5. Colton

Colton woketo the unwelcome embrace of fatigue, muscles tense and mind churning. Despite the silk sheets and plush pillows that surrounded him, sleep had been a battleground, his dreams an unrelenting siege by a face that haunted his waking hours—Delcy"s.

Ever since he had caught a whiff of her scent at the coffee shop, he couldn"t get her out of his head. He had never reacted so strongly to an omega before, except for that one time seven years ago when his own pheromone had already been out of control. Usually, he could ignore their sweet pheromones, but something about Delcy"s scent had gripped him, sinking its claws deep.

With a grunt, he disentangled himself and rolled out of bed, each movement a testament to his restless night. The cold shower did little to tamp down the heat that seemed to simmer under his skin lately. He toweled off briskly and threw on workout clothes before heading down.

The gym offered no solace. As he lifted weights, each rep was mechanically executed, his thoughts ensnared by Delcy.

Jaxon bounced around the gym with his usual enthusiasm, unaware of Colton"s internal tumult.

"Come on, Colt. You"re dragging today. Where"s that Sterling fire?"

Colton grunted in response, unwilling to admit that his fire was being stoked in directions he didn"t dare explore.

Breakfast was a silent affair in Colton"s penthouse, Jaxon helping himself to eggs and toast as if he owned the place. Colton"s appetite eluded him. Instead, he found his gaze drifting to his hand that had held the coffee cup from Brewed Dreams, the coffee Jaxon had placed on his desk. He had known the brother had gone to that café, undoubtedly, to see Delcy.

He remembered how it smelled faintly of her scent, sweet and unsettlingly familiar, an aroma that had both soothed and irritated him. It was ridiculous how a simple cup could bring her image so vividly to mind.

He showered with the efficiency of someone who had places to be and people to command. The suit he chose was one of power, a charcoal gray tailored to perfection, a silent ally in the boardroom battles ahead. Yet as he knotted his tie, the silk slipping through his fingers like liquid shadow, Delcy"s image infiltrated his mind once more.

In the car, his grip on the steering wheel was firmer than necessary as he navigated through the city"s arteries toward Sterling Enterprises. Driving to work should have been routine, but an impulse seized him—an impulse so foreign it could have belonged to someone else entirely. Before he could second-guess himself, he found his car parked outside Brewed Dreams.

The coffee shop loomed ahead, quaint and unassuming. He parked with an uneasy churning in his gut and stepped out of the car. Inside Brewed Dreams, his eyes scanned for Delcy among the small morning crowd and behind the counter, but she was nowhere to be seen.

Disappointment settled like bitter dregs at the bottom of his stomach. He hadn"t realized how much he'd hoped to see her until now. With a silent curse at his own foolishness, Colton turned on his heel and strode back to his car.

The engine roared to life beneath him as he pulled out of the parking lot, and then chaos erupted. A figure darted across the lot with such haste it seemed they were fleeing some unseen predator.

He slammed on the brakes with heart-stopping force, tires screeching their protest against asphalt. Through the windshield, Colton watched in horror as a woman crumpled to the ground.

"Shit!" He threw open the door and rushed out before the car had fully stopped moving.

The woman lay there, disoriented amidst scattered belongings from her bag. Colton reached her side in an instant, his voice laced with urgency. "Are you all right?" He grabbed her arm, pulling her up toward him.

It took only a moment for recognition to dawn—Delcy was there before him without her usual mask to shield her face, her features bare for him to revel in, and Colton couldn"t help but stare.

She was beautiful. It wasn"t just her allure as an omega that struck him. It was her—delicate features framed by that same dark hair that haunted his dreams. A surge of protectiveness welled up within him, and he wanted to scoop her up and whisk her away so he could have all of her to himself.

She scrambled to gather her things. "I"m fine," she said breathlessly, her cheeks flushed with shock or embarrassment, perhaps both. She quickly slipped her mask over her face and then rushed away from him with such haste that it stung like rejection. He watched her retreating figure until she disappeared into Brewed Dreams.

Colton stood there amidst idling cars and honking horns, pulses of city life oblivious to the encounter, and felt something within him shift uncomfortably. He had come here searching for something he couldn"t name, and now that he"d found it in Delcy"s sudden appearance, he felt more unsettled than ever.

She left behind an imprint—a tangible sense of absence that made him question what exactly he was doing here when Sterling Enterprises awaited him just blocks away. A strange mixture of pleasure at seeing her unguarded face clashed with frustration at her swift departure.

Returning to his car felt like stepping back into a role, the collected billionaire who didn"t chase after women who literally ran from him. But Delcy"s fleeting presence had breached something in that armor.

* * *

Sitting at his mahogany desk,tapping his Montblanc pen absently against the polished wood, Colton"s gaze was locked on the reports spread before him, figures and projections marching down the pages in relentless rows. Yet for all his focus, Delcy"s image persisted in the periphery of his thoughts, a ghostly presence he couldn"t banish.

Her scent, her eyes, her soft voice—they haunted him. He shouldn"t be thinking about her, not when he had a multimillion-dollar deal to finalize, but he couldn"t get her out of his head.

The clock struck one, signaling the end of lunch—a meal he had ignored—and the beginning of an afternoon meeting that promised to be as tedious as it was necessary. With a heavy sigh, Colton stood and made his way to the boardroom.

The meeting dragged on like an anchor through mud. Colton"s impatience grew with each passing minute, his responses sharper, his directives more curt. The board members exchanged uneasy glances, sensing the storm brewing within their CEO. Even Emma, ever efficient and composed, hesitated before speaking, her words measured and cautious.

Jaxon leaned back in his chair, amusement dancing in his eyes at the spectacle of Colton"s mounting irritation.

"You"re quite the demon today," he said with a teasing lilt in his voice. "Need a coffee to mellow out?"

"Emma will get it," Colton said tersely, dismissing Jaxon"s offer with a flick of his hand.

Emma returned with a cup from the staff room, a blend Colton had tasted a thousand times over. He took a sip and immediately scowled. It lacked Delcy"s touch—the subtle nuances she brought to the brew. His mood soured further, each sip reminding him what it wasn"t rather than what it was.

Jaxon excused himself from the meeting to make a call outside. The sight of his twin"s casual demeanor only deepened Colton"s annoyance. Couldn"t Jaxon feel the weight of their responsibilities pressing down upon them?

Finally released from the confines of discussion and debate, Colton retreated to his office. He walked down the hall with purpose, ignoring the watchful eyes that followed him—eyes wary of drawing too close to Sterling Enterprises" tempestuous leader.

As he entered his sanctuary, something on his desk caught him off guard—a coffee cup sitting innocently beside his keyboard and a note adorned with a small doodle. A warmth bloomed in his chest as he reached for it, Delcy"s handwriting curled across the paper like vines seeking sunlight.

Colton"s lips curved into a rare genuine smile. He sat and picked up the coffee. The scent that rose from the cup as he brought it to his lips was unmistakable—Delcy"s craft—and he savored it like a man finding water in a desert. The liquid slid down smoothly, and for an instant, Colton imagined he could taste heaven itself.

Intrigued by which of the pens Delcy might have used from his collection to write such delightful words, he picked up each one and held it close to his nose. Outside his glass office walls, curious eyes watched as Sterling Enterprises" most feared alpha sniffed pens like a hound on a trail.

Finding the right one sent satisfaction rippling through him; its familiar scent mixed with Delcy"s unique aroma was intoxicating. Colton"s inner alpha purred contentedly.

With newfound lightness in his step, Colton headed next door to Jaxon"s office on matters concerning their latest deal. He found Jaxon amidst an array of pens strewn across his desk like soldiers after battle.

Hearing laughter spill from Colton"s lips was rare enough to give Jaxon pause. "What are you so happy about?" the brother asked before explaining his own quest for Delcy's chosen pen. "I"m searching for buried treasure," he said with half-joking desperation.

Colton leaned against the doorframe and surveyed the chaos. "So you were the one who ordered the coffee?"

Jaxon smirked. "Thought it"d lift your mood. It definitely lifts mine. That meeting was suffocating."

"Let me help," Colton offered, still chuckling softly at this shared obsession over something so seemingly trivial yet undeniably precious.

Together they sorted through fine points and fountain tips until Colton's hand landed on one that felt right—a sleek silver pen that bore traces of her touch.

Jaxon plucked it from Colton's grasp and held it aloft like an Olympic torch before sliding it into his pocket with reverence. "Thank you, brother," he said. "This is now my favorite pen and my keepsake."

Colton watched with bemusement as Jaxon cherished that pen as if it were more valuable than any contract they had ever signed. It was moments like these—unexpectedly mundane yet profoundly personal—that tethered them not just as business partners but as brothers bound by blood and now by Delcy's unwitting influence.

Colton"s gaze drifted to Jaxon"s desk, where his brother"s cell phone lay prominently displayed amidst the organized chaos. The name flashing insistently across the screen—The Most Beautiful—immediately identified the caller. His lips twitched. Their sister Lou had claimed that title in all their phones, a cheeky reminder of her vibrant confidence.

Jaxon answered with a resigned sigh. "What, this Sunday? I"m busy. Let Colton take you." He extended the phone toward Colton without waiting for a reply.

The device felt heavy in Colton"s hand, an unwanted tether to a plan he hadn"t agreed to. Yet as he pressed it to his ear, Lou"s bright voice poured through, smoothing over his reluctance like warm honey.

"Hey, big bro! Will you please, please, please be my partner for the fashion show on Sunday?" Her voice was sugary sweet, laced with the expectation that he wouldn"t deny her. "I simply can"t attend solo. I represent us Sterlings in the fashion world. If I appear unaccompanied, those second-rate writers will draft unflattering accounts about me again, that I, a well-known socialite behind the prestigious Sterling fashion house, came partnerless as anticipated. They"ll insinuate that I drive men away and no gentleman would desire my company, even my own kin."

Colton released a weary exhale. "I thought Landon was escorting you." He mentioned their cousin, Aston"s identical counterpart. The Sterlings were renowned for birthing dominant twins in their ancestry.

Lou"s response came as a frustrated snarl. "He ditched me, the crafty rat. I swear, Grandpa"s going to hear about this."

Jaxon undoubtedly picked up on Lou"s raised voice through the phone as he erupted in laughter.

"Come on, Colt, pretty please. I"ll spoil you with an amazing lunch afterward." She tempted him with the prospect of food, and Colton struggled to resist the allure of a satisfying meal, particularly when it involved his beloved half sister.

He pinched the bridge of his nose, fighting a battle he knew he"d lose. "All right, Lou. Sunday it is."

Her squeal of delight was answer enough. He couldn"t help but smile, despite himself. "You owe me," he said, though they both knew he"d never collect.

"I love you!" she chimed before ending the call.

Colton handed back the silent phone to Jaxon, who wore a smirk, knowing full well that their sister could wrap Colton around her finger with ease.

The brothers then dove into a discussion about their upcoming deal—a series of negotiations for a prime piece of real estate that would expand their empire even further. Each point was dissected with precision until they reached an accord, setting in motion plans that would unfold over the coming weeks.

Returning to his office, Colton found Emma at his desk. She was tidying up and had lifted Delcy"s coffee cup—the one he had so carefully sniffed out earlier. "Leave it," he ordered before she could discard it.

Emma looked at him, her brows arching in silent question, but she complied, placing the cup back on the desk with deliberate care. She left a stack of files beside it—contracts and proposals demanding his review—and then retreated from the room, her curiosity about the coffee cup lingering like an unspoken word.

Alone again, Colton traced his finger over the rim, imagining the softness of Delcy"s hand holding the cup, the warmth of her palm seeping through. Such a simple vessel, yet now sacred.

As the day wound down, Colton rose from his seat and then grasped his coat that was hanging on the back of his chair. Swinging it over his shoulder, a delightful scent wafted about him, prompting Colton to halt, his mind awash with curiosity. Delcy!

He inhaled deeply from the jacket, taking in her scent. She must have handled his jacket. Perhaps it had slipped, and she had retrieved it? The notion brought a grin to his face as he took another deep breath, savoring her fragrance.

At his penthouse, Colton approached his nightstand where another coffee cup from Delcy already resided—a twin to the one he had just salvaged from Emma"s well-intentioned cleaning spree.

He placed the new addition beside its counterpart with a precision that belied his internal turmoil. Two cups—two simple vessels—yet they symbolized so much more, a craving for connection and a desire for something genuine in a world where everything felt transactional.

He drew out Delcy"s note from his pocket and unfolded it once more, tracing her handwriting with his fingertips as if each loop and line were a clue to deciphering her. With reverence reserved for treasures of far greater monetary value but none greater personal significance, he placed it neatly in his drawer among other keepsakes—a collection of moments too meaningful to discard.

There was an inexplicable comfort in having these tokens close by. They were tangible proof that amid schedules packed with responsibilities and expectations towering as high as Sterling Enterprises" skyscrapers, there existed pockets of simplicity that could stir something within him he thought long buried.

As Colton readied himself for bed—slipping between sheets of Egyptian cotton, resting his head against pillows plumper than clouds, and his jacket Delcy had handled in his arms and near his nose—he couldn"t shake thoughts of the beauty. They were an uninvited yet not entirely unwelcome intrusion into his usually impenetrable focus.

And as sleep claimed him in its silent embrace, Delcy"s face danced behind closed lids. Come morning, her phantom touch still tingled on his skin.

* * *

The sun casta golden glow over the city, warming the streets and the hearts of those out to enjoy the day. Colton stood before his open wardrobe, selecting a suit with care. It wasn"t his usual charcoal or black, the armor of his workdays, but something with a touch of vibrancy—a rich navy that caught the light just so. The fabric was fine, the cut impeccable. He dressed not for the boardroom, but for spectacle and style.

He surveyed himself in the full-length mirror, adjusting his tie with deft fingers. The suit hugged his broad shoulders and tapered to his waist in a way that was sure to draw attention, not that he craved it. But today wasn"t about business; it was about familial bonds and Lou"s whims.

Colton"s arrival at Lou"s apartment was met with her bright smile. Her chocolate-dark hair cascaded in waves over her shoulders, setting off the bright azure blue of her eyes. She spun once in her cocktail dress, a flurry of sapphire that matched her gaze, and Colton couldn"t help but think how she embodied the Sterling traits—slender and undeniably attractive.

"Thanks for giving up your Sunday for me," Lou said as she planted a kiss on his cheek.

"It"s not entirely selfless," Colton said with a half smile. "You"re bribing me with lunch."

The two left in his Rolls-Royce, luxury purring beneath them as they glided toward the fashion event. Upon arrival, heads turned—the vehicle itself a statement of opulence, its passengers subjects of admiration and envy.

Women"s eyes lingered on Colton longer than necessary, their gazes tracing the lines of his suit as if trying to divine the man beneath. Colton found it exhausting. Their attention held no allure for him, not when his thoughts were occupied by another.

Inside, flutes of champagne circulated among guests who glittered almost as much as their drinks. Lou was in her element, charming and animated, while Colton found himself performing the social dance out of obligation rather than enjoyment.

As acquaintances flocked to Lou, many hinted or outright begged for an introduction to her elusive brother. Yet Lou held back, understanding Colton"s aversion to such superficial exchanges. He could only muster so much patience for the facade of pleasantries.

Seated for the show, surrounded by a sea of couture and anticipation, Colton found himself disengaged from the spectacle. Instead, his mind wandered to Delcy. How would she look draped in these elegant creations? He could almost see her—ethereal and radiant—each dress enhancing her natural beauty.

Lou"s excitement was palpable beside him as she noted down pieces that caught her eye for their boutiques.

"These will be perfect," she said with a flourish of her pen. She leaned over during a particularly striking passage of gowns. "We should get some of these for our stores," she whispered excitedly. "They"d sell out in minutes."

Colton hummed in agreement, but his heart wasn"t in it. He pictured Delcy again—perhaps in something simple yet exquisite—a dress that didn"t shout its value but whispered it like a secret between lovers.

Lou caught his distant look and nudged him gently. "Earth to Colton," she teased lightly. "Where"d you go just now?"

He offered a tight smile that didn"t quite reach his eyes. "Just business," he lied smoothly.

Lou seemed to accept this at face value but shot him a knowing glance before turning her attention back to the runway.

As models strutted and cameras flashed, Colton found himself ensnared by thoughts of Delcy again, the note she"d left him, her scent lingering like an echo he couldn"t escape. He wanted those whispers meant only for him, wanted Delcy in ways he couldn"t yet define.

The show continued its relentless march of color and form, each piece more daring than the last, a symphony of fabric that left many breathless with desire for possession. Yet amidst all this splendor designed to captivate and enthrall, Colton sat still as stone, untouched by their allure.

His gaze occasionally flicked to Lou, her joy genuine as she absorbed each detail, and he felt a twinge of something akin to envy at her ability to be present wholly and unreservedly.

When they finally rose from their seats amidst applause and chatter about favorite pieces and designers" geniuses, Lou looped her arm through Colton"s and led him away from their prime vantage point.

"Let"s go claim that lunch I owe you," she said with an impish grin that had carried them through countless childhood adventures, and some adult ones, too.

As they wove through clusters of attendees still buzzing with post-show excitement, Colton followed Lou"s lead out into daylight once more.

"I"m famished after all that," Lou said.

Colton let Lou steer them down the street, trusting her intimate knowledge of the neighborhood"s offerings. They soon arrived at a stately restaurant tucked discreetly between more garish establishments. Inside, it was an oasis of elegant calm.

The clinking of silverware against fine china and the murmur of conversation welcomed Colton as he and Lou sat down. The ambiance was refined, the patrons well dressed and cultured. He took a moment to appreciate the quiet sophistication of the place—its crisp linens, sparkling glassware, and artfully arranged floral centerpieces.

He studied the menu, selecting dishes with care, opting for the chef"s recommendations, a fusion of flavors that promised a culinary journey.

"This is the perfect place to bring someone special," Lou said, her eyes twinkling with mirth as she sipped her water. "Intimate but not stuffy."

Colton made a noncommittal sound in response, though his thoughts immediately went to Delcy. Would she feel comfortable in a place like this? Her world seemed so far removed from the extravagance surrounding him. He pictured her across from him at the table, looking utterly out of place and unsure what utensils to use. The image pained him.

When the food arrived, it was as much a feast for the eyes as it was for the palate. The first bite confirmed what his eyes had suggested—this was an experience to be savored.

Lou watched him with a smirk. "You like it?"

"It"s excellent," he said, relishing the complexity of flavors. The tenderloin melted on his tongue, paired with a velvety sauce that hinted at truffles and red wine, a dish Delcy would undoubtedly find exquisite.

After lunch, Lou decided they weren"t done for the day and insisted on shopping at Sterling Galleria. As they entered the familiar grandeur of their family"s namesake, he couldn"t shake off thoughts of Delcy.

Lou darted from one luxury store to another, trying on outfits that showcased her impeccable taste and fashion sense. Colton offered his opinions when asked but found himself going through the motions, his sister"s laughter a distant melody against the backdrop of his preoccupation.

Eventually, Lou declared herself spent from trying on countless ensembles and dragged him toward one of the galleria's most luxurious cafés for a well-deserved break.

The café was an oasis of sophistication within the already opulent galleria—plush velvet seating, golden accents, and a dessert case that made even Colton take notice. They settled into their seats, Lou ordering coffee and pastries with gusto while Colton chose a simple espresso.

Lou"s delight in her break was palpable. She sipped her coffee with a contented sigh while Colton merely stared into his own cup. It lacked Delcy"s touch, the subtle notes she coaxed from beans that turned a mere drink into something memorable.

As he sat there, aware of the glances they attracted—not just for their status but for their looks—he felt strangely isolated. His sister excused herself momentarily, leaving him alone with his thoughts until his phone buzzed.

Jaxon"s voice came through light and expectant. "So? How"d it go?"

"It was fine," Colton replied, keeping his tone even as he glanced through the café's window front.

And there she was—Delcy—a few feet away outside on the mall floor, her attention captured by a dress in a boutique window. The softness in her expression as she admired it tugged at something deep within him.

"I have to go," he said abruptly before pocketing his phone and stepping outside without waiting for Jaxon's response.

He stood there watching Delcy holding on to art supplies like treasures won from battles unknown to him. He saw her every nuance, the way her fingers traced over fabric she didn"t dare touch directly, how she bit her lip in silent longing.

He wanted to bridge that distance between them, to tell her that she deserved every luxury this world could offer and more. But he hesitated. He couldn"t approach without cause, without seeming like some predatory alpha, or worse, a stalker watching from the shadows.

So he stood rooted to his spot until Delcy turned away from the window display and disappeared into the throng of shoppers. A strange ache settled in his chest, one he hadn"t known before.

"What"s wrong?" Lou's voice broke through his trancelike state as she touched his arm lightly.

He shook his head as if clearing fog from his mind. "Nothing," he said quickly, offering no explanation for his abrupt exit or distracted demeanor. "Let"s leave."