Page 25 of Reckless: Collision

Fierce little beta with wild red hair, wearing unicorn pajamas like battle armor. But it’s not just her appearance that makes me pause—it’s the way both alphas’ scents spike with recognition. The way Finn’s shoulders have gone tight with borrowed instinct through our pack bond.

I’ve felt this before, through our bonds. This instant, primal recognition.

Interesting. Very interesting.

I push off the doorframe, unable to resist poking at their dynamics. “So, this is our new houseguest?”

The moment she steps out of the car, I know we’re keeping her. Not just because she’s clearly gotten under both alphas’ skin, but because there’s a sharp intelligence in her eyes that matches the defiance in her stance. Like recognizes like, after all.

When I link my arm through hers, I catch it—Jinx’s scent, yes, but underneath that, something dangerous. My pupils dilate instantly, goosebumps racing up my arms as my omega glands behind my ears grow hot, releasing a response I can’t control. Bright lemon and electric ozone, the scent crawls into my lungs and spreads through my veins like liquid silver. My fingers actually tremble against her arm, my composer’s mind instantly recognizing what my body already knows—she’s the missing harmony in a chord I’ve been trying to complete for years.

No wonder both alphas are trying so hard to hide their reactions. No wonder Finn looks like he’s solving the most complex puzzle of his life.

She’s not just any beta. She’sours.

“Let me show you around while these alphas posture and growl at each other,” I say, feeling Ryker’s disapproval radiate through our bond. “I have questions about why you smell like Jinx’s bathroom hookup, and I’m betting that story goes well with espresso.”

Ryker stiffens behind us, his possessiveness spiking. Jinx just laughs, that wild sound that usually means he’s found a new obsession.

“You,” she tells me, “Are dangerous.”

I can’t help but grin. If she thinksI’mdangerous, wait until she sees what this pack is really capable of. “Oh honey,” I lead her 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.”

And I would have. In fact, I think I’m going to enjoy helping her do exactly that.

“Back off, omega,” Jinx growls, but there’s a playful edge to his threat. “This one’s mine.”

I arch an eyebrow at his claim. “Yours?” I can feel Ryker’s tension spike at the word. “Since when do you stake claims, chaos demon?”

“Mine.” Jinx stalks closer, all predatory grace. “Sweetheart, you gave me ownership rights when you begged so prettily in that bathroom.”

Cayenne’s pulse jumps under my fingers. Anger? Arousal? Both, probably.

“Funny,” she says, voice sharp as glass. “I don’t remember signing any contracts between orgasms.”

The bonds explode—Ryker’s rage, Jinx’s possession, Finn’s quietoh shitall hitting me at once. I barely catch Jinx’s movement before he’s there, inches from us, alpha pheromones thick enough to choke on.

“Want me to remind you?” His voice promises sinful things. “I bet you’re still wet from?—”

“Enough.” I don’t raise my voice—I lower it. The word emerges as barely more than a whisper, yet it vibrates through the air like a tuning fork struck against bone. The omega timbre cuts through alpha posturing, and I watch as both men’s pupils contract sharply, their shoulders dropping a fraction of an inch as if weights have been placed on them. The very molecules between us seem to rearrange themselves, bending toward my command.

Jinx’s eyes snap to mine, pupils blown wide. I know that look. Know exactly what he needs.

“Cayenne,” I say smoothly, unwinding our arms. “Finn will show you inside. I need to... handle something.”

“Handle?” She looks between us, understanding dawning. “Oh.Oh.”

Jinx’s hands are already on me, pulling me away from her. His hunger bleeds through the bond, desperate and demanding.

“Try not to break anything!” I call over my shoulder to Ryker as Jinx practically drags me toward the east wing. “And Cayenne? Fair warning—the walls aren’t soundproof!”

Her startled laugh follows us inside, along with Ryker’s long-suffering sigh.

I turn toward my chaos demon, my broken alpha.

Jinx’s eyes are wild, his grip bruising as he pushes me against the wall. I can feel the turmoil roiling through our bond—lust and possessiveness warring with a desperate need to submit.

“Theo,” he growls, burying his face in my neck. “I can’t—she’s?—”

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