28. Shiloh
Chapter 28
Shiloh
Mack rushed me out of the hotel like the Flash. Honestly, I don’t remember coming back to the apartment building. Or when exactly we got to Jonah’s family’s apartment.
All I know is there’s a dog missing most of its teeth on my lap and it’s kind of soothing. I pet down its scraggly brown hair as I try not to disassociate from the night.
I genuinely can’t believe that happened. The song, the fight, Jonah and Cole ending up in jail. How in the hell did we get here?
Jonah’s dads are on the phone with the lawyer as Mack sits on one side of me and Jonah’s mother takes the other side.
God, is she going to think I’m a total nightmare after tonight?
“I can’t apologize enough, Shiloh. I had no idea who they were. They donated a ton of money for playing tonight. I never ever would have allowed men like that to perform at a function, let alone knowing that they were your exes who didn’t treat you right. Please forgive me.”
Liv’s eyes are so blue, and her expression is so honest. I believe her wholeheartedly.
“I feel like I’m the one who should apologize,” I tell her and she laughs.
“Honey, did you go up there and physically assault those men? No, it was my Alpha and children who did that. You’re not responsible for their actions or how they react. I mean, they did deserve it,” she says with a shrug.
“Are they going to be in much trouble?” I ask, petting behind the dog’s ear.
“For starting the fight, probably, but they won’t be in jail long. Those little shitheads can take us to civil court all they want. But at the end of the day they were protecting their pack, their family,” she says, squeezing my leg. “You’re welcome to stay here and wait while we get this resolved, or if you would be more comfortable at your pack’s apartment, I would understand, too.”
I look over at Mack, who seems stressed. As kind as I find Jonah’s family, I need a moment to collect my thoughts and get my shit together.
“I think we might go back to our place for the night,” I say and Liv smiles.
“I understand. We’ll plan something less eventful for our next meeting. Come here, Marie Antionette,” she says to the dog, picking it up and holding it close to her chest. “If you two need anything, we’re just a few floors up,” she says with a smile and Mack grabs my hand and squeezes.
He leads me to the elevator and when we’re back in the apartment; I feel like I can breathe again.
“Can you help me out of the dress?” I ask Mack, who immediately helps me unzip the garment, and it crashes to the floor.
It’s like the luxurious fabric was stealing my breath as I let out a small whimper.
“Do you want to take a bath?” Mack asks softly and I nod.
He’s methodical but quiet as he runs the water, undresses himself, and helps me with my underwear and boot. He helps me get in first, before cocooning me with his large frame.
I let myself melt into the warm water and his assuring presence.
“I should’ve told you who they were,” I say, finally breaking the silence.
“Why didn’t you?”
I turn and look at his cut jaw. He’s so handsome, and I wonder if this is too much. That I’m too much work. Looking away from him, I focus on the bubbles in front of me.
“At first, I think it was because Cole liked me for who I was and I wanted it to stay that way. I didn’t want him to look at me differently, knowing who my exes were. Then, with Jonah, it was clear that he came from money and I didn’t want him to think that’s the only thing I wanted from him. Then you have your large platform and I guess I didn’t want you to think that I wanted you for that. I guess I just assumed they would stay in the past, that it wasn’t something that ever needed to be brought up. I was wrong. I’m sorry.”
His arms wrap tighter around me, the side of his face pressed against mine, his peppermint scent soothing me as he holds me.
“I’m not mad. I just wanted to understand. I’m sorry that they wrote that song, that they ruined the evening. If it’s any consolation, the song sounds horrible and the lyrics are cringy,” he says and I laugh.
“I can’t believe Cole punched Nick in the face, and that Jonah threw Ryan’s keyboard at him.”
“They would never hurt you,” Mack says and I turn around in the water so I’m facing him. His hands stay on my hips as I tilt my head and search his face.
“I know that.”
“Cole is probably worried about what you think about him losing his shit.”
I rest my head on my knees, the bottom of my hair wet as I take in everything that I’m feeling. “I’ve never had anyone besides my Gran stand up for me before. It feels foreign, like I don’t deserve it.”
Mack tilts my chin up, so I have to meet his eyes.
“To be honest, I wish I got a hit in, too. You’re worth defending. You’re special to us. We won’t let anyone talk to you the way they did ever again. You’re with us now and that’s all that matters. They deserve to be exposed for who they really are, how they treated you. I just wish you hadn’t gotten hurt in the process. You deserve the world, Shiloh. Let us give it to you.”
My eyes well up with tears as I shift my body, straddling his. He holds me tight, his fingers lightly petting up and down my spine.
It hits me square in the chest at that moment. I need to bond with these Alphas. As messed up as everything is tonight, I don’t like not knowing what’s going on with Jonah and Cole. But most of all? I’ve fallen for each of them, and I really don’t care that it’s been insanely fast or what people think.
There’s still this pit in my stomach over the song, and the consequences Cole, Jonah, and his family will have to face. But despite the way I thought I was going to break down at the event earlier tonight, I’m still standing.
I’m safely in Mack’s arms, with the promise of the rest of my pack coming home hopefully soon. They openly, in front of the New York elite, defended my honor, not caring about the repercussions. Even Jonah’s family, who just met me tonight, stood up for me.
“I’m not sure I deserve it,” I whisper against Mack’s cheek.
He pushes my hair away and kisses my neck. “Then we’ll keep showing you until you realize you deserve everything.”
I rest my head against his chest, his naked body touching mine.
I’ve fallen so hard for these men, this pack. His words are the words I always wanted to hear. So why do I feel like everything is going to get ripped away from me? Instead of letting myself sink into this menacing feeling, I try to relax and prepare myself for whatever tomorrow brings.
The bed shifts and I groan. I’ve been half asleep next to Mack all night, just waiting to see what tomorrow brings. We kept our phones in the living room, which I won’t deny a sick part of me wants to see what the chatter is online.
Smash Knot has an extremely rabid and dedicated fan base. Most of them already hate me, so I know the vitriol online is probably disgusting.
What if it’s too much for all of them? What if this is what makes me lose everything I’ve just gotten a taste of?
My eyes are closed, but I can’t help it as I cry quietly. As much as I’m trying to be strong, the lyrics of that song and seeing them again hurt me. It’s probably a mixture of lack of sleep and old traumas being dug up.
“I’m sorry, sweetheart,” a deep voice says and I blink open my eyes to Cole lying next to me, Jonah behind him.
“You’re back,” I sniffle, tossing my arms around his neck and squeezing him tightly. I reach around him, grabbing Jonah’s biceps.
The large Alpha tosses an arm over Cole without a care, grabbing my hip.
“I’m sorry for tonight, sweetheart. I just saw your reaction, and I lost it. I didn’t mean for things to get out of control. I’m not that violent person,” Cole says, and I cup his face, dragging my nails against his beard.
“I’m not mad, and I don’t think you’re violent,” I assure him.
“I guess I can let go of the fear that you’ll pack up and leave us for them?” Cole says and I furrow my brows.
Cole, this pack, was insecure about me leaving?
I can’t help it when I smile, making Jonah and Cole look at me like I’ve lost my mind.
“You really think I’d go back to them after the way you have treated me? You’re crazy.”
“Thank God,” Cole mutters, pressing his face against my throat, allowing me to get a look at Jonah’s face.
He looks tired, but steady.
“I’m sorry tonight didn’t go the way you’d hoped,” he says.
“At least your mom and sister seem to like me.”
“They all loved you, you did nothing wrong, you were perfect,” he says, not even caring about resting his elbow on Cole's face to stroke my hair. “It’s just, you need to prepare yourself.”
“It’s bad?” I ask, biting on my lower lip, and Cole squeezes me tighter.
I’m used to some backlash, but most of it was on social media and private forums, not mass media. As far as the larger media outlets were concerned, Smash Knot’s Omega companion didn’t even have a name.
“The song is available online. The video of tonight is everywhere. We’ll protect you from everything,” he promises.
He’s sweet, but right now my mind is wondering about them and their lives. What if Mack loses subscribers? What if this negatively impacts Cole’s case with the airline? What if it’s a poor reflection of the S?rensen family name?
“Look at me,” Jonah demands, and I do as he says, blinking through tired eyes. “You’re mine. Ours. We take care of you. I don’t want you worrying about any of this shit. I don’t care what they say in the media or the ramifications. You did absolutely nothing wrong. None of this is your fault. If there are any consequences, it’s because of the choices we made and we’ll handle them. Nothing has changed with us becoming a pack or how we feel about you and I really hope we didn’t fuck up and change how you think about us.”
I place my hand on top of his, over my cheek.
“It’s only made me want this more,” I whisper.
“Good,” Cole says, kissing my collarbone, while Jonah rubs my face with his large thumb.
“Get some sleep; we’ll head home first thing when we wake up,” Jonah promises.
“Yes, please shut up,” Mack grumbles behind me, squeezing me tight.
So much of the fear seeps away.
I’m not letting my past prevent me from having the future I deserve. We’ll get through this, I’ve been through worse…I think.