Chapter 28
Revea
They’ve watched my session. At first, I thought it was only Sylvan, but he replied to say it was all of them. They’ve all stayed up late, just so they could watch me.
I spend the rest of my break grabbing something to eat while replying to their messages, and I find my steps feel a little lighter when I head back on stage.
My model Estelle has had her hair washed and mostly blow-dried, still leaving it damp enough for styling. I run my fingers through it, checking my balayage has set correctly and planning my next steps.
“Who’s got you smiling like that?” she asks, tilting her head back.
I didn’t even realise I was still smiling. “This colour and how well it suits you.”
“Shut up,” she says, grinning. “Seriously, who is it?”
“Just my p—friends.” I freeze over my stumble, then continue finger-combing her hair. “They were watching my session online.”
“Aw, cute! Wait, back in the UK?” I nod. “But it’s like… 4 AM there?” I keep nodding as her smile slides into something sly. “Maybe you should give your friends a message? Y’know, seeing as they’re watching.”
I give a soft laugh. “Yeah, maybe I will.”
***
“Welcome back, everyone. Just look how beautiful Estelle is.”
The crowd erupts into wolf whistles and applause as my model dramatically swishes her hair from side to side.
“Now the colour is perfect, it’s time for styling. I’m going to show you how I achieve a nice, big blow-out. The type that’ll last for days…” I cast a minuscule glance at the camera facing me. “Even during a heat.”
Wolf whistles pierce the room again as I chuckle.
My arms are burning by the time my session is over. After the blow-out, I demonstrate a few easy updos to help maintain it, including a braid for the worst days of a heat that still looks pretty.
After that, a final hairstylist steps onto the stage to demonstrate more complex styles. I frantically make notes.
When it ends, I take a few selfies with colleagues for social media before heading back to the hotel.
I’m exhausted, but networking is part of these conventions, so I force myself into the restaurant with a few others.
I’m so tired, I don’t even manage dessert, which is a true tragedy.
I practically crawl up to my room, throwing off my heels and flopping onto the bed. The guys must be asleep by now. I checked the group chat during dinner, but it was quiet. I decide to send them a message anyway.
Me: Back in my room. FINALLY. Heading to bed. Have a good day x
I lay with my eyes shut, enjoying the silence after a day of hairdryers buzzing in my ears—
My phone vibrates.
“Nooo.” I pat around for it, keeping my eyes shut as I bring it to my face. “Listen, whoever you are, it’s been a long day. If this isn’t an emergency—”
“Buenos días, mami… Joder, me encanta oír tu voz…”
My eyes shoot open. “Luc?”
“Sí, mami.” I can practically hear his smile. “Kaiden just needs to know—yes, yes, you do, stop denying it. He needs to know about the rollers because—” There’s scuffling. “—hey, no, don’t be embarrassed! As pack alpha, you have to have the biggest hair and the biggest co—”
“Revea.” The low timbre of Kaiden’s voice sinks straight into my achy bones. “I’m so sorry. We’re a little sleep deprived, and some of us can’t handle our drink.”
God. Their voices are so sexy.
“What?” He chuckles.
Oh fuck. “Did I... Did I say that aloud?”
He laughs again, and that gives me my answer.
I wince. “I’m also pretty sleep deprived.”
“Sorry, we didn’t plan to call. We were supposed to be going to bed.” There’s a pause in which I imagine him glaring. “But someone clicked it accidentally, and then… sorry, you should rest—”
“Wait, you haven’t been to bed yet?” I do the maths. “But it’ll be nearly 8 AM. Haven’t you got work?”
“Which is why Kaiden needs to know about the rollers pronto!” Luc shouts from the background, followed by a couple of manly laughs.
“Yeah—shut him up now—I think we’re planning to start a little later today, maybe working from home,” Kaiden says, voice louder as he tries to hide muffled shouting.
I laugh, imagining the scene as I get up to actually undress. “I think that’s for the best.”
“You were great, by the way.”
I smile, pulling off my dress and slipping on a baggy t-shirt. “You watched the whole thing?”
“Yes. We paid special attention to the last hour.”
“Oh, really?” I prop my phone against the mirror and start removing my makeup. “Well, I hope you all learned something, other than the blow-out technique.”
He hums, and goddamnit, it’s like a mini earthquake for my body. “We did. Sylvan made notes.”
I chuckle. “Really?”
“I did,” he chips in, sounding a little closer. “You’re a very good teacher.”
Oh, wow. Now I’m flushing.
“Thank you, Sylvan.” My smile stretches when there’s a soft groan from someone. “But I’d also like to hear what Val thinks, he’s watched me twice now, ask him which he preferred—”
“The first.” His voice is immediately there. “Only because you were closer.”
Goddamn, these alphas are sweet.
“Sweet?” Val huffs out, but I somehow know he’s smiling.
“Anddd that’s my cue for bed before I say something I really don’t want you to hear.”
“Mami, espera, espera… no, escucha—”
“I think that’s a good idea for all of us,” Kaiden says, cutting off Luc with a stern tone that makes my belly swoop. “Good night, Revea. We’ll speak soon.”
“Goodnight…” I nibble my lip, thinking. “Alphas,” I whisper, softly, sweetly, lingering on the ‘s’.
The collective rumbles, groans, and muttered “Joder” keep my smile in place long after I end the call.
***
We’ve continued messaging and speaking every day. Even on my flight home, back in first class, after telling Sylvan I didn’t need it, only to get the response, “It’s done,” I’m typing out one last message.
Me: On the plane, about to take off. Going to try and catch up on some emails and sleep, I’ll text you when I’m about to land.
I read it over, pausing over the send button.
Can’t wait to see you guys. X
Send.
Okay, phone away, or else I’ll spend the entire flight messaging back and forth.
Once we’re in the air and the seatbelt sign goes off, I pull my laptop from my bag.
I bite into my bagel as it loads, going straight to my emails. A golden rule I’ve stuck to is never putting work emails on my phone. I try to keep my personal life and business separate, when possible... but I guess that doesn’t always work out.
Being so busy with the convention, exhausted every night, I haven’t checked my emails in around three days, and already there are over fifty. Great.
I crack my neck and sink into the soft throws decorating my pod, scrolling through the subject lines…
Wait.
What’s that?
I sit up slowly and click the email.
My stomach drops.