Chase
DIRTY BETA GOSSIP COLUMN
FANS LEFT DISAPPOINTED AS MEET AND GREETS FOR THE ALPHA AND OMEGA TOUR ARE CANCELED
June 5th
T he crowd is chanting Oli’s name. Every cell in my body is buzzing with the kind of adrenaline that only comes from being on the brink of a performance.
“Miranda,” Jack’s voice cuts through the frenzy, his tone brokering no argument, “We won’t be separating from Oli, so she can’t take the stage lift. She’s walking out with us.”
I glance at Miranda, her eyes sharp and calculating, and she nods once—a crisp, decisive motion. The solidarity has a certain thrill, knowing we’re all in this together. That we finally have a manager on our side.
Oli flips a switch, her hunched shoulders pushing back as she takes a deep breath. She’s putting on her stage persona, but I can feel her turmoil through the bond.
We stride onto the stage together, all five of us. I have to go to my drums, but Dax and Jack are set up closer to Oli than usual.
Being separated from her after everything she’s been through is one of the most challenging things I’ve ever done. My alpha pushes me to go by her, but I stay put.
The stage lights flare to life, a dazzling array of colors dancing across Oli’s features and turning her rose-gold hair into a fiery halo. She’s an ethereal presence, all energy and charisma, and her vibrant personality holds the audience captive even before she utters a single note.
Her anxiety hums along our bond. It tugs at me, demanding attention. My chest tightens as I watch her, wishing I could shoulder some of the burden.
I start the next song, putting extra energy into it to take some of the attention from Oli.
She begins to lip-sync, her voice a phantom melody piped through the speakers, but you’d never know it from the crowd’s reaction. They’re lost in her performance, oblivious to the silent plea for perfection that claws at her insides. To them, she’s flawless.
Even if her voice doesn’t come back as perfect, she’s flawless to me too.
I let my focus linger on her for a moment longer, pride swelling within me alongside a protective urge so fierce it could tear down walls. That’s my omega up there, shining despite the shadows, and I’ll be damned if I don’t do everything in my power to keep that light blazing.
I catch the tremor in her hands as they grasp the microphone. It’s subtle, but I can’t tear my eyes away from her. I’m hyper-aware of every little detail, like how Oli’s smile seems too bright, too sharp. It’s forced, practiced.
Despite the act, the crowd goes wild, screaming and jumping, utterly captivated by the illusion she weaves. They see what they want to see: Oli Hart, rockstar extraordinaire, killing it as always. They don’t sense the discordant note of her anxiety that twangs loudly in our bond.
The time comes for me to rip my shirt off, but I’m too distracted by Oli and miss my cue.
The final chord reverberates through the arena, a full stop to the electric symphony we’ve been weaving. I’m already on my feet, drumsticks forgotten as the roar of applause crashes over us like a tidal wave. The crowd’s cheers are deafening, their energy nearly tangible, but my focus is laser-sharp on Oli.
She’s rushing off stage, not stopping for any of us.
I catch up in a few long strides, and before she can disappear into the sea of crew members, I reach out and snag her hand, pulling her close. Her eyes meet mine, that vibrant green flaring with the rush of performing, yet shadowed by the storm I sense brewing within her.
“Hey,” I whisper loud enough for her to hear. “You were phenomenal.”
I feel her shoulders relax fractionally in the tight cocoon of my embrace. My chest swells with an urge to shield her from anything and everything. “…” she starts, but I shake my head, pressing a finger to her lips.
“Shh, no words needed. We’ve got you.” I lean back just enough to flash her a crooked grin, hoping to coax out that sunshine smile I’m so damn addicted to.
“Thanks,” she murmurs, barely above the din around us. It’s music to my ears, even if it’s laced with fatigue. “I just…”
“Save it for the bus, little rose,” I interrupt gently, knowing she needs to unwind without the pressure of prying eyes. I guide her through the maze of cables and props, a protective arm never leaving her waist.
As we board our tour bus, the sanctuary on wheels, there’s a collective sigh of relief. Mirrors of concern are reflected in the rest of the pack.
Dax looks like he’s dying to come over to Oli but stays back.
Jack saunters over, a steaming cup of tea in his hand. “Green tea with honey,” he says, handing it to Oli while he scans her from head to toe.
“Thanks, Jack,” she says, her voice a whisper of gratitude. Her slender fingers wrap around the cup, and I watch as the warmth seems to seep into her skin, soothing more than just her throat.
“Anything for our omega,” Jack says, his tone laced with truth. We all cluster around her. Our pack’s strength is tangible in how we lean into each other, a protective circle of alphas securing our omega, even Dax.
“I feel like a fraud,” Oli whispers, a tear slipping down her cheek.
All four of us protest at once, making her smile slightly.
Jack smacks Aiden, Dax, and I before taking over. “Oli, you’re not a fraud. All you’re doing is trying to provide a show for your fans even when you’re not healthy. That’s honorable, and they still loved it tonight. No one knew any different.”
“What if they did?” Oli whines.
Aiden steps up, phone in hand.
“Hey, look at this,” he murmurs, holding out his phone so Oli can see. The screen glows with headlines, each singing praise for tonight’s performance. “They’re just as positive and glowing as usual.”
I watch as she leans in, her green eyes scanning the words, the barest trace of disbelief on her face. She’s been doubting herself, but here’s the proof, in black and white and glowing pixels, that she’s doing the right thing.
“See? They loved you,” Aiden says, his voice barely louder than the hum under our feet, but there’s no mistaking the pride in his eyes.
The disbelief etched into her features starts to crumble, making way for the tentative smile that dances at the corners of her lips. A spark ignites in those green eyes — hope, maybe, or the start of something like self-belief.
“Thank you,” she says, her eyes flicking up to meet Aiden’s.
“And this is only temporary,” Dax adds.
Oli looks up and stares Dax in the eyes before voicing the other doubt I can feel festering inside her. “What if it’s not? What if my voice never recovers?”
“Oli-” I start, but Dax cuts me off with a booming voice.
“Then we give up performing and find something else we are good at. Or we will keep finding new doctors to help you get your voice back. Or we can perform with you on an instrument, and one of us can sing. We will do whatever you want, but we do it together.”
Oli’s mouth drops open. Oli nods slowly, her lips parting as if she’s about to speak, but no words come out. Instead, she steps forward, slipping her arms around Dax and squeezing him. He looks shocked but slowly wraps his arms around her, and they stand there hugging.
“Okay,” Oli says.
“Okay?” Aiden asks.
“Okay, I believe we are in this together, and we will figure it out, so I’m going to have faith and optimism and focus on healing right now.”
“Great. I’m proud of you, little rose. Now, it’s time to rest.” I grab her hand and pull her back towards the shower.
Oli showers first before going into her nest. I grab the following shower and see Jack get in after me.
Oli left the door to her nest open, so I knock lightly on the side before whispering, “Can I come in, Oli?”
“Of course, you’re all welcome in my nest at any time.”
I’m going to take advantage of that.
I jump into the bed and wrap myself around her before shoving my nose into her neck to inhale her perfect strawberry cheesecake scent. “I love you, little rose.”
“I love you too, .” Oli flips around in my arms and presses her lips to mine. We kiss softly and lightly, just sending love to each other before Jack joins us.
“Did I hear we are allowed in here at any time?” Jack asks.
Oli chuckles. “Yes, my alphas are welcome in my nest.”
Jack kisses her neck before biting softly. “That was a mistake, baby girl. You’re never getting rid of us now.”
“I don’t want to,” Oli says brightly.
Oli snuggles between us, with me at her front and Aiden wrapped around her back.
It doesn’t take long before Jack enters the room and lays across Oli’s feet at the end of the bed, but she’s already asleep and doesn’t notice.
What’s shocking is when Dax sneaks into the room and lies on the floor at the end of the bed.
“We can make room for you up here, Dax,” I whisper, trying not to wake Oli.
He snorts but doesn’t respond. This time, I don’t let it go.
“I mean it. We all feel this need to be close to her, and you’re fighting yours. She said we were all welcome in her nest. She’s opening the door for you. All you have to do is step through it.”
The silence lasts so long that I think he’s ignoring me, but then he whispers so softly that I have to strain to hear him.
“I have a plan, so I’m fine down here for now. Goodnight.”
“Goodnight then.”
I look up and see Aiden is still awake, staring down in the direction of Dax. He smiles and shakes his head, making me feel like he trusts Dax, and I should, too.