Max rubs my cold hand between his. “We don’t have to do this, sweetheart. We can turn around right now and go home.”
My eyes slide to his. “No, we can’t, Max,” I say sadly, my voice small. No matter how much I want to demand that our whole pack goes back home and hides. “This isn’t going away.”
Max nods in agreement, although his jaw is tight, lips pressed together. None of us are hugely enthusiastic about this plan, not even Bastien, but it’s our best shot at getting our story out there.
Luc pulls into a bland parking lot, two other vehicles already parked up. Bastien looks up, his dark hair glinting in the light as we pull up next to him. I scrabble to undo my seatbelt, but my door is already open, his hands gently pushing mine away.
He lifts me out and into an embrace, his hands running down my spine soothingly as my shakes overspill into full body trembles.
“I’m sorry,” I sniffle. “I’m a mess.”
“You’re not a mess, brat,” Luc says quietly from next to me. “All things considered, you’re being pretty damn brave here.”
Murmuring a sound of agreement, Bastien drops a soft kiss on my lips. “I need to set up,” he whispers. “I won’t be far.”
Giving him a nod, I watch as he heads back over, diving into a deep discussion with Ace. Soft footsteps come up behind me, and Harper’s cinnamon scent fills my nose. She comes to a stop and we watch the unloading for a few minutes in silence.
“I’m sorry, Ava,” she whispers. I turn to her in surprise. “What for?”
“For this,” she grimaces, waving a hand at the scene in front of us. “I know it’s not what you want.”
“None of us want this,” I point out. “But that’s not your fault, Harper. It’stheirs.”
Devlin nods in the corner of my eye, close to Harper on her other side. Max squeezes my hand in agreement.
Christian and Rogue walk out of the warehouse, their heads close together. My body still tenses at the sight of the Omega Compound director. Some memories aren’t so easily forgotten, but I push them down until I can hear the conversation around me without the ringing in my ears drowning it out.
“Let’s go,” says Devlin, and we walk down together to meet them. Christian nods at me as I move closer, keeping his distance as he smiles at Harper.
“How are you feeling?” I ask him, and his eyes swing to mine. He blows out a breath.
“I feel… like it’s time. Past time, truthfully.”
Harper fidgets next to me. “I can’t believe we’re doing this,” she mutters. “God, I hope this works.”
Devlin wraps his arm around her. “Either way, we tried, right?”
Everyone nods somberly. Bastien calls out for Max, and we turn to them.
“We’re good. Time to set up.”
My nerves twist into knots as Harper and I take a seat on some old crates. Max stays close, his eyes tracking the flurry of movement in front of us with a slight frown.
Bastien clips a microphone to the collar of Christian’s crisp white shirt. He looks formal and handsome, every inch the media darling of the Omega Creed in his dark suit. His face is expressionless as he stares straight ahead.
“Are you ready?” Bastien asks him, and he nods. They test the sound, Ace monitoring the volume as Bastien switches between several laptops, his fingers dancing across the keys as his brows dip in concentration.
“Okay…,” he says at last. “We’re all set.”
The bustle around the room falls silent, the enormity of the task in front of us settling in. Harper and I glance at each other, and she curls her hand over mine, her amber eyes darker than I’ve ever seen them as she chews on her lip.
Christian squares his shoulders as he strides out to stand on the square Bastien has carefully marked on the floor with black tape. Bastien follows him, wheeling a camera that wouldn’t look out of place on a film set.
A hand settles on my neck, and I jump a split-second before the scent of sandalwood sinks in. Luc pulls back immediately, and I swivel awkwardly to face him, my face full of regret.
“Sorry,” I say with a shake of my head. “I’m a little on edge.” His eyes soften as he strokes my cheek in understanding. “It’s a stressful situation.”
Max makes a beeline for me as Harper is gently pulled away by Devlin and Gabe. Ace remains where he is, his head down and focusing on the instructions Bastien throws at him. Rogue and Christian talk quietly, Rogue reaching out and gripping Christian’s arm tightly before he turns to us. His face is strained, and Harper jumps up as he reaches for her, burying his face in her neck.
