Oli
ALPHA TEA GOSSIP COLUMN
IS OLI HART IN HIDING WITH THE OUTSTANDING WARRANTS FOR MAY THORNTON AND TREVOR DAVIS AFTER THEIR ALLEGED ATTACK ON MS. HART
June 28th
I slide one finger between the velvet drapes, peering out at the sea of lenses and microphones that have become a permanent fixture outside the fence surrounding the pack house.
The flash of cameras is like a relentless storm, blinding and disorienting. I can’t help the twist of frustration in my gut as I watch them, vultures at the gates, waiting to pick apart every aspect of my life. But beneath that irritation, an undercurrent of vulnerability makes my heart race—a reminder of how exposed I am.
I noticed them after my heat, but according to our security team, they’ve been slowly growing since we got here.
“Can you believe this?” I murmur more to myself than to anyone else, but my pack hears. Their presence is a constant comfort, even in the midst of madness.
“Since the festival, it’s been nonstop,” Dax says.
I step back from the window. His voice has a tinge of disbelief. I don’t understand how a simple declaration of love could become such a frenzy.
“Who knew ‘I love you’ would translate to ‘harass us daily’ in paparazzi speak?” I quip, trying to keep the mood light despite the weight of the situation. I rake a hand through my rose gold waves, feeling the tension winding up inside me.
“That and the fact that May and Trevor’s arrest warrants are public knowledge,” Jack adds.
My pack circles around me, their presence a living barrier between the chaos outside and my faltering calm. Chase’s laughter echoes in the room, bright and untroubled, as he winks at me. “Those vultures out there don’t stand a chance against us, little rose,” he says with that roguish tilt to his lips that could make anyone smile.
“Besides,” Dax adds, his voice the rumble of distant thunder, “I’ve dealt with worse. A few overzealous reporters? Piece of cake.” His hazel eyes meet mine, fierce and protective, and I can’t help but believe him.
Aiden’s hand lands gently on my shoulder, grounding me. “We won’t let anything happen to any of us,” he murmurs, his eyes locking with mine, echoing promises of safety.
Their confidence is infectious, and I draw a deep breath, letting it bolster my flagging spirits. Just then, my phone buzzes—a call from Riley lights up the screen, pulling a relieved sigh from me. I texted her this morning that my heat was over. I wanted yesterday for just me and the pack but now life needs to go on again.
“Hey, Ri. Tell me you’ve got a plan to get me out of this press mess,” I half-joke into the phone as I stride away from the window, craving her organized take on this circus.
“Always do,” Riley’s voice crackles through, a lifeline amidst the storm. “First, no going outside without one of the guys, okay? Full lockdown mode.”
“Got it. Like my alphas would even let me,” I reply, casting a grateful glance toward my alphas, who nod in agreement, ready to close ranks around me at any moment.
“Next, we need to control what gets out there. Maybe an exclusive interview with one trusted reporter? Give them nothing spicy, just enough to satisfy their curiosity but keep them at bay,” Riley suggests, her mind a strategic map I’m ever thankful for.
“Smart,” I say, pacing the length of the room.
“Not Alex Moore,” Dax says gruffly, and I repeat it to Riley.
“Exactly. And remember, you own your narrative, . Don’t let them write it for you,” she insists, the steel in her voice reminding me of the strength I have within.
“Thanks, Ri. You’re a genius,” I tell her, my heart swelling with appreciation for this woman who’s more a best friend than an assistant.
“Part of the job,” she replies with a hint of a smile in her tone. “Now go enjoy your alphas. Your team will handle the rest.”
“Are you on the phone again?” A male voice, that I’m assuming is Brad, complains from the background.
Riley lets out a huge sigh that sounds tired and defeated. “I have to go. Brad needs me for something, but we will talk soon.”
I debated asking about Brad, but it doesn’t sound like she wants to talk about it.
“Thank you. I’ll tell the guys about the interview,” I say, ending the call with a renewed sense of purpose.
I turn back to my pack, my gaze lingering on Chase, whose excitement now seems a notch above his usual cool demeanor. The press might be relentless, but with my alphas by my side and Riley at the helm, I feel ready to face them.
“So you heard what Riley thinks we should do? Do you agree?” I ask them.
Dax rolls his eyes. “I say we don’t give them anything.”
Chase laughs. “You won’t say anything. You suck at talking to the press.”
That makes me laugh, too, and Aiden’s eyes twinkle.
“I think it’s a good idea,” Jack declares decisively, making the others nod along, trusting his judgment. “We give them the information we want and then enjoy the Europe leg of the tour with fewer rumors circulating.”
Aiden adds, “There’s nothing to do until Riley schedules it, so let’s ignore them until then.”
“Great. Then let’s make plans for the rest of our week,” I urge, ready for whatever distraction they can conjure up. I crave the normalcy of just being us.
I glance around the room, each of my alphas radiating their own brand of energy. Chase catches my eye, and there’s a fluttering excitement near my heart that has nothing to do with the chaos outside. He steps forward, the light catching the sandy waves of his hair, and I’m hit with the full force of those smoldering green eyes.
“,” he begins, and I can hear the tremble in his voice that he’s trying to hide, “there’s something I’ve been wanting to ask you.”
I lean in, intrigued. The air between us crackles with anticipation, and the world falls away for a moment. It’s just him and me, and the unspoken words hang heavy in our shared space.
“Anything you want, drummer boy,” I say, my tone teasing but my heart pounding. The way he looks at me like I’m the only one in the room makes my blood run hot.
He takes a deep breath. “I want you to meet my sister,” he blurts out, the words tumbling over each other in their haste to be heard. His gaze is earnest, pleading almost. We’ve talked about his sister; I know this means a lot to him. “She means the world to me, and I… I really want her to know you, . You could be friends!”
I should have thought of this!
There’s an excitement bubbling up inside me, bright and warm.
“Chase,” I breathe out, my smile spreading uncontrollably. “I would love to meet your sister.” My words are laced with sincerity, and I step closer, closing the gap between us. “It means so much that you’d want me to be a part of your world like that. I know how important she is to you.”
His nervousness seems to dissolve, replaced by joy.
“Okay, but logistics,” Jack says, shifting from the warmth of our moment to the practicalities at hand. My gaze meets Jack’s, and I see the wheels turning behind those smoldering green eyes. “We’ve got a ton of paparazzi swarming our house. We need to make sure Cate is safe.”
“True,” Chase replies as his brow furrows. “My sister’s not used to this kind of spotlight. The press doesn’t even know she exists, and I would like to keep it that way for her sake.”
I nod, biting my lip as I consider the risks. Anxiety starts to bubble under my skin, replacing the excitement. “Let’s talk to the security team. They should be able to help.”
“Agreed.” Jack whips out his phone. His fingers move swiftly over the screen—purposeful and decisive.
With a speakerphone beep, we’re not alone anymore. The security team’s leader, Saint, answers with a voice like gravel. “Saint here.”
“We want to meet up with Chase’s sister but need her to be safe and not exposed to the paparazzi. We don’t want them bothering her,” Jack explains.
“Understood,” Saint says, and I can almost hear him snapping into action mode. “We’ll set up a diversion, draw the press off your trail. Then we’ll escort her in a nondescript vehicle, windows tinted, and route double-checked for any tails. Your privacy is our priority, always.”
That sounds like a lot to me, but that’s their job and I trust them.
“Great, man,” Chase replies, his voice steady. “Appreciate it.”
Before the call ends, Saint assures us, “Send us the details, and we’ll coordinate the timing. She’ll be safe and sound with you before you know it. "
“We should do it here so it’s not in public,” Dax adds.
“Agreed.” Chase nods.
I flash a grateful smile at the phone, now silent in Jack’s hand, and meet Chase’s gaze across the room. The crinkles around his eyes tell me he’s smiling too.
Leaning back against the plush couch, I let out a sigh and turn my attention to the house around me.
Chase’s sister is coming, and the omega in me, startles, wanting the house to be perfect. It’s like my mood swings once again, from relief to panic. I shoot up straight and look around. We haven’t decorated yet, and some parts of the house are unfinished!
“, sunshine, are you okay? Your scent just soured,” Aiden asks.
I shake my head. “No! We need to get ready for Cate to come here!”
We need blankets, pillows, paint, and curtains for more than just the front window and-
“Hey.” Chase’s voice cuts through my spiraling thoughts like a knife through butter. I feel the heat of his hand over mine, grounding me as he starts to purr. I look up, finding solace in those smoldering green eyes that always seem to burn just for me. “You don’t need to stress about impressing Cate. She knows how we kept the pack house and won’t think you had anything to do with it.”
“But I’m your omega and-”
“No, relax, ve. Take a deep breath,” Jack barks, and I follow his command.
I feel slightly better, but I can’t let this go.
“We will order everything today, then,” Dax declares. “If you want it perfect, then we will make it perfect.”
I look up at him, grateful, and whisper, “Thank you.” Despite the weight on my chest. I squeeze his hand, letting his alpha presence anchor me back to the moment.
Chase looks at the others. “Maybe this was too soon after her heat. Hormones take days to settle. Her instincts are stronger now than usual.”
I feel like they’re about to agree with him, so I hold my hands up and shout, “No! I want this. You can’t take it away now.”
I huff and cross my arms.
“Okay, little rose. We won’t take it away,” Chase reassures.
For the rest of the day, I let them hold me and soothe my omega instincts with soft touches and praise as we order things online, but when I get a moment alone, I rush up to the nest and video call Riley.
With a deep breath, I pull out my phone and hit Riley’s contact. She picks up almost instantly, her pixie-cut hair bouncing as she grins at me through the screen.
“, what’s up?” She asks, her face smiling back at me with Brad in the background.
“I’m meeting Chase’s sister, and we need to plan what I will wear!” I declare.
“Do you have to do this now? We were busy,” Brad complains, making my gut twist.
Brad has always been quiet the few times I’ve met him, but if this is how he treats Riley, then I want him gone.
“Okay, no problem, we’ve got this. Do you have any ideas?” she asks, ignoring him.
I don’t want to upset him, but I need my best friend.
“No, I always have a stylist, or I’m comfortable,” I quip, rolling my eyes. “What do you think? Edgy and bold or sweet and demure?”
“Something in between. You want to make an impression but come off friendly,” Riley fires back, her blue eyes dancing with mischief. “How about that leather skirt with the flowers on it? The one you wore last tour?”
“Perfect! Chase will dig it,” I muse, picturing the outfit in my mind. “You always know just what to pick.”
“Of course I do. It’s my job to keep you looking fierce and fabulous,” Riley says, flipping her hair with a flourish. “Plus, you’ve got that natural charisma. You’d look good in a burlap sack.”
“Let’s not test that theory,” I laugh, shaking my head. “I’ve got enough on my plate without adding a fashion disaster to the list.”
“I know, so don’t let this stress you,” she says gently.
Brad shifts in the background, and I try to be friendly and ask him, “How are you, Brad?”
He frowns. “Bad. I don’t want Riley going to Europe with you. She’s spending too much time away from home.”
“Oh,” I say, not expecting that. “That is up to her.”
Brad rolls his eyes as Riley takes me to her room, but she refuses to comment when I ask about Brad.
We chat a little more before I hang up with her.
Something about talking to Riley makes the chaos fade into the background, even if just for a moment. She’s the anchor that keeps me from drifting too far into the storm. I need to make sure Brad isn’t giving her a hard time. She deserves someone who lifts her up.
Even now that I have my alphas, I will always need her.
After we hang up, there’s a knock on the door to the nest.
“Did I hear a male voice on your phone?” Chase asks, trying to act casual, but I can feel his jealousy through the bond.
I can’t help laughing at him as I wave him inside. “It was Riley’s man. Don’t worry; I am not interested in him.”
That seems to mollify him some.
“Little rose, I’m sorry I sprung my sister on you so close to your heat. I can feel your instincts going wild, and it’s all my fault. I feel like a terrible alpha,” he confesses, standing sheepishly in the doorway.
I frown and hold out a hand, wanting him closer. “Chase, you’re not a terrible alpha. That’s ridiculous. I want to meet your sister, and we only have a few days left of our break before we tour again. It only makes sense to see her now. I just-”
I hesitate, and he takes my hand, wrapping me up in his strong arms. “You just what, ?”
“I want everything to be perfect. You told me how important she is to you. I want her to like me.”
Chase rubs a soothing circle around my back. “Of course, she is going to like you. She’s going to like you more than she likes me. I would put money on it. But, if my omega wants things to be perfect, then we will make them perfect.”
He pulls out a tablet and passes it to me. It has a home goods store open.
We spend the next hour going through it and picking things out. The others come to join us, and at the end, Dax says he will handle the rest.
I fall asleep surrounded by my mates in my new pack home that will be perfect soon.