Page 129 of Claimed By the Band

I watch with fierce satisfaction as they're taken down one by one, efficiently subdued and cuffed by officers who've been waiting for exactly this moment. Now who's looking over their shoulder?

"I'm going to check the backstage area," I tell Maria and Adam, already heading for the door. "Make sure the guys know they can come offstage."

"Be careful," Adam calls after me, but I'm already moving.

The service corridors are eerily quiet compared to the muffled roar of the crowd and music. My boots echo against the concrete as I make my way toward the dressing rooms, checking each door as I pass. Everything seems clear, but something feels off. The hair on the back of my neck stands up just before a familiar voice freezes me in my tracks.

"Hello, little sister."

I spin around to find James emerging from the shadows, his face twisted into something that might have been meant as a smile but looks more like a grimace. He's older than I remember, obviously, with new scars and harder eyes, but there's no mistaking him.

"Long time no see," he says, taking a step closer. "Father's been so worried about you."

"Stay back," I warn, but he moves faster than I expect. His hand clamps around my upper arm, grip bruising even through my sleeve.

"You're coming home," he growls, trying to drag me toward the exit. "Where you belong."

For a moment, I'm sixteen again, terrified and alone, desperate to escape. But then I feel the marks on my throat pulse, reminding me that I'm not that girl anymore. I'm not alone.

"I am home," I snarl, and sink my teeth into his hand.

He jerks back with a curse, his grip loosening just enough for me to wrench free. Before he can grab me again, a blur of movement slams into him from the side. Knox drives him into the wall with a growl that seems to shake the foundations, while Dante and Silas flank him, cutting off any escape route.

Damon appears at my side, pulling me safely behind his massive frame as Asher wraps his arms around me. Our bonds vibrate with protective rage and fierce love.

"Are you okay?" Asher asks, his hands gentle as they check me for injuries. "We felt your panic through the bond..."

"I'm fine," I assure him, leaning into his touch. "Better than fine."

The sound of running footsteps announces Maria's arrival with her team. They take over securing James, who glares at me over Knox's shoulder as they cuff him.

"This isn't over," he spits. "You can't hide from what you are forever."

"I'm not hiding anymore," I tell him calmly as the officers lead him away. "I know exactly who and what I am. And it's nothing like what you and our father tried to make me into."

The pack surrounds me completely once he's gone, their bodies and their scents form a protective shield around me. Hands touch me gently, checking for injuries, offering comfort, reaffirming bonds.

"Let's go home," Silas murmurs, pressing a kiss to my forehead.

Home. The word fills me with warmth instead of dread now. Home isn't a place I'm running from anymore. It's these men, this pack, this life we're building together.

"Yeah," I say softly, melting into their combined embrace. "Let's go home."

44

KNOX

The sun is setting over the city as I dig in my pocket for my keys with one hand while holding grocery bags with the other, the shades of pink reminding me of the way our omega blushes when we compliment her. Even after weeks of being marked and mated, she still gets flustered by our affection sometimes.

It's adorable.

The thought makes me smile as I finally get the door open. I can't believe she's really ours now. That we don't have to worry about her running anymore, or anyone trying to take her from us.

The Sons of Epsilon are finished. Most of them are in custody, the rest scattered and in hiding. The news made international headlines, exposing their crimes for the whole world to see. A very public warning to any other alphas who might consider similar tactics. And the police have been pressured into taking any similar threats a hell of a lot more seriously, consideringJordan didn't want any of the public credit. I think she's had enough trouble adjusting to the spotlight as our new mate as it is.

But our omega continues to watch and work from the shadows. The only difference is that now, she's not alone.

I barely get two steps inside before I'm swarmed by Asher and Dante, both of them making grabby hands at the bags of food in my arms.

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