Chapter
Thirty-Three
Lana
My stomach turned as I watched the video that had been circulating today. One of the biggest influencers in sports news was talking about us.
She flashed through the pictures: me looking wretched, my old pack sporting bruises and swollen faces, and then back to my new pack.
She was painting them as dangerous and saying I was unsafe with them.
I was getting really fucking tired of everyone having an opinion about my life without a single shred of the truth.
I stopped the video and stormed downstairs. Of course, I didn’t even make it to the kitchen before I heard the same video playing there. The guys were all huddled around it, and when they looked up, they looked defeated.
“So not only are we battling this whole push to get deltas removed,” Mason said. “Now we’re being painted as abusers.”
There was no playfulness left on my delta’s face, and it made me furious that the world had taken that from him.
“I’m going to have to make a video. I have to do something,” I said. “I have to talk. They need to know the truth. I don’t care if it paints my exes in a bad light. I also don’t care if it paints the AHA in a bad light. The truth needs to come out. This can’t keep happening.”
“I actually think I might have a solution,” Kieran said. “My cousin Roxie is an incredible journalist. She’s done some amazing work, but she recently started her own entertainment forum. It’s not just geared toward omegas but packs, and every designation has their own spaces within it. She’s extremely unbiased and very honest. She won’t hold back. I vote you let her interview you. She can use her platform to spread the word, and we can all spread it around.”
“Call her,” I demanded, already convinced.
He didn’t hesitate, swiping away from the video and tapping his phone. He put it on speaker.
“Hey, Kieran,” a raspy female voice answered. “I was wondering when I’d hear from you.”
“My omega and our pack are under fire. She needs to say her piece before it escalates even more. Are you interested?”
“Are you kidding me? Hell yes, I’m interested. I knew there was so much more to this story than what they’re showing.”
“I’ve got a new place,” he said. “If you want to swing by for dinner, we’ll feed you, then you two can talk.”
“I’m talking toallof you,” she countered. “But I’m in. Send me the address.”
“Done.”
They exchanged quick goodbyes, and then Kieran looked back at us.
“She’ll be here at five, and she’s demanding steak,” he said, shaking his head as he read over the texts. “One thing about Roxie is that she knows what she wants.”
Oddly enough, I didn’t feel intimidated. This was exactly what I needed. Someone who wouldn’t hold back, who would ask the right questions. It would save me from myself.
“I’ll put in a quick grocery order,” I said. “Any suggestions?”
Wilder came over, looking over my shoulder as I pulled up the grocery app, chiming in on sides and offering to make dessert.
Cade and Kieran had just put together the new grill outside, so at least we’d finally have a reason to use it.
The next few hours were a flurry of getting the house ready, specifically clearing out one of the empty offices so we’d have a place for the interview. They set up chairs, a comfortable table, and made sure the kettle and coffee maker were ready to go.
Once the groceries arrived, Wilder got to work making cookies and tiramisu while I made the sides and prepped the meat.
Nerves clawed at my ribs, threatening to rise up my throat, but I swallowed them down. This was the right move.
When the doorbell finally rang, I nearly jumped out of my skin. Kieran pressed a kiss to my forehead, and not for the first time, I wished we were bonded so I could feel their reassurance.
