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“Looks like you don’t have enough in there to buy her,” I say. “Karma is a bitch.”

“You wish. And I don’t believe in karma,” Devlin sneers, “only fate. Paige is my fated Omega.”

“When we’re done here, remember you said that.”

Devlin snarls, turning on his heel. He painfully limps back through the other investors to stand at the base of the steps.

I nudge the briefcase with my heel.

Have I been able to raise enough?

I roll my shoulders, trying to get out the ache in them. I rub at the stubble on my chin. I didn’t have time to shave this morning.

I smooth down my creased shirt.

No wonder Devlin reckons I don’t have enough cash to buy the inn. But he shouldn’t underestimate a descendant of the founders.

“What are you doing here?” Paige demands from behind me.

I startle. “Give an Alpha some warning.”

Paige weaves around the tree with Angel and Luca behind her.

She has never looked at me that coldly before.

I don’t blame her. But it still hurts.

She narrows her eyes. “Like you did when you disappeared for a day and night?”

She is dressed in a blackberry print dress, and her hair is pulled back in a low ponytail.

She’s beautiful.

My heart leaps.

How have I missed my Omega this much when I have only been apart from her since yesterday?

I shift, awkwardly. “Fair.”

“Did you call Rhett and tell him to meet us here?” Paige turns to Luca. “I’m not angry. I know that whatever…you’d been told…to keep secret was tearing you up. Plus, being apart from your bonded Alpha was even harder.” Then she turns a furious look on me. “But you…? Shouldn’t have put that ask on him. You didn’t see what it did to him.”

“I’m okay,” Luca says, quickly.

He’s fiddling with the hem of his flannel shirt. His face is pale.

Shit.

“I’m sorry, sugar.” I soften my voice. “I was caught up in what I had to do. Next time, I won’t ask you to cover for me.”

“Next time?” Paige huffs. “What are you talking about? You abandoned me, off doing something more important. Now, we’re gathered together here to watch me lose my inn…”

She breaks off.

My heart aches. I hadn’t intended her to imagine all that.

Doesn’t she understand how much I love her?

All I can do is show her.