“I promised her a coloring contest,” Sam said, patting Wyatt’s shoulder. “She’s working on one of those new complex coloring books right now. The one with the cottages.”
“I love the cottage one,” Wyatt said, looking at his swimming trunks again.
“Those are huge. They might be a little loose on you.”
“I’ll tie them on tight.” Wyatt swallowed, his heat throbbing down his thighs. He’d make sure the noodles were all in place for the party. Then he’d say hi to his parents, and jump in the pool. Raph wouldn’t look there twice, would he?
2
Raph
Raph wasn’t made for parties.
He wove through the crowded backyard of the Fleming mansion—through the townsfolk by the sprawling pool, past the meandering couples in the garden, to the suited alphas by the outdoor grill. Beneath the smoky scents of barbecued meat and charcoal, Raph smelled the woodsy scent of alphas, the grassy hint of betas, and the floral sweetness of omegas.
Next to the grilling pit, caterers had set up a long table of dinner choices—succulent steaks, fluffy mashed potatoes, and juicy green peas. Noodles in yellow boxes on one end, pastries and cakes on the other.
His parents were speaking with a small group of townsfolk at the grill—their neighbors. Raph recognized the mayor, and the president of the Meadowfall College.
They weren’t who Raph was looking for tonight, though. And maybe he should’ve known better than to hope for a glimpse of his stepbrother.
Wyatt hadn’t shown up in Raph’s presence for nine years. Every time Raph drove to Meadowfall from Highton, Penny and Grandma would be at the family dinners. Not Wyatt. Never Wyatt, even if Wyatt was the one who lived in Meadowfall.
“Raph!” Mom waved, a bright smile spreading across her face.
Raph sighed. He hadn’t wanted to socialize this soon, but it was better than shaking hands with townsfolk he barely knew. And maybe Mom could tell him if Wyatt was here. So he wouldn’t be futilely searching the crowd, hoping to see familiar blond hair and hazel eyes.
“Have you watched your dad’s interview?” Mom asked when he approached, the air above the grill rippling with heat.
She was dressed in a shimmering gown, her hair all coiffed. Tanya Fleming looked nothing like Raph, all pale and blond, but Raph loved her as his own mother. She had been the one to bake Raph his birthday cake, back when they were all a new family, uncertain with each other.
“Yeah. I looked up the news when you mentioned it,” Raph said, giving her a quick hug.
Two weeks ago, his dad had won the most prestigious service award in the country. Mom had wanted Raph’s help with the party-planning. Raph had declined, saying he was swamped with work.
Well, that had been bullshit.
Raph hadn’t wanted to risk helping, and have his mom ask him to talk to Wyatt. Raph was giving him space. Even if he’d already given Wyatt space for nine damn years.
But as Mom smiled kindly at him, he thought maybe he could ask about his brother. His heart pattered. “Have you seen—”
“Raph, son! Come over here!” His father grinned, and a handful of gazes locked onto Raph.
“Go on,” Mom said. “Dad’s been waiting to see you!”
Raph swore inwardly, giving his mom a quick hug. “I’ll talk to you later,” he said. “You look great.”
Mom beamed. Raph joined his father and the neighbors, blinking at the steaming plate of grilled chicken wings his father handed him. “Congrats on the award, Dad. Penny’s been telling me all about it. I can’t believe they flew you to New York for the medal!”
Dad puffed his chest out, his eyes crinkling. He wasn’t wearing the medal now, but Raph was sure it was sitting somewhere in the mansion, proudly on display.
Watching his dad with the other high-ranking alphas, Raph wondered if he’d ever reach that status. Years ago, he’d thought about becoming a police officer, just like his dad was. Then things had happened with Wyatt, and Grandma had found out. And Raph knew their history would be a smear against him, worse if he worked for the government.
So he’d gone to college for business classes instead, and Grandma had loaned him the tuition for his classes. And the payoff amount had swelled over the years, even as Raph worked his ass off to bring it down, lower it so he wasn’t in debt when he found a bondmate.
He hadn’t found a bondmate. And he was still neck-high in debt.
Not something he ever wanted to mention to his parents. Or Wyatt, or anyone, really.
“This is my son, Raph,” Dad said, throwing his arm around Raph’s shoulders. The other alphas looked at him, middle-aged men in stately suits—the most respected alphas in Meadowfall. Raph would get there someday, follow in his dad’s footsteps. Make his dad proud.
“My daughter’s upstairs—Penny’s working in a lab in Meadowfall College,” Dad said.
“I’ve met Penny,” the college president said.
“That’s great! And my other son, Wyatt—he owns a noodle restaurant down by Chapman and Perkins.”
Raph’s stomach flipped. Talk more about Wyatt, he wanted to say. Except who asked their dad for news about their brother? When Wyatt probably lived a few minutes away from here?
“Raph’s a regional manager at Alpha Associates,” Dad said, straightening his shoulders. “I wish he’d visit more often, but he’s got busy things to do at Highton.”
The other alphas nodded. Raph wanted to get out from under their scrutiny, so he could blend into the crowd, search out his brother. Just a glimpse would be enough.
“I should get a fork for this,” Raph said, lifting his plate of chicken wings. He’d grabbed a bite on the drive to Meadowfall; he wasn’t so hungry right now. Not when his heart was racing. Is Wyatt here?
“Come back later.” Dad drew him into a one-armed hug. “I haven’t introduced you to half these folk.”
“They all know me, Dad.”
“But they haven’t seen you in a while.” Dad grinned, his hair all
