Chapter 5 Kady #3
“She’ll be fine now that she’s with her guys.” I wave away his worries. “Faye can be a little jumpy. Did you bring your camera like I asked?”
“I did, but you still haven’t told me what I’m here for. Your text was very cryptic. Has it got something to do with the story you’re working on about the Blandon Pack rigging the scent match?” He scowls. “Someone really needs to put those asshats in their place.”
“Actually, there’s something I need to tell you—”
Before I can provide any more of an explanation, I catch a whiff of synthetic cologne and lingering body odor. It grows stronger, filling me with dread, as if I’m watching a shark fin slicing its way through the water toward me.
“Speak of the devil,” Delilah mutters, physically recoiling.
I had been hoping to enjoy some time with my friends before getting ready for my Oscar-winning performance, but all my hopes are dashed when I see Tyler.
He swaggers toward me in his costume, his movements almost robotic, like someone else has control over his wooden limbs.
Kyro and Shea flank him, each wearing crowns that look like they’ve been fashioned from bones and black suits over the top of skeleton glow-in-the-dark T-shirts that match my dress.
Tyler told me they didn’t have VIP tickets, so I don’t understand why they’re here now.
“We’ve been looking for you, Kady,” Tyler says, zapping all the fun from the air.
Delilah and Sabs don’t move, crossing their arms like protective bodyguards at my sides.
“We were supposed to meet later,” I say to him through gritted teeth while trying to keep my expression neutral.
The VIP area is quieter than the main club, but watchful gazes make my skin prickle as a few onlookers point their phones in our direction.
These are the kind of candid shots that I live for as a reporter, but after having cameras shoved in my face throughout my childhood, I hate being in the foreground.
“We thought we’d surprise you.” Tyler shoots me a shit-eating grin. Yeah, a surprise as welcome as a thorn in the ass. “Sweetheart.”
Whenever a man calls me sweetheart, I usually point them in the direction of the nearest bridge to jump off. However, I attempt a smile, even though my lips morph into a frown that makes my cheeks ache.
“We thought you’d be happy to see us,” Kyro simpers. His shirt clings to him tightly, showcasing large wet patches under his arms. Couldn’t he have at least put on antiperspirant? “We thought we could go down to the dance floor.”
“Yeah.” Shea winks, licking his lips. “We’d like to show off our omega.”
“That wasn’t the plan,” I hiss. “We were supposed to meet before leaving and be pictured exiting.”
“Your omega?” Devon looks between us, his jaw dropping in a mixture of confusion and horror. “What—”
“You heard right.” Tyler speaks so loudly that the people standing at the nearest high-top table can hear. “Kady Sinclair is the Blandon omega.”
Face twisting in pure anguish, Devon looks like he’s about to transition into a real werewolf. “Kady, I don’t know what’s going on, but—”
“Report what you see, Devon.” I implore him through my eyes . “Please.”
He nods, dazed, clutching onto his camera with white knuckles as Faye and her pack approach. None of her alphas look happy to see the Blandon Pack, and Kyro’s lip pulls back into a snarl.
“Everything okay, Kady?” Ren asks. Though he’s the least threatening of the group, there’s a hidden bite behind his words.
“Of course, it is!” Tyler shouts, practically deafening me. Next time, I’ll bring earplugs. “She’s with her alphas.”
“Maybe tone it down a little?” I snap at him then turn to my friends. “You guys can stay here. I’ll be back soon.” I suck in a deep breath. “We should do a lap.”
“We can come with you?” Delilah offers. “You don’t have to do this alone.”
“It’s better this way.”
This is my mess. They don’t have to suffer along with me. Plus, it’ll make the ruse more convincing. It’s unusual for a lone omega to be seen publicly with a pack of alphas unless something is going on between them.
Delilah nods in understanding, but her narrowed eyes tell me she’s not happy about it.
“Take a photo of us together.” I nudge Devon.
Devon’s eyes soften. “Are you in some kind of trouble?”
“I’m fine,” I reply briskly. “Just take a few photos, and print them in The Valley Voice, okay?”
He nods but seems reluctant, chewing on the inside of his cheek while following a few steps behind us as I begrudgingly follow Tyler out of the VIP room and into the throng of partygoers. We descend the stairs to the dance floor, where Monster Mash is blaring.
Usually, I love nights out at Club Knotty. After spending hours in the library, it’s nice to cut loose and dance with the girls, but being accompanied by a smelly storm cloud is enough to put me off the place for life.
Shea rests his sweaty hand on the small of my back as he escorts me, like an officer marching a prisoner to his death.
If any other alpha touched me without asking, I’d break their wrist in a second, but I must remain calm.
I do a decent job until his hand slithers a little lower, bile rising in my throat when it feels like he’s about to slide down over my…
I spin around quickly, donning my biggest fake smile as I lean in to whisper, “Keep your filthy hands to yourself. Touch me like that again, and I’ll make sure your fingers are cut off. I’m a Sinclair, remember? I have resources.”
Shea’s smug smile vanishes as his face pales, warily backing away from me. He must have read the stories in the press about my family. My father has a less than polished record, even though no one can prove he’s behind any of the speculation.
Through the crowd, I spot my friend from school, Nia, dancing. Unlike the other rich assholes we study with, Nia’s ambitious and strives to work for herself instead of relying on her hefty trust fund. She’s also president of the Feminist Society. Like me, she has no time for alphas.
She flashes me a brilliant smile, waving in my direction.
The moment she registers who I’m with, her arm drops, and her eyebrows furrow.
Obviously, this is the kind of reaction I’ll have to get used to.
Although the Stellas and the Silverwoods know the true nature of my arrangement with the Blandon Pack, it’s important that no one else finds out.
Although I trust Nia, the more people who believe our fake love story, the more convincing it will be.
One wrong word and a wedding ring will be on my finger quicker than I can say pack.
Tyler offers me his hand. “Shall we dance?”
I’d rather revise tax law or stick one of Delilah’s knitting needles in my eye, but I take it anyway.
A slow song comes on, as if the universe is intent on making me suffer.
Tyler, on the other hand, looks positively euphoric.
I see him nod at the DJ across the floor—clearly, this change of pace was no accident.
Nia isn’t the only person looking our way. Others whisper behind their hands as the crowd parts for us to make our way to the center of the dance floor. Kyro’s chest seems to inflate up to four times the size, lapping up all the attention.
“We’ll be drowning in omega slick after this.” Shea’s practically panting while ogling a nearby omega who shrinks away as he looks her up and down like a predator eyeing his next meal.
I turn, hoping no one else heard his comment, giving him a warning glare over my shoulder as my lip curls in disgust.
“Keep your pups in line,” I growl to Tyler. “They’ll blow our cover with comments like that.”
“Forget about them.” Tyler twirls me around, almost tripping over his own feet. “Let’s enjoy our evening.”
“We’re not really courting, remember?”
He has zero rhythm. When he steps to the left, he narrowly avoids getting his toes crushed under my heel. He picks a terrible time to dip me, giving my neck whiplash as he pulls me back again in a violent jerk.
“Can you dance without trying to kill me?” I snarl before he attempts the move again.
“We have to make it look convincing.”
“Quit trying so hard.” Bitterness slips into my tone.
“Come on!” Is he trying to make me pass out? No girl needs to be whirled around this fast after cocktails! “Let’s give them a show.”
I spot Devon out of the corner of my eye, hovering with his camera before getting into position to take the perfect shot.
The flash makes dots swim before my eyes.
Now that Devon’s got what I need, all I have to do is make a hasty exit. With no reason to stick around, I break away from Tyler as soon as the song comes to an end, prying myself from his sticky grasp. Ugh, my hands are all tacky, like they’ve been dipped in maple syrup.
“My turn!” Kyro whines. “I want to dance with the omega!”
The omega? Alphas like him are exactly why I never want to join a pack.
God forbid anyone call me by my name and see me as more than an object who can take knots.
Faye got lucky, finding the Silverwood Pack.
They’re supporting her to complete her studies and will do anything to make sure she doesn’t give up her dreams. But packs like theirs are unusually rare—one in a million.
Even on the off-chance I found a pack who was happy for me to finish my law degree, I’m not exactly your standard omega.
I’m independent, and sure, while it’d be nice for someone to spoil me sometimes—I’m not completely immune to all my natural omega tendencies—I value my own freedom above anything.
I refuse to relinquish my power by submitting to anyone else, especially an alpha who thrives on control.
I’m basically an alpha’s worst nightmare and the thought of being bonded to a pack—committing to spend my life with them forever or face physical pain from being parted—is insane.
Why would anyone want to tether themselves like that?
You may as well put a weighted chain around your ankle and throw yourself into the ocean.
“This omega has a name.” I snub him, turning my head away. “I’m all danced out for tonight. I’m heading back to my friends.”
Tomorrow, our photograph will be all over The Valley Voice’s socials.
My official courting status will be known to everyone—including my father, who I know will already have his people sweeping the internet, searching for any trace of who my mysterious pack could be.
A few more appearances here and there, then I’ll be in the clear.
“Kady-kins!” Kyro swaps places with Tyler, grabbing my wrist in a vice-like grip. “One more dance.” The next song starts playing. “We’re your alphas, remember?”
“Alphas would never leave their unbonded omega alone.” Tyler nods in agreement.
I narrow my eyes. Who knew he had enough brain cells to try to manipulate me?
“Kady!” Kyro has no choice but to drop his hold as Nia appears, stepping in to create a human wall between me and the Blandon Pack. She pulls me into a tight hug and whispers, “Is everything okay? Are they bothering you? Do you need help?”
“I’m fine.” I pull back. “Enjoy your night.”
“I’m here if you need me.” Her lips purse as she surveys Tyler’s smug grin.
“Oh, Kady-kins!” Kyro calls. “This is our song.”
Nia’s eyebrows shoot up. “Your song? Wh—”
“Didn’t she tell you?” Shea interrupts her. “We’re courting.”
“Courting?” Nia screeches, causing everyone in the vicinity to turn in our direction. “You can’t be serious.”
“We are,” I murmur, unable to meet her gaze.
By morning, the SVU rumor mill will ensure everyone is aware of my courtship status.
Although I’ve got exactly what I wanted, I can’t shake the feeling that I’ve made a huge mistake.