Knot Broken (Hiddenverse)

4. Lilah

CHAPTER 4

Lilah

The limo bumps down the long drive toward a gigantic, brightly lit, mansion. It does not look this big in the show. The driver circles a large dazzling fountain before coming to a stop.

My gaze takes in the rose bushes and ivy climbing the white bricks all the way up to the black shingle roof. Breathtaking. Even in the dark, the beauty can’t be hidden.

My handler clears his throat, and I stop gawking. It has to be a big house to fit thirty omegas even on scent-blocking pills and lotion. Turning my attention to the small man across from me, I lift an eyebrow.

“Ready for the cameras?”

I glance back at the brightly lit windows, some girls and guys gather in them, watching the limo from the inside. They are obviously some of the omegas that arrived before me. I recognize some of them from the banquet hall. I smooth the same white dress they had me wear in my interview down over my legs as nerves race like a wild herd of horses through my body. Are horses called herds? Are they just called horses ?

My handler clears his throat again, and I want to ask him if he’s coming down with something. “Time for your grand entrance.” It isn’t a question this time.

I nod anyway, shifting my attention back to the mansion. The camera’s red light flickers on, and I know it’s show time. I paste on a smile, seconds before the air in my lungs evaporates and the world freezes. My gaze lands on the alphas waiting for me to exit the limo. The Rafe Carson, his curly hair styled to perfection, stands at the end of the walkway. The fabric of his suit draped over his broad shoulders, accentuating the strength beneath it. He moves just like he did on the dance floor, with fluid almost sensual movements as he shifts on his heels. His tie is loose as if he feels trapped, and he wears a plastic smile on his face.

He doesn’t want to be here. I can feel it in my bones. That makes two of us.

“No. This isn’t happening.” I point at him through the dark window. “That is Rafe Carson!”

My handler laughs nervously. “And his pack mates—Miles Abbott and Elliott Ray.”

“I—I can’t do this—” I say. No power on this green earth can get me out of this limo.

He presses a com in his ear. “We have a situation.”

It’s a disaster, not a situation. A situation could be fixed. This is more like a tornado bearing down on me ready to toss me into Oz, like Dorthy. Only I don’t have ruby slippers or a dog.

“Shelly wants to speak with you.” He presses a button on his earpiece and then holds out his cell. I stare at it in horror like it’s going to bite me. He covers the speaker, giving me a pleading look. “Please.”

I nod at the camera still filming. “Turn that off.”

The cameraman hesitates until my handler tilts his head at the guy. Then he flips it off, the red light blinking once before disappearing.

I flick my eyes down to the phone and hold out my hand.

“I’m not doing this,” I tell her.

“Sweetheart, I know it’s a shock. But you have to. Your introduction video is already on all the socials. There’s been millions of views and thousands of comments. This is your redemption arc, a chance to rewrite your past.”

Millions?

“Shelly,” I say, my mouth dry and palms sweaty. I lower my voice. “I threw up all over that man out there. There is only one way this ends, and it’s with my humiliation.”

“No, Lilah, viewers are rooting for you. They want you to have a second chance.”

It is more likely they are ready for the ensuing drama. Because if they have my video up on the internet, I know they have the alphas too.

I glance back at the men. One of them shifts and looks at his watch before murmuring something to Rafe. The other watches the limo with curiosity, his hands clasped behind his back. Waiting attentively for me to open the door. I don’t know who his pack mates are, so I don’t know which one is Elliott and which one is Miles. Only that they are as fucking attractive as him. It should be a crime.

“Shelly, I don’t think you understand.” Pure fear rolls through me. I can’t do this. My grip on the phone tightens until I’m sure I’m going to break it.

“Sweetheart, I do. You’re afraid. It’s only natural in your situation.”

I nod as if she can see me, then her words sink in. “What do you mean in my situation?”

She sighs, and I can hear it through the line. “You thought you were going to be bonded a few short months ago. And the way that alpha treated you, it’s understandable that you would be afraid.”

“You keep saying that. I’m not afraid.” I can feel my molars grinding together as what she’s saying settles into me.

As if to prove her words wrong, I toss the phone back at the guy and push open the door. The cameraman rushes to flip the camera back on as I step out in one smooth motion, channeling my inner Ashlyn. Because if anyone could do this, my sister could. I have tunnel vision as I stride toward the alphas. I just need to get this over with.

I pause in front of them, putting on my best smile for the cameras. “Fancy meeting you here,” I say looking directly at Rafe. Rip the fucking bandaid off. The internet’s already going to have a field day with me on this show with Rafe as one of the stars.

Rafe squints at me, as if he can’t tell I’m the same girl that expelled the contents of her alcohol-filled stomach all over him three weeks ago. Then I see it, the recognition, as it flashes deep in his golden eyes.

“I’m Lilah,” I add. “We didn’t get that far the first time.”

“You know each other?” the alpha with vivid blue eyes and day-old scruff gracing his sculpted too-beautiful face asks out the side of his mouth.

Rafe shrugs and shoves his hands into his pockets as he watches me warily. “No.”

I give him a funny look and then focus on his pack mates, who up-close-and-personal are so panty-melting worthy, I almost forget what words are when my eyes land on the second one.

Dark eyes peer back at me with the same curiosity he had while I was still in the limo. His light hair catches the light of the fairy lights in the trees above their heads. And if I hadn’t sworn off alphas and love, I could believe I am half in love with the man with a single look. I hope the cameras caught that wistful look because they wouldn’t be getting many out of me.

“Lilah, beautiful name for a beautiful omega,” he says smoothly. I almost laugh, but I manage to hold it in. “I’m Elliott, and this is Miles.”

Don’t be awkward. Don’t be awkward . I open my mouth to say, nice meeting you, I’ll see you inside when what comes out is anything but those words. “I bet when the omegas scent your musk they climb you like a tree.”

A surprised laugh pops out of him as he glances at his friends. His face lights up with merriment. Rafe narrows his eyes at me, and Miles tilts his head, watching me like I’m from a circus side show and he isn’t sure if he should be amused or horrified.

I snap my mouth shut, heat flares up my neck to my cheeks, and I shake my head mutely, gesturing at the door behind them. They step aside as one unit, and I hurry past.

“See you inside, Lilah,” Elliott murmurs after me, making my whole body feel funny. That’s not a feeling I ever had with Jared.