Page 10 of Into the Fire: Before

Whoops.

Lin’s and Caine’s eyes landed on me, Caine with murder in them and Lin with laughter. I huffed. “Next time one of you can haul up the cooler then!”

The brunette still hadn’t said a word, but the red-headed alpha backed toward her, never taking her eyes off the three men—the two alphas—before her. “We’ll get out of your hair. Have a good night.”

My heart pounded in my ears. I didn’t even know their names. But I didn’t want them to leave. More than that, though, there were new studies underway about synthetic omega hormones helping with various alpha ailments. Maybe some bonafide pheromones could ease a migraine.

“Wait,” I called out, stepping closer. “We’ve got plenty of drinks—”

“Brooks!” Caine hissed.

I rolled my eyes. “He’s all growl and no bite, I swear.” I gestured to the ice chest, then the semi-circle of cozy cream-colored patio sofas. “The night’s too nice to not take advantage, right?”

The women exchanged a look, the redhead quirking a brow and the short brunette shrugging. Finally, still holding hands, they stepped past me and sat on the loveseat across from where Lin sat. In close proximity, my beta senses couldjustpick up the faint notes of their scents. Pomegranate…toffee…vanilla…But I couldn’t tell whose was whose. Didn't matter, though. Every bit of it made my mouth water for a taste.

Fuck, surely Caine couldn’t hate scents like these?

“I’m Brooks,” I started out, returning to my seat. “These are my packmates Lin and Caine.”

“Oh, we’re acquainted,” the redhead said with a disdainful look to Caine.

Lin chuckled. “Why do I get the feeling someone stuck his foot in his mouth?”

The redhead scoffed. “Try both feet up to the knees.”

“Well, don’t keep it to yourselves, now,” I said, sinking into the patio chair with a sigh. “Do tell.”

She rolled her eyes, aiming her sharp gaze at Caine, who hovered several yards away, half-shrouded in shadow. “So you didn’t tell your packmates about your stance that omegas should disclose their designations on leasing agreements for the comfort of nearby alphas?”

“Damn, Caine, really?” Lin squinted and looked to him, clearly taken aback.

Caine shifted from foot to foot. “That wasn’t what I meant,” he mumbled.

I leaned forward in my seat, elbows on my knees and palms out. “We apologize for our packmate’s…lack of tact.” A spike of agitation shot through the bond. “And we assure you, we’re all pro-neutrality.”

Neutralityfelt a bit like a misnomer. All neutralists wanted was for betas and omegas to be on an even playing field with the alphas who’d historically been on top.

“Take it from the resident beta,” I said, gesturing to myself, “Caine is a friend to all designations.”

Once upon a time, our biologies had been necessary for survival. Hormones and pheromones and instincts that drew certain individuals together, that ensured the strong would defend and provide for the weak. It had been a long, long time since then, though, and society was finally adapting to that reality. Blockers, suppressants, and dampeners were almost universally taken by alphas and omegas to ease the intensity of their instincts. They’d made it safe for omegas, in particular, to exist in the world independent of alpha male caretakers. Thingsweren’t perfect, but the last fifty years had seen massive jumps in human rights for omegas and betas alike.

The two women glanced at Caine as one, before turning skeptical eyes back on me.

Lin chuckled, sipping his drink. “Well, if notfriend,then certainly…tolerant.”

“God,” Caine breathed between clenched teeth as he made a beeline for the doorway.

Only then did I realize that the not-my-headache had, indeed, lessened—and that it grew with each pounding step Caine took toward the door. I jumped up from the seat, jogging after him and grasping his arm before he could disappear through it.

“Okay, okay, okay, we’re sorry,” I said, injecting lightheartedness into my tone. “No more ragging on Caine. Promise.”

He could’ve pulled out of my grip, continued on back to the apartment to sit alone in the dark and listen to his own blood pumping through his ears. Yet he stood still. I pushed as much encouragement down the bond as I could, silently begging him to stay.

“Please,” I added in a whisper so only he could hear. “It might help.”

Maybe he’d noticed the drop in his pain too, or else his desperation for relief just won out. Either way, Caine turned and—scowling so hard I worried his eyebrows might slice his nose off his face—returned to his former position propping up the brick wall of the patio. Not as great as joining us in the sitting area, but if the omega’s pheromones could reach him, I’d take it.

“So, where were we?” I asked as I plopped back down next to my mate, who was perched on the edge of the seat as Caine and I returned. A prod from him in the bond, a checking in. I set back a wave of comfort.All is well.

---