Page 55 of Your Wild Omega

I add the fund name Rose sent me and lean into Zack, who puts his arm protectively around my shoulder, rumbling with unease. More cameras click. More awareness means more alphas helped.

The reporter looks from me to Zack, lips quivering as he processes. I thought journalists were quick on their feet, but it appears this situation has him stumped.

He blinks free of his paralysis. “That’s very altruistic of you.”

I shake my head. “No, it’s about saving lives.”

Rickon steps up and rests his hand on my back. “The line’s moving,” he whispers.

I nod and farewell the reporter. He tries to call me back, but I’m pretty sure Rickon’s going for the “leave them unsatisfied” tactic. Curiosity hooked the media. That was Lola’s strategy in the movieCamera Shywhen she wanted her photographer friend to get famous.

I want to be a film star, yes, but the bigger this story gets, the more awareness we’ll raise for the abandoned fighting alphas.

Another limousine sidles up the drive and ushers out an actor I recognize from theCrime Scene SquadTV series. A shiver of excitement trickles under the skin on my bare arms, raising goosebumps.

The men and women on-screen helped me survive the horrors of the House of Bitches and taught me how to function in a society I had no access to. I never could have broken out of the Omega Center to find my alphas without theAlpha Spymovies, or figured out how to dress to impress without theOmega Goes Outreality show. They offered me inspiration and hope amid the violent horrors I endured.

And now it’s my turn. I’m finally walking the same red carpet as my heroes.

I’ll hide it for as long as I can, but one day, girls are going to learn about the shadows in my past, and they’ll see it’s possible to overcome anything. Those Bitch fuckers won’t hold me back.

The thought leads me straight to Callisto, who’s trying to put them behind bars. I want that. Once I swore to destroy the alpha who forced me through my heats. I haven’t forgotten my anger—it’s just that anger leads straight toher:the version of Red I can’t control.

Zack crowds into me, peering down with a concerned expression.

I swivel and rise to kiss him, reassuring us both. “I’m okay,” I murmur. “Today’s not the day to be distracted, is it?” Cameras flash around us, immortalizing the wild alpha’s loving concern for the chaos tumbling through our bond.

The line ahead of us moves, opening up the main staged area with the film festival logos. I know Rickon planned to stay behind me, but I don’t want to experience this moment without him. I wrap my arm around his waist and propel him forwardas I step into the limelight. We wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for him.

“Wait, Red—” Rickon protests.

Ignoring him, I swing us to face the press, and the smile on my lips isn’t faked at all. I wouldn’t have made it this far without my sweetheart alpha. I don’t intend to leave him behind for even a second.

Lights flash everywhere and I grin. My moment in the spotlight has come and it’s fucking amazing.

After a few different poses with cameras snapping all around us, Rickon guides me in through the open doors to where the crowded opening gala is getting warmed up. Arm in arm with him, I catch the precise instant when his entire body tenses and his steps falter.

I follow his gaze across the floor and lock eyes with a blonde actress wearing a sparkling midnight blue dress. Her oily gaze slides down my body, and then her head snaps up, a look of fury marring her pretty features.

“Lyra,” Rickon mumbles.

Oh, no wonder she looks familiar. She’s the twat who dared to fire my alpha.

Chapter twenty-one

Rickon

I’ve been to many red-carpet events as an actor’s manager, but this is completely different. I would have been perfectly happy to shadow Red and watch her shine, but instead she pulled me to her side in the spotlight.

And I didn’t recognize how much I wanted to be acknowledged until this moment.

Charisma. It’s a trait that can’t be taught, and Red has it by the truckload. She’s someone who’s hard to look away from on a regular day, and now she’s dolled up with a stunning dress hugging every curve, transforming her into a blazing sun. I’m certain hearts are being lost by the dozens.

Which makes me glow with pride because she’s mine. And Red looks so happy. She deserves every second of this.

But the finicky actress across the parquetry flooring looks like she wants to destroy this precious moment of ours.

It would be naive of me to think Red wouldn’t face any conflict. I know better. The only people who love rising stars aredirectors. Otherwise, it’s a cliquey world full of fake smiles and knives in the back.

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