“Astraea?”
“Hmm…” I don’t realize my arms are no longer tied until I open my eyes enough to see I’m still in Kenji’s arms, restingagainst his naked frame, but he’s sitting in the studio chair while one of his hands is running lightly along my back.
“Think we’ll be stuck for a while,” he admits. “Are you okay? I was a bit rough.”
“I loved it,” I admit the truth. “My body feels like jelly, though.”
“Oops.” He chuckles.
“No regret at all,” I huff in disdain. “If I could move, I’d push you away.”
“Nah, you wouldn’t,” he hums and continues to rub my back. The sensation is extremely relaxing. “You know… I’m meeting my sister later.”
“Your sister?” My heart skips at the revelation.
“Mhmm.” He sounds so content. “She’s in town… didn’t think she’d be around.” He’s quiet for a few minutes. “I’m hoping she can stay long enough to see us perform our new stuff.”
“You want to make a new song?” I ponder as my eyes drift close.
“A new album,” he admits quietly. “The band is gonna change. We have to figure it out… but I think it’s for the better. It’ll be hard… and nerve-wracking the next few weeks before we launch the tour, but… I think it’ll be the best achievement in my life.”
I feel his lips lightly on my left temple, making me further relax into him.
“Though, meeting you is probably the greatest achievement I could be privileged to experience,” he confesses. “Astraea?”
I want to answer him. I really do. Yet, I’m too tired.
“Thank you for taking a chance with us.” His words are far away but the tender thankfulness is loud and clear. “For not letting this movement stop you from being ours.”
Knot their Omega movement… I guess that’s the original intention of its creation, but what if the underlying movement isto force Alpha and Omegas to come together in desperation and realize this connection isn’t as bad as we all assume?
That despite the differences, we can come together and thrive together? That we don’t have to do everything on our own in this crazed world.
It’s the last thing I can envision before I drift into peaceful slumber.
Wilting Salvation
~ASTRAEA~
“Kamari! You know how worried I’ve been?” I hiss in the phone while I’m pacing outside of the studio where Blooming Salvation is conducting an emergency meeting. “Why has it taken you so long to reach me? Are you okay? Please tell me you’re safe. I have your stuff! Well, it’s at the guys’ place, and I’m kind of 6000 kilometers away from home, but if you need me, I can fly back so you can get your things.”
“Girl, are you crazy?” Kamari groans. “Why would I let you FLY all the way back here just to get my stuff? Yes, I have a lot of sentimental stuff in there, but it would have been in the trash or government property if you hadn’t been thoughtful enough to take it with you when you left the Haven. Are Blaze and Ember with you?”
“They’re back at home with a 24/7 dog sitter,” I reveal. “They fit very nicely with the five other husky pups with them. Formed a bit of a pack of their own with Ember being a little dominating bully trying to control those howling beasts.” I shake my head, remembering the videos Milly, the dog watcher, sent me earlierof the chaos Ember has been igniting with her overprotective partner in crime, Blaze.
If my pups could be human, Ember would be an independent badass of an Omega, defying all the laws and trying to take over a pack of savage Alphas. With Blaze’s assistance, of course.
“Anyway, that’s beside the point,” I acknowledge. “Where are you?!”
“Uh…” She seems hesitant to tell me.
“Kamari Prava Ahvi,” I sternly say, leaving her to groan and panic.
“Okay, okay!” she urges. “Geez. That’s the first time you’ve said my full name; truthfully, I don’t like it. Sounds like you’re going to throw a chancla at me.”
I can’t help but smirk but remain silent, so she knows I’m waiting for her to stop stalling and tell me where she is.
“Dubai.”