15
Kage
My mind replayed the events of the night as I lay in my bunk, a smirk playing on my lips.
What an interesting turn of events.
It had been a while since something had caught my attention as much as Phoenix had.
I’d sensed there was something off about her—something more than just the usual air of professionalism that surrounded most staff.
Occasionally, I’d noticed subtle things about Phoenix—little tells that didn’t quite add up.
At first, I’d brushed them off, chalking them up to quirks or nervous habits. But tonight, everything seemed to fall into place.
Phoenix was an Omega.
And not just any Omega—one that was trying too hard to blend in.
She was trying to hide her true nature, and that only piqued my curiosity more.
If I were being honest, maybe part of me was relieved that I hadn’t pressed harder on it.
Zephyr would be a wreck if he got even a hint that she wasn’t a Beta.
He would have gone through hell and high water to get rid of her if he found out. And lately, I’d been enjoying having the little ballbuster around. She had this way of stirring things up, of making me think outside the box. It was… refreshing.
“What’s got you smiling like that?”
Parker interrupted my thoughts on how I could get Phoenix alone again. His curtain was pulled back and he was lounging in his bed with a knowing grin on his face.
I shrugged nonchalantly. “Nothing.”
His grin widened. “Bullshit. You’ve got that look on your face. Like you’ve figured out the world’s greatest secret.”
I chuckled. “Maybe I have. Maybe I haven’t.”
Parker sat up, stretching his arms above his head. “We’ve been cooped up here for too long. Why the hell are we still here, anyway? Let’s go out. Blow off some steam.”
I hesitated. Normally, I’d be the first to jump at the chance to hit the town, but tonight, the usual appeal wasn’t quite there. Still, I knew better than to let Parker’s enthusiasm go to waste.
“Fine,”
I said, rolling out of bed and stretching. “But should we tell Phoenix we’re going?”
His grin turned wicked. “Oh, come on. We agreed to be nicer, but we’re still assholes at heart. She’ll figure it out soon enough.”
We both knew that our agreement to be nicer was more of a formality than a real change in behavior.
The reality was, we were still assholes, and Parker’s suggestion was proof of that.
Besides, the thought of Phoenix glaring at me with those fiery eyes sent heat coursing through me.
“Alright, but we better get Zeph to meet us at the back entrance once he is finished talking to Pete. He’s going to want to come along.”
Parker grabbed his phone, his fingers already flying across the screen. A few moments later, he looked up with a satisfied smirk. “Done.”
We left the bus and made our way through the backstage area, the hum of the crowd still echoing from the concert. We reached the back entrance, where Zephyr was waiting.
“Hey, what’s the plan?”
Parker slapped him on the back. “We’re heading out. Thought you might want to join us.”
Zephyr raised an eyebrow but shrugged. “Why not? It’s not like we’ve got anything better to do.”
As we stepped out into the night, the cool air was a welcome change from the stuffy confines of the stadium.
The city lights twinkled ahead, promising a night of adventure and escape.
And while part of me was still preoccupied with Phoenix and her secret, I couldn’t deny the excitement of heading out with Parker and Zephyr.
It was bound to be a night full of unpredictability—and who knew, maybe Phoenix would cross my path again before the night was through.
For now, I pushed those thoughts to the back of my mind and let the promise of the night ahead take over.
◆◆◆
The bass of the music reverberated through my chest as I leaned against the bar in one of Chicago’s premier nightclubs.
The club was sleek and modern, with all chrome and black surfaces that reflected the pulsing neon lights.
LED panels shifted colors on the walls, and the sunken dance floor was packed with bodies moving under geometric chandeliers that scattered the lights.
A glowing blue bar stretched along one wall, its shelves lined with expensive bottles of booze. Everything about the place was flashy as hell.
Zephyr was up to his usual tricks, effortlessly charming a new woman every few minutes.
He was in his element, surrounded by a flock of admirers who hung on his every word.
Parker was already well past the point of inebriation, his loud laughter and stumbling gait making him the center of attention for all the wrong reasons.
I took another sip from my drink, the alcohol warming my insides but failing to spark the usual thrill.
Tonight, the club’s allure seemed to have lost its edge.
My mind kept drifting back to Phoenix.
Despite my best efforts to maintain my usual detachment, she had managed to slip through my defenses. The way she carried herself, with a mix of strength and vulnerability, intrigued me.
The nagging thought of her became impossible to ignore, especially after our little encounter earlier.
I was about to call it a night when a Beta approached, her intentions clear as she slid onto my lap.
I’d usually welcome the touch, but tonight, it felt intrusive.
With a firm but polite push, I sent her on her way, my gaze drifting back to the dance floor.
I was scanning the crowd when I spotted her—like my thoughts had somehow summoned her.
Phoenix.
She stood at the entrance, instantly drawing attention without even trying.
Her expression was sharp and irritated, exactly how I liked it.
Her attire was polished and refined, a far cry from the usual clubwear.
It was clear she had come here with a purpose, and that purpose was likely to drag us over the coals.
As she made her way through the crowd, her presence commanded attention.
Heads turned, and whispers followed in her wake.
The contrast between her and the club’s usual patrons was striking.
The tension in the air was palpable, and I could feel the shift in the atmosphere as she approached. She looked pissed.