Chase
PACK EM UP GOSSIP COLUMN
HAS OLI HART BONDED WITH THE EDGE?
July 1st
I ’m practically vibrating in my seat, a leg bouncing with a rhythm that’s got nothing to do with the beats I usually drum out. The plush cushions of the living room sofa starkly contrast the tight coil of anticipation winding tighter in my gut. Oli, my radiant omega, is about to meet Cate for the first time, and damn if I’m not nervous. Excited, too.
The knock on the door slices through the tension. I’m on my feet instantly, my heart keeping time with each step towards the entrance. “Cate!” I throw open the door, and there she stands, my sister, with her signature sun-kissed waves and that mischievous glint in her blue eyes that match mine.
“,” she greets, her voice warm and familiar as she steps inside, a security guy trailing behind her like a silent shadow. She’s decked out in her usual effortlessly chic style—ripped jeans and a vintage band tee that looks suspiciously like one I lost last year.
“Looking good, sis,” I tease, pulling her into a hug that lifts her off her feet for a second. Her laugh bubbles up between us, easy and contagious.
It’s like no time has passed, even though it’s been months since we’ve seen each other.
“Oli will be here soon. I wanted a moment with you before they all joined.” I can’t keep the smirk off my face, imagining Dax’s grumpy mug all soft around Oli. They’re knotted together in more ways than one, and I love that for them.
We settle on the couch, and she gets a serious look on her face, which I know well. “Since we have a moment alone… Are you happy, ?” Cate’s gaze meets mine, searching, genuine.
“Happy? I’m over the moon, Cate.” I spread my arms wide as if to embrace the entire room. “Oli’s like this walking, talking burst of energy that lights up everything—and damn, can she sing. Being with her, it’s like I’ve hit the jackpot every day.”
“Wow, never thought I’d see the day my brother would gush about someone,” she teases, but her smile tells me she’s thrilled to hear it. Her excitement mirrors mine as she adds, “I can’t wait to meet her.”
We fall into easy conversation as I wait for Oli to join us. I can feel Oli’s anxious anticipation through our bond, and I know she regrets being knotted right now.
But I’m happy for them. I want my pack satisfied and happy, so I’ll distract my sister as long as necessary.
Five minutes later, the door swings open, and there they are—Oli flanked by Jack, Aiden, and Dax. I can’t help the grin spreading across my face as I watch them enter, Oli’s rose gold waves catching the light like a personal spotlight.
“Hi,” Oli chirps, her green eyes scanning the room until they land on Cate. The alphas close in around her, a wall of muscle and mischief, but their posture is soft, almost tender when it comes to her.
“Oli, this is Cate, my sister,” I say, gesturing toward her. “Cate, meet the reason behind my stupidly happy grin these days.”
That makes Oli blush, and I feel her embarrassment down our bond.
“Hi,” Oli says, stepping forward with a hand outstretched, her bright smile bridging the gap between stranger and friend. “I’ve heard so much about you.”
“Only good things, I hope,” Cate replies, rising to take Oli’s hand. Their laughter melds together, harmonious and easy.
“Of course,” Oli shoots back, winking. “ wouldn’t dare otherwise.”
Cate says hello to the rest of the pack but focuses back on Oli quickly.
“Okay, spill. What’s it like being an omega rockstar?” Cate’s eyes gleam with genuine curiosity as she flops down onto the plush sofa, patting the spot next to her for Oli to join. Cate is an omega, so I’m sure she’s impressed.
“Cate-” I groan, but Oli cuts me off as she rushes to join Cate.
“Chaotic, loud, and absolutely electrifying,” Oli replies, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. Her smile is infectious, and I can’t help but feel a swell of pride watching her light up the room.
She’s my omega, and I get to show her off. It’s everything I never knew to dream of.
“Must be quite the rush,” Cate muses, leaning in closer, “performing in front of thousands.”
“Nothing beats it,” Oli says. “But it’s not without its challenges, you know? The travel, the pressure, press—it’s a whirlwind.”
“Sounds intense, but you make it look easy.” My sister’s admiration is palpable; she’s always appreciated the arts, even if her talents lean more toward numbers and science.
“Only because I have good people around me.” Oli smiles. “Do you like being a nurse?”
Cate grins, and I know she likes that Oli knows she’s a nurse. “I love it! I just had a patient the other day with a rare disease, and I helped the doctor figure it out!”
She did? I need to keep up with her more.
“Cate is the best nurse around. They’re lucky to have her,” I gush.
She’s an omega, but she doesn’t let that slow her down.
Oli claps her hands. “That’s incredible! I want to hear all about it.”
The two of them dig into the details of her work and the patient. I want to listen, but Jack leans close and whispers, “They seem to like each other.”
I let out a relieved breath. “Yeah. I knew they would.”
“And yet, you were nervous,” Aiden teases.
I roll my eyes. “Cate was my only family before this pack, and now Oli. I just want all of my family to get along.”
All three of them give me a look like they understand and considering they don’t have any siblings or parents they talk to, I know they do.
I turn to Dax and glare. “And you just had to knot her in the kitchen, didn’t you?”
Jack and Aiden burst out laughing, but most surprising of all, Dax actually gets a little pink tint on his cheeks.
“Sorry,” he mumbles, and I join the other two laughing.
“I feel like I keep finding Oli knotted in weird places with my pack mates. It’s my turn next to inconveniently knot my omega and make one of you cover for me,” I declare.
Of course, that’s when Oli and Cate stop talking and start listening. The room is silent as I turn to look at them.
Oli’s face is bright red, and Cate looks horrified.
“You’re my brother! I don’t want to hear that!” Cate screeches.
I should be embarrassed or try to explain it away, but instead, I release a full belly laugh that comes from my core and feels like a release.
Within seconds, everyone is joining me, and the tension is gone.
“I can’t believe you have to deal with my brother and three alphas all the time! Are you going crazy?” Cate asks, making me frown at her.
Oli loves spending time with us. Especially me.
Oli nods. “My best friend Riley is on tour with us too, so at least I get some girl time, but she’s been so busy I feel like I never get to see her. My new manager is female, and The Storm, an all-girl band, is my opener, but despite all that, I do need some girl time. The tour is just too busy, and I predictably spend all my time with these four.”
“I have an idea,” Cate says, her voice bubbling with excitement. “ tells me you haven’t had a proper day off in ages. How about we fix that?”
“Are you thinking what I think you’re thinking?” Oli asks, a mischievous glint in her eye.
“If you’re thinking spa day, then yes!” Cate claps her hands together, already painting a picture of relaxation and indulgence.
“That sounds amazing!”
I can feel Oli’s excitement, and I hate the panic that lances through me.
“Massages, facials, the works,” Cate continues, her eagerness causing Oli’s grin to widen even further.
“Can we get those cucumber things on our eyes?” Oli asks, her face alight with the prospect of pampering.
“Absolutely, and don’t forget the matching robes. It’s mandatory.” Cate’s laugh is like a melody, harmonizing perfectly with Oli’s bubbly tone.
The laughter still lingers in the air when I catch the shift in the room’s vibe. Aiden’s brow furrows ever so slightly, and Jack crosses his arms, leaning back like he has something on his mind eating at him.
“Spa day sounds amazing,” Dax says, his tone just a hair too casual. “But you know, you probably shouldn’t go out alone.”
I tilt my head, catching his drift. Our protective instincts are flaring up and clogging the room with alpha pheromones.
“Are you worried about us dealing with too much fun?” Oli teases, her eyes glittering with defiance and amusement.
“Or maybe the daunting task of choosing nail colors has you on edge?” Cate adds, and this mischievous glint in her eye tells me she’s enjoying the gentle ribbing as much as Oli is.
She’s known Aiden, Dax, and Jack for a long time and acts like a sister to them, too.
“Funny,” Jack mutters. “It’s not the fun or the nails. We want you both safe, is all.”
Aiden says, “You’re both important to us, and May and Trevor are still out there, and the press is hounding us.”
I’m torn. I want them to bond, be friends, and have fun, but I can’t let either of them get hurt.
“Guys,” Oli begins, stepping closer to Aiden and reaching up to trace his jaw line with her fingertip, “we’ll be fine. We’re just going to a spa.”
Cate nods, wrapping her arm around Oli’s shoulder. “Besides, we have each other’s backs, right?”
“Of course,” Oli replies, bumping her hip against Cate’s, but I can feel her nerves through the bond. She’s rethinking this idea.
Cate definitely likes Oli more than she likes me, but I better still be Oli’s favorite. I am her bonded alpha, after all.
“And think of how relaxed and zen we’ll be when we get back. You’ll benefit from our chilled-out vibes,” Cate laughs.
We exchange looks, that silent communication thing we do so well. A moment passes, and then Dax sighs, running a hand through his hair.
The tension in the room is a living thing, almost crackling between us. He’s ready to be the one who says no and disappoints our omega, but suddenly, an idea pops up!
“Wait, I have a compromise!” Everyone looks at me as I speak, and I continue quickly. “We can fly Cate out to a show in Europe and book some private time in a spa there. Things will die down, and we will be overseas. It will be safer then.”
Everyone thinks about it, but Cate looks nervous. “You want me to go to Europe?”
I grab her hand. “I want you to see a show anyway, and you deserve a vacation. Could you get the time off?”
She looks at me, and I watch her soften and smile. “Okay, big brother. I can call in some favors.”
“That sounds great!” Oli kisses each of her alphas, including me, on the cheek, and I pout because it’s my idea. What did they do to deserve kisses?
Saint, our no-nonsense security team lead, clears his throat. He hasn’t said much, just leaning against the wall with that ‘I’ve seen it all’ look plastered across his face.
I keep forgetting he’s even here. He blends so well into the wall in any room. He’s taking Cate home at the end of this visit.
“I think I can help,” he starts, and all eyes shift to him. “At the security firm, we have female team members. We can use one of them, and she can tag along to the spa.”
It’s a great idea.
“Would that work for you two?” I ask, already knowing the answer.
Oli bites her lip, pondering for a moment before nodding. “Yeah, that sounds like a good compromise. I will feel safer that way.”
“I’m not used to this world, so I will follow your lead,” Cate says kindly.
“Alright then,” Dax chimes in, his voice husky with that alpha authority but softened by relief. “Security goes with you both. And everyone’s happy.”
With a few more nods and murmurs of agreement, the room’s atmosphere shifts from tense to lighter, as if we’ve all just exhaled a breath.
As the discussions settle down and plans are laid out, I lean back on the couch, watching the easy interactions and laughter between Oli and Cate as they whisper and giggle over their spa strategy. Their brightness contrasts with the solid strength of the alphas in the room, creating a perfect balance.
“Hey, ,” Oli calls, snapping me out of my thoughts. “You’re zoning out on us. Daydreaming about drum solos?”
“Something like that,” I say, my lips curving into a smile. “Just thinking about how lucky I am to have you all here.”
“Cheesy,” Jack teases, but his eyes are warm.
“Group hug?” Oli suggests, and even though it’s met with playful groans, nobody hesitates to shuffle closer.
“Bring it in,” I say, spreading my arms wide.
My pack, my omega, and my sister all hug each other, and it is a perfect moment for me. One I didn’t ever think I would have.