I turn to the mirror once more. The woman staring back at me is both familiar and foreign. I look powerful, radiant, and undeniably striking. The red dress and bold makeup haveunlocked a part of me I hadn't known existed—a part that’s ready to take on the world.
"I... I look incredible," I whisper, a smile slowly spreading across my face.
Chad grins. "That's because you are incredible. Now go out there and make them see what they’ve been missing."
My lips twist, and I meet Chad’s gaze in the mirror. “Those words don’t sound like someone that’s going to be the last omega standing.”
“Girl, that ship sailed as soon as they saw you on the first night. It was an unfair advantage that you had honestly. If you hadn’t already puked all over one of them and had their attention, I would have had a chance.”
A surprised laugh bubbles up at his words. “That’s the key to winning hearts? Tossing the contents of your stomach on them?”
He shrugs. “I might try it after this.”
CHAPTER 50
Lilah
Tonight’s ceremony is different.We don’t line up on a stage and wait to be offered a trinket. In fact, I haven’t seen Hailey all evening. I’m not sure if that’s a blessing or a curse. Chad lounges in a chair, looking as if he has no cares in the world. His hair’s perfectly styled, and he even allowed a dusting of concealer that makes his skin glow.
He lifts an eyebrow when he catches me watching him. “Ready for forever?”
I nibble on my lower lip, my heart racing inside my chest. Beyond ready.
“How do you think they will tell Hailey she isnotthe one?” he asks. He runs his finger along the seam of the chair before lifting his eyes to mine. “How do you think they will tell me I’m not the one?”
I sink into the chair next to him and wrap my fingers around his, stopping his nervous movement. “I think they will be kind—Chad…you know if it wasn’t for you coming to me and being so annoying that first night, I would have quit the show. So I feel like I owe you something for the way it all turned out. Not only have I found a pack, but I’ve found a friend. And before I came on the show, I didn’t think either was ever possible for me.”
He studies me for a silent minute. Then he says, “You aren’t the only broken one that came on this show to escape a crappy life. And I might not be walking away with a pack—who needs an alpha anyway—but you might just be the first person that has ever put up with my shit. So you are stuck with me now.”
I blink the moisture away, and he reaches over with his free hand to brush a stray tear from my cheek. Words are stuck in my throat as I’m overwhelmed by emotion.
“Don’t mess up your makeup with tears. You look like a seductive siren, and you don’t want to screw that up,” he says. “Not that the three of them wouldn’t pick you either way.”
“Has anyone told you that you have a heart of gold underneath all of those defensive walls?” I say before pulling him over the chair arm and hugging the life out of him.
He hugs me back before pulling back with a scoff. “I’ll deny any accusation.”
Rolling my eyes, a smile pulls at my lips. But Thomas enters the room and stops any response I would have had. Butterflies erupt in my stomach when his attention glides over both of us.
“You two really shouldn’t be sequestered together. Who authorized this?”
Chad and I share a look. “What do you mean? Nobody stopped us from being together,” I say.
“They should have,” he grumbles. I’m pretty sure that he hates his job. Either that or this season pushed him straight up to the edge and he’s willing to jump. “Whatever. Chad, you’re up first. Then Lilah, you will go, and then Hailey.”
Chad purses his lips and squeezes my fingers once before he stands up and straightens his jacket. “As ready as I willbe,” he says. Thomas spins on his heel, and Chad turns to face me. “Slay it tonight, and call me when you come up for air.” With one last wink, he walks out of the room.
I rub my hands down my dress, attempting to wipe away some of the nerves. But it doesn’t stop the rolling of my stomach. At least it’s empty.
Thomas returns for me after what feels like hours but could possibly only be twenty minutes. And in that time, I’ve convinced myself Hailey’s going last because they are picking her, then I talked myself out of it just as quickly. I have watched the behind the scenes with her and the guys. They won’t be leaving the show with her. I might not understand why they kept her so long, but she’s not the one they are in love with.
I follow Thomas to an elevator that leads to the top of the building. A garden greets us as we step out. Twinkling lights shine from the branches of the trees creating a magical feel to the space. The lush green of the grass is a contrast to the city around us. And natural looking heaters keep the space warm from the cold fall evening. Not even the camera crews can take away the ethereal feel of it all.
As I trail behind him taking it all in, my racing heart finally settles. This is the beginning of my future. One I didn’t think was possible. And I am going to hold on tight with both hands.
I stop on the spot he indicates in front of an elegant tall table and clasp my fingers loosely in front of me. He steps back and counts in the cameras. Everything feels like it stops as soon as the red lights start blinking.
Almost in slow motion, Elliott, followed by Miles and Rafe, steps out of the elevator onto the rooftop. They look absolutely perfect in their impeccably tailored suits. Their hair is meticulously styled, each strand in place, adding to their commanding presence. My body vibrates with the needto launch myself across the space and into their arms. I lose the internal war because I can’t wait for them to get to me. I run to them, my arms circling Elliott’s neck, clinging to him and breathing in the mouth-watering scent of his musk. The other two enclose us on either side, completing our physical bond.
