Chapter 38 #2
"I officially got the deal," he says, and despite the heavy conversation we just overheard, genuine happiness breaks through. "Axel Creed's team."
Axel Creed—legendary racer turned team owner, known for developing young talent and building championship-winning operations. Being courted by his team is a massive opportunity, the kind most drivers would kill for.
But it also means Roran leaving.
Joining a different organization, potentially competing against me directly.
"That's amazing," I say, and mean it despite the tightness in my chest. "You deserve it. You've worked so hard for this."
"I'm torn," Roran admits, running his hand through his hair in a gesture I recognize as anxiety. "It's an incredible opportunity, but it means leaving you mid competition. Abandoning you when things are getting dangerous and complicated."
"You're not abandoning me," I argue immediately. "You're pursuing your dreams. That's completely different."
"Is it?" His storm-green eyes—identical to mine—search my face. "Because it feels like I'm choosing my career over my sister's safety."
The vulnerability in his voice makes my chest ache.
"I could step back," I offer quietly. "Let you take the spotlight this season. You could—"
"Don't." Roran's voice is sharp, cutting me off. "Don't you dare suggest sacrificing yourself for me. We've had this conversation before, Aurora. This is your time. Your opportunity to prove what you're capable of."
He steps closer, gripping my shoulders with gentle firmness.
"I think Luca and the pack need this too," he continues.
"They need to see you succeed, to validate their dedication to protecting you.
And you need to prove to the world that you can actually win this competition—that you're not a sympathy case or a publicity stunt or any of the other bullshit people are saying. "
His words hit hard because they're true.
"So you're going to go all the way through with this season," Roran says firmly. "You're going to race your heart out, win as many competitions as you can, and show everyone that Aurora Lane is a force to be reckoned with. Understand?"
I nod, not trusting my voice.
"Good." He releases my shoulders, some of the intensity fading. "Now, about this stalking situation. Should you interfere?"
The question makes me pause, considering the strategic implications.
If I interfere—if I bring my family's resources to bear on this threat—the Lane family will definitely dive in with overwhelming force. My father doesn't do half-measures when it comes to protecting his children. The stalker would be identified and eliminated within days.
But that also means we might never understand the full scope of what's happening.
Who else is involved.
What the ultimate goal is beyond just hurting me.
And I need to figure that out and end it…
"Only interfere if necessary," Roran says, apparently reading my thoughts. "I want to see how far this goes. But obviously, don't let yourself get actually hurt. The moment things escalate beyond psychological warfare into physical danger, we bring in the full Lane security apparatus."
A plan forms in my mind—risky but potentially revealing.
"So I should be a good Omega," I say slowly, letting a smirk curve my lips. "Play along with this 'secret admirer' who's so desperate to get rid of me. Let them think they're winning, that their threats and sabotage are working."
Understanding dawns in Roran's expression, followed by approval.
"Draw them out. Make them overconfident enough to make mistakes."
"Exactly." I'm warming to the idea now, seeing the strategic possibilities. "If they think I'm scared and vulnerable, they might get bold. Reveal themselves or their connections."
"Just be careful," Roran warns. "These people already tried to kidnap you once. They've sabotaged your car. They're not playing games."
"Neither am I," I say with more confidence than I feel.
Roran studies me for a long moment, then nods.
"I believe you. But maybe focus on something else right now—like helping your pack destress. They're clearly wound tight as fuck, and that's going to affect performance if it continues."
He winks, and I feel heat creep up my neck as I catch his implication.
"I meant emotionally support them," he clarifies with a grin. "But hey, if other methods work too, I'm not judging. Just maybe soundproof whatever room you use because nobody needs to hear that."
"Roran!" I smack his arm, mortified.
He laughs—genuine and warm—before heading toward the door.
"Go talk to Luca and Cale. Take them somewhere away from the compound. Do something that gets them to loosen up a bit, because they're both stressed beyond functional levels."
The door closes behind him, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
Luca's confession echoes in my mind.
The last time I got close to an Omega, she fucking died.
He's not just being difficult or sending mixed messages out of confusion about his feelings. He's actively trying to keep me at a distance because he's terrified of losing me the way he lost Sera.
And Cale—loyal, possessive Cale—is caught in the middle of pack dynamics that are straining under external pressure.
Both of them need something.
Not just physical release, though that might help. But genuine connection, reassurance, the security that comes from pack bonds being reinforced during crisis.
What would help them destress?
What could I do or offer that would make them feel better about this increasingly dangerous situation?
The stakes are getting higher with each race.
More attention, more pressure, more opportunities for things to go catastrophically wrong.
And my pack—my Alphas who are supposed to be strong and confident—are fracturing under the weight of trying to protect me while also competing at the highest levels of racing.
I need to do something.
Not just for them, but for the pack's cohesion and my own sanity.
But what's the best thing to get them less tense when everything feels like it's spiraling toward some inevitable confrontation?
The question sits heavy in my chest as I stand in the empty equipment room, surrounded by the scent of rubber and metal and the ghost of aggressive Alpha pheromones that still lingers in the air.
What's the best way to help them?
To show them I'm worth the risk they're taking by keeping me in their pack despite the danger?
To prove that I'm not Sera—that history doesn't have to repeat itself, that we can face these threats together and come out stronger rather than broken?
I don't have the answer yet.
But I'm going to figure it out.
And I'll be damned if I let fear—theirs or mine—stop us from becoming what we're meant to be.