Page 75 of Claimed By the Band

As we make our way toward the front of the bus, I spot Damon and Dante lounging on the couch. They both look up as we approach, matching grins spreading across their faces.

Then something shifts. Their expressions change, their gazes sharpen, and Damon visibly scents the air.

Oh, right. I'm wearing Asher's sweatshirt.

A flush creeps up the back of my neck at the reminder. What if they're pissed? Alphas are possessive of their omegas, especially with outsiders. And that's what I am, no matter how much my traitorous heart wants to deny it.

"Omega smells good on you," Dante says, flashing me a wicked grin that immediately shoots down that fear.

"It does," Damon mumbles. If I didn't know better, I'd say the huge alpha was blushing.

"These two are going to be our bodyguards for the outing," Asher says, gesturing to them with a flourish.

"More like the designated bag carriers," Dante groans, but his dark eyes are twinkling. "As usual."

"Well, what else are alphas for?" Asher asks innocently, pausing to press a quick kiss to Dante's lips. The casual intimacy of it makes my heart ache with something dangerously close to longing.

Asher and I haven't kissed since the first time, even if we have cuddled. And not just when he was in bed with me. I can tell he's trying not to come on too strong, not to scare me away.

But the truth is, I want to. I want things I have no right wanting, not when I'm still keeping two very large secrets from all of them.

But after tonight, it won't matter at all, I remind myself. There's no reason for me to stay. I've already decided that if everything goes well on this mission, I'll tell them the truth and leave the ball in their court after that. If they want me to leave, I will. If they want me to stay…

Somehow, that possibility is equally terrifying. Just not as devastating.

"I can carry my own bags," I protest weakly, but Asher's already shaking his head.

"Nope! Today you're getting the full VIP treatment," he declares. "Consider it practice for tonight where you'll be playing the part of our spoiled rotten pet."

I try not to think about tonight. About having to navigate a room full of alphas while pretending to be part of the pack. About having to get close enough to Vince and his scientists to gather intel without giving myself away.

About how much I wish this wasn't all just pretend.

"You okay?" Damon asks softly, his warm scent blooming in a comforting bouquet. At first, I was afraid the suppressants weren't working, but as far as I know, none of the alphas have seen through my farce. It must just be the close proximity. That and the fact that they all smell better than any alphas I've ever encountered before. Asher included. "We don't have to do this if you're not up for it."

I force a smile, touched by his concern. "I'm fine. Just not used to shopping trips with an entourage."

"Get used to it," Dante says cheerfully, slinging an arm around Asher's shoulders. "Our omega doesn't do anything halfway."

"Don't I know it," I mutter, but there's no bite in it. How could there be when Asher's beaming at me like I hung the moon just for agreeing to go shopping with him?

"Come on," he says, tugging me toward the door. "I know exactly where we need to go first."

"Should I be worried?" I ask Damon as we follow them off the bus.

He chuckles, the sound rumbling deep in his chest. "Probably. But don't worry. We'll protect you from his more... eccentric styling choices."

"My choices are perfect!" Asher calls over his shoulder. "You're just jealous you can't pull off sequins like I can."

"No one can pull off sequins like you can, baby," Dante says loyally, earning himself another quick kiss.

I watch their easy affection with a mixture of amusement and something else I can't quite name. The way they move together,the gentle touches and inside jokes... it's everything I never let myself want. Everything I convinced myself I could live without.

But being around them these past weeks has started to crack something open inside me. Something I thought I'd buried so deep it would never see the light of day.

"You're thinking too loud again," Asher says, falling back to walk beside me as we head toward the SUV that's waiting to take us to wherever they have planned. The mall, I assume. "Whatever's going on in that beautiful head of yours, let it go for a few hours. Today is about having fun."

I want to argue that we should be focusing on tonight's mission, on gathering evidence against PheroMaster. But the warmth in his eyes makes the words die in my throat.

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