Knot My Band, Part One (Knot My Band #1)

Oli

OMEGA BUZZ GOSSIP COLUMN

OLI HART- OMEGA ROCKSTAR OR SECRET ALPHA?

March 18th

S team curls around me as I step out of the bathroom. I’m showered and in fresh clothes with no trace of my scent. My bright pink mini skirt compliments my rose-colored hair with a black halter top sitting between them.

Once I put on my combat boots, I will have the typical Hart look. This is perfect for meeting the people who could be my new band.

I hum to myself, practicing the scales that have become second nature, each note bending and twisting under my command. The acoustics of the empty room amplify my voice. My fingers tap against the countertop, keeping time with the melody that spills from my lips.

A shiver of nervousness dances down my spine, but I push it away, replacing it with the sunshine optimism that has always been my armor. I’m good at what I do; hell, I’m great at it.

The sound of footsteps approaching snaps me out of my reverie. They’re here. The thud of boots against the floor grows louder, each step echoing in rhythm with my rapidly beating heart.

The door swings open, and Trevor strides in, his presence slicing through the tension I’ve been stewing in. His eyes land on me, a flicker of sympathy—or is it encouragement?—passing over his features before he steps aside.

“, meet The Edge,” he says, gesturing to the figures looming in the doorway. His voice carries the weight of his managerial authority. “Gents, this is Hart.”

Excitement thrums through me when they come into the room. I know who The Edge is, and I’m a fan of their music. I’ve met their lead singer, May Thornton, before, and she was insane. It made me want to dislike them, but their music was too good.

“Hey,” I offer with a smile, trying to keep the flirtatious edge that’s become second nature to me on stage.

They’re a wall of muscle and brooding energy. Their silence is heavy and expectant. I’m not sure what’s going on right now.

“Nice to meet you,” I add, but it feels like I’m tossing words into a void. There’s no warmth from them, only a cool assessment that makes me feel unwanted.

I have to bite back a whine from my omega, who feels rejected.

I’m waiting for them to say their names, but instead, they just stare at me. Their alpha energy radiates from each of them, drawing me in, but I can’t scent them.

I have to hope my scent-canceling soap means they can’t smell me, either.

Trevor clears his throat, clearly sensing the awkwardness. “ Hart is in need of a new band, and you four need a new lead singer. I know your music isn’t identical, but we believe the combination will make fans go crazy.”

“That sounds great to me!” I try, making eye contact with the alpha with white hair.

He gives me a small smile in return, and I feel like I’ve won something.

“Let’s start with names,” Trevor says. He points to the one with white hair, a strong jawline, and a sexy smirk. “This is Jack Hansley, who plays guitar.”

I get a nod from him before Trevor moves over to the huge one with spiky black hair. It’s the kind of hair you want to run your fingers through just to see if it’s as wild to the touch as it looks. “Aiden Adams plays the keyboard.”

“Chase Sullivan,” Chase is tall and lean with wavy, light, sandy brown hair and smoldering green eyes. “Who’s on drums.”

“And lastly, Dax Grey, who plays bass.” Dax has dark brown hair, a strong jawline, and intense hazel eyes. He’s glaring at me.

“Well, it’s really nice to meet all of you.”

I can’t help but glance at the alphas: leather jackets, tattoos peeking from beneath sleeves, expressions ranging from indifferent to mildly amused. None show the slightest hint of enthusiasm about my pop-rock-infused tracks, which have been labeled as too ‘mainstream’ by hardcore rock purists.

“We aren’t doing this,” Dax says, turning to Trevor.

“We agreed to listen, Dax!” Chase slaps Dax’s stomach.

“Right,” I say slowly, my voice steady despite my excitement faltering, slipping through my fingers like sand.

“It’s just that we don’t think our sounds will mesh, and we don’t want to go from having our own tour to playing backup for you,” Jack explains .

I nod, turning to Trevor. “They’re right. The Edge is much too big to play backup for me.”

Chase and Jack look at me in shock, then smile.

“Thanks, beautiful,” Chase whispers.

“They won’t be back up. The label wants to combine you. We will add part of their set to the beginning of what’s already planned for .”

“Part?” Dax asks, annoyed.

Trevor gives him a stern look, losing his patience. “You boys are nowhere near as successful as . This is a huge opportunity. One the label won’t let you turn down.”

All four of their eyes narrow at Trevor.

“What does that mean?” Jack asks, gritting his teeth.

“It means the label won’t be putting any more resources into the four of you if you won’t take the opportunities you’re given.”

“Trevor-” I start, wanting to defend them.

“No, . You’re going to be soft on them, but this is a sacrifice that the label is asking from you. They should be trying to impress you, not act like you’re less than them. I won’t stand for it.” This is the Trevor who makes stars, not someone you want to mess with.

I can see the shift in their demeanor and I know they can see the end of their careers if they mess this up. I feel horrible for them.

“Maybe we should see if we even have chemistry as a band before we get into threats,” I say, grabbing Trevor’s arm.

All four of their gazes turn to me, some grateful and some blank.

“Fine. Go play ‘Making You Cry,’” Trevor demands.

It’s one of my biggest songs, but the blank faces staring back at me tell me one thing. They don’t know it.

Ouch. For some reason, that’s the thing that hurts me the most.

I swallow the whine that wants to escape and instead save them.

“How about ‘Nothing Left,’” I suggest. It’s one of their biggest songs.

Jack, Aiden, and Chase’s eyes light up.

“Sounds great, thanks, beautiful,” Chase says with a huge smile.

“Don’t think I didn’t see what just happened. You’re too nice, , and these damn boys better see that,” Trevor snaps.

Trevor pulls the four of them outside, leaving me wondering what’s happening.