Page 195 of Lyric & the Heartbeats

Lyric’s gaze turned to Javi, who locked the door and shut the world out of their little bunk room. “We’re here to stay, pajarita.”

Her heart ached at the promise in each of their words, at the love that filled the room, that she felt from each of her bonds.

Most people didn’t get to pinpoint the exact moment their life changed, but Lyric did. It was right there, in that tour bus, experiencing her first real, unhindered heat, that she understood herself for the first time.

“You’re my pack,” she said, tears stinging at the corner of her eyes. “You better be here to stay.”

“Are you okay?” Javier asked, and they all seemed to wait with bated breath for her answer.

Her eyes welled with tears as she nodded, but even after she said, “Yes, I’m fine. More than fine,” they still didn’t move.

“Why are you crying?” Javier questioned.

She grabbed at his hand and linked their fingers together, the new bite mark sending shivers along her skin. “Because I finally understand what you were saying that night we were by the bus. I get it,” she breathed. These were her alphas, instincts be damned.

The smile that curled his lips was blinding, and he reached down to wipe at her tears before she grabbed him by the back of the neck and pulled him down to her.

That kiss was like hitting play, and she was lost to sensation.

The next wave hit, and the only thing she felt was need. But then their kisses were there to ease the sting, to smooth away the sparks on her skin and make her feel better.

And suddenly, she’d never been fucking happier to be an omega. Not with an entire pack there to hold her and make her feel better, to kiss her and stroke her hair and take care of her.

It was what she’d been looking for all along, a family with no conditions, no expectations except to love one another.

How ironic was it that she didn’t understand her instincts until she allowed herself to feel them? How silly was it that when she embraced them just like she embraced her pack she wasn’t afraid of them like she’d been her whole life?

She was Lyric. She was an omega. And she was fucking happy.

Silky soft bristles brushed over Lyric’s skin at the hand of a makeup artist, who tsked and leaned back to view her handiwork.

“How do you have such clear skin? Is this what having a pack does for an omega?”

Lyric chuckled, tilting her head to the side at her direction. “I don’t know, I guess I just have good genes.”

“I’d hope so, the ones we’re putting you in are designer, after all,” she teased.

A soft laugh was muffled behind her, and while Lyric couldn’t turn her head to see who it belonged to, she knew just from the light sound of it. “Nohen, are you eavesdropping?”

“Wouldn’t dream of it. Andi sent me to tell you the photographer is running late, so they’re going to do some of the interview while you’re finishing your makeup.” Nohen rounded the chair as he finished speaking.

“Bring it on,” she said with a wink. He beamed at her and brushed a lock of hair out of his eyes.

“Leave it!” the makeup artist scolded him. Nohen froze with his hand near his face. “I saw the stylist mess with that curl to perfection, don’t fucking touch it.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Nohen replied, and dropped his hand.

As he backed away, the artist turned her back to him, and he mouthed, “She’s scary,” before turning and running off to wherever he came from.

“He’s a cutie, that one,” she remarked with a smirk.

“Isn’t he?” Lyric gushed, her gaze following Nohen’s figure as he made his way across the studio.

A flurry of motion approached, and Lyric sat up straighter in the chair.

“Don’t fret, we’re just going to get a head start since the photographer is running late. We apologize for the inconvenience, and Designate will compensate you for your time.”

Lyric knew Henry or Andi would handle whatever needed to be handle, so she just smiled and greeted the interviewer. A cute, silvery blonde-haired woman held out her hand. “I’m Lola, and I’ll be asking you a few questions about your music, the band, and how you got to be here. The piece will be on fashion and lifestyle, specifically an omega on her journey to fame and finding her pack.”