Page 58 of Omega on Fire

Then something remarkable happened. I ordered her forward and she came willingly. Instead of shockor disgust or confusion, understanding washed over her face. She stepped inside the room and closed the door behind her.

What followed wasn’t just sex, it was a communion of souls. The way she joined us, touching Josiah with a tenderness that matched my intensity. The way she understood instinctively what he needed, what we both needed. No jealousy, no hesitation, just three people connecting in the most primal way.

“Fuck this tie,” I growl, snapping back to the present.

Joker laughs and steps forward. “Let me.”

His nimble fingers make quick work of what I’ve been struggling with for fifteen minutes.

“How the hell did Beaux manage to get us all fitted for these in less than forty-eight hours?” I ask, watching Josiah’s reflection as he works.

“It’s Motley,” Joker says simply, as if that explains everything. And honestly, it does.

Beaux is a box of surprises that continues to baffle me, even after all these years. The man who can break someone’s neck without blinking also apparently has connections with high-end tailors who will drop everything for a rush job.

Moses appears in the doorway, already dressed,looking like he stepped off a magazine cover. “Charlotte’s almost ready. You two presentable yet?”

“Just finishing up,” I say as Josiah steps back to admire his handiwork with my bow tie. Perfect.

I turn to face the room, adjusting my cuffs. “Tonight, we stay alert. Charlotte will be in the spotlight, and we don’t know who might be there.”

“Perimeter’s covered,” Moses confirms. “I have six trusted contacts working security.”

“I’ve hacked into the venue’s surveillance,” Joker adds, his earlier anxiety replaced with focused determination. “I’ll be monitoring everything from my phone.”

The sound of heels on hardwood makes us all turn toward the hallway. And then Charlotte appears, and all the air leaves my lungs.

She’s stunning in a deep burgundy gown that hugs every curve, her hair swept up to reveal the graceful line of her neck. Her eyes meet mine, and I see a flash of heat there, a reminder of what we shared earlier today.

“You clean up nice, Trigger,” she says with a smile that holds secrets.

“You’re beautiful,” I respond, the words inadequate but sincere.

What I don’t say is that I’m falling for her. Hardand fast in a way I never expected. What happened between us and Josiah earlier solidified something I’d been feeling since I first laid eyes on her—she belongs with us. With our pack. With me.

Her Omega Rights Activist profile puts her in the spotlight tonight and all I want is to shelter her from whatever dangers might be lurking. But I know she’s not the type to hide. So instead, I’ll be by her side, ready to face whatever comes our way.

“Let’s go make some rich assholes uncomfortable with talks of equality and shit,” I say, offering her my arm.

Her smile widens as she takes it. “My specialty.”

I feel the weight of my concealed weapon against my ribs, a constant reminder of the threats that might be waiting. But tonight, Charlotte will shine, and the Hudson Pack will ensure she does so safely.

Whatever happens at this gala, one thing is certain, we’ll face it together.

CHAPTER 22

JOKER

The Metropolitan Museum of fucking Art. That's where they're holding this circus.

It takes serious clout to shut down the Met for a private event—let alone one hosted by a foundation as disingenuously titled as the Solomon Foundation for Alpha/Omega Harmony. The name alone makes my skin crawl. There's nothing harmonious about what these people really want. They dress it up in philanthropy, but underneath the sequins and champagne. It's control. Containment. Compliance. The same bullshit wrapped in a prettier package.

And tonight, they've rolled out the red carpet for Charlotte.

I don't like it. Not one damn bit.

"Earbuds in," I murmur to the team as we exit theblack SUV. The red carpet stretches out before us like a velvet noose. My fingers twitch with the urge to be back behind my monitors. "Comms on channel two. Confirm."

---