Page 31 of Dream Girl
“Wow, you’re all rays of sunshine today. I need coffee and some of whatever Brennan’s making.” Lexi sailed in, wearing a red blouse, black slacks, and carrying the oversized work bag I’d gotten her for her birthday.
I hadn’t heard the front door, but she had the code to get in.
“This is pack business, Lexi. You’re not part of this pack, so go away.” Brennan went back to cooking.
Lexi was a beta and had a pack. I should introduce Grace to them. They were fun–and drove my growly alphas crazy.
“Detective, do you have an update? I didn’t expect you to come by.” Grace looked a little uncomfortable.
“Oh, right? Um, Grace, this is my older sister, Lexi. I’ve talked about her to you before.” Wes downed his coffee.
“Oh?” Grace looked uncomfortable, her scent growing anxious, and I put a hand on her shoulder to help settle her.
I got the feeling last night that she was touch-starved. My cuddles would help, but Wes’ would be better.
“I was wondering if that was you,” Lexi said. “It’s so nice to finally meet you.”
“Fuck me,” Brennan muttered.
“Later, Handsome.” I wrapped my arms around him as he cooked. My other alpha needed some reassurance, too. He didnotlike change.
“I… I’ll be right back. I think–” Grace ran out of the room, making a puke-face.
“Wes, we need to talk.” Lexi looked at me, then at Wes. They looked so much alike, though Wes was taller and broader. But Lexi was tall for a beta.
Wes sighed. “You can talk in front of them. I want to be open about this.”
“Fine. The doctors at the center did some tests, which went through government labs, per protocol. The results have some legal ramifications.” Lexi helped herself to some coffee and then leaned against the counter, red nails tapping on the ceramic cup.
“She’s some sort of illegal designation, isn’t she?” Brennan made a face.
“The Center doesn’t even give that test.” Lexi frowned. “Weird that your mind even goes there.”
Illegal designations were just that,illegal–and their fate wasn’t kind, even though it wasn’t their fault they were born that way. Many of them tried to pretend to be something common. Usually, those tests were given at special government facilities with court orders.
“What does Grace remember about your relationship?” Lexi added.
“Youknewthey were together, and you let my omega take her home?” Brennan growled at her.
“I’ve never met Grace. However, I had suspicions. That knothead wouldn’t come to the station to see if it was her. I took her to the Center because the growly alphas at Eastside think she’s an omega who hasn’t awakened yet or is on some heavy-duty suppressants and blockers and dunks herself in scent-neutralizer every day,” Lexi retorted.
That was a perfectly reasonable thought. Laws aside, many unbonded omegas erred on the side of extreme caution, especially if they were independent and career-minded. That’s how I got through the last part of my military contract. Just because laws existed didn’t mean there weren’t knotheads out there.
“I don’t know exactly what she remembers. There are huge gaps in her memory still.” Wes drooped as sadness and regret pierced our bond.
I left Brennan and went to Wes.
“Will someone explain what is going on?” Brennan demanded.
“Basic version? Grace and I were together when we were young. Her mom didn’t like it–and sent her to a terrible place to make her forget me. I tried to find her and wasn’t successful. Eventually, I gave up, thinking she was dead. I haven’t seen or heard from her since I was at university.” Defeat crossed his face and I squeezed his hand.
“Oh, fuck. Who does that? Wait, I knew you then–and in high school. You had a serious girlfriend?” Brennan put eggs on plates.
Brennan and Wes had known each other since high school, because of their sisters, though Brennan was older. I was older than Brennan and Jett, but not as old as Spencer.
“It was sort of long distance, and I didn’t talk about her much since it was a little weird and people would tease me that she wasimaginary. Including you.” His gaze shifted to his sister. “They did a bond test?”
“Yep.” Lexi grabbed a plate and helped herself to a fork from the drawer. “It came back positive.”
