Kaiden sighs against my lips, nudging my nose once. That small touch is somehow just as intimate as the kiss.
When he takes a deep breath, I copy, breathing in his rich, soothing scent. Our eyes lock, and we both smile before parting.
***
There are so many people.
I stare out the tinted window of the car, heart pounding, eyes wide. Flashing cameras, people holding placards, vans with news station names. We pull around theback, but even there, there are people. Not as many, mainly ones with cameras and microphones.
“Bravo team clear a path,” Kaiden orders, pressing his earpiece.
Shit. This is actually happening.
Two identical cars pull up, parking either side of us. The men who exit are dressed similarly to my alphas, flooding out in a synchronised movement, pushing back the smaller crowd until there’s a direct path from my car door to the entrance.
Kaiden places his arm around the back of his seat and turns to look at me. “We don’t stop moving until you get inside. They’ll call your name, shout questions, take pictures, but we don’t stop. Understood?”
I don’t say a word, and Kaiden’s expression softens.
“Sorry, that was—”
“No, don’t. I need that,” I say, voice firm. “Don’t sugar-coat it. Treat me like any other client.”
“I think we’re past that point...” Luc murmurs, flashing me a wicked smile.
My lips twitch. “Okay, but here, that’s how I want you to treat me.”
Kaiden nods, glancing at each of his packmates before looking at me. “Ready?”
Holy shit. This is really happening.
Am I ready? No. Not at all. But I square my shoulders and nod like I am, because I’m good at performing, and that’s what this is.
The flashing cameras are worse than the shouts. Most omegas have sensitive vision, and with lighter eyes, it’s even worse. But they’re here, arms of steel around me, their bodies blocking the worst of it.
I hear my name but can’t really make out much more—they’re all shouting over each other. All I see is the back of chest pads, then the sound of marble clicking beneath my heels, and a door shutting.
“Revea!” My name’s shouted again, but this time by a familiar voice.
When thin arms wrap around me, I’m still blinking away the flashes. But the hold tightens, and I finally see the red. I hug her back just as tight.
“God, I’ve missed you,” she murmurs.
“Me too, Mags.” I tighten my grip.
Margret steps back, assessing me from head to toe. “So you went for a full-glam blow-out? Nice.” She nods approvingly, then her eyes dart behind me, going wide. She leans in, whispering, “And now there’sfourof them? Goddamn, Revea, fame looks good on you.”
“Stop,” I hiss, straightening out my dress.
I glance over my shoulder. Gary and Max are already talking with the guys, all six alphas looking like they’re planning a military operation in the middle of my salon.
And when I turn back to Margret, I spot two more. My brothers, already making their way across the salon floor, stern expressions in place.
“Wish me luck, Mags,” I murmur before moving to meet them halfway. “See? I’m alive—”
Rue hugs me, hard. There’s no dramatic spin. “You’re okay, yeah?” he asks, finally loosening his grip to look me over.
“I’m good, Rue,” I smile, nodding, then Rowan steps in.
