I expect him to drop his hand, but he doesn’t. “I wanted to say before we start shooting that I’m glad you’re playing my Juliette.”
My Juliette. It’s my character's name but my Omega who’s decided to make herself known,again, preens as if he said I’mhis Omega. I quietly remind her that I was the second choice but she doesn’t care; she only cares that she has the attention and touch of a very beguiling Alpha who doesn’t have an Omega.
When I don’t immediately say anything he continues, “You’re an incredible actor. I’ve seen your work, and I think we’re going to be great together on screen.”
And off screen.
Goddamn, Omega brain! I ignore the voice and smile, attempting to also ignore his touch still on my arm, one that’s starting to heat my skin the longer it stays connected to me. Like a pot of water slowly coming to a boil.
“Thank you, Jett. I’m really happy to be here.”
I brush at the bangs on my forehead as he drops his hand from my arm. Before I can miss his touch, he places his finger under my chin and turns my head toward his, brushing my bangs away like I just did. A frown mars his masculine features and my fingers itch to reach out and take him in my arms, to comfort him until he’s no longer frowning.
“You’re getting a bruise.” A sound akin to a growl rumbles from his strong chest and two things happen inside me at once—I shiver and heat pools low in my belly. The kind of heat that could very much get me in trouble if I let it build.
The big, tattooed Alpha growled like this earlier, too, my Omega so lovingly reminds me.
Yeah, I know, but like Wilder’s presence, his growl felt calming and protective more than anything else. Either way, any kind of growls and the way they make me feel are not acceptable right now and I can’t think about how they make me feel at all.
I grit my teeth and step back from Jett so his hand is forced to drop down. “It’s okay.” I touch my forehead. It’s a tiny bit tender but if there’s a bruise it should be gone by tomorrow. Omegas and Alphas heal quickly, a perk of biology and especially useful for Omegas when in heats or during childbirth.
Jett slides his tongue over his front teeth. “It’s not okay. Augie!”
The Beta’s head snaps up toward us from his laptop, his spine straightening from the bite of Jett’s bark. My spine also stiffens, even though his anger isn’t directed at me.
“Get hair and makeup for Iris and some ice.”
Augie gets up from his chair and leaves without looking at me. I take a second to glance at Sadie and she’s eyeing me with questions and concern, but I just shrug. I have no idea why Jett’s acting this way. He went from being sweet to an Alphahole in two seconds flat.
I turn my attention back to Jett. His pupils are slightly dilated, the blue of them more like stormy seas rather than a calm blue ocean. His fists are clenched and he’s staring at my forehead in anger. Jett’s growl slowly intensifies and I debate what to do.
It’s been a long time since I’ve been around an angry Alpha, or at least one that looks on the brink of losing control. It’s odd because we just met, and while I haven’t seen it, I’m sure the bruise is hardly there and can be covered by makeup and my hair. He shouldn’t be reacting like this. But it’s like some weird switch flipped in his brain.
“Jett?” I try, but his only answer is to get closer to me and inhale.
Oh no, that’s not good.
I tell my body to take a step back but I can’t move, my Omega doesn’t want me to move. I guess I have to use my voice instead.
“Jett, I swear I’m fine.” My voice is calm and easy. “It doesn’t even hurt.”
The muscles beneath the shirt he’s wearing flex, and the veins in his throat bulge. His head dips down and his nostrils flare as he tries to scent me again. When he can’t, the growl in his throat deepens, and his Alpha’s frustration seeps out of him along with it. I go to say his name again, maybe even try addressing his Alpha, but thankfully I don’t have to.
“Jett!” Wilder’s bark is loud and the whole set goes quiet. “Come here.”
At first the Alpha next to me doesn’t move, but after a long moment of staring between the packmates, he gives me one last long pained glance before he stalks off with Wilder, Augie, and Mateo following behind them. My body moves to follow like a puppy after its owners, but thankfully I’m stopped by hair and makeup.
Shit, what was that?
Alphas, my Omega pouts. Yeah, I know. They’re Alphas. But they aren’tmyAlphas, and they can’t be my Alphas. I pop my shoulders back and collect myself, following a Beta makeup artist to a chair. I let her cover the bruise Jett freaked out about and another Beta touch up my hair. Sadie approaches me once they’re out of sight and I tug her to the bathroom a PA pointed out to us since the Alpha’s aren’t back yet.
“What was that?” she asks when the door is closed and I make sure nobody is inside with us. “I thought Jett was going to go all caveman for a second there and Wilder—he’s scary.”
“I don’t know,” I huff. “But I think I should refresh the neutralizer and put on more of that deodorant. The more, the better.”
Chapter six
Wilder
