“Yesssss!” the crowd roars, shrieking and stomping their feet. “Pack Fire!” They punch the air with their fists. “Pack!” Punch. “Fire!” Punch. “Pack!” Punch. “Fire!”
Suddenly, a forceful push comes from behind me as bodies surge to get a better view of the stage. Compared to the spacious VIP area, everyone is packed in like sardines. I fight against the current, pushing to move in the other direction.
“Are you lost, omega?” An alpha grabs my arm, sneering in my ear while the blaring sound of one ofPack Fire’smost popular hits fills the room.
I manage to shrug him off, a tight ball of tension sitting in my chest, making it hard to breathe as I push onward. Somehow, I make it to the side of the stage, reaching an emergency exit. I slip out through it, entering a part of Club Knotty that I mostdefinitely shouldn’t be in, but no one stops me. Security is clearly too distracted by Brad and Drew’s sudden appearance and the unruly crowd to bother watching every exit.
Behind me, the door swings open again, letting out another wall of noise as it closes.
I spin, ready to punch the alpha square in the nose—if he’s the one who’s followed me—by using that move Kady showed me.
“Tae,” I gasp.
“Delilah…?” Tae’s forehead wrinkles in concern as I scrub my cheeks to rub away the tears. “You need to breathe, okay?”
My breath comes in short pants. When I try to speak, I realize I can’t get the words out, each syllable catching in my throat.
His strong hands press on either side of my shoulders, gazing into my eyes. “Copy what I do. In for four counts, hold for four counts, then out for four counts.”
He strokes my arms as I follow his instructions, helping to quell the growing panic brewing inside me.
Tae cracks a smile. “Better, right? It’s a technique Nash taught me.”
I nod shakily. “I n-n-need to leave.”
“I’m not letting you go anywhere alone when you’re like this.” His eyes dart around the room. “How about we step outside? Fresh air will be good.”
Feeling like I have no choice but to accept his help right now, I follow him out. When he opens the exit, we’re hit with a gust of wind. I suck in a deep inhale and step out, already feeling better than inside the hot, stuffy venue.
“Thanks,” I murmur.
“We didn’t think you’d come tonight,” Tae says. “Thank you.”
“It was a stupid idea.” I shrug. “Obviously.”
“You know he wrote that song for you.” Tae inclines his head. “Even if he didn’t get to finish it tonight.”
“But I’d like to,” an unmistakable voice comes from behind us.
I turn to see Jagger standing in the doorway.
“Dude!” Tae gasps. “You’re supposed to be performing!”
“Fuck that.” Jagger kicks a stone with his combat boot. “Some things are more important.” His twinkling green eyes fix on me. “Youare more important, Delilah.”
“Go back to your fireflies, Jagger,” I hiss. The walls of the alley surrounding us feel like they’re closing in on me, hating that he’s getting to see me this vulnerable. “I’m sure they’ll all be shouting for an encore. You have plenty of groupies who can warm your bed tonight.”
“I don’t want them, Delilah.” He shakes his head. “I want you and only you.”
Last year, hearing him say that would have made my insides turn into melted ice cream and had me fantasizing about what our shared future could look like. But now I’m questioning whether he’s capable of saying anything that isn’t a big, fat lie.
“I’m gonna wait inside.” Tae bows his head and claps Jagger on the shoulder as he turns to go. “I’m sure your friends are worried, so I’ll find them and tell them you’re safe.”
Jagger and I don’t break eye contact as Tae shuts the door behind him. Despite the commotion happening inside Club Knotty and the bass that’s practically making the building vibrate, everything is oddly still out here. Like the universe is taking a breath, waiting for whatever is about to happen next.
“I meant what I said.” Jagger leans against the brick wall. “Ever since we met, it’s always been you. You’re my scent match. My mate. You’re?—”
“You left me!” I point at him. “And you didn’t even say goodbye. You didn’t give me an explanation.”
