Page 29 of Broken Harmony
“We will not lie and tell the world we’re a pack. That’s where I draw the line.” He stands firm.
There’s a sick satisfaction that runs down my spine at watching Julia go stiff at the command. She grinds her jaw, nostrils flaring. “Watch yourself, boy,” she growls. “But fine,” she huffs. “We don’t put out any official statement, but let the fans believe what they want.” She waves him off. I can see the way his body tenses; he fucking hates it. So do I. The way she blatantly dismisses us like it’s no big deal.
“And Ally gets a personal guard,” Ryker insists. “With the tour coming up, and her popularity rising, she needs it.”
“Fine, fine,” she huffs, rolling her eyes. “I was actually in the process of hiring one anyway,” she says, as if to take credit for the idea. I call bullshit. “I’ll make sure I have someone by the end of the concert.”
“Actually, I know someone who would be perfect. No offense, but Ally means a lot to us, and we want her safe with someonewetrust,” Skyler says.
Julia glares at him, but thankfully doesn’t argue. “Fine,” she growls. “Now go. You have a sound check in thirty.” She turns around on her heel and storms away.
“I fucking hate that woman,” Tyson growls.
“Why the hell is she our manager again?” Ryker asks. “You sure you can’t go to your uncle and ask him to fire her? I’m sure if you tell him how much of a witch she is, he’ll do it.”
I shoot him a blank look, and he sighs, knowing I hate going to my uncle for any sort of special treatment. Plus, if I get her fired, god knows what she’s going to do in retaliation.
“We have two years left with her. Once her contract is up, we can go to the label and tell them as much as we appreciate how far she got us in this career, we’re looking for something new and fresh to see where else we can take our talents.” I try to spin the subject in a more positive direction. “Why not see how much we can get out of her while we’re stuck with her?” It's not like she’s not using us to line her pockets with money.
“I like how you think, Spitfire.” Skyler grins. “Plus, by the time she’s done with her contract, you're going to be so damn big, you can fire and hire whoever you want. Because your contract is up with the label when hers is.” He smirks.
He’s right.Huh. I’ve never really thought about it like that.
“Fair point.” I smirk back.
I also never really thought about going with any other label. It’s not my uncle's fault that one of his employees is a dirty snake. And I know if he knew what she was doing, he would have fired her in a second.
I fucking hate that I can’t say anything.
While I put on a brave face, smile, and do my best to enjoy what life has given me, it doesn’t take away the fact that every time she uses her Alpha bark to control me, I feel like I lose a piece of myself. It leaves me feeling dirty, used, and violated. I have to shower in steaming hot water just to get the crawling sensation off my skin.
The guys don’t know this, but I’ve developed a bit of a fear of Alphas, more or less, and what my future with them might become. I have two more years until my heat is supposed to set in, and just because no other Alpha has tried to take advantage of me in that way apart from Julia, doesn’t mean they won’t at that time.
I’ve heard the stories of feral Alphas, losing control at one whiff of an Omega’s perfume, their slick, and demanding that they do everything their instincts urge them to do and say.
I’d be at their mercy. And I’ve never been so terrified at the thought.
This is why I’ve decided I’ll be doing my heats alone until I find a pack I know and trust.
I’ve thought about asking the guys, because I trust them with my life. But that’s a line we can’t cross. I don’t think I’d ever be able to look at them the same if we did.
No, I won’t risk what we have, the trust and relationship we’ve built, by using them for sex. I’ll use toys. I’ll be okay.
It’s two years away. It’s not something to worry about right now.
“So, you just magically know someone who can be my own personal bodyguard?” I ask once we’re in the green room. Ithrow myself onto the couch, groaning as I lift my feet up and onto the coffee table. These damn heels are killing me, but damn do they make me look hot as fuck.
“I do.” Skyler smirks. “He’s never been a personal bodyguard, but he’s been working for a security company for a bit now. He’s good at his job, and I know he will do whatever he can to make sure you're safe.”
“Yeah?” I ask, raising a brow. “How do you know that?”
“Because he’s my big brother.” Skyler grins.
That catches my attention.
“Your brother? Really?”
He nods. “Liam. He’s twenty-four and just graduated from Calling Wood University. He’s looking to start over and make something of his life.” Skyler rubs the back of his head. “But there’s kind of an issue.”
