Page 91 of Forget-Me-Nots and Apricots

"Dakota just got a call from the station. They've got the suspect in custody already," Lucas explained, his playful expression giving way to something more serious. "We need to head out now."

Gabriel nodded, reluctantly creating more space between us. "I'll be right there." Lucas gave me a quick wink before disappearing back outside, leaving Gabriel and me alone once more.

"Duty calls," I said, trying to keep my tone light despite the renewed anxiety churning in my stomach.

Gabriel's expression softened as his eyes searched mine. "We'll know more after the interview. Try not to worry too much."

"I'll do my best," I promised, though we both knew it was easier said than done.

Gabriel hesitated, then leaned down to press a brief, gentle kiss to my lips. "I'll see you tonight. We'll have dinner together after the interview and discuss what we learned.”

"I'll be waiting," I replied, already missing his warmth as he stepped away. "Be careful."

Gabriel's eyes softened. "Always." With one last lingering look, he turned and left the greenhouse, his footsteps fading as he walked away.

I stood there for a moment, my fingers absently touching my lips where his had been just moments before. The reality of my situation crashed back over me—four Alphas, a murder investigation, and me caught in the middle of it all. Yet somehow, in the chaos, I'd found something unexpected. Something that both terrified and exhilarated me.

Shaking my head, I turned back to my work. The bridal bouquet wouldn't make itself, and focusing on flowers was far better than spiraling into anxiety about the interview happening at the station. I would work on finishing this then I would go and see what Theo was doing…and maybe he could distract me till the others got home.

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Ihadfinishedthebouquetand then stored all them in their rightful places, before going inside. I didn’t know if I should bother Theo or go back to my room for now. I stepped into the house, closing the door behind me softly before making my way to the kitchen.

I blinked seeing Theo there sitting at the counter with his iPad. I lingered in the doorway, unsure whether to disturb him. He seemed absorbed in whatever he was reading, his brow furrowed in concentration as he swiped through what looked like data charts. I was about to retreat when he spoke without looking up.

"You can come in, Vivian. I heard you approaching."

I shouldn't have been surprised—Alpha hearing was notoriously acute—but it still startled me how aware they all seemed to be of my presence.

"Sorry to interrupt," I said, moving into the kitchen. "I finished the bouquets and thought I'd come inside for a while."

Theo adjusted his glasses, his analytical gaze softening slightly when he saw me. "You're not interrupting. I was just reviewing some background information on our suspect while the others conduct the interview."

I moved further into the kitchen, drawn by curiosity despite my anxiety about the case. "Anything you can share?"

Theo hesitated, seeming to weigh how much information to give me. Finally, he set his tablet down and gestured to the stool beside him. "Sit. Would you like some tea? I just made a pot."

"That would be nice, thank you," I replied, sliding onto the stool as he stood to retrieve another cup. I watched as he prepared the tea, my eyes lingering on him as he moved. I hadn’t had as much time with Theo, but he was cute, even when he was a bit socially awkward. There was something precise and elegant about the way he moved, like each action was calculated for maximum efficiency. He returned with my tea, setting it carefully in front of me.

"It's chamomile," he explained, taking his seat again. "Studies indicate it has mild anxiolytic properties—helps reduce anxiety."

I smiled, wrapping my hands around the warm mug. "You noticed I was anxious?"

"Your micro-expressions indicate elevated stress levels," Theo replied matter-of-factly. "Increased blinking rate, tension in your jaw muscles, slight dilation of your pupils." His expression softened. "Plus, it would be perfectly reasonable given the circumstances."

I took a sip of the tea, letting the warmth soothe me. "You're very observant."

"It's both training and natural inclination," Theo acknowledged, adjusting his glasses again. "I've always noticed patterns others miss." He paused, studying me over the rim of his mug. "To answer your earlier question, our suspect is a lab technician named Trent Warren. Lab technician at Meridian Research Facility for the past eight years. He has access to the industrial cleaner found at your apartment and has been reprimanded twice for inappropriate behavior toward Omega colleagues."

I felt my heart rate quicken. "Inappropriate how?"

"Verbal harassment, unwanted advances, one instance of attempted scenting," Theo replied, his clinical tone somehow making the information easier to process. "Nothing violent in his official record, but his personnel file shows a pattern of escalation."

I took another sip of tea, trying to keep my hands steady. "And you think he's the one who broke into my apartment? Who might have killed those other Omegas?"

"He's a person of interest," Theo clarified, his tone measured. "We have physical evidence linking him to your apartment, but we don't yet have evidence connecting him directly to the murders." He took a careful sip of his tea. "The others are interviewing him now. We'll know more soon."

His eyes studied my face, noting my reaction. "Are you alright?"

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