Page 24 of Rebellious Harmony
“Your mother and I will arrive around dinnertime tomorrow night.We’ll take you both out to eat so you can gain some closure, and then we’ll take her home with us on the Stryker jet.”
“Part of me hates this.”
“Well, that’s the part you should be listening to, but you’re too stubborn and rebellious for your own good.”
“Geez, kick a guy when he’s down.”
“You wouldn’t be down if you chose her and your happiness.You both deserve all the love and satisfaction a mate gives you.Does she not seem interested in you?Is that the problem?”
“Not at all.There’s chemistry between us for sure.”But is her attraction to me due to her oncoming heat, her biological response to an Alpha?Is it masking her true feelings?
“Well, if I can do nothing to change your mind from this utter stupidity, I guess we’ll see you tomorrow evening.”
“Alright.See you and Mom soon.”
The call disconnects, and the pain and tension in my chest become almost unbearable.I can barely breathe.I’ve been lying to myself that I’d have more time with her on the road while we head home.
I look up and see Ava and Bakari hug while he whispers in her ear.I feel my anger build, burning me from the inside.My emotions hit me like a raging storm.Every muscle in my body clenches and my grinding jaw feels painful.First, anger at myself and now hostility toward my friend.I want to rip him away from her and hold her close, never letting her go...but I can’t.
I know going to the sanctuary is for her benefit.A newly uncloaked Omega in heat deserves comfort and special care.I can’t entertain the idea of being the person to provide it.She’ll make someone in my own house the luckiest bastard alive.Ava deserves everything a mate will give her—treats, soft things, endless pleasure.
I’m unwilling to give what would be required to claim her.My tours would need to be scheduled around her heats, and my albums would require more time to release new material.My relationship with my fans will change.I would need to stay home more.Her protection and safety would be crucial.I can hire more security, which would help.Still, her safety would ultimately be my responsibility as her mate.
Her presence in my life would make writing new music easy, if the last few days are any indication of what the future would be like.We’d have a new album in no time.In exchange for her freedom, I would make all her dreams come true.It’s the least I could do.
But with the countdown looming to when she’ll be taken from me, I need to focus on tonight’s show.That’s my priority.I need to give my fans what they expect from me.Entertainment and my attention.
It’s too bad I can’t provide the same to Ava.Tomorrow, I will lose her completely, the perfect Omega, my muse.
8
Nolan
The energy of the vast crowd washes over the arena like a torrential downpour.Still, all I can think about is Ava leaving me tomorrow night.Bakari, Stella, and I stand in the wings at the edge of the stage, counting down to the start of the show when the band and I step on stage.Rex and the guys are currently doing their preshow rituals behind me but I can’t seem to channel my focus.Rex hops from one foot to the other, getting his heart rate up in preparation for the sustained energy of the show.Ian is doing yoga, and Torin and Eli are downing shots of tequila.
Stella pulls out her phone from her pocket and stares intently at the screen.She’s so focused on what she’s watching that she doesn’t notice Rex joking around behind her, trying to get her attention.
She grins with a pleased look in her eye.“Ava’s amazing.She is fighting for you guys with everything she’s got.Nolan, you need to watch this.”
“What is it?Who’s fighting whom?”I say.
Bakari pulls out his phone, too.“Where am I going to watch?I want to see what has you so excited.”
“The band’s social media feed.Ava’s doing a live stream now, but you should watch it from the beginning.”
Bakari puts in an earbud and passes me the other one.Slipping it into my ear, I nod at Bakari, and he starts the video.
“Hi, everyone.”Ava waves at the camera, and I grin at her friendliness.“You’ve probably seen that I’m Death by Dawn’s new social media manager.I need to address some things that have happened in the past few days.”
She pauses, and her shoulders slump.My breath stalls.Ava looks hot and uncomfortable, with a sheen of sweat on her forehead.She blows her bangs out of her face.
“You see, the previous social media manager has been malicious and spiteful.She has done everything she can to drag Nolan and Death by Dawn through the wringer, and some of you have been eating it up.What you don’t know, because he’s too much of a stand-up guy to tell you, is that she’s Nolan’s ex and means to harm the band you love so much.”
She adjusts her sleeves and looks into the camera with so much anger it makes my inner Alpha claw up my spine with a need to fix it.I don’t like seeing her upset.I’m blown away that she’s doing this.
“I care about this band.They’re even better than you know.I am sick of seeing them mistreated, and I know you feel as passionately about them as I do.Nolan doesn’t deserve this nonsense, and neither does the band.Are you going to let some jilted lover treat them like this?I know I won’t.Not anymore.”
My mind is reeling.Seeing her stand up for me and the guys warms my heart.This girl is absolutely stunning, even more so when she’s angry.She takes off her sweater and slams it down on the couch.
