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I lean over Devlin, surging my dominant pheromones over him. It instantly cows the younger Alpha.

He may be influential, but he’s not a strong Alpha. He almost bares his neck.

Devlin’s pack can throw their weight around, but Devlin has taken things too far. If I hadn’t been weighted under my own grief, I would have taken him down before now like he needs.

I still don’t understand why he has challenged me simply because I’ve scent matched with Paige.

In the past, Devlin has made things difficult for me, but he’s had the sense not to push me.

“You’re an asshole, Devlin,” I say. “But we’ve worked together for years. Why target my pack now? Is it because you’ve also been bullying the Omega who I’ve been helping through her heat out at Acorn Inn? Because she’s now under my protection?”

Devlin’s expression flashes with something that he desperately tries to hide.

It’s love, or at least, an obsessive version of it.

I almost let go of him, but then, my hold shifts to his collar.

Why didn’t I see it before?

He looks about the same age as my Omega. Were they at college together?

“She’s my Omega,” Devlin replies, chilling my blood.

When he turns his gaze back to mine, he no longer appears frightened.

Instead, he is fevered, possessive, fucking infatuated.

“Let go.” Devlin’s voice is smooth and deadly. “Or I’ll have you charged with assault. I should be the one fucking ruining you for touching my Omega. Count yourself lucky if your pack keep their hands and knots after touching her. She was always mine. I’ll bond with her tomorrow.”

“You’re crazy.” I straighten. I let him go, too disgusted to continue touching him. “Paige ain’t property. She gets to choose who she wants to bond with, and I’d bet my fortune it’ll never be a boy like you.”

“Choice?” Devlin’s nasty laugh causes flames of fear to lick up the back of my neck. “You don’t get what you want in life by offering that. I tried, but she chose losers like you have. She rejected me. What the hell is wrong with her? It shows that women like her have no idea what’s best for them. She let me suffer in agony for years. How’s that fair, when I’m the one who loves her the most? I’d do anything for her. And look what fate did. It killed her pack. Now, I’m not taking any chances.”

Killed.

Not died.

Killed.

I feel sick.

Something is off.

I drag Devlin up by his collar, until he’s dangling on his toes in front of me. “What the hell do you mean?”

“See? You’ve shared her nest, but you don’t know her secrets like I do.”

Anxiety curdles my guts. “Tell me, before I kick your ass, and I don’t give a damn if I’m locked up for it.”

Devlin’s breath catches with fear; he can tell I’m not bluffing. “Paige is in debt. Her inn has been in foreclosure for months. It’s going to auction tomorrow, and unless she can pay the whole cost of the inn in cash, she’ll lose it to another buyer or the banks.”

I stare at him in shock.

Acorn Inn is her dream. Beau and Evan’s ashes are scattered under the oak.

Paige will be losing those memories…her past…present…and future.

And she has been hiding this fear and sadness, while going through her heat with us…?