“What?” he asks, when I meet his eyes. “Grants?”
“Yeah,” I say, my mind slowly working. “Being in the mountains, we always had problems with crops. The soil wasn’t very fertile, but we could overcome those issues with modern farming equipment and by treating the soil. I used to help my pack apply for those grants. I was still too young to take over the grant writing on my own, but I got a solid feel for how the process works… before everything happened.”
Everything being my brother's murder, and my pack’s refusal to do anything. I swallow hard, like I always do any time the subject of my brother’s death comes to mind. It’s a trauma I feel like I will never stop reliving. Especially now, with Kurt comingafter me. I’m just happy now that the memories don’t seem to pull me down to as dark a place, at least with Cayson and Ezra around.
“That’s actually… that’s actually a really good idea. I’ll look into that,” Ezra says, sounding intrigued.
A few minutes pass as I carefully work. I’m trying to make sure the two sides are even, to make the makeup really pop.
“All done!” I say, stepping back from Cayson and admiring my handiwork. He looks beautiful—like a human canvas—and I’m surprised I managed to do so well with the makeup, since I don’t use it that often.
It just figures that this guy looks like a damn male model, with his sharp cheekbones and big brown eyes.Sometimes it’s hard to believe Cayson isn’t even cockier than he acts. With how pretty he is, I wouldn’t blame him for it.
“Wow,” Ezra says, “you look like an even bigger jackass than normal.”
I stick out my bottom lip, play pouting at him. “You don’t like it?”
Ezra laughs, standing and shaking his head. “Sorry, Faye—I think you did a great job. Maybe it’s just the material that’s flawed.”
“Flawed?” Cayson says, emphasizing the word. “There’s nothing flawed about me. Even my dick is the picture of perfection.”
“Probably more like a pirate hook,” Ezra mutters.
“Pirate hook?” Cayson puts a hand to his chest in mock horror, which is hilarious when paired with the sparkly purple suit and the sparkling eye makeup. “Well, I never! I’ll have you know, it’s straight as an arrow.” He turns to me and winks. “You’ll see.”
My cheeks flame. “I willnotsee.”
He laughs and tugs me into his lap. “Would my little omega like some sugar?”
I push on his chest and get myself free from his lap, laughing hysterically. “Cayson!”
Ezra grins. “Should we head to the fashion show?”
My smile fades, and I give him a mischievous look. “Actually, we’re not done yet.”
Ezra groans. “Faye, Cayson is dressed up enough for the both of us.”
“I don’t think so,” I say, struggling not to grin. “Go ahead and take a seat, and we’ll see how we can make you just as pretty as Cayson.”
Cayson laughs at Ezra as he grumbles, but Ezra drops into the chair in front of me. And, again, it’s so strange to me. These two alphas are huge men. They’re men who tower over me, who could break my bones with no effort at all, and yet, they’re so gentle with me. They actually act like I’m the one with all the power instead of them.
Even though it’s not true.
Cayson circles to his closet. “You know, I have an idea…”
“You better not,” Ezra mutters.
“What kind of idea?” I ask sweetly.
“You know that Halloween party?” Cayson asks, going to the closet and rummaging to the back. “I couldn’t decide on a color, so I actually have this one as well.”
It’s a bright, aquamarine blue with multi-colored glitter on the lapels, and I instantly reach for the makeup, knowing I’m going to do Ezra’s makeup just as glittery and bright, but with blue instead.
Ezra gives me a look. “We’re going to look ridiculous.”
Yes, they are, but I have a feeling that I’ll find them just as sexy as always anyway.Which is a strange and slightly terrifying idea.
“Well, that’s fine, right?” I say. He looks up, meeting my eyes. “It’s not like you’re trying to impress anyone. You’re leaving here without an omega, right?”