Page 84 of Claimed By the Band

This is dangerous. And not just because it's a chance of him realizing the truth beneath my disguise.

The rest of the pack crowds in around us, creating a protective circle that shields us from prying eyes even as it puts me at the center of their combined attention. Knox's solid presence atmy back, Dante and Damon flanking us while Silas keeps watch from the edge of our little bubble.

"Relax," Asher murmurs in my ear, his hand warm on my lower back as he guides me through what feels more like instinctive movement to the rhythm than any kind of choreographed dance. I'm not really sure what I thought people were doing at clubs before tonight. Line dancing? "You're doing fine."

I catch glimpses of other guests watching us through the gaps between bodies, some with naked lust, others with obvious envy. Plenty with both.

We must make quite a sight, this famous omega rockstar and his pack of gorgeous alphas all in their elegant masks. All moving together like they share one mind, one heartbeat.

And somehow, impossibly, I'm part of it.

At least in this mask and outfit, I don't feel quite as out of place. Another layer of armor.

Asher spins me, and I find myself caught by Dante, who seamlessly takes over leading while Asher moves to dance with Knox. There's no awkwardness, no jealousy, just a fluid exchange that feels as natural as breathing. Then it's Damon's turn, his large hands surprisingly gentle as he guides me through a turn.

The music pulses, the artificial pheromones swirl, and something shifts. I can feel it in my bones, the way we're all connected. The pack bonds I've read about but never experienced firsthand are almost visible now, threads of gold linking them all together.

And there are threads reaching for me too, paper-thin but growing stronger with every beat of the music, every shared breath, every casual touch that feels anything but casual.

It's dangerous. Everything I've spent nearly half my life running from, everything I told myself I could never have.

But in this moment, wrapped in their combined warmth and protection, I let myself want it. Let myself imagine what it would be like to really be part of this, to belong to them and have them belong to me in return.

Asher presses up against me from behind, and his hand slides down my chest. The simple touch sends electricity racing through me, making my spine arch. I want to purr, to melt into him completely, but then Dante leans in from the front, his fingers tangling in my hair.

I wonder briefly if it's the pheromones affecting them, but they all seem perfectly in control of themselves. Which is more than I can say for my own willpower right now. It's slipping fast, and it has nothing to do with whatever chemical cocktail they're pumping through the vents. If anything, it's in spite of it. The artificial alpha musk is repulsive, buttheirscents...

"You smell so good," Dante whispers in my ear, his voice rough. "Like rain and..."

"Roses," Asher purrs in agreement from behind me, his breath hot on my neck.

Fuck. They can't… My scent should be muted, shouldn't it? I mean, they'd still be able to smell a little, minus the omega pheromones, but…

Then, Dante leans in and his breath ghosts across my neck as he scents me again and I lose the ability to give a shit about any of it. I melt between them, my head spinning as Silas moves in on my right. The others are close too. I'm too entranced by all the touching to see exactly where, but I can feel them. Their heat, their scents, their presence surrounding me completely.

If it wasn't for Asher's arm snaking around my waist, holding me upright, I'm not sure I'd be standing at all. Then when Dante's tongue flicks against my throat, what's left of my composure unravels and I let out a quiet whimper.

"What a cute little sound," Asher purrs in my ear, nipping at the lobe. "I wonder what kinds of sounds you'd make if we were inside you."

Dante lifts his head, his dark hair falling into his eyes as they blacken with hunger at the thought.

This is dangerous. So fucking dangerous. The suppressants are working, but something about being wrapped up in their combined attention is making my carefully constructed walls crumble all the same.

Asher's hand splays across my stomach, and I have to bite back another gasp. His touch is fire through the silk of my shirt, and I know I should pull away. Should make some excuse about checking the offices now while everyone's distracted. But my body has other ideas, pressing back against him even as I lean into Dante's solid warmth. My ass grinds against Asher's huge cock, and I realize he's partially hard through his leathers. We've cuddled enough for me to have an idea of his size, even if he's always been a gentleman about it, but the reminder makes something deep in my core throb with want.

"You fit between us so perfectly," Asher murmurs, grinding into me in turn while Dante presses even closer against me from the front, and I can hear the smile in his voice. "Like you were made for us."

The words make that deep ache even sharper. Because I want that so badly. Want to belong to them,withthem. Want to let them see all of me, even the parts I've kept hidden for so long.

Before I can respond, a familiar oily voice cuts through my haze, shattering the bubble we're in.

"Well, if it isn't my favorite pack!"

Vince appears through the crowd like a particularly sleazy phantom, resplendent in a gaudy gold suit that matches his crown mask. The sight of him is like a bucket of cold water, snapping me back to reality even as Asher's arm tightens protectively around my waist and he lets out a slight growl of possession that vibrates against my back.

Dante and Asher both give him looks that could curdle milk, but Silas smoothly steps forward, ever the diplomat. "Vince," he says coolly. "Quite the interesting atmosphere you've created here."

"Only the best for our most esteemed guests," Vince purrs, his eyes lingering on Asher in a way that makes my skin crawl. "I trust you're enjoying the enhanced pheromone blend? It's one of our newest formulations."

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