Page 73 of Our Deceptive Heat

“You think I haven’t noticed you all flirting? The touches and looks? You’re sleeping with them, and when he finds out, and he will, you’re going to be in big trouble, Beta Raines.”

I wince at the sneer of my fake designation. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Yeah, keep telling yourself that. But let’s face it, Auryn, you have nothing. I’ve got your job, your father. The world respects me, it knows me, and soon, I will have your band. You’re not even in my league.”

I laugh lightly. “If you weren’t threatened, you wouldn’t have spewed that entire tirade out. You have it all because Typhor Raines gave it to you so he could get his dick wet without the stress of going somewhere to find anyone. My father isn’t going to keep you. You aren’t special. No one is. And I might be no one and nothing and perhaps not even in your league, but I am a Raines, and I have one thing you are seriously lacking: talent.”

Tara reaches out, putting her hand over mine, digging her nails in. I refuse to flinch, even as she increases the pressure.

“I’m going to destroy you.”

“Go ahead and try.”

“Tara, what the hell is this secret signing?” Tony barks out, bustling up between us. “You can’t just create signing events without letting the manager know.”

“I’m sorry ,Tony, didn’t you get my email? It was a last-minute thing,” Tara purrs.

“I don’t care if it was last minute. You email, and if you don’t hear from me, you call. I do not hear about signing events from my band. You contact me. What even is your job? Aren’t you just supposed to be the songwriter? Why are you organising signings?”

Tara stands up taller. “I am the songwriter, choreographer, band liaison, and marketing director.”

I cast her a quick look. Well, that’s new. Looks like my father has decided to reject my proposal of shifting the band’s image darker and more adult. He’s replacing me, he just hasn’t got around to letting me know.

Why am I not surprised?

They leave me, and I look back towards the pack, finally allowing myself this small moment of weakness, only to find Envy staring at me from the back. He’s not signing anything, but his eyes are on me. He looks worried. I give him a reassuring smile.

But it doesn’t feel reassuring. It feels brittle and like this house of cards is about to collapse.

Chapter twenty-three

Mako

Can you smell myshame?- Mathew ‘Mako’ Fate

Ryn is in my arms when I wake up. We’re on the far end of the bed, with Tyr and Digs closest to the door, and Envy beside her. I have a hold of her breast, and without thought, I flex. Her ass rolls into me, making me hiss.

I’m hard, so fucking hard.

I skate a hand down over her soft belly and cup her cunt gently as I lean in closer and kiss her ear.

“Wake up, Ryn.”

She moans, but her hips keep a steady pace, and soon, my fingers are sopping wet. I let out a growl. Tyr makes a sound, and I frown. The combination of our scents are thick in the air, but the beach, Tyr’s oak, and Digs’ almonds is thicker, hiding any sweet scent. I lick a trail over her salty, sweet skin.

I don’t want to share her.

I get up and pick her up, moving to the other side of the room, where, in the dark shadows, there is an armchair. In two seconds, I’ve dropped my pajama bottoms and torn the flimsy lace panties off her.

I stand up straight and find her eyes on me.

“Are you going to scream for help?”

She smiles, I can just see the white of her teeth, then shakes her head.

“Good, Omega, come and get on this cock. It’s been lonely and missing you.”

I sit down and watch as the shadowy figure of this omega straddles my lap and sinks down onto my cock.

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