Chapter 32
Dorian
“Dorian… You’re killing me here.” Cigar smoke encircled Marco’s fat head as he leaned back in the worn leather chair across from my desk. “If you can’t fly to California to make the audition, then I’ve got to take you off that roster for good.”
“I can’t travel right now.” I stared at the ceiling, still trying to figure out what my next moves were. But I knew I couldn’t leave Opal. Not yet, if ever. Our relationship was too new. Too fragile. And I hadn’t even fully sealed our bond.
Because you’re an idiot.
“If you can’t travel, that also takes Quebec off the table.” Julia, the female assistant the agency had sent with Marco, smiled coyly. “It’d be a real shame to get taken off the international circuits too.”
Such a shame. Even my wolf rolled his eyes.
It wasn’t like they were bringing me more than table scraps. But I wasn’t too proud to accept any sort of work, especially when it’d get us back on our feet.
Walking off the show had been more of a hit than I was willing to admit.
I’d do it again in a heartbeat.
Opal’s scent still lingered in my office. Even the cheap cigar Marco blew about the room couldn’t chase her sweet smell away. She was burying herself into my heart and the heart of Bailey Pack.
No doubt she was doing the same to Volk Pack this very minute.
If only fate weren’t so cruel as to make reality as ugly as it was. We couldn’t all live a fairytale. Some of us still had mouths to feed.
“And what about those monkey twins?” Marco hummed. I had to hand it to the shark; he was always looking for the next edge. “Still not offering a contract for them?”
“No,” I growled, not leaving any room for argument.
Julia tapped her pen on the tablet, looking for all intents and purposes like she’d just come up with a great idea.
Had I not grown up in this life, I might’ve fallen for her bullshit.
“I’ve got it,” she said. “What if we go the reality TV route again?”
“Good luck getting casting calls after that Mating Season fiasco,” Marco huffed, playing his part of the terrible act.
“Hear me out,” Julia smiled as she amped up the charm. “We pitch our own show, filming it right here on Dorian’s territory. An exposé of beaten and forgotten circus shifters and what they’re doing now. The public would eat it up. Can you imagine the drama?”
“That could—”
“Get out.” My voice was cold.
“Now, hang on a minute,” Marco sputtered. “She’s got a great idea. This could bring you back from the edge.”
“I said, get out.” I put my hands on the desk and stood, letting the wolf flash in my eyes.
Despite being human, they didn’t bother to argue with me. Though I did hear a few whispers of “he’ll be sorry” and “lawyers” as the metal door swung closed behind them.
You did the right thing.
Did I? I slumped back into my chair.
Because it felt like Atlas was getting under my skin. Had I tossed out the idea because of him? Or was it really that demeaning to my pack?
They may not have been the classiest shifters to ever travel the earth, but they did deserve respect.
“Come on out, Georgie.” I sighed, listening as the monkey shifter unfurled himself from the cramped space in the vents and tumbled down to the floor.
He stood, brushing off the dust on his overalls. “That was… interesting.”
“Do you think I’m an idiot for turning it all down?” I asked, knowing damn well that I was.
“I think…” He cast a glance over his shoulder at the front door, as if he could still see the memories etched in these walls. “I think it’s nice to finally have someone stand up for us.”
“Yeah, well, I’m trying.” I started to shuffle papers like that would somehow help me organize my life.
“You do too much.” Georgie dug his shoe into the ground. “Half of us wouldn’t have a home if it weren’t for you, but we’re not all completely useless. I think it’s time you let us help you out, boss… I mean… Alpha.”
“Thanks, Georgie.” I smiled at him. “If I find something that’s a good fit, I’ll run it by you and see what you think.”
“That’s all I ask.” He stood up straighter, looking down his nose with a dignity I didn’t know he could possess. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, my brother and I plan to chase down some slimy agents’ rental car and cover it with rotten eggs.”
I smiled as I shook my head, stopping him when he reached the door. “Make sure you wait until they’re well away from this area and all the surrounding shifter territory before you get revenge.”