Chapter 49
Sonnet wasn’t a stranger to a high-stakes party.
With Dad making a name for himself in the real estate business, and Mom coming from a well-known family, business events and charities were a part of the norm growing up.
But a party with paparazzi and other people like actors, singers, and football players? That was all new to Sonnet.
She recognized a few faces and did her best not to geek out like a fan. She wasn’t just a fan anymore. This lifestyle, these people, she was a part of it all now, which came with the burden of holding herself to a higher standard for the sake of her alphas.
The more Zayden and she walked into the room, the more confident she became. When Felix joined them, she slipped her hand into his.
“How are you, sweetheart?”
“I’m perfect.” And she meant it.
A month ago, she would never have pictured her life taking on these challenges or a lifestyle change.
If she had known, she would have panicked herself into a coma.
Now, she feels like a better version of herself.
Someone strong and ready to take on what the world handed her, and she knew she was being rewarded for her newer self, because these changes came with the best possible gift. Her omega.
I’m here for you, she purred.
“You are perfect,” Felix whispered, kissing her on her forehead gently.
Arms wrapped around her waist, and a head rested on her shoulder. “Come dance with me,” Jude begged. “I’m bored.”
Felix rolled his eyes. “How mature of you.”
“It’s alright,” Zayden cut in. “Felix and I will continue the rounds. But behave yourself, hm?”
“Always, boss.”
Jude gave a cheeky wink before walking Sonnet to the dance floor, where other couples were gliding around gracefully.
Sonnet sucked her bottom lip into her mouth, trying to hold back an awkward smile. “I’m not good at dancing. I’ve been told I have two left feet.”
“That’s okay. So do I.” Sonnet squealed as Jude spun her around, before planting her on top of his feet. He kept his arms secure on her. “There. Now, you don’t have to worry about it. I’ll be in charge of dancing silly for both of us.”
“Not too silly,” Sonnet laughed as he spun them around, gaining the attention of some of the other dancers.
But Sonnet couldn’t care how she was being perceived.
In Jude’s arms, she felt limitless. There was magic in the depth of Jude’s soul that made her feel so cherished and so alive.
“We should all dance more. In fact, I’m making it a family rule! ”
“I like that rule! What other rules should we have?”
Sonnet tilted her head back as the tempo slowed. “We must have at least one meal all together. We should have a family group chat to stay in touch. And we all need to make sure we’re all visiting each other’s families and friends. Connection is important.”
Jude beamed. “Well, I can’t wait for you to meet my family!
It’s big, and they’re loud, and I think everyone is going to love you.
I know everyone is. I talk to my family about you all the time,” Jude admitted, his confident smile turning shy.
“I call my mama every other day. She’s always checking up on all of us kiddos.
Ever since I met you, all our conversations have been about you. It’s embarrassing.”
“No, it’s cute. I can’t wait to meet your mama and your siblings.”
“I can’t wait to meet yours.”
Sonnet looked down at their feet, Jude happily supporting her as they danced. The music was soft, slow, and romantic. In Jude’s arms and knowing her other alphas were in this room, she felt safe, even as her birth mother’s face flashed into her mind.
I can’t wait for them to meet Mom, but when are we going to tell them about our birth mother?
Soon. Tomorrow. Sunday.
That soon?
We agreed! We both said we’re ready. You said this weekend.
I know... but having them meet Mom versus talking about our birth mother? I’m ready for one. I’m not sure I’m ready for the other.
We’re ready. Now shush and enjoy the rest of the evening!
Sonnet exhaled all her pent-up anxiety and put it aside. Jude continued to spin her around the room before another alpha appeared from the shadows, ready to steal her away.
Jude pouted but hardly put up a fight as Kai put out a dominant aroma before scooping Sonnet into his arms. He spun her around and dipped her before finding a spot in the center of the dance floor.
Ever since returning home, Kai has become such a consistent force.
He was always there, keeping a possessive eye on her, and each day his eyes reflected love, his words reflected adoration, and his hands reflected safety.
Sonnet wrapped her hands around his neck to pull him closer. His purple hair stood out, as did all their new hairstyles, and she couldn’t help but smile at the memory of finding them all in the bathroom. It had been Kai’s idea. An act of kindness she’d never forget or take for granted.
“You’ve really surprised me,” Sonnet said, trying to observe the passionate emotions in his once closed-off gaze. “You were such a jerk when we first met. I didn’t think you’d ever be the first one to give me such an intimate gift.”
Kai smirked proudly. “I’m not known for being good at gift giving. I prefer acts of service. I like doing things without having to express how I feel.”
“I’ve noticed that.” She tugged on his hair pointedly. “Although your little speech in the kitchen was very expressive.”
Kai’s cheeks flushed, but despite feeling embarrassed by it, Sonnet felt even more moved by how far he’d come and how outwardly driven he had been to her and this pack.
“I love you,” Sonnet whispered. “I love you so much. Your speech, this bracelet, your hair, everything. You’ve gone from being one of the worst puzzle pieces to solve to being one of my favorite people.”
“Your favorite? Ohh. You’ll have to say that again in front of the others.”
Sonnet scrunched her nose. “One of. Not the only one.”
“Hmm. Fine, fine.” He held her tighter, his alpha releasing a low, playful growl. “I guess I can settle for being one of your favorites. I just want you to know how ready I am to be the alpha you need. I’m ready to show up. To be a part of the team.”
“I know. Your recent actions match your words perfectly. I trust you, Kai, and I already love you as the alpha you are.”
“I’ll never tire from hearing that,” Kai growled, kissing her deeply.
Her omega was in complete bliss, not wanting the kiss to end, but Sonnet was all but too aware they were at a public charity event. Now was not the time to get hot and steamy with one of her alphas. Even if her omega really, really wanted to.
Kai understood, pulling back and leading her away from the dance floor and towards their waiting pack.
Jude held his arms out, but before she could fall into them, the sound of heels and a sharp hello practically broke all the other noise from the room.
Jude’s arms and expression fell immediately, and when she turned, she understood why.
Juliana.
Her name had been in every cheap tabloid for the past year and a half. Every fan of the Obsidian Alphas knew the crazy story with Juliana. But for the past month, Sonnet acted like she didn’t.
Sonnet had been so enamored with getting to know her alphas, building a bond, and figuring out her own self that her alphas’ past was long out of her mind until here she was.
Kai looked uncomfortable. He was tense, as if looking at a ghost. Sonnet grabbed his hand instantly to help, but the small act was not ignored by Juliana, who stopped in front of them with a nasty sneer.
She looked like a devil ready to claim a soul.
A very beautiful devil.
BLEH!
Sonnet ignored her omega. Juliana was not a threat, and with all the eyes already on them, she wasn’t about to make a scene.
“Hello, hello,” Juliana purred, her eyes glowing seductively like a siren, and flipping back her straightened black hair, giving a better view of her cleavage in her red dress.
She had great boobs. But a charity event like this was not the place to let the girls out. “My, it has been so long, hasn’t it?”
No one said anything. Kai was completely paralyzed, Jude was sweating bullets, and Felix looked like an awkward schoolboy about to give a presentation. Sonnet turned to Zayden, and all it took was one glance back at her before he straightened himself and took the lead.
“Juliana. I didn’t know you were on the guest list.” He shifted himself to the front of the pack.
Juliana grinned and swirled her wine. “I’m a plus one.
He’s a football player. I figured my taste buds needed a new flavor after my musician phase didn’t pan out.
But don’t worry, boys. You were still yummy.
I’m sure your new little friend would agree, or were those hard-working paparazzi spinning another little tale? ”
“You’d be one to know,” Kai growled. “After all, how many months later and you’ve still got an opinion on us?”
“A woman scorned will always have opinions, Kai, baby. I’m sure, miss...
Sonnet, was it? Knows all too well.” Juliana sidestepped Zayden towards Sonnet, who tried not to be intimidated, but the way Juliana held herself made it hard not to shrink in her presence.
“I thought the pink hair was a rumor, but it really does look like bubble gum. I dye my hair, too. It’s no secret.
Although,” she sneered, “I suppose I have a bit more mature taste.”
Was that an insult? She did NOT just insult our hair!
Sonnet smiled softly. “I think you’ve got me all wrong. I don’t know what it’s like to make a smear campaign on my exes, and I don’t prefer to change my appearance so that I look like all the other girls.”
In the past, when it came to confrontations, Sonnet just took the beatings. It was always Scarlett or Summer who had to come to her defense. She’d never been the one to defend herself before, but these were her alphas now, and if they were uncomfortable, she couldn’t just stand there.