Then I jerk back in shock, when the steel door to the cellar opens.
I push myself up to stand protectively in front of Icarus at the sound of light footsteps toward us. Icarus growls, attempting to get to his feet as well, resting against the wall behind him when he staggers.
“Relax, it’s just your Omega fairy godfather.” Piper stands, grinning like a Gothic fairy tale in the center of the wine cellar. “Cinderella, you may go to the ball.”
Am I dreaming?
Piper does look like a punk fairy.
He is dressed in a black tie suit that fits him so well I know that he has adapted it himself.
He looks stunning in it; I’ve never seen anything like it.
Maya, Ellington, and the other elites will have heart attacks to see an Omega dressed like this.
Piper is not wearing the suit jacket. He has cut off the sleeves of the shirt to reveal his tattoo, as if it’s part of the outfit. He has added silver buttons and chains to the front of the waistcoat to go with the silver bow tie. A scarf is wound around his neck like a cravat.
He is holding two large, gleaming black bags that glisten with curling ribbons.
Piper’s wavy silver hair is styled to look as outrageously rebellious as possible over one midnight green eye. Both of his eyes have been boldly painted with Kohl, mascara, and gray eyeshadow.
I have never seen a more striking Omega.
And right now, appearing to rescue us on the most important night of my life, I know that I should never have forgotten that Piper is thebossof the Idols.
I throw myself across the cellar and wrap my arms around him. “Wolfie.”
“Gracie.” Piper nuzzles me. “Are you hurt?”
“It’s not important. What time is it? We need to go to the matching ball. Has Zero started his set yet?”
Piper carefully disentangles himself from me, and I whine. “It’s eleven o’clock. Zero is getting ready for his performance, which starts just before midnight. When you didn’t come back, I asked around. The receptionist Beta wouldn’t tell me anything to start with and no amount of bribery or threats helped.”
“Michah is used to both. He’s the biggest gossip but also the best keeper of secrets.”
“But he listened to me.” Piper gently rubs at the blood on my cheek to clean it off. “I told him that you were bothmineand that I was going to save you and then claim you. He pretty much melted because he thought that it was romantic. Also, he told me that an Omega has been trying to tieyoudown for years, Wings. Apparently, I have a lot of competition. In fact, most of this hotel are in love with you but think that you’re made of ice. So, just to be clear. I’m a possessive Omega. Gracie and you are mine, yeah?”
Icarus quirks his brow. “Do you get the feeling that he thinks we’re his, Grace?”
My lips twitch. “Maybe he should sayyou’re mineagain, just to be sure we understand.”
Piper laughs, sunny in a way that shouldn’t be possible in the cruel dark and shadows of this wine cellar. “The Wolf Siblings hunt their pack. Deal with it. Anyway, you don’t know what it was like having to do nothing but pace our suite, unable to support you. Waiting for you to return after what we witnessed was agony. Then you didn’t come back. I am allowed to be on high protective and possessive mode, after my pack have been hurt and locked away from me. But know that no matter what happens, I will always come after you to save you. Every. Single. Time.”
I rescue myself. I always have. Icarus is the only other person who I have been able to rely on apart from my dad. Except, Dad has barely been able to protect himself. Bird tried to stand up for me and ended up marked as a HO and has now been sent to the Institute.
Having Piper swear to always save me, no matter what, fills me with a sense of safety that I have never known.
Can I trust him?
What does he know about what it is like in this hotel? He is from a sweet and loving wealthy pack. I shouldn’t be drawing him into my troubles.
I must protect my Wolfie from the heist at least. I couldn’t bear for his free spirit to be broken in the Institute.
“And that is whyyouaremine,” Icarus says with a warmth of pride, which has Piper’s gaze snapping to him.
“See? I’m not the only possessive one.” Piper arches his brow, strolling to Icarus.
“Who said that you were?”
