“Here she is, the celebrity herself.” Margret chuckles. “Everything’s fine! The crowd outside is a little insane, but they’ve got some cute placards.”
“I’m so sorry I’ve left you to deal with this—”
“Hey, stop that! I know a pre-crying voice when I hear one. Those alphas of yours explained everything.” Her voice lowers. “I’m so sorry you went through all of that, but now that asshole and his gang are in jail, and look—”
Revea pulls back my phone and is met by live footage of the busy salon, until it’s turned to show the glass walls, and outside, crowds of people with signs painted in pink:
#PINKPOWER
PINK HAIR > ALPHA EGO
WE STAND WITH REVEA.
“You’ve got a fan club.”
“What the fuck,” Revea whispers, eyes darting over the screen, breaths quickening. “I didn’t think...”
“Omegas everywhere would see the footage and then decide to make you their new hero? Don’t check the comments, but the girls tell me they’re 99% positive. #PinkPower is trending. Other omegas are telling their stories. Babe, you’re a symbol now, and I couldn’t think of anyone better.”
“I...” She can’t finish. Her chest is moving too fast. “I don’t...”
I take the phone. “Do you need any more security?”
“Oh,hello.” Margret smiles. It does nothing for me. “Nope, we’re all good here—”
I hang up, turning to Revea, who’s moved to the middle of my bed, against my headboard. Her knees are pulled up to her chest, arms wrapped tightly around them.
“Revea...” I make slow, cautious movements towards her. “You’re safe here. Just breathe. One deep breath in, one out… Good. Another… Now, tell me three things you can hear.”
Her wide eyes dart to me.
“Tell me,” I repeat.
“I... I can hear your laptop… my breaths...” She concentrates for the third. “Voices downstairs.”
“Good. Three things you feel.”
“The bed... the pillows… your heat.”
“Three you can see.”
She wets her lips, her breathing now slower. “Your room, my knees... you.”
I nod, caressing her knees with my hand, using my touch to keep her grounded.
“Good. Do you want to talk about that—” I nod to my phone, discarded beside us. “—now, or later?”
“Later,” she says instantly.
I nod again. “Okay, is there anything I can do for you right now?”
“Hold me.”
I’ve barely processed the words, and I’m already moving, my alpha acting before my mind. I pull the covers back and bring her under with me, drawing her close, her knees against my chest.
“I... I don’t know what happened.” Her eyes stare at my shoulder. “The second I saw that crowd, what Mags said… my chest felt so tight.”
“I think you had a panic attack.”
