We walk out together—Piper at my right, Elliot at my left, Nolan behind us like an avalanche at rest. At the end of the corridor, I stop and look back. My mother watches us with soft eyes and one hand pressed to her mouth. My father gives us a small, private salute.
I square my shoulders and head for the future, ready to face whatever Raelynn, or the world, throws at us next.
CHAPTER 27
Piper
The giant glasssign that says “REVERIE REST” glares down at me, backlit and sanctimonious, as if the whole music industry is staring and waiting for my next move.
I pause at the threshold, Kellen at my right like a very regal, veryediblesentry, and behind me, Elliot and Nolan, both radiating opposing flavors of bodyguard sternness. I’m flanked by the three most intimidating men I could possibly muster, which would be comforting, except I know Raelynn Roberts has built this place to make even the best feel like idiots.
Reverie Rest’s lobby is designed to remind you who’s really in charge, which today is a joke. Today, the only person in charge is the one who has nothing left to lose.
Spoiler: that’s me.
The receptionist watches our formation stalk in. I try to give her a smile, like,Sorry you have to deal with whatever’s about to happen, but my face is too tight. She buzzes the inner door, not bothering to announce us.
We glide down the silent, plush hallway, footsteps thudding in sync. I think of every time I’ve walked this hallway before: launch parties and emergency album meetings, or that one time early on I was forced to approve a “sexy” photoshoot that endedup being a sad display of fishnets and cheap props. All those times, I walked alone or with Nolan at my side. Now I have a whole pack, and not a single one is on Raelynn’s payroll. The vibe is different. The air tastes better.
Raelynn spots us through the glass walls of her office. She stands as we enter, and carefully studies each of my alphas as if sizing them up. As if they’re the biggest threat here.
That’s funny.
“Raelynn,” I say as she opens her mouth to address me first. “I’m happy you’re here.”
She crosses her arms over her luxury blazer. “Where the hell did you run off to after the festival?”
“Home,” I answer. “To my pack.”
“‘My pack,’” she echoes harshly. “For fuck’s sake, Piper.”
I don’t back down. “Let’s not pretend you don’t know why I’m here. It was you who leaked my omega designation to the press. Which, for the record, is less important to me than the fact it led to this pack being nearly torn apart.”
Raelynn rolls her eyes. “Any press is good press, Piper.”
“Oh, really?” I snap my fingers. “Then why keep me from talking about royal-anything at the festival?”
“Because the focus should be on your next album,” she fires back. “Not your love life.”
“You are literally a walking contradiction who’s only goal is greed.”
Raelynn leans back and presses a hand to her chest. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me.” For the first time, she’s fucking hearing me. And she looks terrified. “To that end, we’re done. You’re not getting this last album from me.”
Raelynn scoffs. “Are you sure you want to be indebted by millions to me?”
“Once my legal team reviews our contract, I’m sure they’ll find you’re in violation of some of your responsibilities.”
Her eyes go wide. She looks to Kellen, who is absolutely the source of my amazing legal team. Kellen’s parents have the best lawyers in the world after all.
“You can’t do that,” Raelynn snarls.
“I can, and I will.” I cross my arms. “I’m not coming back, Raelynn. The next album will be on my own terms. So you can go ahead and cancel whatever you had planned for me after Album Six because none of that is happening on your watch.”
“I see,” Raelynn says, like this is all academic, but her jaw pulses. “And the existing album? We’ve spent a lot of money on those singles, the launch. I own those masters. A lot masters, in fact.”
I shrug. “Keep them.”
