Page 33 of Shades of Scars

A great start to my first date with my scent matched alphas.

19

Scarlett

When we step outside of the diner, I spot Caito leaning against a shiny metallic green Range Rover that totally suits him well. He’s like a super jacked up leprechaun, and I struggle to keep a straight face after that thought so he doesn’t ask me why I suddenly start laughing out loud like a lunatic upon seeing him.

Of course his eyes are already on me when we step out of the doors, and Lark groans like he’s being murdered. “Can you just let me have one day with our omega, you fucking jealous jackass.”

Caito scoffs, but he doesn’t take his eyes off of me as he straightens from his position against the fancy SUV. He watches me like a hunter watches their prey, and it makes a shiver race down my spine when we approach. “I have a thing to discuss with Scarlett. Besides, Wren has a job for you. He texted you about it.”

Right on cue, Lark’s phone chimes, and he pulls it out to read the text from Wren. He glowers at Caito as he shoves the device back in his pocket. He points a finger at the other alpha when he comes to a stop beside us, hands stuffed in the pockets of his jeans and acting all casual. “You are an asshole, you know that? Both you and Wren.”

Caito takes one of his hands out of his pockets to give Lark a sarcastic wave. He doesn’t smile, but I can tell he’s amused. “Run along now,deartháir.”

Lark glares at him for a moment longer before he turns to me. Tentatively, he reaches out a hand to me. I’m curious more than anything, so I put my hand in his. Then he brings it up to his mouth, brushing his lips across my knuckles and making me shiver with the contact.

“I’ll get started on that little problem you mentioned over breakfast.” When our eyes collide, there is a deadly promise there, and it makes my breath catch at the intensity of it.

Then he drops my hand and strides away down the block where he’d parked his car without another glance at Caito. I watch until he’s gotten in and pulled away, heading back across the city towards the Parkway, before I turn back to the intense alpha hovering at my back.

“If you have something to say to me, say it. Otherwise I’d like to go home.” I cross my good arm over my chest, really wishing now I’d worn something that covered more of my skin. He wasn’t paying any attention to my body, his eyes focused solely on my own, but I still feel too exposed. Like he’s attempting to look down too deep inside of my soul.

I’m terrified of what he might find if he continues.

“It’s a beautiful day. Would you do me the honor of joining me for a walk through Black Tide Park,mo chroí?” He holds out a hand to me, and I look at it for a moment. Against my better judgment, I slip mine into his, and the smile he offers me is enough to make angels weep.

God, he’s so damn beautiful.His auburn hair is styled perfectly and blazing beneath the mid-morning sun high above us. He even trimmed up his beard since the last time I’d seen him. He’s like perfectly contained chaos. I shouldn’t like it so much, but I do, dammit.

I allow him to lead me back over to his Range Rover, and he helps me inside before rounding the hood to slip behind the wheel. The way he moves reminds me of a lithe jaguar stalking through dense jungle undergrowth. Every time I find myself glancing over at him on the drive over to the park, I feel heat begin to pool low in my belly, and I know I’m in for a world of trouble if I don’t start distancing myself.

I am too damn weak for that, though.

Caito parks the SUV in one of the public parking lots that border the giant park at the center of the city, and he’s out of the door and opening mine before I can even reach for the handle. I try not to get giddy like a schoolgirl at the chivalrous act. I take his hand and he doesn’t let go, even as we start walking down the winding pathways all throughout the park.

He finally speaks after about five minutes or so of silence, and it’s not at all what I’d been expecting. “What problem was Lark talking about before he left earlier?” The question is innocent enough, but there’s an edge to his tone that makes me look over at him while we walk. His hand is warm in mine, our fingers tangled together, and I force myself to focus on that before I answer.

“Nothing worth repeating. I trust him to take care of it all on his own.” I shrug and he growls under his breath at that. Caito seems like the type to try to take on all the problems on his own. I think Lark would be upset if I shared my story again regarding the diner, and then Caito decided to take matters into his own hands. There is definitely enough of my baggage to go around for everyone to handle.

“I wish you’d let me help you more.” He grumbles, not at all pleased with my response.

I roll my eyes over at him, and he catches it, giving my hand a squeeze as if it’s a warning or something. I don’t heed it. “I do. But I can also let Lark help me. Same with Wren and Apollo. Idon’t just belong to you.” I don’t know why I say that. I shouldn’t have. I don’t need him getting any ideas that I might be coming around to this whole courtship thing.

We cannot be a pack. I cannot have these alphas.

Caito cocks a brow at me like he can hear my inner turmoil. “Lark is the love not war type. I think he might need my assistance.” I choose to ignore that, and he’s silent for several more minutes before he speaks up again. “I really do have something I need to talk to you about.”

Instantly, I’m on high alert and already overthinking things. He doesn’t stop walking as I ask, rather cautiously, “What is it?” I bet it has something to do with what happened the other day with those alphas. Wren hasn’t been around since the incident in my nest, and I’m not sure if I should be thankful or not.

Mostly not. His scent is already starting to fade from the nest, and it’s making me desperate to find a way to get him back in it again. I also miss the taste of him on my tongue. I’d known it would be a mistake to do what I’d done, but I hadn’t been able to control my urges.

Now, I’ll never be able to stop craving moments like that.

He sighs heavily, reaching up with his free hand to rub at his beard. “I need to take you into our lawyer’s offices on Friday morning to conduct an interview with the police about your attack. I really don’t want you involved in it, but…” He trails off, his body going tense with anger.

When he looks over at me, I come to a halt just by the look in his dark green eyes alone. “Just tell me.” I whisper, and his fingers flex around mine where we are still connected. “Bad secrets only hurt good people.”

His jaw clenches. “I wasn’t going to keep it a secret from you.” I give him a look that he can interpret however he chooses. His eyes flash again with an emotion I can’t get a good read on, but then he sighs again. “I have reason to believe one of thedetectives that showed up at your apartment might know who you are. He alluded to knowing you are bonded and hinted that maybe he would notify youralphasof the situation.”

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