Chapter Nineteen

CHAPTER NINETEEN

NOW PLAYING: THE Moon- Austin Giorgio

Something happened between Omen and my pack. A different type of tension exists between us now. She’s barely spoken to any of us since we left Louisville two days ago, declining Nexus’ endless invitations to hang out for lunch or after our shows.

It’s bothering me not knowing what is causing the issue. I’ve always been a peacekeeper. A beta who dislikes confrontation. My beta parents both had jobs that often led to bruises and injuries. My mother worked as a nurse in the emergency room at the local hospital.

Her career shouldn’t have been overly dangerous, but my hometown is one who tends to stick to old-school ideals like refusing suppressants and blockers. Newly presented alphas and those approaching ferality were denied the medication meant to help ease their instinctual aggression. While Mom didn’t face many new alphas, she did often encounter ones who were a little too feral to function without assistance.

My dad got to deal with the newly presented alphas working at the local designation academy. Working as a full-time security guard on campus, he often had to jump in to break up fights before someone could get severely injured or killed.

Growing up seeing them both come home and tend to each other made me hope for a life where I never had to experience the agony they willingly suffered. I’ve built a peaceful life with my pack, using my bonds to help prevent in-pack fights and instinct-driven brawls.

It can be exhausting, especially right now when we are facing protesters outside of each of our concerts. Their words and presence are wearing down on everyone in our crew, not just me and my mates.

Maybe the protests have something to do with Omen’s change in attitude. If the pressure of the opposition to our pro-pack views is a lot for us to handle, how much would it affect someone who isn’t used to living in the spotlight?

Tilting my head back against the shower wall, I let all of my worries about the distance Omen is putting between us fade away. We are off for the next two days and Senator Pierson’s campaign is stopping here in St. Louis today, something Nebula told us late last night.

I know he wants to go, to join the other DAU and citizen protesters giving voice to their objection to the brutalistic approach the alpha politician takes toward designation and pack rights. Despite my reluctance to face yet another volatile protest, I quickly finish getting ready. I know he’s going to need my comfort and support to control his anger.

Pulling on my shoes, I realize Omen will most likely be at the protest too. Maybe I can use this opportunity to try to figure out why she’s pushing us away.

Downtown St. Louis is packed. The sidewalks overflowing with protesters, some of whom have traveled for days to be here. Local police have blocked off the streets around the convention center where Senator Pierson is holding his rally, keeping the majority of the crowd away from where anti-pack supporters are entering the building. A good safety measure as it only takes one unstable interaction for someone to get hurt.

Nebula leads us through the crowds to where Bea said their group was. Much closer to the building than I’m comfortable with. If something were to go awry with Omen this close... I don’t know if I could de-escalate my alpha’s aggression if she were to be injured.

Stepping through the sea of people, I spot Ridley’s imposing figure where he is practically hugging Bea’s back. She doesn’t seem to mind his closeness, which isn’t surprising since they can barely keep their eyes off of each other when we’re all hanging out. I’ll be shocked if they don’t wind up together after his assignment as her bodyguard is over.

Bea says something to Omen that we can’t hear over the noise of the crowd. Those light eyes turn to us, the smile falling from her face. Her blank expression causes nausea to churn in my stomach.

The first clue about the distance she’s creating between us is revealed when her eyes briefly shimmer with hurt as she looks at Titan. “Tee, did something happen between you and Omen?”

I study his expression, noting the light tension at the corner of his eyes as he watches her turn away from us. He shrugs and grunts in answer, something I’d assume meant he doesn’t know why she’s giving him the cold shoulder if I couldn’t feel the regret and guilt in his bond. When he’d returned from his birthday outing a few days ago, I thought I’d caught hints of her sweet scent clinging to his shirt, but I’d brushed it off as my longing for the omega influencing my imagination. Maybe there is more to the story than I originally thought.

Stepping closer to my giant alpha, I press one hand over his heart and let him feel my need to comfort his aching soul. He sighs, his long arms wrapping around me and pulling me tight. I strain to hear his words over the noise of the crowd. “She went out to celebrate with me. I kissed her. She panicked and I… I thought she was going to reject me and reacted.”

I bite my tongue to force myself to think things through instead of jumping to conclusions that would rock the boat. Titan’s always been rough around the edges. After watching his family cut off people in their lives for living a lifestyle they didn’t believe in, he grew too used to hiding parts of himself to escape their harsh words. Reacting without thinking to save himself from facing the same rejection from someone he genuinely cares about is a trauma response he has yet to overcome.

When we first met, he was skeptical and closed off, unwilling to close the gap and form a real relationship with me out of fear I’d turn on him the same way his parents had his Aunt. Slowly, and with a lot of patience, I was able to break down his walls and show him I wasn’t like them. I accept him for who he is, flaws and all.

With Omen, it will be different. She, like him, seems skittish and afraid of developing deep attachments to others. Without knowing her history and the causes behind her guarded nature, I won’t be able to help the two of them see past their issues to grow together.

Hugging Titan close, I murmur words of support and understanding. Growing our relationship with the pretty omega is a lot more complex now, and I’m uncertain if we will be able to make it work. A small thread of hope pulses through me knowing my alphas don’t give up easily.

The protest earlier today was too crowded for me to get a chance to speak to Omen. She was entirely in her element, trapped behind her lens as she captured the heightened emotions of the crowd. I can’t fault her for not realizing we were following her all day, not when I tend to get just as lost in my own creative outlet.

Stars glitter faintly above me. Still too drowned out by the nearby city to truly shine. It’s a beautiful depiction of how I feel right now. Outshined by the stunning omega who is constantly pulling us into her orbit.

I stare up at the dark sky, warmed by the small bonfire Nebula had built for me when I came out here to write an hour ago. The flames dance with the darkness. A slow, sensual twist of the hips hinting at the rhythmic meeting of bodies. Long hair brushing against your skin. The silken feel of it adds to the eroticism of the moment.

I grab my pencil and notebook, putting to paper the words demanding freedom from the confines of my heart.

This Fate that guides us

Across space and time

Reminds me you are meant to be mine

(One day you’ll be mine)

There’s no expiration date

No moment in time I could ever walk away

And leave you behind

I would wait a thousand lifetimes

Just to speak your name from my tongue

Your existence alters me

Rewrites my brain chemistry

One hit of your scent and I am blind

My world narrowed to the taste

Of my scent on your skin

I come alive between your thighs

Your body it beckons me

One day you will be mine

(Please say you’ll be mine)

The music comes to life with each letter I press to the page. The melody fills my soul, begging me to release it into the world. Rustling through my things, I find a blank composition sheet and let the notes flow.

I can feel the vibration of my chest as I hum along to the beat, adding to my captivation. Nothing exists but me and this music.

The urgency ebbs, the words cease to flow. I stare down at my creation and can’t help but to smile knowing this is the first of many tributes to my heart’s desire. I reach for my acoustic guitar, laying the music sheet to the side, but still within reach in case I need to make notes or changes. This is only the baseline for the full song it could eventually become. While I write the majority of our band's music, each of my mates adds their own touches as we put the pieces together.

Titan especially takes creative control over the drum portions of all our songs. He has to be comfortable with the work he has to put in to perform a song. To feel the rhythm in his soul deeply enough to get lost on stage.

My eyes flutter closed as my fingers move across the strings. The sound of my voice fills the space. It doesn’t hold the same weight Nexus’ would if he was singing, but I try my best to put all of our growing feelings for Omen into every word. The peace we feel in her presence. The light she brings to our world. The passion she ignites in each of us with a simple glance.

Omen Powell is meant to be ours. I can’t explain how I know she’s Fated to become part of our pack, not with words. My soul recognizes hers and that’s enough evidence for me.

“You have a beautiful voice.”

I startle at the sound of her voice. My fingers jarring the strings of my guitar and my eyes pop open. I almost get lost in those icy blues. Trapped in the arctic waves crashing around me. Her sunshine and wildflower scent settles against me soothing my exhausted mind.

“T-thanks,” I rasp. Suddenly parched.

“I didn’t mean to interrupt. Or to eavesdrop.” She offers me a soft, but sad smile before she turns to look out over the small hill we are camped on. The light night breeze sways the lavender tips of her hair gently where it falls loose down her back. Her arms wrap around herself almost as if she’s trying to hold herself together.

I glance back toward her bus, surprised not to find Lex nearby. He’s been her shadow since we left for the tour. Always watching her back.

“I’ll get a lecture for it later,” she whispers, glancing at me over her shoulder with mischief in her eyes. Her playful look fades to something I can’t read as she turns away from me once more. I want her attention only on me. To be the focus of her beautiful, creative mind. “I needed a minute of peace.”

I don’t think she meant for me to hear the last part, so I don’t address it. “We’re in the middle of the woods late at night, I’m sure you are safe enough to enjoy the night air alone for a few minutes.” I know how overprotective alphas can be, so I know Lex won’t see things the way I do. Even Nebula and my other mates will be upset if they learn she is out here alone. It’s in their biology to instinctively care for an omega and that means not letting them wander alone in the dark.

“I’m always here to listen if you need to talk,” I offer. “Even if it’s to complain about my pack. I’ve mastered the art of unbiased ears.”

Omen continues to stare out into the night. In her silence, nature is our only companion. The soft crackle of my fire, the occasional hoot of an owl, and the quiet rustling of small nocturnal animals. It would be peaceful if I wasn’t so worried about her.

“I forgot how profoundly words can cut. The wrong words spoken at the right time can devastate every thought you’ve had until that moment.” Her words are soft, barely a whisper but they strike my heart like a physical blow. Titan never told me exactly what he said, but it’s clear he hurt her much deeper than I’d imagined.

Blowing out a breath she turns to face my fire. Her icy blues meet my dual tones over the dancing flames. “I think it would be best for all of us if we continue the rest of the tour as coworkers. Friends maybe. Nothing more.”

“If something happened–”

“I’m not good for your pack.” She cuts me off with a sharp shake of her head.

I may only be a beta, but I’ve always had a higher level of empathic instincts than most of my peers. A trait that alerts me to Omen’s need for comfort. A distraction. Something to pull her away from the thoughts eating her alive inside.

Setting my guitar back in its case, I open the music app on my phone and scroll to one of my favorites. A softer song than what my band plays. A blues-influenced pop song. Turning up the volume, I leave it sit on my chair, and cross to where Omen stands.

She peeks at me as I approach, her brow furrowed. I don’t fight my instincts and reach out to soothe the lines from her skin. With a half smile, I offer her the same hand. “Dance with me? For tonight we can forget it all. Let’s exist in a world of our own creation for a bit longer.”

She hesitates, long enough for the first line of the chorus to hit, then slips her slender fingers in mine. I entwine my fingers with hers and slip my other arm around her waist. Twisting her to fully face me while also pulling her closer. Close enough she can feel the heat of my body, but not enough to touch me.

I sway us to the music. Letting one song roll into two with no intention of stopping. Slowly she relaxes. Her limbs become pliant as she leans against me. One cheek rests on my shoulder, her breath warm against my neck.

“Your eyes are so unique,” she whispers, staring up at me with those icy blues. “Not just the two different colors, but this little piece of green here,” She points to my left eye. “It looks like the other eye bled into this one. Like the roots of a plant growing in nutrient-rich soil.”

“No one has ever described my eyes with such eloquence,” I murmur. A soft smile stretches across my lips and I hold her a little tighter. “You’d make a wonderful poet.”

Omen giggles, the darkness in her expression fading a little more with each second she spends in my arms. “I doubt anyone would want to hear a poem made up of only one line.”

“I’d listen to your one-liners.”

She smiles. A beautiful and fragile curve of her lips. Her head rests against my shoulder again as we dance beneath the stars.

The song I’ve been working on comes back to me, the meaning behind the lyrics resonating with new depth as I hold our bright star in my arms. I hum the tune against the top of her hair hoping the song's meaning will somehow soak into her soul to remind her we will always be here.

Nexus saw from the very first time we met her how deeply this woman would ingrain herself into our hearts. The rest of us are just playing catch-up.

The music somehow switches to an eclectic European band Nex loves and we both freeze. Omen leans back to look at me. Her curiosity easily read in her eyes.

“Uh–” I don’t even get a full explanation out as the song drops into its chorus about boobs and ass. Omen bursts out laughing, and I can’t hold back from joining her. She wipes tears from her eyes, small giggles still slipping from her parted lips.

The sweet sound fades as she realizes she’s still leaning against me. Our hearts racing in perfect sync. My eyes flick down to her lips, the question on the tip of my tongue when she saves me from asking. Our kiss is soft. Barely a brush of her lips against mine at first, but she lets out a low groan before she deepens it. Hunger pours from every swipe of her tongue against my skin. Her floral perfume leaks into the air around us and I grip her tighter, helping when she tries to grind herself against me.

An RV door slams open, shattering the bubble we built around ourselves. The sound of Lex swearing stops us both. Omen squeezes her eyes closed. Her forehead rests against mine as we both try to catch our breath.

“You’d better go let him know you’re safe, starlight,” I finally say. She studies me for a few seconds longer before nodding and stepping back.

As she walks away, her fingers pressed to her kiss-swollen lips, I make a promise to myself to change her mind. This connection growing between us isn’t something we’ll ever be able to walk away from.

A thread of Fate guided this breathtaking omega to us, now it’s up to us to find a way to convince her to stay.