The last thing I felt before sleep took me again was Jae-won's hand still wrapped around mine, steady and sure, an anchor in the darkness.
And my omega, purring quietly in my chest, finally at peace.
Chapter Thirty
KEIRA
The transformation happened in minutes.
One moment, I was sitting on the couch with five sleepy, soft alphas who had spent the morning stealing bites of each other's breakfast and arguing about who had hogged the blankets in the nest. The next, I was watching five polished idols prepare to face the world.
"V-Live in twenty." Their manager's voice crackled through the intercom, clipped and professional, and suddenly everyone was moving.
Hwan disappeared into the bathroom and emerged with his hair styled to perfection, the messy bedhead transformed into artful waves that framed his face. Tae-min traded his oversized hoodie for a fitted sweater that made his shoulders look broader, his posture straightening as he checked his reflection. Jin-ho's sleepy eyes sharpened with focus as he adjusted his collar, the quiet alpha retreating behind something more composed. Min-jun's gentle smile took on a practiced edge, warm but camera-ready. Jae-won became someone else entirely, hiscasual authority crystallizing into the commanding presence of SIREN's leader.
"Here." Jae-won appeared beside me, pressing a black face mask into my hands, his expression apologetic but firm. "Staff rotates. Most are trustworthy, but leaks happen. Until we're ready to go public..."
"I understand." I took the mask, turning it over in my fingers, the reality of the situation settling over me.
"You'll be a guest." Min-jun added, pausing by the couch where I sat, his hand brushing my shoulder in a quick touch that felt almost apologetic. "A songwriter consulting on the album. That's true enough."
"Keep your head down, don't draw attention." Jae-won's voice was gentle but serious, his dark eyes meeting mine. "Not because we're ashamed. Never that. But because once it's out there, we can't take it back. You deserve to choose when and how people find out."
I pulled the mask on, adjusting it over my nose and mouth. It felt strange — like putting on armor, or maybe a costume.
"You can watch from the office." Min-jun said, gesturing toward a small room off the main living area. "There's a monitor. You'll be able to see everything."
"I don't want to be in the way." I said, suddenly aware of how small I felt in the face of their world, my voice muffled slightly by the mask.
"You're never in the way." Jin-ho said quietly, passing by to grab something from the kitchen, his fingers trailing across the back of my neck as he moved, the touch so casual it made my breath catch. "This is your space now too."
The office was filled with monitors and equipment. Their staff had already set up for the broadcast — lights arranged in the living room, camera positioned to capture the group arranged on the sectional couch. A few staff members glanced atme curiously as I slipped in, but no one questioned the masked stranger settling into a chair in the corner. Guest songwriter. Consultant. Nothing to see here. I watched through the monitor as they took their places. From this angle, I could see both the camera feed and the living room itself through the open door. Two versions of reality, side by side.
"Going live in three, two..." The staff member counted down, her voice steady and practiced, and then it began.
"SIREN!" They announced in unison, voices bright and synchronized, and suddenly they were on — smiles bright, energy high, five idols performing friendship and charm for an invisible audience.
Ours, my omega whispered, watching them through the screen.Ours. But the world doesn't know they found us.
The comments flooded in immediately, scrolling so fast I could barely read them.
They all look so good today!Is it just me or does Hwan seem extra glowy?Jae-won's smile!!! He never smiles this much!!!Something's different. They all seem... happier?
I watched them interact, watched the practiced ease of their banter, the way they played off each other for the camera. Hwan was sunshine personified, his laughter ringing out at everything. Tae-min played the mischievous maknae, teasing the others with calculated charm. Jin-ho was the quiet one, offering occasional dry comments that made the others crack up. Min-jun mediated with gentle humor, the peacekeeper. Jae-won presided over it all, the steady leader keeping everyone on track.
It was a performance. A beautiful, seamless performance. These weren't the alphas who had held me through a nightmare. Who had fallen asleep in a pile around me like overgrown puppies. Who argued about breakfast and stole sips of each other's drinks.
These were idols. Carefully constructed versions designed for public consumption.
Why does Jin-ho keep touching his neck?OMG Tae-min just did the thing with his eyesThey're all so tactile today. More than usual.Do you think they've found their omega yet???They'd tell us if they found her right???
I smiled behind my mask at those comments. If only they knew she was sitting twenty feet away.
"Someone asked why we all seem so happy lately." Hwan read from the screen, his idol smile firmly in place, his golden eyes sparkling for the camera as he tilted his head in that practiced way that looked natural. "Hmm. Good food? Good sleep? The comeback going well?"
"We've been taking care of ourselves." Jae-won added smoothly, his voice warm and steady, his leader persona polished to perfection as he leaned back with casual confidence. "Making sure to rest, eat well, spend time together as a pack."
"Quality pack bonding time." Tae-min agreed, his grin easy and familiar, nodding along with practiced enthusiasm.
