Chapter 30
Chapter Thirty
KEIRA
The transformation happened in minutes.
One moment, I was sitting on the couch with five sleepy, soft alphas who had spent the morning stealing bites of each other's breakfast and arguing about who had hogged the blankets in the nest. The next, I was watching five polished idols prepare to face the world.
"V-Live in twenty." Their manager's voice crackled through the intercom, clipped and professional, and suddenly everyone was moving.
Hwan disappeared into the bathroom and emerged with his hair styled to perfection, the messy bedhead transformed into artful waves that framed his face.
Tae-min traded his oversized hoodie for a fitted sweater that made his shoulders look broader, his posture straightening as he checked his reflection.
Jin-ho's sleepy eyes sharpened with focus as he adjusted his collar, the quiet alpha retreating behind something more composed.
Min-jun's gentle smile took on a practiced edge, warm but camera-ready.
Jae-won became someone else entirely, his casual authority crystallizing into the commanding presence of SIREN's leader.
"Here." Jae-won appeared beside me, pressing a black face mask into my hands, his expression apologetic but firm. "Staff rotates. Most are trustworthy, but leaks happen. Until we're ready to go public..."
"I understand." I took the mask, turning it over in my fingers, the reality of the situation settling over me.
"You'll be a guest." Min-jun added, pausing by the couch where I sat, his hand brushing my shoulder in a quick touch that felt almost apologetic. "A songwriter consulting on the album. That's true enough."
"Keep your head down, don't draw attention." Jae-won's voice was gentle but serious, his dark eyes meeting mine. "Not because we're ashamed. Never that. But because once it's out there, we can't take it back. You deserve to choose when and how people find out."
I pulled the mask on, adjusting it over my nose and mouth. It felt strange — like putting on armor, or maybe a costume.
"You can watch from the office." Min-jun said, gesturing toward a small room off the main living area. "There's a monitor. You'll be able to see everything."
"I don't want to be in the way." I said, suddenly aware of how small I felt in the face of their world, my voice muffled slightly by the mask.
"You're never in the way." Jin-ho said quietly, passing by to grab something from the kitchen, his fingers trailing across the back of my neck as he moved, the touch so casual it made my breath catch. "This is your space now too."
The office was filled with monitors and equipment.
Their staff had already set up for the broadcast — lights arranged in the living room, camera positioned to capture the group arranged on the sectional couch.
A few staff members glanced at me curiously as I slipped in, but no one questioned the masked stranger settling into a chair in the corner.
Guest songwriter. Consultant. Nothing to see here.
I watched through the monitor as they took their places.
From this angle, I could see both the camera feed and the living room itself through the open door. Two versions of reality, side by side.
"Going live in three, two..." The staff member counted down, her voice steady and practiced, and then it began.
"SIREN!" They announced in unison, voices bright and synchronized, and suddenly they were on — smiles bright, energy high, five idols performing friendship and charm for an invisible audience.
Ours, my omega whispered, watching them through the screen. Ours. But the world doesn't know they found us.
The comments flooded in immediately, scrolling so fast I could barely read them.
They all look so good today! Is it just me or does Hwan seem extra glowy? Jae-won's smile!!! He never smiles this much!!! Something's different. They all seem... happier?
I watched them interact, watched the practiced ease of their banter, the way they played off each other for the camera.
Hwan was sunshine personified, his laughter ringing out at everything.
Tae-min played the mischievous maknae, teasing the others with calculated charm.
Jin-ho was the quiet one, offering occasional dry comments that made the others crack up.
Min-jun mediated with gentle humor, the peacekeeper.
Jae-won presided over it all, the steady leader keeping everyone on track.
It was a performance. A beautiful, seamless performance. These weren't the alphas who had held me through a nightmare. Who had fallen asleep in a pile around me like overgrown puppies. Who argued about breakfast and stole sips of each other's drinks.
These were idols. Carefully constructed versions designed for public consumption.
Why does Jin-ho keep touching his neck? OMG Tae-min just did the thing with his eyes They're all so tactile today. More than usual. Do you think they've found their omega yet??? They'd tell us if they found her right???
I smiled behind my mask at those comments. If only they knew she was sitting twenty feet away.
"Someone asked why we all seem so happy lately." Hwan read from the screen, his idol smile firmly in place, his golden eyes sparkling for the camera as he tilted his head in that practiced way that looked natural. "Hmm. Good food? Good sleep? The comeback going well?"
"We've been taking care of ourselves." Jae-won added smoothly, his voice warm and steady, his leader persona polished to perfection as he leaned back with casual confidence. "Making sure to rest, eat well, spend time together as a pack."
"Quality pack bonding time." Tae-min agreed, his grin easy and familiar, nodding along with practiced enthusiasm.
I love how open they are about being a pack now Remember when they first announced they shared an omega bond? I cried Still waiting for them to find their omega though Whoever she is, she's the luckiest person alive
"We've always been close." Min-jun said gently, his smile soft and camera-perfect, his voice carrying that soothing quality that made fans feel like he was speaking directly to them. "But lately, we've been... focusing on what matters."
"What matters?" Hwan picked up the thread seamlessly, his expression turning thoughtful in a way that looked spontaneous but probably wasn't, his fingers tapping against his knee. "Each other. Our music. The people we care about."
Jin-ho just nodded, a small smile playing at his lips, his silence somehow more eloquent than words.
The comments were a chaotic mess of theories and heart emojis.
I watched, fascinated, as thousands of strangers speculated about the happiness radiating from five alphas who were sitting twenty feet away from their secret soulmate.
They definitely have a secret New music? New project? What if they already found their omega and just haven't told us???No way they could hide that. They'd be way too obvious about it Unless she asked them to keep it private...
I shifted in my seat, suddenly very aware of the mask covering my face.
"Keira?" One of the staff members looked over, concern flickering across her face, her clipboard lowering slightly. "You okay? Need some water?"
"Fine." I managed, grateful for the mask hiding my expression, keeping my voice casual. "Just... taking notes. For the lyrics."
On the screen, Hwan was answering another question, something about his skincare routine, when a comment caught his eye.
"'Hwan-oppa, why are you glowing today?'" Hwan read, his smile widening, something genuine flickering beneath the idol facade as his eyes crinkled at the corners. He leaned toward the camera conspiratorially, his voice dropping to a stage whisper. "Maybe I'm in love."
The comment section lost its collective mind.
WHAT HWAN DID THEY FIND HER THIS IS NOT A DRILL he's joking right? RIGHT???
"He's joking." Jae-won said quickly, but his own smile had turned slightly fixed, his jaw tightening almost imperceptibly as he shot Hwan a warning look. "Hwan jokes about everything."
"Do I?" Hwan's eyes sparkled with mischief, his grin turning playful in a way that was pure chaos, his body language open and teasing. "Maybe I've found someone who makes me happy. Maybe we all have."
"Hwan." Tae-min's warning was barely audible, his smile frozen in place, tension visible in his shoulders as he shifted slightly closer to the other alpha.
"What?" Hwan blinked innocently at the camera, the picture of angelic confusion, his hands spreading in a gesture of pure innocence. "I'm just saying. Happiness looks good on us. Don't you think?"
The rest of the V-Live passed in controlled chaos.
The others kept steering Hwan away from dangerous territory while he dropped increasingly suspicious hints that the fans ate up with speculation and screaming.
By the time they signed off with their signature farewell, the trending topics were already filled with theories.
SIREN FOUND THEIR OMEGA??? Hwan in love confirmation??? Why is the whole pack glowing They're definitely hiding something
I was still staring at the comments when my phone buzzed. Mina's name flashed across the screen.
Call me. Now. Good news.
I slipped out of the office as the staff began packing up, finding a quiet corner in the hallway before pulling down my mask and dialing.
"The song." Mina's voice was sharp with excitement when she answered, words tumbling out in a rush. "The one you sent me yesterday. Jin-ho's team wants it for the album."
"What?" My voice came out breathless, my heart stuttering in my chest, my free hand pressing against the wall for balance.
"Not just as a B-side, Keira." Mina laughed, the sound bright and almost giddy, her usual professional composure cracking. "They're considering it for the title track or second track. Whatever you did with Jin-ho, it worked. The demo was incredible. They want the full version by end of week."