Epilogue – Red
(Eight months later)
The huge cinema thunders with bass as the racehorses gallop by on the big screen. One red-haired jockey hunches over the horse’s withers, her face a mask of determination. I watch, spellbound, as Ashana rides for glory, suddenly swept into her omega manifestation.
I tighten my grip on Zack and Rickon’s hands, Callisto sitting on Rickon’s other side with his hand reaching over to rest on my shoulder.
Surrounded by my alphas, I stare up at the premiere of The Omega’s Race.
Ashana’ first, scary heat plays out in all its messy glory, sparking an intense battle of wits and wills against the designation-elitest racing industry.
That’s me up on the screen; big, bold, angry. And not giving a fuck even when my entire industry stands against me.
Heat rushes to my cheeks as the sex scene starts, and I can barely keep from climbing onto Callisto’s lap for a reenactment.
From the other side of Callisto, an omega leans forward and coos. “Red, you sexy doll! You’re gonna set the screen on fire.” Rose Nesters winks at me, eyes bright and floral scent overwhelming in the shadowed cinema.
“Just an average day,” I say, making her chuckle.
Rose grins and settles back in her feral alpha’s lap, looping her arms around Zane’s neck.
I’m so grateful she and three of her alphas agreed to fly out for the premiere and to spend a couple of days with us.
Although I’m glad she’s here, I still dive my nose into Callisto’s fingers to replace that rose perfume.
He tickles his fingers over my cheek and shoots me a conspiratorial smile.
She’s not the only one who thinks it’s sexy. Just as I promised Director Yun, the scent of aroused alphas rises in the tiered theater. I cover a grin with the back of my hand.
I turn back to the movie, feeling each scene in my body. Here, on the big screen, the endless hours of reshoots, makeup, and aching bodies morph into a single, effortless production, shockingly short compared to the months that went into filming.
Before I know it, the end credits roll and the cinema lights grow stronger. The audience, made up of actors, staff, and celebrities, stands to applaud, and I notice more than a few dabbing tears from their eyes.
Ashana’s journey is one of courage, which isn’t so different from my own.
Director Yun gets up on the stage to give a speech, and he calls for the lead actors.
Rickon helps me arrange my crimson dress, one leg completely exposed under the gauzy red layers emulating fiery wings.
The layers float around me as I walk to the front to accept a bouquet of cheery native flowers.
The director gets a sly look on his face. “Anything you want to say, Red Jones?” He holds the microphone up to my face, giving me no room to refuse.
I scan the crowd of hundreds, my pulse twitching in my wrist. My gaze meets Rickon’s where he stands in the shadowed wings, quietly supporting as always. He nods, and our bond pulses with pride.
I smile, and the words all fall into place. “Well, I want to say thank you for this opportunity. Valencio Yun took a chance on me, and I hope I’ve done you proud.”
He smiles and nods in silent affirmation.
“And my most heartfelt thanks goes to my alphas, especially Rickon Jones, who taught me the ropes and gave me wings to fly.” I blow a kiss to my manager. “And I want to say one more thing before they take the microphone away.”
The audience chuckles to my joke.
“Ashana’s story wasn’t just a role for me.
It was a way of finding myself. Her transformation into a brave and powerful omega without losing herself felt like it came from my own heart.
Some of you know I came from a trafficking hub, where I experienced the worst this world can offer.
Acting became a survival mechanism for me to cope, and to perform in a film is a lifelong dream come true for me.
So I say to everyone who hears me, no matter what you’re going through, have courage and keep climbing those mountains. ”
I pause for effect, then add, “And support the feral alpha rehabilitation program, ’cause you never know if one of them might be your perfect mate.”
I hand the microphone back amid a round of applause, and I swear Zack claps loudest of all.
Hours later, Director Yun finds me at the after party dragging a reluctant Callisto through the Macarena dance. My boss scans me up and down, lips pursed together like something’s on his mind.
When he crooks his finger, I tug on Rickon’s sleeve, and we find a quiet corner where we can hear ourselves think, Zack and Callisto trailing behind us.
I lean toward the director and flash him a teasing grin. “Aren’t you so glad you invested in the red-head omega who pranced into your office?”
Mr Yun scrubs a hand over his face. “You’re eccentric.”
“Thank you.”
“It wasn’t a compliment.”
I flutter my lashes. “That’s up to me to decide.”
He rolls his eyes, but his dry lips quirk with a smile. “Regardless, you’re a talented actress.”
I settle my fingers under my chin coyly. “Best you’ve ever seen.”
He growls softly in exasperation. “Let me finish, woman!”
“Uh-huh.” I beam at him.
Director Yun sighs. “I noticed you haven’t auditioned for any new roles yet.”
I shrug one shoulder, making my beaded bodice ripple. “Well, I needed a bit of time off to recover and laze around with my alphas.”
“Deserved,” he says, nodding to himself. “But you do recall I’ve got options on you for eight years, right?”
I hold his gaze, a flicker of excitement igniting within. “Sounds like you have a plan.”
He smirks. “I’d like you to audition as the female lead for Alpha Spy 16. The role’s an undercover spy who’s been deep so long she’s been forgotten.”
A laugh spills out of me. Maybe I’ll borrow Red Hawk once more after all. Now she’ll show the whole world her survival skills. I cock my head and beam at the director. “Thought you’d never ask.”
He sighs. “Why do I feel like I’ll regret this?”
I snicker. “I’m sure you will, many times, during filming, but hey,” I point at the oversized movie poster backdrops on the walls. “It’ll all be worth it come box office release day.”
He snorts. Shaking his head, Valencio rummages through his pockets. “Where did I put it? Oh, here.” He holds up a business card. “Shaun Oltexdra asked me to give you this.”
“Should I know who he is?” I ask.
Rickon swivels toward me, eyes wide. “He’s the writer behind The Omega’s Race.”
“Oh.” I brighten as the name and face click together. “What does he want with me?”
“He wants to write your story.”
I freeze. My story? All the grime and scars flash through my thoughts.
My days have been a dirty, dark struggle from day one.
Would anyone want to read about all that?
But, I also got my happy ending, in the most amazing way, and everyone loves a story with a good ending, so maybe it would be worth my time.
Besides, we can always use some more money to pour into the alpha rehab.
Callisto rests his hands on my shoulders. “That’s a fantastic idea, Red. The world needs to know how amazing you are.” I tip my head back to gaze up at him, enjoying the love pouring through our bond.
“Fine.” I snatch the card out of the director’s hand. “But you better be buying the movie rights.”
Valencio rolls his eyes. “Let’s not count our scripts before they hatch. Start with the book.” He claims he’s not interested, but the gleam in his eyes says otherwise.
Rickon and I trade knowing smirks.
“All right then. I’ll do that. See ya when the Alpha Spy table reads start.” I salute him with the business card and turn away. I must be walking on air because I don’t feel the floor under my heels as we trail across the crowded room.
“Bloody hell, Red!” Rickon cries, grabbing my arm to spin me into his hug. “You’ll be so perfect in Alpha Spy!”
Zack rumbles happily and pats my head. He doesn’t know exactly what just happened, but he feels the joy through the bond.
The sensation swells. I took the last months off to recuperate, at least until our promo for The Omega’s Race began, but now I’m ready for another challenge.
This is the perfect way to really test my skills.
And without court cases, kidnappings, or crime bosses standing in our way.
“Shall we ditch this place?” I ask.
My alphas agree so I lift my flowy side skirt and jump on Zack’s back. My big alpha takes my weight easily, bracing his hands under my legs to hold me in place.
“Onward!” I cry, pointing toward the exit.
The fresh wind outside blows the door clean out of Rickon’s hands, smacking into the wall with a dramatic crash. Announcing us to the world. Reporters who’ve lingered behind after the red-carpet ceremony snap our photo with a series of blooming flashes.
Callisto links his arm through Zack’s, holding him in place. The alpha tenses, quivering as he floods the bond with stress. But he doesn’t attack.
I stroke his head and rest my hand gently on the collar he still wears, minus the leash. My big alpha’s healing, too.
Rickon heaves the door shut and waves to the press before taking Zack’s other arm. Together my alphas walk him down the red carpet.
“What will you title it?” Rickon asks as we reach the parked cars. “The book, I mean.”
My heart swells with love as I grin down at him. I wouldn’t have made it this far to even consider writing a book without my soulmates. “I’ll think about it,” I tell him. Needs to be something fitting, that tells the theme of my life, but mountain-climbing omega won’t cut it.
We tumble into the car in a tangle of limbs, giddy after several rounds of champagne. My dress gets caught in the door, so Rickon climbs out and loads the layered half skirt in properly, bending down to kiss my cheek. A dawn sky frames him, bordered with pink clouds above the city backdrop.
“I don’t think I can sleep yet,” I announce, excitement twinkling through my veins.