It’s because they’re our mates. They’re kind.
Yeah, yeah. My Omega is very pleased with them and I would be too if they were my pack. But I’m still convinced this is about to go south, and I’m not going to pretend like when we talk this is all going to end up like a fairytale. Real life isn’t that way. I learned a long time ago that everything comes with work and time put in. That’s how I even got as far as I did in Hollywood. Sure, the scent match part feels magical, but the rest of the story is not.
I reach the end of the hallway and find a staircase. Now that I’m no longer in heat, I can appreciate the home. I have no idea what part of Los Angeles we’re in, but the house is large and modern in the style that reminds me of the Hollywood Hills. Despite the openness and sleek lines, it feels homey, decoratedwith modern paintings on the walls. Looking closer at one, it looks like a graffiti artist did them with broad lines of sprayed paint in all different colors and shapes.
When I reach the bottom of the steps, I hear voices and smell bacon, eggs, and something sweet cooking, along with the notes of mint, lemon, honey, and the undertone of basil. My mouth waters and my feet carry me toward the scents, my stomach growling and my Omega perking up.
I warn her that this isn’t going to turn into some post-heat fuckfest which makes my strawberry scent sour. I roll my shoulders back to get control of her and keep my feet moving toward the masculine voices that become louder with each step.
A large kitchen comes into view as I turn the corner, and in the back the sunshine of morning fills the space with natural light. Wilder is standing with his broad back to me, washing his hands at a sink while the other pack members sit at a dining table in front of him. They don’t notice me as I approach, their conversation continuing.
“I don’t think keeping her on is a good idea,” Mateo says.
Jett sighs. “Yeah, I will say the chemistry was a bit off to begin with,” Jett says. “And things have changed now.”
“Augie?” Wilder asks.
The Beta pushes his glasses up his nose. “I have to agree, things have changed. I don’t think it’s a good idea to go with her now.”
Wilder shuts off the water and leans on the sink. “I agree. She’s a great actor, but Iris is—
A whine bursts from my throat before I can stop it. Four sets of eyes snap in my direction and I debate between running away or curling into a ball on the floor right here and dying.
I told you. I told you. I told you, I chant to my Omega. I should have just left and cut my losses. Had my lawyer and agent be my point of contact with them from here on out.
“Iris.” Augie darts up from the table and heads my way.
I hold my hands up to keep him at a distance. “No, it’s okay. Don’t comfort me. I’ll call a ride and go.” The words feel sticky on my tongue and my stomach bubbles at the idea of leaving. Which is ridiculous since they just said they’re going to replace me. That Jett doesn’t have chemistry with me.
There’s a chorus of growls, the loudest coming from Wilder. I know because it’s deep and powerful, the same kind of growl I heard while he chased me in his rut.
“Go?” Augie looks genuinely confused. “We made a big breakfast.”
The sadness in his voice is laughable. I want to question it, tell him how ridiculous it is that I heard them all speaking of me like I’m yesterday’s news and then offering me food, but I don’t want to cry.
“It’s best I leave.”
The Alpha’s approach, Mateo next to Augie, and Wilder and Jett on his other side. It reminds me of when we met on set, their pack standing in a semi-circle looking at me. It feels like yesterday, even though it was a week ago now.
“We don’t want you to go,” Mateo says.
“You should get some food in your stomach and then we can talk,” Wilder adds.
I can’t hold in the half laugh, half sob that comes out of me. “You want me to do all that after I just heard you talk about replacing me?” I look at Jett. “After you said we don’t have chemistry?” My voice nearly breaks on the question, and Jett has the audacity to look like I just ripped his heart out.
“No, Iris. We weren’t—”
I hold up my hand to cut Jett off. “It’s okay. I get it. I shouldn’t be upset. You all were gracious enough to help me through my heat, a heat that never should have happened in the first place.”
“Iris—” Wilder tries to interject but I shake myhead.
“It’s fine, really. I mean, it’s not fine. I was reckless coming on set when I did, and I put not only all of you at risk but your crew.”
“How were you reckless? You met your scent-matched pack. These things happen,” Mateo says.
I blink at him. “These things don’t just happen.”
“Not often but you couldn’t have predicted this. It wasn’t your fault,” he adds, the sincerity in his voice killing me.
