We’re interrupted by another call from Raney. I answer, and she’s talking. “No shit, Sim, it’s like I’m living in a washing machine. Or riding a swinging fucking pendulum. I go from crying to sneaking off with Puck in the middle of the night when I should be sleeping. Hey, Sim, will you be a godmother to my child?”
“Of course.” And then I drive the conversation. “Raney, I really wanted to tell you I was packed ages ago. My therapist is encouraging me to share with you what I want obviously, but what happened and why I can’t talk just yet. It’s all interconnected but I’m not really ready to explain it yet.”
“Your therapist? Oh Sim, you know I’m hugging you in my head right now, don’t you?”
“Yeah. Lawson died, and I ended up in hospital, Raney. It wasn’t great.”
“Sim, darling, I am so sorry. You never need to tell me anything else if you don’t want to, but I will always, and I repeat always, always, always, love you. I’m here for you. We just have to be long distance besties for a little while. My gyno said my emotions should start plateauing by the next trimester. I hope that’s okay.”
“Of course it is.”
Our conversation continues to flip-flop back and forth all the way until we arrive home.
“Simona Torres… It’s got a great ring to it. I’m very proud of you for hooking up with a teacher, a mystery Alpha who sounds amazing, and my lawyer. Hey, thank you for also kicking Tristan’s ass into action. I am happy for her and Dad, still a bit salty though, but you can’t help who you fall in love with. I know that in spades.” I go to hang up. “Hang on, Sim, Koz wants to speak with you.”
“Okay. Love you, talk with you tomorrow.”
The sound muffles as the phone gets shuffled over. “Simona, congratulations for packing. I only heard part of the discussion. Tell Dominic to call me in the morning. I’ll send a few of my men to join your security team. They’ll be bringing some very nice new merchandise I just received. But if your pack wants something particular all you need to do is let me know. Yes?”
I get choked up on his generous offer. “He heard. Thank you, Koz.”
“No thanks necessary. You are very important to my micina, Simona. I consider you family.”
He hangs up as Dominic parks. Before he’s even turned the ignition off, my door opens, and I’m in Ryder’s arms getting a hundred honey-dipped kisses dotted over my face, catching my happy tears.
Epilogue
Iblow out another breath. Slower.
Not that it helps. My airway constricts.
I don’t move a muscle. Not wanting to steal his focus, but also not wanting to miss a single second, but I do need air in my lungs. Though some days I really wonder if I do, I’m sure my Alphas are all I need to survive.
I won’t test the theory tonight. Honestly, backstage with Koded? It’s made better and worse knowing the Alpha behind the mask is Ryder, until I get swept back up in the grandeur. Losing myself to the thrill racing through my blood, the elation at being this close toKoded, is mind blowing and overwhelming to say the least. It’s impossible to stay calm. I’m a victim, under his spell completely.
I scream along with his fans. We sob together spell bound, singing the chorus right back at him when he asks us to. Koded’s stage presence can’t be argued, seeing him perform is an enigmatic experience, dramatically life changing. Clearly, I’m a groupie. Can’t say I care.
Not being able to breathe, though, is an issue. He’ll stop mid lyric, lay down his guitar while offering his fans an apology, asking for a second to race over if he even thinkssomething isn’t right. He’s done it already a few times over the past few performances. I refuse to be the one to interrupt the flow of the magic tonight. It’s like people say, this show is one of those once in a life-time experiences.
I have to pinch myself to be sure I am here and this is my life.
Koded moves around the stage making sure everyone gets what they’re coming for—him—he finishes back at his standing microphone, facing this way so he can assure himself that I’m okay. It’s not the artist I’m looking at; it’s the Alpha I’m head over heels in love with.
I hold up my fingers, shaping a love heart, letting him know how I feel. Letting him know I’m good too. Satisfied, he swings back around, the press of the crowd surging forward, anxious for more. They love his attention.
I lift up the hard plastic edge of the mask, and air rushes down my lungs. Of course, he sees and he turns back around. I try to distract him from his worry, spinning slowly in a pirouette to show off his latest gift. A Koded Tour T-shirt, but instead of his name, SinDaBella is printed in huge lettering over my shoulders. His tour dates listed exactly like the official licensed merch from each show.
He stops mid-song.
“Jesus, you guys should see what I can. Actually, perhaps it’s time for you to meet Sin. What do you say, Berkeley, do you want to meet my girl?” he yells, throwing an arm up.
The deafening roar of the crowd is their answer. With a flick of his wrist he baits their energy, exaggeratedly swinging his guitar over his shoulder like a backpack. Chatting into the microphone like every person here is his best friend. “She’s fucking perfect. You’re going to love her as much as I do. Hang on.”
He takes a step towards me.
All the reasons he shouldn’t be doing this disappear as hiswarm honey-dipped scent crashes into me. It’s a collision, and I’m a victim. Ryder has always had that impact on me though. His hand reaches for mine, and I move to him because even with the trepidation, I still want to experience everything with this Alpha.
“You look incredible.” He growls. Even through the veil of his mask the surge of his possessiveness hits like an arrow through my heart before he goes in for the kill. “They only get a glimpse of you. Fuck them. That’s all they get of you,Sin, because you’remyending.Myfucking fairytale come true.”
