Page 99 of Our Deceptive Heat

All the dreams, the ones my father hated so much. No daughter of his was going to be like Chile Raines. “A singer,” he says, and his lips curl at me in that familiar hated sneer.

The vibe is intoxicating. I’m drunk on the excitement, drugged on the atmosphere. Every song they play only strengthens the bond. It guides the excitement higher; it pushes them into a frenzy. The music thuds through my veins and pounds in the racing beats of my heart.

I feel like I’m on another planet, another world. All I can see is the bouncing mass, screaming the lyrics. Screaming my lyrics!

They bounce and call, scream and cry, on and on. Dressed to attract, dressed to show how much they love them. Glow sticks in hands, one in thousands, desperately waving to be seen.

It infects me, and I find myself whistling and singing along with the words, then screaming them as I laugh and lose myself. The girl beside me grabs my arm, and for amoment, we dance together, screaming the lyrics of Angel to each other. I laugh as she turns away, shifting in the crowd as it swallows and eats her up.

Lights flash, and I get a good look up at Fate’s Choice doing what they do best. They look like magic up there. The new branding looks incredible. The slightly edgier look and styling has paid off. On the big screens, the camera pans to Envy as he puts his back against Tyr and croons at him.

The crowd goes wild. I’m so fucking proud of them.

My dream is really going to come true! I can’t believe this. Tomorrow, that will be me, and I will have them.

I can’t wait for them to unveil the new song. It’s going to be epic and will go perfectly with the band’s new look. My stomach twists in knots, but I know it’s going to be fine. This song is something special. I check the microphone again, making sure it hasn’t been bumped or dislodged. The light glows on the pack, showing that it’s active. Tyr will start the song, and I’ll come in on the chorus.

We’ve got it all worked out, and I cannot wait. I’ve never felt this alive before.

The night progresses slowly. I take careful note of the way the crowd is responding, doing my job even if my job is already done. They are really feeling it tonight, and so am I.

I should have done this years ago, it’s so much fun.

At last, we get to the moment. My moment. I wipe my hands on my jeans and stand on my tiptoes, watching intently. I feel like I’ve got a secret that I want to share with the whole world, and I’m ready to burst. I’m so excited to reveal this song.

I’ve worked my way to the front, so I’m right where Tyr can see me, just in front of where he stands on the stage. I can see Tyr so clearly, the sweat on his brow, the way his throat moves as he sings. He is so beautiful, I can’t wait to be up there with him.

Sharing it with the pack I love.

The song should be up next, two songs until the end of the concert. This is the second encore. I bite my lip so hard I think it’s going to leave a mark.

I watch Tyr tease the crowd, wickedly strutting his stuff across the stage. He’s talking, but I can barely hear him. The screams are too loud.

“We’ve got something special for you tonight,” Tyr shouts suddenly, his voice throwing across the roar of the fans. He throws an arm towards Mako.

Mako nods on the big screen behind them. “Something so special.” When he smiles, I imagine that smile is for me and me alone.

I can barely take my eyes off them. I let out a nervous giggle. They are my saviors, and when my song takes off, I know I’ll finally be free.

Free to be with them.

Maybe…maybe something can happen. If they want me.

I can’t believe I found my scent matches. I should have told them. I wonder what they will say when I tell them.

The future is filled with opportunity. And it’s more than I’ve ever had.

Envy returns on stage with an acoustic guitar. It’s the first sign that something is wrong. I frown and go completely still. My mind is jumping to conclusions, but it’s not possible. They wouldn’t. How ridiculous. I trust them, I do.

“This is our new song, the first time we’ve played it anywhere. It’s for a special person who made this all real and true for us.”

I smile in relief. How sweet was that. I feel myself get all melty.

They’re going to play my song. It will be enough to save me. I was freaking out for no reason. Of course, they are going to play my song. They know how much it means to me. They know what will happen to me if they don’t.

Still, my stomach flips nervously while I wait.

I watch as they organise themselves, and then Tyr turns, grabs hold of the microphone, and sways. I glance down at the microphone on my waist and see the lights not on. What? That’s not right.

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