Chapter 3
Want to piss anyone else off before we get on stage?
Ha. Now you want to come out and talk, asshole?
Kai couldn’t believe this. His alpha, the bastard who had been howling in pain or ignoring Kai, was now making an appearance just to lecture him. Kai began to envision breaking his guitar on stage.
Something is wrong.
Everything is wrong.
Can’t you feel it? Can’t you sense it?
Kai scoffed. The only thing he could sense was his growing excitement and anticipation.
The cheer of the crowd grew louder and louder.
Nothing mattered anymore, not his anger, not his pack, nothing but getting out on that stage and performing like his life depended on it.
Zayden might be the lead vocalist and wrote all their songs, but no one could compete with Kai.
He was the lead guitarist and backup singer for a reason.
Zayden created the song, Felix and Jude supported it, but Kai fucking controlled that stage.
He twisted the rings on his finger, all ten of them, three times each for good luck. Not that he needed it. He was a star. Dark hair, dark eyes, the perfect bad boy vibes that enticed everyone in the audience.
“What’s your problem?”
Kai twisted his head back just in time to see Jude stalk towards him. On the stage, one of the stage managers gave thanks to the opening act before preparing to introduce them one by one.
Kai flexed his hands and focused on the curtain, trying to ignore Jude and whatever he had to say, but the silent treatment never worked on him.
“Do you always have to be such a dick to Zayden?”
“Only when he deserves it.” Kai rolled his eyes and looked Jude up and down. “New look?”
Jude grinned. “Check it out, the stylist fixed my hair so that the strands move the right way when I bob my head to the music.” He started shaking his head like a true rock star, even pretending to drum in the air, his light brown floppy hair moving just like he intended, and it almost made Kai crack a grin.
Stupid jerk.
It was hard to be brooding and resentful when one of your pack members had known you since grade school.
Jude bumped his shoulder into Kai’s as Zayden, then Felix, were announced onto the stage. Kai’s eyes shifted to the curtain, and butterflies flapped in the pit of his stomach.
It was almost time.
“Kai.” Jude’s voice dropped low, emotional, but Kai stayed focused on the cheer of the crowd. “Are you really going to abandon the band? The pack? We can fix this. Zayden is trying—”
“And now, welcoming lead guitarist and fan favorite, KAI OBSIDIAN!”
There it was.
There it fucking was.
A smirk fluttered across Kai’s face as he met Jude’s gaze. “I’m going to be a star all on my own, and when I do, I’m going to find my own omega and give her everything she wants without any of you.”
I’m sorry, Kai wanted to add, but didn’t, because now wasn’t the time for sorry. Now was the time to rock shit up.
Being on stage in front of a raging crowd was an addiction Kai could get behind.
He performed an entrance trick like he always did, this time jumping off Jude’s drummer chair, which he didn’t seem to appreciate, and doing a flip over his drums before landing in place.
The crowd went wild, cheering Kai’s name and going as far as throwing panties at him.
Let’s see what else they’ll throw at me after a few more tricks.
The set started, and as always, they played hard, and they played well.
Jude got to show off just like he said he’d get to.
Felix, their bassist, wasn’t one to show off but kept the music steady when the rest of them got lost in the vibes and tricks.
Kai didn’t pay attention to Zayden, and during each of his long solo parts, he threw in a subtle trick to keep the attention on him.
When the right melody was struck, Kai took his cue and performed a high flip before running and sliding across the stage, strumming an epic beat. He shook the sweat from his forehead and laughed, the thrill boiling at a new high in his chest.
The crowd went wild, and he couldn’t help but become engrossed by it all. His eyes glided over the nearby rows and froze on a girl with bubblegum pink hair. She was short with a soft smile that didn’t scream rock and roll. And that smell. What the hell was that smell?
His nose twitched.
That sweet, strawberry scent. Was it coming from her?
Impossible. In a big crowd, how could a little wolf like her produce a scent so strong?
Shit. I missed my timing.
Kai stumbled back to his feet and struggled to get back into position. His fingers felt heavy, and he was messing up the melody. He was messing up.
What the hell is happening?
Kai looked back at little miss strawberry shortcake. She was frowning and holding her chest.
Why?
Is she hurt? Is she in pain?
Kai’s head was spinning and his heart fell out of beat. Something was clearly wrong.
It’s her.
What?
Kai was gasping for air, trying to keep up with the song and trying to ignore the concerned gazes from his bandmates.
His alpha whined.
She’s the something wrong.
The something wrong?
From earlier. Couldn’t you sense it? Don’t you understand? It’s. Her.
No.
She’s finally here.
Stop.
Our little omega has found us!
Not now. Not like this.
We need to go to her—
“NO!” Kai barked.
The music stopped, the crowd went silent, and all eyes were on him, but his eyes were on her.
Their mate.
Our mate.