Page 24 of Reckless: Collision

“Says the alpha who nearly burned down the kitchen making toast.” Theo pushes off the doorframe, all fluid grace. “Come on, little beta. I have coffee and actual clothes, if unicorns aren’t your typical aesthetic.”

I slide out of the car, bare feet hitting smooth stone. Up close, Theo’s even more striking—dark eyes lined with kohl, multiple piercings catching the light. Nothing about him screamstraditional omega.Not the way he moves—like a dancer plotting murder—or the sharp intelligence in his gaze as he circles me.

“Love the pajamas,” he says. “Very... bold fashion choice.”

“They’re iconic,” I defend.

“Of course they are.” His smile grows knowing. “Just like Jinx’s leather pants.”

“My pants are not iconic,” Jinx protests. “They’re tactical.”

“Tactically tight, maybe.” Theo winks at me. “You should see him try to chase suspects in them.”

“Are you done?” Ryker asks, but there’s fondness under his gruff tone.

“Not even close.” Theo links his arm through mine like we’re old friends. “Let me show you around while these alphas posture and growl at each other. I have questions about why you smell like Jinx’s bathroom hookup, and I’m betting that story goes well with espresso.”

Ryker goes rigid, muscles locking mid-breath, even as Jinx’s delighted laugh ricochets off the stone entrance.

“You,” I tell Theo, “Are dangerous.”

“Oh honey,” he grins, leading me toward the door. “You have no idea. Though I have to say—starting a war between my alphas? That’s exactly what I would have done.”

Chapter 5

Theo

I despise not knowingwhat’s going on. I understand why they wanted me to remain home. That doesn’t mean I have to like it.

Especially whenhomelooks like two alphas and a beta had a fight with every possession we own. And lost. Spectacularly.

I eye the disaster that is our living room—Jinx’s weapons scattered across the coffee table, Finn’s books forming precarious towers on every surface, Ryker’s tactical gear thrown over chairs like the world’s most paranoid decoration scheme. The news plays quietly in the background, another report about beta hospitalizations in the financial district. Sterling Labs’ logo flashes across the screen as they announce anotherbreakthroughin treatment.

Even my sheet music has somehow migrated from the piano to... is that a pizza box from last week?

Dio Mio.

The pack bonds pulse with tension. Ryker’s anger, sharp and controlled. Finn’s worry, a steady thrum beneath thoughts about the beta illness patterns he’s been tracking. And Jinx?—

I freeze, fingers stilling on the piano wire I’ve been absently playing with.

Jinx’s bond is too quiet. The kind of quiet that comes before an explosion. The kind that usually ends with property damage and me having to talk him down from whatever ledge he’s found himself on.

My phone buzzes.

Finn: Incoming. With package. Jinx unstable.

Well, shit.

Looks like we’re getting a houseguest. One that’s apparently pushed my most volatile alpha to the edge.

This should be interesting.

I hear the car before I see it, our sleek black SUV purring up the drive. The pack bonds are practically vibrating now—Ryker’s rage-tinged possession, Finn’s weary acceptance, and Jinx’s... well.

Let’s just say if arousal had a color, he’d be painting pornographic murals.

Then I see her through the windshield, and oh, everything makes sense.

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