“Is it too late to back out?” I mutter as the other omegas head to the waiting room chattering with excitement, some are already drinking. I will not be doing that tonight. Lesson learned. I only needed to lose my stomach on one alpha for that one.
Chad loops his arm through mine, leading me into the other room to wait for our limos. “We are going to be TV gold. And you're not going anywhere because you are helping me to the end, and I'm going to help repair your image.”
CHAPTER 4
Lilah
The limo bumpsdown the long drive toward a gigantic, brightly lit, mansion. It does not look this big in the show. The driver circles a large dazzling fountain before coming to a stop.
My gaze takes in the rose bushes and ivy climbing the white bricks all the way up to the black shingle roof. Breathtaking. Even in the dark, the beauty can’t be hidden.
My handler clears his throat, and I stop gawking. It has to be a big house to fit thirty omegas even on scent-blocking pills and lotion. Turning my attention to the small man across from me, I lift an eyebrow.
“Ready for the cameras?”
I glance back at the brightly lit windows, some girls and guys gather in them, watching the limo from the inside. They are obviously some of the omegas that arrived before me. I recognize some of them from the banquet hall. I smooth the same white dress they had me wear in my interview down over my legs as nerves race like a wild herd of horses through my body. Are horses called herds? Are they just called horses?
My handler clears his throat again, and I want to ask him if he’s coming down with something. “Time for your grand entrance.” It isn’t a question this time.
I nod anyway, shifting my attention back to the mansion. The camera’s red light flickers on, and I know it’s show time. I paste on a smile, seconds before the air in my lungs evaporates and the world freezes. My gaze lands on the alphas waiting for me to exit the limo.TheRafe Carson, his curly hair styled to perfection, stands at the end of the walkway. The fabric of his suit draped over his broad shoulders, accentuating the strength beneath it. He moves just like he did on the dance floor, with fluid almost sensual movements as he shifts on his heels. His tie is loose as if he feels trapped, and he wears a plastic smile on his face.
He doesn’t want to be here. I can feel it in my bones. That makes two of us.
“No. This isn’t happening.” I point at him through the dark window. “That is Rafe Carson!”
My handler laughs nervously. “And his pack mates—Miles Abbott and Elliott Ray.”
“I—I can’t do this—” I say. No power on this green earth can get me out of this limo.
He presses a com in his ear. “We have a situation.”
It’s a disaster,nota situation. Asituationcould be fixed. This is more like a tornado bearing down on me ready to toss me into Oz, like Dorthy. Only I don’t have ruby slippers or a dog.
“Shelly wants to speak with you.” He presses a button on his earpiece and then holds out his cell. I stare at it in horror like it’s going to bite me. He covers the speaker, giving me a pleading look. “Please.”
I nod at the camera still filming. “Turn that off.”
The cameraman hesitates until my handler tilts his head atthe guy. Then he flips it off, the red light blinking once before disappearing.
I flick my eyes down to the phone and hold out my hand.
“I’m not doing this,” I tell her.
“Sweetheart, I know it’s a shock. But you have to. Your introduction video is already on all the socials. There’s been millions of views and thousands of comments. This is your redemption arc, a chance to rewrite your past.”
Millions?
“Shelly,” I say, my mouth dry and palms sweaty. I lower my voice. “I threw up all over that man out there. There is only one way this ends, and it’s with my humiliation.”
“No, Lilah, viewers are rooting for you. They want you to have a second chance.”
It is more likely they are ready for the ensuing drama. Because if they have my video up on the internet, I know they have the alphas too.
I glance back at the men. One of them shifts and looks at his watch before murmuring something to Rafe. The other watches the limo with curiosity, his hands clasped behind his back. Waiting attentively for me to open the door. I don’t know who his pack mates are, so I don’t know which one is Elliott and which one is Miles. Only that they are as fucking attractive as him. It should be a crime.
“Shelly, I don’t think you understand.” Pure fear rolls through me. I can’t do this. My grip on the phone tightens until I’m sure I’m going to break it.
“Sweetheart, I do. You’re afraid. It’s only natural in your situation.”
