7. Jasmine

Hiding in plain sight.

It's a survival tactic I live by, but this is the first time I've seen an alpha employ it. Why would they bother? A predator has no reason to hide when they're backed by a pack of wolves.

But I can't make sense of the last glance Declan shot my way. Right before he staggered off to intercept our loathsome host, his green eyes met mine and the pain in their depths hit me like a kick to the gut.

It's a look I recognized, and not just because his eyes are almost the exact same shade as mine. The emotion glimmering there came from an old, deep well. Something that has been filled up, over and over, until the mask you plaster over the top can barely contain it anymore.

But why was he hurting? I only met him for five minutes, but it was obvious he was the life of the party, surrounded by adoring fans. Even if he was jaded by the attention, it didn't explain that look he gave me.

As soon as we pull away from the curb, I turn to Xavier with a frown. "So that was all just an act? Your packmate isn't really a drunken playboy?"

I don't miss Xavier's wince as he looks out the window. It's heavily tinted, and I can see his brows pulling down over his dark eyes. "Declan does what it takes to make this work."

I mull that over for a moment. Does he mean the rescue mission or something else? Why does it feel like there's a whole lot he's not telling me?

"Is this just a game to you guys? Is that why you do it?" I can't stop shifting restlessly in my seat. His scent is thick in the air, and I can still see the hint of eyeshine in his gaze, but I can't trust that his anger is really against his own. He acted like he was disgusted by what he saw, but ubers are master manipulators. Maybe he was just showing me what I wanted to see. "Is this a power trip? Do you get some kind of kick out of stealing omegas from under other alphas' noses?"

Xavier sucks in a breath, his fingers curling on his thigh. "It's never a game. This is what we do." He takes his phone from his pocket and shows me a picture of the omega, Stephanie, wrapped in a thick blanket. She looks exhausted, but the crippling fear has left her face. "Erik sent this. He's with her right now and they're on their way to a safe house."

I nod, relieved she got away from that revolting place, but I'm still trying to make the pieces fit. Why would a powerful pack pretend to be something it isn't? Litchfield was rolling out the red carpet for Xavier, and I'm betting most other alphas do the same. "You're new to this city, right? I've heard my father talk about every major pack, and he's never mentioned yours."

Xavier pockets his phone, his eyes shadowed. "I was a lawyer in San Francisco when I met Erik. We hooked up with Declan in San Antonio. His family is from there, but it was a bad scene, and he was looking for a way out. We traveled around for a bit, stopping in the larger cities, then decided to head here when we heard some disturbing things about the Abbotts."

The former managers of the Ferro Club. Kayden used to boast about their exploits, like they were perverted role models he hoped to emulate one day. "And you decided to relocate because of a few nasty rumors?"

I know I sound scornful, but I'm way beyond watching my manners. If these men are going to help me save Violet, I need to know they're not just in the rescue business for kicks.

Xavier frowns but unfurls his fingers, pressing them against the sharp crease of his trousers. I suspect my skepticism is getting to him, but his mask is now firmly back in place.

"I met Erik when he was investigating criminal activity at the Genesis Club in San Francisco. My firm assigned me to provide legal support to his task force, but I discovered the partners were members of the club. They wanted me to act as a mole on the investigation so they could cover their own asses. Instead, I helped uncover the corruption and we cleaned house, both at Genesis and my firm. That was my first experience of infiltrating an alpha club, but Erik has been at this for nearly a decade. The Ferro Club will be the twelfth alpha stronghold he's either reformed or dismantled entirely."

I blink at him, completely stunned. What the hell? I get that they might help the occasional omega, but turning on their own? It goes against everything I've ever learned about their designation. "Reformed or dismantled. What does that mean?"

"It means that we take them apart."

His tone is matter of fact, but I'm still wrestling with the concept of a pack deliberately targeting other packs. There's a reason assholes like Kayden can operate unchecked in this city. "But how does that work? I doubt the Abbotts just handed over the keys to Ferro without a fight."

Xavier nods, conceding the point. "The first month we came in as consultants. We helped them with their security, which gave us access to all their digital information. We went through their member files, learning their secrets and uncovering their weak spots. When we were ready, we took over."

"Just like that?"

"As I said, we've been doing this a long time."

Twelve times, if he's to be believed. Like smiling vigilantes, infiltrating alpha strongholds and reforming them from the inside out. "But the members still invite you to their parties. Why haven't they banded together and fought back?"

His shrug is both elegant and disdainful. "Most wolves follow a pack leader only so far. After that, it's every animal for himself."

"Or until a bigger wolf comes along and takes control." He quirks a brow at me and it's my turn to clench my hands into fists. "I know what you are. You and Erik. You're ubers. I recognize the eyeshine."

He doesn't deny it, even though his eyes are back to their black, bottomless depths. "You've had contact with ubers before?"

"My grandfather and uncle. And Kayden's dad was one, but he died before I met him."

"Well, Erik and I both have a strong dominant streak, even for ubers. He honed his in the military, while I buried mine in paperwork." A small smile pulls at his lips, and I try to remind myself that this is a mask, too. A highly attractive one, but that doesn't mean it can be trusted. "When our interests collided, we decided to put our particular talents to use. I won't go into the details, but we remove the worst members and persuade the others. Plus, we leave the clubs even more financially secure than we found them. It's not pretty work, but they all roll over eventually."

I'm tempted to ask how Declan fits into their business strategy, but we're pulling into the club's undercover garage, and suddenly all I want to do is crawl into bed.

"It's late," Xavier tells me as we take the private elevator up to their residence. "Do you want a nightcap, or…?"

"A shower." I click my tongue at how that could be interpreted. "I mean, I want to get out of this disguise and fall into bed. It's been a long day."

"I understand. Tomorrow, after you're rested, we can talk about your sister. And perhaps you can give me your answer about staying with us." Those dark eyes hold mine as I step out of the elevator. "For Casper, I mean."

After a night with his arm around me and his scent in my nose, it's a good reminder. He's talking about a business transaction, not inviting me to be part of his crime-fighting pack. "Yeah, okay. I'll give it some thought."

"Sleep well then, Jasmine. And thanks for your help tonight."

I mumble something in response, then book it down the corridor to the bathroom. I strip in record time, turning the water as hot as I can stand. Using a liberal squeeze of Casper's shower gel, I scrub myself until my skin is pink. I wish I could wash away the memories as easily as I strip myself of the alpha musk, but I can't get that last scene out of my head.

They'd been bleeding them, biting and tasting the omegas like they were nothing more than an exotic meal. I shiver despite the scorching water, then drop to my knees, bile burning the back of my throat. I try to tell myself the cuts weren't deep, and it was more show than torture, but I still empty my stomach down the drain. Hearing about what the city's elite alphas get up to and actually seeing it are two different things.

But the Volks are going to take them apart.

I cling to Xavier's words as I climb out of the shower, brushing my teeth until my gums ache. They're here to stop it. The Abbotts are already gone - removed, to use Xavier's term for it – and now they're going to dismantle the rest of it.

I hope they tear those monsters to pieces.

I lean against the vanity until my head clears and my breathing evens out, then use the interconnecting door to head into Casper's room. It's dark, with only a sliver of moonlight showing through the drapes, but his sweet scent is instantly calming. I quickly rummage through his dresser for a t-shirt, then crawl into bed.

There's plenty of room between us, but I find myself inching towards Casper's side. When I'm close enough to feel the soft puffs of his breath on my face, I study him by the glow of the moon. My eyes are burning with exhaustion, but I can't look away. I want to trail my fingers over the curve of his brows and press my lips to the ridge of his cheekbones.

"Jasmine? Where were you?" He rolls towards me, his hand sliding up my arm. "Why do you smell like alpha?"

I hope he means the musk I used, and not the stench of the other guests. "Xavier took me on a mission."

He blinks at me sleepily, then props himself up on an elbow, his black hair sticking up at crazy angles. "Shit, really? What happened?"

"They got an omega out. She was being auctioned at a party. It was…"

Words fail me, especially when I think of that feast laid out on the dining room table. Up until then, I thought the poor omegas in their insulting togas had the worst of it.

"Wow," Casper murmurs, twining our fingers together. "I'm sorry you had to see that. But the guys told you what they're here to do?"

"Infiltrate and dismantle?" There's still a note of skepticism in my voice, and I shake my head. "I'm still trying to make sense of it. Xavier told me they do this all the time. Find corrupt clubs and clean them out. But I'm struggling to believe it."

Casper's lips whisper across the back of my hand. "Why?"

"Because it goes against everything I know about how alphas operate."

He makes a reassuring sound, his mouth still pressed to my skin. "I told you they're the good guys. You've really never met an honorable alpha before?"

"Never one in a position of power."

"And power corrupts." His mouth is turned down, his scent souring. "I get it. I do. But the Volks are different."

"My best friend, Grace, just joined a pack. She seems happy, so I have to believe they're not all bad." I take a deep breath, but my throat feels raw and scratchy. Possibly from puking in the shower, but more likely because I don't want to say the words that are lodged there. But at the same time, I want to tell Casper everything. "I have a younger sister called Violet. My dad told me if I didn't go through with the bonding, he'd give her to the Sawyers to cover the debt. She's only twelve."

"Oh, babe." His fingers brush my cheeks. "That's fucking rough."

"I keep thinking about her in Kayden's hands…"

"Don't." He sits up now, his gaze drilling into mine. If I didn't know better, I'd think he could see all the way to my soul. "Have you told Erik or Xavier? There's no way in hell they'll let that happen."

"They said they'd help me. But they want something in exchange." I pull a face, too tired and heartsick to dance around the subject. "You do know they're courting you, right?"

He gives a soft snort. "I've been waiting for them to actually use their big boy words and ask me, but yes, I have some idea."

"And how do you feel about that? Is it something you want?"

He pauses for a moment, considering. "I like them. I mean, more than just because they rescued me. But I haven't been in the right headspace to think about more. Until now."

I swallow, my eyes hooded as I breathe in the sudden flush of his arousal. It's faint, like he's being careful not to frighten me off, but it's definitely there. "Yeah? Has something changed?"

"Mm-hmm." His chuckle is edged with a purr. "Would you believe me if I said you had something to do with it?"

"I want to, but I don't have a great track record with romance."

"Me neither. Before I ended up in that club, I used to think I'd play the field forever." He rubs his hand across his face, grimacing. "I was a bit of a fuckboy, to be honest. All dates, no follow up. I got a kick out of keeping my beaus dangling on a string. It gave me an ego boost to have all these alphas chasing after me… Until I picked the wrong date and ended up in that club basement."

"I'm so sorry that happened to you."

He gives a small nod. "Yeah, it sucked, but I try to think of it as a wake-up call. Not because I was a slutty little asshole, but because my heart was never really in it." He's still holding my hand and now he drops a kiss on my wrist, then one half the way down my arm. Leaning forward, his mouth hovers only inches from mine. "I don't want to just play at love anymore, Jasmine."

Love? I can't remember the last time I ever connected the word with my life. And it terrifies me to hear him use it now.

"Xavier offered me a job," I blurt out, making him sit back on his heels. "As a pack companion. He wants me to stay here and spend time with you."

Instead of looking insulted at the idea of Xavier paying me to keep him company, an impish smile curves his lips. "Oh, yeah? And what would that job description look like? Fluff the omega's pillows before bed? Read him his favorite smutty books, so he goes to sleep with a smile on his face?"

I choke out a laugh. "If that's what gets you in a romantic mood, then I'm guessing they'd put it at the top of the list."

He moves suddenly, fitting his body over mine and pressing our clasped hands into the mattress. "And what gets you in the mood, sweet Jasmine?" He dips down and burrows his nose in my neck, breathing me in. "Would you be tempted to stay if I promised to scrub your back every night? Or woke you up with a kiss every morning?"

"I don't need a scheduled routine," I reply in a breathless voice, arching up as he nuzzles my throat. "We could just make it up as we go."

"Oh, yeah? Spontaneous romance? I can do that." He runs his lips along my jaw to my ear, taking the lobe gently between his teeth. When he sucks it into his mouth, it sends a quiver of heat straight to my core. "Or we could just work our way down your body. Try out all your sweet spots, one by one." He hooks a finger into the edge of my t-shirt, his mouth swiping along my collarbone. "See what makes you moan. And find out exactly what makes you melt into the bed."

"That's a good plan," I manage to pant out as he kisses his way down my torso. It's over the t-shirt I borrowed, but the cotton is so thin it's like he's nuzzling my bare skin. And then he's rucking up the hem, inching it up over my belly and ribs until my breasts are exposed. He dips his head, pressing a kiss in the valley while his fingers brush over the peak. When he pinches my nipple gently, my back lifts off the bed. "Oh, God. That feels so good."

"I'm just getting started," he promises me, rolling the sensitive flesh between his fingers while he licks his way across my other breast. "You're soft as silk, Jasmine. Makes me wonder how a claiming bite would feel under my tongue."

I grip his shoulder, arousal pulsing through me. I might not be a fan of alphas, but the thought of Casper running his tongue over a mark sends a flush of heat between my thighs. And then in a voice that barely sounds like me, I moan, "I want you to bite me, Casper."

"Fuck, don't tempt me." But he takes my nipple into his mouth, sucking hard enough to make me cry out. My legs are moving restlessly on the bed, and he reaches down to press a finger to the damp cotton on my panties. "You feeling needy, sweetheart?"

I nod my head frantically, and even though he can't see me, he must feel the movement, because he chuckles as he starts to torment my other breast. "Are these pretty nipples red enough yet? I want you to feel me every time they rub against your shirt."

I gape up at him, wondering why I ever thought he was a nice guy. "That's torture."

"The best kind," he grins, then edges back down the bed. Nudging his way between my legs, he grabs my thigh and hooks it over his hip. And then he's kissing his way down my belly, pausing to swirl his tongue around my navel. "Every new spot is softer and sweeter than the last," he hums.

"Your tongue is… Oh! God." I bury my face in the crook of my arm as he peels down the edge of my panties, kissing the skin just above the elastic. I don't need to look to know they're soaked through, and when he tugs them off, he lifts them to his face. I peek past my arm, entranced.

As he takes a deep breath, his lashes flutter closed. "If you taste as good as you smell, I'm definitely waking you up with more than a kiss."

I try to picture that, but I think my brain is in meltdown. And then he's dipping his fingers between my legs, his thumb swirling over my clit. "So wet for me," he croons. "I can't wait to bury myself in you, Jasmine."

My breath leaves me in a rush of panic, and I grab his wrist. He jerks back, and I can hear my heart hammering in my ears as I blurt, "I've - I've never… The only dick I've taken was a gag gift at my sorority sister's pre-bonding party."

He sits back on his heels, his brows shooting into his hairline. "Um, can you explain that a little more, please?"

I let go of his wrist and press the pads of my fingers into my eyes. "A purple vibrator," I huff. "For some reason, the whole damn party was purple. How did she not know it's the color of sexual frustration?"

He hums a laugh, but then he's moving off me and I bite back a cry. Why the hell did I stop him? I didn't mean to freak him out, but I needed to adjust his expectations. He's clearly had a lot of experience, and I didn't want to get to a critical moment and have him realize I'm a novice in the seduction stakes.

But instead of rolling away, he stretches at my side, his fingers trailing along my ribs. "So, other than your purple party favor, you haven't had sex before?" I could tell him about a couple of close encounters, but I just sigh, and he frowns. "Not even during your heats?"

"They're pretty mild," I tell him, looking away. "And stuff with my dad meant it was easier to just use suppressants." His frown deepens, and I feel a throb of guilt at the half-truths. I usually avoid any mention of my heats, letting the other girls in the dorm think that I slip off to see some secret pack for their duration. But Casper looks sad on my behalf, and I find myself saying, "My body was always a bargaining chip with him. I mean, I wanted to mess around, but I was never left alone to try. I thought college would give me more freedom, but the omega dorms have convent-level security. And if my dad wasn't watching me, Kayden was."

"Okay. So, we go slow." He runs his fingers lightly over my belly, tracing circles over my navel. I'm pretty sure he can feel me shiver because his lips tilt up. "And no more spontaneity. We follow a plan. We can call it: all the things Jasmine has dreamed of doing but never had the chance." He smirks as his fingers make little flicking movements over my skin. "And I'll tick things off your list as we go."

I can't help but smile at his playful attitude. "That's very organized of you, Casper."

"Xavi's always telling me I need a project." He taps his chin, thoughtful. "But we'll need toys to do this right. And you'll have to choose them, since I can't see my favorite dirty websites anymore." He gives me a cheeky smile. "Or… we could just give the guys our order. I'm sure Declan would be more than happy to duck into a sex shop for us…"

I slap my hand over his mouth. "Let's just use your laptop."

"Your call. But how about we start by sending you off to sleep with a smile?" He shuffles back, his hand coming to rest on my thigh. His voice dips to a whole new octave. "Has anyone ever petted this pretty pussy, Jasmine?"

"No," I murmur, then lick my dry lips. "Well, except for my roommate. But she overdid the schnapps and fell asleep before anything really happened."

"Oh shit, that's disappointing on so many levels." He arches his brows at me, then gives a cute scout salute. "I hereby promise to stay awake until you've come all over my fingers. Twice."

I groan and press my forearm across my eyes. "You're killing me, Casper."

"Not yet, I'm not." His smile is wicked as he slides a finger across my thigh, circling the sensitive skin of my mound. It's leaking slick, and he sucks in a breath as the scent of my arousal thickens around us. "Are you watching me, Jasmine?"

I hiss a breath, pushing my hips up at him. "Yes."

"Good. Because I'm going to slide in now, and I want your full attention."

I groan again and open my legs wider, but Casper isn't done torturing me. His mouth drops to my ear, and he whispers, "Since I can't see you, you need to tell me how it feels. Consider this your first lesson in dirty talk."

I bite my lip, but there's a stillness under his smile, and I realize he's being serious. He can't read my reactions, so he needs me to describe them to him. Which, I have to admit, is insanely hot and intimidating at the same time. I've watched enough porn to know there's a thin line between sexy and cheesy. I mean, does he want grunts and moans, or Discovery Channel narration? I haven't come to a decision when he finally presses a finger into my seam, and I nearly levitate off the bed. "Oh! Um… Yes. That's good."

"Oh, yeah? And this?" He twirls his finger a few times before sliding it deeper. He crooks it gently, then starts pumping slowly. "Do you like this?"

My thighs clench, then almost melt into the mattress. "Mmgh."

His lips quirk at my garbled reply, but then his voice drops an octave. "You feel so warm and wet, Jasmine. Is all this sweet slick for me?"

I nod furiously, because his finger is now circling my clit and sparks of pleasure are shooting up my spine. "For you," I manage to choke out.

He hums in satisfaction, sliding his finger back in my channel and rubbing me with his thumb. I can feel my nub swelling, slippery with slick, and then he presses another finger inside, stretching and stroking me at the same time. A shiver of bliss wracks my body and I reach out, grabbing his forearm. I can feel the muscles working as he strokes me, and I cling to him, astounded that such small movements can affect me like this.

But it's not just what he's doing with his fingers that's making me fall apart. It's his scent, thick and sweet, and the heat of his breath on my cheek as he hovers over me. It's the lock of inky hair that falls in his eyes, and the glossy shine to his lips as he licks them. And then there's the low groan that rumbles out of his chest as I arch up, another trickle of slick making his fingers squelch. Instead of being embarrassed by the sound, he reaches down and rubs his straining cock through his sweats. "Fuck, you're driving me crazy. Want more, gorgeous?"

"Yes. Deeper. Harder."

I don't think it's the dirty talk he was hoping for, but my brain has short-circuited. He's stroking himself through his pants and I can feel my orgasm building as I watch his face flush, his shoulders hunching. His eyes fix on mine, a perfect shimmering blue through the tangle of his hair. "I can feel you clenching around me. Are you close?"

I garble out another response, digging my heels into the bed. And then he crooks his fingers again and I buck upwards, crying out through my peak. He growls a curse, his cock jerking in his tight fist. I watch, fascinated, as cum spurts all over his fingers, but then he drops forward, his tongue thrusting deep into my mouth. It's hot and delicious and I'm panting when he pulls away. "Good?"

"So good," I pant, gasping as he slides his fingers back out of me.

"And what a beautiful mess you made," he purrs, and while I'm tempted to bury my face in a pillow, I can't look away. Because he's rubbing his hands together, mixing our releases. And then he pops his slick-drenched fingers in his mouth and sucks hard. "Mmm. Ready for more?"

I gape at him, and I guess my silence speaks volumes because he gives me a wicked grin. "I promised you two, and I never go back on my promises."