He pulls back, resting his forehead to mine, his breaths too shallow to say he isn't affected. “You're a natural like your sister,” he whispers.
His words shove me right out of the moment. Straight back into the fact we are on a show with cameras watching our every move, and he just kissed me…for the show. Did he kiss my sister too? Is that why they were on the tabloids together before? My stomach sinks, and I force a smile on my face as I untangle my fingers from his shirt, smoothing the fabric down in an almost nervous motion.
Controlling my breathing the best I can, I focus on my hands before lifting my gaze to his.
“A natural?” I whisper back, as he straightens, a brief look of concern darkening his eyes.
“It’s nothing against you, Lilah, but I'm not here for love. I'm here to fix my image and indulge my pack mate. You'd be a great shield. But love isn't on the list.”
My heart beats loudly in my ears as I blink up at him. The cameras aren't close enough to catch his words. And by some miracle, I don't flinch when he reaches out and tucks a strand of hair behind my ear, giving me a tender look.
“A shield.” I glance at the other omegas as the meaning of his words sinks in. “You want me to pretend to fall for you?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper, each word feeling heavy and foreign in my mouth.
His face brightens with relief, as if he’s been waiting for me to understand. “Exactly. I don’t want to break hearts. It’s a perfect solution for us both.”
I wet my lips, the taste of his kiss still lingering there, and take in a small, shaky breath. “Okay,” I whisper, the word slipping out before I can fully process it. It feels so small and insignificant, like it’s not even my own voice. I’m not here for love—he’s right, I think—but this isn’t something I ever imagined agreeing to. Not with the feelings that have been swirling around inside me, growing stronger with each passing day. The hope that had begun to sprout within me is suddenly crushed beneath the weight of his offer, and I feel like I’m trying to steady myself on a spinning merry-go-round, my footing uncertain.
He cups the back of my neck, his fingers trailing over my ear and down my throat, sending shivers through me. His thumb brushes over my pulse point, and my heart slams against my ribcage in response. His touch is as mesmerizing as it was the first night I saw him dancing at the club, and yet, it feels different now—tinged with something that doesn’t sit right.
I swallow, trying to steady my thoughts. “What exactly do you expect from this…shield?” I force myself to ask, needing clarity, even as I feel myself slipping further away from the reality I thought I knew.
His hand lingers on my neck for a moment longer before he steps back, his expression calm, almost detached. “For the cameras, the other omegas, the world—we need to make it look real. I need you to act like you’re falling for me, and I’lldo the same. We’ll give them a show, keep everyone off our backs. But that’s all it is—an act.”
The words hit me like a cold gust of wind, chilling me to the core. There’s something so calculated about his tone, so matter-of-fact, that it makes my skin prickle with unease. He’s asking me to step into a role, to play a part in a story that isn’t mine, and it feels wrong—like I’m losing something important, something real, in the process. But what choice do I have? He’s offering a way out, a way to survive this without getting hurt…or so he thinks.
I force myself to nod, though the motion feels stiff and unnatural. “Okay,” I repeat, the word sounding hollow in my own ears. I don’t know if I’m agreeing to the plan or just trying to convince myself that I can handle this, but either way, it’s done.
He tucks my hand into the crook of his elbow, leading us back to the rest of the group. As we walk, my mind races, and I can’t shake the feeling that I’ve just agreed to something that will end in disaster. The other omegas glance our way, their eyes narrowing in suspicion, as if they can already sense the shift in the air. It’s as if they’re planning my downfall now instead of Hailey’s.
Freaking fantastic.
CHAPTER 11
Lilah
The groups meet back up briefly enoughfor Chad to find me and gush about Miles taking the bait. I roll my eyes, attempting to distance myself from the clinging omega. I feel too raw at the moment.
“Did you make things worse with Rafe?” he asks, fixing his gaze on the man in question.
I feel my cheeks heat, and I drop my eyes to the ground. The kiss might have been for the show, but apparently my body didn't know that. And my head’s just as clueless.
Chad grips my forearms, dipping his head to capture my gaze. “What did you do?”
I wet my lips, the slight candy bar taste still there.Or it could be all in my head, I mentally chastise myself.
Chad's eyes widen comically. “You didn't,” he gasps. “I guess kissing him is one way to stay. I'm not jealous.” He waves away the act like it's not a big deal to him, and I believe him.
Miles approaches us after pulling himself away from the group. He smooths his cashmere shirt over his stomach, coming to a stop in front of us. He looks a little nervous.
“Did you two get cider and a donut?” He hooks his fingers into his front pockets as he glances between us, his eyes lingering on me. They leave a warmth behind as he traces my face with his gaze, even though I'm not looking directly at him.
I actually hadn't had either. The agreement to be Rafe’s shield distracted me from eating or drinking anything.
Chad looks him up and down as if he’s his next meal and says, “I could use something to quench my thirst.”
A reluctant smile tugs at my lips when Miles looks back at Chad in surprise at the undertone of his words. Almost as if his flirting isn’t what he expected when he came over here.
“We do have apple cider if you are thirsty.” Miles nods back the way he came.
