Page 132 of Our Deceptive Heat

I turn towards him, startled.

“In just a minute, but first, we have a song we wrote. I’d appreciate a few minutes of your time while we give this wonderful omega the apology she really deserves.”

I watch with tears as they sing a song of poignant yearning. The sweet words of sorrowful apology tell me more than all the fights and gifts could have. This is my language.

By the time the song draws to a close, I completely understand them.

Tyr drags me up to his side and hugs me close.

“Now, let’s sing Ryn’s songs the way they were supposed to be sung.”

“Tyr, I don’t think-”

“Sing!” Mako shouts.

“Sing!” Envy says.

The crowd picks it up, and soon, I’m standing in a group of thirty people, listening to them demand I sing. I start to laugh, but then I spot Kelly, Ezy, and Gael. They stayed. I put a hand to my heart and smile at my cousin.

He smiles at me and mouths the word ‘sing’.

I reach for the microphone, take a deep breath in, and let the notes come out. The silence is deafening until Envy’s raspy voice joins mine.

Digs starts playing a guitar, while Tyr walks around with a tambourine adding to the chorus. Mako works his small drum set like it's a full set up. It’s a small concert, one the likes no one has ever seen.

It’s magic.

It’s our magic.

Chapter forty-two

Ryn

Some fears don’t age,they endure and collapse my soul- Ryn Raines

I head down to the restaurant to grab a coffee for my walk, with a smile on my lips. I can’t believe I’m this happy, the feeling just eclipses everything, and I find myself almost bouncing. Lyrics roll through my head, and the urge to break out into song is terrible, completely horrifying, and so, so lovely.

What a difference a couple of days can make. This place has turned from a nice home away from home to a paradise I don’t want to leave.

As long as they are with me.

I left them sleeping in the enormous bed, but I’m too restless to sleep, so I thought I’d take a walk, go up to the cliffs, and look at the ocean.

We won’t be staying here. I know it, it’s lovely, but now that we’re a pack, we’ll be heading back to the city and I just want to exist here for a little bit longer.

Pretend that we don’t have to face everything yet.

The lifts slide open, and I step out, my thongs slapping the hotel lobby floor and making me smile.

I glance at the reception desk and see it empty. I pause, studying the empty chair. The hairs on my neck lift, and I’m suddenly struck by a feeling of wrongness.

“Where are the staff?” I whisper.

All my instincts tell me not to move, but I can’t stay here. There’s always someone at the desk. My heart rate picks up, and I shift my body slightly, turning to get a look at the restaurant. My stress increases when I realise that the normally bustling business is empty.

This is bad.

Several scenarios push into my mind, but I shove them out. I glance around again, searching for someone, anyone. But when I fail to find a single soul, I take a step back, unsure. I feel like a hunted animal. There is a sweet scent on the air that I don’t like, it’s sickly like toffee and icing.

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