Page 18 of Rescued By Four Alphas
"This is what happens when we let shifters live among us. Disgusting animal behavior."
"Bet the babies aren't even his. She's probably sleeping with all of them. #SlutDoctor"
Rita, our manager, paces across the studio lounge. Her heels click against the hardwood floor in a rhythm that matches my pounding headache.
"We need to address this," she says, tapping furiously on her tablet. "The longer we stay silent, the worse it gets."
"What exactly am I supposed to say?" I throw my phone onto the couch. "That I'm in love with a woman who happens to be bonded to three other men? That we're having babies together? The truth sounds crazier than their fucked-up theories."
Marcus puts a hand on my shoulder. "Maybe we should postpone the album release."
"No fucking way." I shake off his hand. "I won't let these assholes derail everything we've worked for."
Luke drops onto the couch beside me. "Have you seen Twitter? Some of your fans are defending you, at least."
He holds up his phone to show me:
"Leave Axl alone! His personal life is none of our business! #StandWithAxl"
"I don't care who he loves or how many babies he has. The music is what matters! #ExedraForever"
But for every supportive comment, there are ten hateful ones.
Derek slams his drumsticks against the table. "This is exactly what I was afraid would happen. Our comeback album drops in three weeks, and now all anyone wants to talk about is your freaky relationship."
"Watch it," I warn.
"No, you watch it." Derek stands, pointing his drumstick at me. "We've busted our asses for this album. Two years of work, and now it's all going down the drain because you couldn't keep your dick in your pants."
Rita steps between us. "That's enough, Derek."
"No, let him finish." I stand up, facing Derek across the room. "Say what you need to say."
Derek throws his hands up. "You want me to spell it out? Fine. You fucked up, Axl. You got involved with some Omega scientist who already had three other dudes, and now she's knocked up with a litter of pups. Our tour is about to start, and you'll be changing diapers instead of performing."
"I'll be there for the tour," I say through gritted teeth.
"Will you? Because from where I stand, it looks like you've chosen her over the band." Derek paces, gesturing wildly. "Do you have any idea what this is doing to our reputation? To our brand? People are canceling pre-orders. Venues are getting nervous."
Marcus steps forward. "Derek, man, calm down…"
"No, I won't calm down!" Derek slams his hand on the table. "I'm not going to watch everything we've built get destroyed because Axl couldn't resist sticking his dick in some whore."
My vision goes red. Before I know what's happening, my fist connects with Derek's jaw. He stumbles backward, knocking over a chair.
"Don't you ever talk about her again," I snarl.
Derek touches his split lip, his eyes wide with shock. "You hit me."
"And I'll do it again if you say another word about Dahlia."
Marcus grabs my arm and yanks me back. "That's enough!"
Luke jumps between us. "Both of you, cool it!"
Derek spits blood onto the floor. "Fuck you, Axl. She's turned you into a fucking animal."
I lunge for him again, but Marcus and Luke hold me back.
