“Reporters, journalists, paparazzi,” Val lists.
My eyes widen.
“We’ve got this under control. We have our own PR teams, lawyers, security.” Luc tries to smile again, but it falters halfway. “I know this is a lot, and I’m sorry this is happening, but we’ve got you, okay? You’re safe here. No one will find this place. You’ve got us—”
I step back abruptly, Luc’s hands slipping from mine as I place the mug down with a loud clink.
“I... I need a minute.” Luc and Val move instantly, ready to follow. “Alone.”
I don’t wait to see their response.
I head down the nearest hallway and keep walking. There’s too much noise, too many thoughts. I need somewhere quiet to sit and think.
Up a set of stairs, down another corridor that curves around a bend, I keep going until I hit a dead end. Until I finally get silence.
No background hum. No voices. Just a door.
I push it open and step into a large room with a similar layout to Sylvan’s, but this one feels untouched. No clothes draped over the chair, no personal items. No scent. Maybe a hint of cleaning products, but that’s it, nothing of them or anyone.
I lie back on the mattress and stare up at the ceiling.
“What the fuck, Revea?” I say out loud, angry.“What the fuck are you doing?”
I’ve run away, like I always do. Locked myself away in silence with only my thoughts.
Ready to overthink. To spiral.
But this time, it’s different. I’ve got a literal team of trained men doing everything in their power to help me. And here I am. Hiding.
Before them, what would’ve happened?
That alpha would’ve still attacked Serena. The blackmail would’ve still come. The footage would’ve still leaked.
How would I have handled this, any of it, without them?
The answer sits heavy in my gut.
And here I am, demanding space when I should be out there thanking them.
“What am I? A wimp?” I scoff into the silence. “No. I’m a businesswoman. A successful hair stylist. That’s who I am.”
I nod to myself.
“So what if I’m suddenly famous?” I sit up, scowling into the darkening room. “People would sell their souls for this, and I’m… scared?” I huff out a breath. “No. I don’t think so.”
I stand, steadier now, heading to the door.
“No. I’m not a coward,” I tell the room, giving it some serious attitude. “I’m going back to those alphas and—”
When I open the door, I realise immediately it’s the wrong one.
I gasp, the sound echoing around the new space.
A large, circular room lit only by a large skylight filling the entire ceiling. Beneath it, a bed, no... not a bed.
A nest.
I shuffle back, terrified I’ve entered and contaminated it. But... it’s so pretty.
