30. Chapter 30
Rys
There was a new connection between everyone on our team, now that we’d all been through a heat together.
And not just any heat. A double heat. Something that would fatigue even the best alphas.
To be fair, I was feeling pretty sore, although I was satisfied and complete. More than that, I was happy.
And I could feel the growing bond between the omegas as well.
The two of them had been so beautiful together, with Ash and Cassie almost as desperate for each other as they were for our knots.
I was so pleased that there wasn’t a rivalry between them, and that they wanted each other.
Because I wanted both of them, and I’d never be able to choose just one.
Now that we’d cleaned off from the heat and had our senses come back, we were all realizing that this went way beyond the game. We were the real deal.
Cassie and Ash were curled up on the couch, nuzzled into each other as Leo and I sat on either side of them.
We were enjoying the last few minutes before we would go back out into the villa.
Jace opened the door, stepping in and emitting full alpha pheromones as he strode toward us.
The omegas noticed instantly, both of them straightening up as their pupils grew in size, tracking him as he made his way toward the couch.
His gaze softened when he saw them, and he reached out, cupping each of their cheeks briefly before settling in on the couch, joining the huddle.
“Everything okay?” Cassie asked, noticing that he was emitting strong alpha presence, enough to fill up the room.
“Yes, just talking with production about why you and Ash went into heat. I want to get to the bottom of it so that nothing else unexpected happens.” He said with assurance, and she settled down at his words.
“Yeah, that wasn’t normal.” Ash added, lacing his fingers with Cassie’s. “I can’t imagine the producers would do something so stupid as to let two omegas go into heat at the same time, but if they did…” He let his words trail off. It could have been a disaster.
“I don’t think the show did it, at least not intentionally. But they didn’t stop it either.” Jace added, rubbing his chin as his eyes darkened. I hadn’t seen this side of him before. He was fully in protective mode now that the omegas had accepted him.
“We’ll make sure nothing else happens.” Leo added with a smile. “Anyway, we need to go out and face them at some point. Let’s take control of our own narrative.”
“What do you mean?” Ash asked, and Leo squeezed his shoulder.
“Oh, the show might have an angle now that all this happened. Clearly they wanted two omegas on a team so there would be competition. But they never expected the two of you would get along so well.” He said.
Ash was quiet for a moment, then lifted his chin. “Then let’s go out there and show them how strong we are.”
We all turned to look at him. There was a new weight in his voice, a true confidence I hadn’t heard before.. This wasn’t the same Ash who was used to putting up walls - he was finally stepping into his own power.
“You’re right. Bring it on!” Cassie added, leaning into Ash playfully. They were right. It was time to face the cameras, and emerge as a pack.
________
We were piled onto a long couch together, with Ash and Cassie in the middle, flanked by alphas on all sides.
It sent a clear message - the omegas are protected, and could not be divided.
The host and crew, along with the producers, glanced around nervously.
I could smell the sterile scent of synthetic calming sprays they pumped in to “soften” the tension.
It didn’t work. Not when they had the audacity to smile at us like nothing had gone wrong.
The producer’s assistant gave us the signal to start. Cassie and Ash were the most calm out of all of us, but that was to be expected. Their omega hormones would have them on cloud nine now that three alphas had spent the last few days catering to their needs.
“So…” the host began, his voice already making me irritated, “the double omega heat was unexpected, to say the least.”
“You expected a disaster,” I said flatly. “You expected fighting and chaos to boost your ratings.”
The host smiled nervously, caught off guard. “Well, it was certainly not ideal. We were a bit worried with two omegas in heat, that someone would get left out.” He offered, fishing for details. He would get very few from us.
“That’s not what happened,” Leo cut in, more graciously. “Cassie and Ash supported each other.”
“They were perfect,” Jace added, hand resting firmly on Ash’s thigh.
Cassie smiled faintly, brushing her fingers down Ash’s arm. “When it came down to it, we didn’t see each other as threats. If anything, this has solidified our growing bond.”
I watched the host try to pivot, knowing that the competition angle was now a failure. He tried to comment on how connected we seemed in an attempt to flatter us. But I wasn’t here for that.
“They weren’t supposed to go into heat,” I said sharply, cutting through the fake pleasantries. “You promised us the suppressants were regulated and that everyone would be safe. Either someone fucked up, or someone planned it.”
The room went quiet, the host shocked and looking out of the corner of his eyes at the producers, as if he wasn’t sure what to say. I was sure this would get edited out, but I didn’t care. I wanted them to answer for what happened.
“They’re lucky,” I continued, voice low. “Lucky we were there, and lucky that we got them to a nest in time so that the other alphas here didn’t go feral. You gambled with their lives.”
The host shifted uncomfortably but plastered on a smile. He avoided my statement and changed courses altogether. “Well, I think the viewers love you!
You’re officially the fan favorite pack, and now in the lead. The way you all handled it, that’s real teamwork.”
I stared him down. “We’re not a storyline. We’re a pack.”
Cassie slid her fingers into mine, and Ash leaned into Leo. Jace’s alpha presence radiated from the other end of the couch like a silent warning. They wanted a spectacle, but instead all they would get was something real. Something they couldn't ever hope to manufacture or replicate.
“Well on that note, it’s time for you all to celebrate being in first place with a special spa day, courtesy of our sponsors.
You’ll be spending the next day relaxing with massages, treatments, and no challenges this week!
” The host quickly tried to end the interview, and our team stood as we were led off stage and told more about our prize.
I figured that they were going to do some major sucking up to us for the duration of the show.
On the way off set, I spotted some of the other teams lingering around the villa, pretending to chat while they eyed us.
They looked furious, and I didn’t blame them.
What should have been a team-breaking experience not only brought us together, but catapulted us to be number one.
We were very likely going to win this show.
One alpha scoffed under his breath, “Must be nice when the cameras love you for doing the bare minimum.” Another omega smirked as we passed, muttering something about “manufactured chemistry.” Jace tensed beside me, but I kept walking, brushing off their jealousy.
But then…I smelled it. Just a trace, but sharp and distinct.
An overly sweet floral scent, laced with bitterness.
My instincts surged, and I turned my head toward one of the rival packs.
One of their omegas was laughing too hard at something, her arms crossed, smug and unbothered.
And that scent that I recognized, it was coming from her.
My mind raced as I tried to pin where I’d smelled it before, and then it hit me.
I’d smelled that faint, cloying hint in both Cassie and Ash’s rooms a day before their heats hit. My blood went cold. Someone was on camera going into their rooms - it was her. And I was sure that she was the one who messed with their suppressants.
I held back my desire to let out what I really felt, and waited until my team was back in the room before letting out the breath I’d been holding. I turned to them and spoke.
“Hey guys, I think I know what happened.”