inching back to the list of four Ms. Hartley gave us.
“Officer Brennan,” Julian says as if reading my mind. “He checked in on you during your heat. He has to be suspect number one.”
“How do we get close to him without raising suspicion?” Tyler asks.
I check my phone. No new messages, then I remember that Tyler blocked communication from withheld numbers. Does he know we’re at Calder’s apartment? The thought of him sitting outside and watching us makes my flesh crawl.
“We should get back to campus,” I say. “Remind him that we’re not dropping this investigation.”
“United front,” Calder adds.
Julian clears the dishes. “We need a plan.”
“We should watch him closely today,” I say, sounding braver than I feel.
“El’s right.” Tyler covers my hand with his. “If he’s worried like Gideon said, it’ll show in his body language.”
“We can’t go to the police with body language as evidence,” Julian says from the counter. “But it’s a start.”
“We’ll figure the rest out, don’t worry.” Calder holds my gaze, reminding me I’m safe.
Ms. Hartley is waiting inside the entrance of the main building when we arrive. “Come with me.” She’s all brisk efficiency, and we follow her back to her office.
“One name was missing from the list I gave you,” she says, facing us from the middle of the room.
“Professor Robbins. She came to me for access to heat records at the beginning of last year. For research on behalf of the dean. Of course, I cleared it with the dean first but never added her to the list because the access was granted temporarily. Only now I realize that her access was never rescinded.”
"Professor Robbins," I repeat slowly. "She teaches herbal medicine."
“Okay…” Tyler’s eyebrows are knitted together. “Why? I mean, she’s a big fan of your skills, Elowen. Didn’t she ask for your advice on something not long ago?”
But the niggling thought that’s been so elusive until now is making me feel antsy. What is it? Something Gideon said.
Then it comes to me, and my breathing grows shallow. I stood out because I’m bonded with three alphas. “Is Professor Robbins opposed to multi-alpha bonds?”
"I've heard her speak at faculty meetings,” Ms. Hartley says. “Her beliefs are traditional. Natural omega dynamics. Single-alpha packs." She pauses. “But many of the professors share the same beliefs.”
Motivation crystallizes with ugly clarity. Traditional omega protecting old ways by eliminating threats. Using knowledge as a weapon while appearing to support omega rights.
“Thank you.” I open the door and head outside, my alphas close behind.
“Elowen?” Julian asks first when we’re far enough away from the building not to be overheard. “What are you thinking?”
I take a deep breath and face them. If I’m right about this, then it proves I’m next on the list.
“Gideon said he spoke to one of Kira’s alphas. Daniel Watson.”
Julian blinks. “Which means there was more than one alpha in Kira’s pack.”
“That’s why my name stood out for him. One omega, three alphas.”
“Okay.” Tyler’s eyes flicker while he considers this new direction. “We tested Rani’s wellness gift though. She only has one alpha.”
“As far as we’re aware.” I glance back at the building. “What if she’s hiding her true pack because she’s afraid of being visible?”
"Professor Robbins had access to all four victims," Calder observes, pulling up something on his phone. "Look, she's a visiting lecturer. Teaches herbal medicine at Elderwood full-time, but does guest seminars at other omega academies, including Thornwood."
Julian leans over to look. "Same lecture circuit. Same access to student records when she visits. Same trusted position."
"Of course, students would trust her," Tyler says. "She’s a respected professor. If she offered me herbal tea, I’d drink it… if I didn’t prefer coffee."
We need proof though. But how do you determine if a well-liked professor is potentially a murderer without drawing attention to yourself?
Before we can discuss our next move, Calder's phone rings.
The change in him is immediate. His entire body goes rigid, eyes darting around the grounds. "Mother?" His voice carries confusion and something close to dread. "You're... where?"
Tyler and Julian exchange glances. I watch the color drain from Calder's face.
"At the gates? With—" He closes his eyes. "Yes. I understand." He ends the call and just stands there, staring at nothing. "My parents are here. They brought Victoria."
"Who's Victoria?" I ask, though my stomach already knows the answer won't be good.
Calder looks at me, storm-gray eyes filled with panic. "The omega my mother wanted me to bond with. They arranged an introduction last summer. I thought I made it clear I wasn't interested, but apparently…"
"Oh shit," Tyler breathes.
"Define 'wanted you to bond with’,” Julian says. “Casual suggestion or formal arrangement?"
"My mother doesn't do casual suggestions." Calder runs a hand through his hair. "Victoria's family owns the Winters chain of hotels and resorts. They’re wealthy, perfectly matched bloodlines, everything my mother values. She attended Maidenhill Academy. She's... nice. But I never—"
His phone buzzes with a text. His face pales further.
"They're coming. I need to intercept them before—"
"Calder!" A woman's voice carries across the grass, cultured, commanding, leaving no room for anything but immediate attention.
Too late.
I recognize wealth when I see it, even though I've never been around it before.
Calder’s mother wears a cream suit that probably cost more than my entire wardrobe. Her dark hair is swept into a perfect chignon. Her jewelry catches the sunlight. She moves with the kind of confidence that comes from never being told no.
The man beside her is equally polished, tailored slacks, expensive sweater, the solid build of someone who maintains appearances as naturally as breathing.
And between them walks an omega who looks like she stepped out of a magazine spread on appropriate matches. Honey-blonde hair in soft waves. Blue fitted dress with matching designer purse. Delicate jewelry. She's beautiful in the way that comes from a lifetime of careful cultivation.
She doesn’t smile when her gaze settles on Calder and the rest of us.
Margaret Ashford's eyes sweep our little study group, lips pinched. Her gaze lingers on me, on Calder's hand brushing mine, on how close we're standing, on my simple clothes and braided hair and complete lack of polish.
Her smile could frost glass.
"Calder." She extends both hands toward him in a gesture that looks affectionate but somehow isn't. “We thought we'd visit campus, show Victoria around. She's been so curious about Elderwood."
Victoria studies the ground as if the only thing she’s curious about is finding an escape route.
"Mother. Father." Calder positions himself slightly in front of me. The gesture isn't lost on anyone. "This is... unexpected."
"Surprises keep life interesting, don't they?" Margaret's eyes flick back to me, assessing and finding me lacking in the span of a heartbeat. "Aren't you going to introduce us to your... friends?"
The pause before ‘friends’ hits its mark.
Calder's jaw tightens. "This is Elowen Rowan. Tyler Vale. Julian Cross." His hand finds mine, fingers lacing together with deliberate visibility. "My pack."
The silence that follows could shatter a rock.
Margaret's composure cracks, just slightly, her mouth opening and closing like a goldfish. Robert Ashford's eyebrows rise. Victoria finally looks up, eyes widening.
"Pack?" Margaret says shrilly. "Calder, I think perhaps we should speak privately."
"Anything you say to me, you can say to them." Calder stands his ground.
Tyler and Julian shift closer to me, an unconscious protective position that I'm certain Margaret notices.
Margaret notices everything.
"How... modern." She looks at her husband. "Robert?"
Robert Ashford clears his throat. "Son, perhaps we could find somewhere quiet to talk? I'm sure your... packmates wouldn't mind giving us a moment."
"They would, actually," Tyler says pleasantly. "We're kind of a package deal."
Margaret's attention shifts to him, then Julian, then back to me. I watch her do the math, three alphas, one omega, completely backwards from every traditional arrangement she values.
"I see." She turns to Victoria, who still hasn't said a word. "Well. This is certainly unexpected. Victoria, dear, perhaps you'd like to see more of the campus while we sort this out?"
"I'd rather stay," Victoria says quietly. Then, even quieter: "If that's alright."
Margaret's lips purse, but she nods. "Very well. Shall we at least sit?"
We end up at a picnic table slightly removed from the main quad but still visible to passing students. I'm hyperaware of people noticing Calder Ashford's obviously wealthy parents meeting his obviously unconventional pack. This will be all over campus by dinner.
Margaret arranges herself on the bench like she's hosting a board meeting. Robert sits beside her, solid and assessing. Victoria perches on the edge, hands folded in her lap with the kind of perfect posture that comes from years of training.
We sit across from them, Calder in the middle, me on his right, Tyler and Julian flanking. Pack formation even in picnic table arrangements.
"Calder," Margaret begins, voice carefully controlled. "We discussed this. When you came home for summer break, we talked about your future. About Victoria. Her family is—"
"—is very nice, I'm sure," Calder interrupts. "But I'm not interested in an arranged match, Mother. I thought I made that clear."
"You said you needed time to think." Margaret's smile doesn't reach her eyes. "I assumed you'd reach a sensible conclusion. The Winters family is perfectly positioned, Victoria's been trained at Maidenhill, she's—"