“You should get credit just for showing up. Half the cast is still in REM.”
She laughs, but then her smile tightens. I follow her gaze, and I see why.
Up the block, three figures stride in loose formation—predators playing at nonchalance. It’s Charlton Pack. Tanner, Chris, and Evan, alpha-entitlement incarnate.
Charlotte curses under her breath.
“We can cut through the alley,” I suggest.
Charlotte squares her shoulders. “No. I’m so tired of letting them change my route in all things. I just want to walk to practice without being?—”
“Hunted?” I offer, and it’s supposed to be a joke, but Charlotte’s hand tightens on the strap of her bag.
“Yeah,” she says.
We keep our heads down and our eyes forward. The prickle of their attention slips down my body like I’ve walked into a massive spiderweb.
“Hey, Charlotte!” Tanner calls. His voice is fake-friendly, not even trying to hide intent.
I meet Chris’s eyes. He’s trying to give me adon’t-get-involvedlook. Unfortunately for him, I don’t intimidate easily.
We walk past without addressing them. But then they follow us. Not running, but keeping the pace, just close enough that it’s clear they’re not giving up today.
“Come on,” I mutter, and steer Charlotte with a light hand on her elbow.
The arena’s only across one street and massive parking lot, but it feels longer with them at our backs. It’s like a tripwire tension running under every step. Charlotte’s steps get faster, but not frantic. She’s not going to give them the satisfaction.
At the crosswalk, Evan calls out, “Hey, you can focus on your career all you want, Charlotte.”
“We’ll be here waiting when you’re ready,” Tanner adds.
“No pressure,” Evan finishes.
Charlotte finally wheels around. “No pressure? What do you call this?” She gestures wildly at them. “You three should be lucky I haven’t gotten a restraining order yet. Fuckoff!”
Tanner grins cruelly. It raises my hackle. I step between Charlotte and them.
Evan and Chris laugh. Evan says, “I hope your alpha’s nearby again to diffuse this.” His gaze lifts to Charlotte’s. “Hiding behind another omega’s alpha is pretty low, Charlotte.”
Rage simmers but I take long breaths to keep it down. I know I mightsmelllike Reverie Pack’s omega, but I’m not her. Not yet—maybe not ever.
I put a hand behind me to push Charlotte backward and start walking, so I don’t have to turn my back to them. “Just go, Charlotte. We have better things to do.”
Tanner, Evan, and Christopher step closer as a unit. “We just want to talk to her.”
“Sadly, she wants nothing to do with you,” I snap. “Although I can see why.”
Tanner snarls. “You don’t speak for her.”
Charlotte pulls me along. “I’ll call the police if you don’t leave me the fuck alone. Go away.”
Christopher’s eyes narrow. “You wouldn’t. After all our history?”
Charlotte pulls out her phone. “I’ll do it right now.”
That’s enough to get them to pause. I keep moving Charlotte back to put more distance between us. They seem physically harmless despite always appearing where no one wants them. Like they’d not actually move on a real threat. But that doesn’t make me feel any better about any of this.
“Fine,” Tanner says. “But you’re ours, don’t forget it.” His gaze cuts to mine. “No matter whose omega tries to protect you.”
