Page 26 of The Omega's Bloodline: Part One

Seth.

The name sent a pang of loss through me. I still hated that he’d left and no one had given me the reason yet. Caden had told me I should ask Seth, but I’d never wanted to sour the infrequent visits, so I’d left it alone.

He’d been here a couple of months ago and I hadn’t expected to see him again so soon.

“What does he want?” I picked myself up off the floor and looked through the peephole.

I’d have to ask him to know and I don’t want to let him inside. He’s here too early. He probably pissed off the wrong people.

“Maybe he’s hurt?”

“I can hear you through the door, Logan,” said Seth. “And I can see Caden in the window.”

Caden did that weird cranky growl cats do right before they take a swing at you when you’ve upset them.

I sighed and pulled open the door. “Hey, Seth!”

He swallowed me up in a hug and I froze for a moment. He wasn’t usually so openly touchy with me, but the warmth of him sank into me and I dug my fingers into his shirt.

Seth stepped back and gave me a big smile. “Can I come in?”

“Yeah, of course.” I stepped aside and Seth kissed my cheek as he swept inside, scooping up mini-Caden before he had a chance to shift. “Hey, cutie.”

I ignored the burst of heat where Seth’s lips had touched my skin. He lookedsomuch like Caden. They had the same gorgeous, sun-kissed skin, black hair, and hazel eyes that turned my knees to jelly. If I didn’t know one of them so intimately, I’deasily be able to mistake one for the other at a distance. The only immediately discernible differences were that Seth had a more cheeky, playful vibe than Caden did, and a slimmer build.

Caden hissed and wriggled free from Seth’s grip, shifting to his human form before he hit the floor. “Fuck off.”

“You know, I really thought he’d be in a better mood after he started living with you,” said Seth.

“He hates happiness,” I joked, shooting a wink at Caden. “We weren’t expecting you back so soon.”

“I need a place to crash for a couple ni?—”

“No.” Caden spat out the word before Seth could even finish his sentence.

“Comeon.” Seth turned to me, ignoring Caden. “Please. I’ll be good. I’ll even pay for the privilege.”

I raised an eyebrow. I’d never,evermade him pay to stay with me. “You’re always welcome here. You know that.”

He turned his brilliant smile onto me. My heart fluttered happily.

“Have you been hanging around in people form?” I asked. “You showed up in clothes this time.”

Seth laughed. “Yeah, I’ve been spending time with a few buddies. I figured you’d both appreciate it if I popped up while wearing pants.” He looked pointedly at Caden. “Some of us would appreciate it if everyone was clothed.”

Caden’s hackles rose and he stalked away long enough to grab a pair of sweatpants from our bedroom, returning half dressed. “Why are you back early?”

“You’re out of the loop with shifter shit.” Seth shoved his hands in his pockets. “I figured you probably hadn’t heard about the attacks.”

Caden’s nostrils flared. “What attacks?”

“See, exactly,” Seth said. “You have no idea what’s going on with you playing human in Logan-land.”

I snapped my fingers in front of Seth’s face. “Focus. What’s going on?”

“Right, sorry.” He swung an arm around my shoulders. “I was at a club tonight and something killed two of us. I figured Caden should be aware since it was only, like, an hour from here.”

“What killed them?” Caden asked. He tugged me out of Seth’s grip and into his own. I stroked a soothing hand down his back until he relaxed.

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