“Rolling in one…” Thomas says, before holding up two fingers, followed by three.
And we are on. “I didn't think I'd ever see you again.”
I feel the camera zoom in on my face, ignoring my pack mates. And I sell it. I drop a kiss to her cheek and say loud enough for them to pick up in edits, “Let me walk you inside.”
CHAPTER 6
Lilah
If I thought escapinginto the house would be a relief, Chad, the omega from earlier, attaches to me the moment he arrives, cameras already filming us from the sidelines.
“Can you believe my luck? Miles Abbott, Elliott Ray, and freaking Rafe Carson. It's like winning the lottery.” His cheeks are flush with excitement.
I choke back a laugh. This man is something else.
“Oh, but I bet that's awkward for you after puking all over Rafe at that club.” He chuckles at the observation as if it's amusing and not a disaster.
The cameraman drifts closer, wanting to record all of my embarrassment in high definition I'm sure. I turn away from him, giving my back to the cameras as I try to disengage Chad, but he's like a Pomeranian yapping at my heels as I stride away from him.
“Is that a sensitive topic? It is, isn't it?”
I press my lips together, choosing not to answer him as I take a seat next to one of the other omegas. A quiet and handsome guy who smiles at me over his drink as I sit down. Igive him a tight smile before I cast my gaze over the rest of the room.
Another woman, a tall red head, sinks into the armchair next to the guy with a sigh. She’s obviously as overwhelmed as I am. It eases my smile a bit as I meet her steady gaze.
“This is something else, isn’t it?” she asks, her lips turn up and her eyes sparkle with humor.
“It is,” I agree. “I didn’t expect it to feel so crazy.”
“Same. And the greeting is so much different in person,” she says. I nod my agreement. “I’m Willow, by the way.”
“Lilah,” I reply, smiling for real now. She seems nice, and in a house full of omegas competing for the same alphas, that might be needed.
“I’m still not sure I should be here,” she admits, sinking back into the armchair. “I binge-watched a bunch of seasons after casting found me and offered me a spot. And the omegas that are pure bitches—I’m not a fan,” she says as if she can read my mind.
I don’t mention that I am an ultra fan, who also doesn’t feel like I should be here. Although we both found our way onto the show through different means, I feel a sort of kinship with her.
The other girls and guys gather around the windows watching each omega arrive. Their commentary is sometimes sarcastic and mean. I wonder vaguely what they said about me. Not that I really care. I'm still not sure I'm even staying.
Eventually the tabloids will move on to someone more interesting, and with the exception of the parties Ashlyn drags me to, I'll be out of the spotlight, living a free life. Maybe I should just settle for that. I don’t really need to prove anything to the world.
Chad drops into the chair next to me. He lounges into it with all the airs of an omega who knows their place in theworld, and I sort of admire the confidence, even if it's misplaced.
“You should probably avoid alcohol here, though.” He glances over at me, continuing the conversation as if there was no lull.
“Are you the youngest sibling?” I ask.
“One and only, my parents got it right the first time.”
I want to say, ‘Or really wrong and they were afraid of trying again.’ But I bite my tongue as the lens of the nearest camera zooms in on us again.
The guy next to me snorts, and Chad zones in on him with laser focus.
“I bet you're the middle child,” he says to the guy, narrowing his eyes on him. “At least your parents aren't quitters.”
I hold back a smile, my eyes widening at his boldness. He has even less of a filter than I do. Willow laughs, and Chad flashes her a grin.
Then, with a casual pout, he turns back to me, dismissing the guy before he can respond. “Why do you ask?”
