Page 23 of Omega Rock

“Great.” I move toward the door again. “Thank you again for letting us crash here, Aiden. I’ll send you guys some stuff when I’m home.”

And then I leave. I walk out of Aiden’s apartment, hop into the elevator, and walk out into the parking lot to find my car already there. The guys must have gone back out and slowly brought all the cars back. But my keys were in my bag in Aiden’s room…

Leo.

I inhale slowly. An omega in heat like that, surrounded by alphas, can go so poorly.Hasgone poorly for so many omegas over the years.

But these alphas were absolute gentlemen.

Tears prick my eyes. For so long, music took precedence over all my omega instincts. Now I’m facing both of these paths head-on and hoping I can manage them both.

What if wedidmake a pack? So many omegas go their whole lives without finding scent matches. What if two of my favorite musicians of all time and a brilliant bassist from Juilliardaremy fated pack?

What if we also make and release an amazing record and place our mark on the music industry?

So many beautiful what-ifs stare me down as I stare at my car. Hope, anticipation, excitement—they all stir within me in the same exact place in my throat that fulfillment and inspiration sit when I’m performing.

But there’s also fear. Because nothing good I have ever stays.

Because this, all of this, is sonew. It’s so fragile.

My legs begin to quake. I need to get on the road before my thighs are coated in slick again. And I desperately need a shower to just wash all of this away.

I unlock my car, hop into the driver’s seat, and throw my bag into the back. As I start my car, I catch sight of my reflection in the mirror.

I’m smiling so wide, with blushed cheeks and hopeful eyes despite it all.

I pull out of the apartment complex and drive to the highway. Any other omega in heat would’ve run back to her scent matches and begged to be taken care of. But I don’t. I can’t. But I also can’t stop thinking about Aiden’s green eyes and Leo’s strong hands and Noah’s roguish charm.

Ten minutes after I hop on the highway—although it feels like forever already as my slick slips free and my head begins feeling feverish—I call Sable.

Her voice crackles over my speakers. “Girl!” Accusatory and questioning all at once.

“I know,” I plead, “I’m sorry. Last night took an interesting turn.”

A pause, then she asks, “Interesting?”

I tell Sable everything. About dinner at Al’s, about my heat starting, about staying at Aiden’s apartment and Leoattendingto me.

“Leo Altis had hisfingers inside you?” Sable squeals so loudly I’m convinced the drivers around me can hear despite all of us having our windows up. “Girl!”

I swallow hard. “I know, but it can’t happen again. It won’t.”

“Why the hell not?” Sable asks. “You’re scent matches, youshouldbe together. You should turn around right now and beg them to aid you through this heat?”

Walls press down in my mind. Compartmentalizing is the only way forward. “No, Sable. Exit Fate comes first before anything else.”

“They’reExit Fate,” she presses. “They’re literally the other members of the band with you, Mia.”

“Work and play don’t mix well,” I argue. “You literally said to not screw this up. Me walking away from them this morning is me not screwing this up.”

It’s also dooming me to dealing with this heat solo, which so far isnotgoing well. My thighs press together. I’m so feverish throughout my entire body.

“I meant your drinking,” Sable says coolly. “Which, need I remind you, is exactly why you’re in heat right now.”

“Yeah, I’m fucking aware.” My tone is sharper than needed, but luckily, Sable isn’t intimidated.

“Are you headed home now?” she asks.

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