Page 26 of Rebellious Harmony
I do.“Put our two best security guys on her door.No one but Stella or I are allowed inside.”I stare at Bakari, waiting for him to challenge me.Watching the tension build in his body language.
“Okay, that’s easily done, but she needs real nesting materials and food.We don’t know how long her unassisted heat will last,” Stella says.
Stella calling Ava’s heat unassisted is accurate, and that makes me furious.I’m nauseated, thinking that Ava will be alone and unsatisfied during her first heat.She deserves reassurance and the best blankets and pillows possible.She deserves an Alpha’s attention, his care, and his knot.Ava should be cuddled, spoiled, and thoroughly fucked.Sure, the suite is nice, and huge, but she’ll still be needy for an Alpha.
“Get her everything she could possibly need.More bedding from the hotel and the bus.Whatever she demands.And order her food from room service.Enough to keep her well-fed until I return from the media blitz after the show and can take over.”
Stella’s face contorts in annoyance.“Sure, Nolan, I can do all of that, no problem, but I’m a Beta—you’re the Alpha.Catering to her every whim is kind of your job.”
Bakari looks upset, and I know the Alpha in him wants to offer to assist Ava.But the idea of him going anywhere near her right now makes me want to rip him apart.
“Stella, I’m notherAlpha.”I swallow my misery.“You and I need to help Ava as her friends.I can’t help her in every way she might need, but I can provide the basics, and I need you to help me do that.I can’t be in two places at once.”
She swallows thickly.“Hey, I get that, I do, but aren’t you being an idiot right now?You and Ava have been inseparable for days.I’ve seen the way you look at her.She holds your attention like no one else has in all the time I’ve known you.As your friend and manager, I’ve seen it all, and no other woman compares to your reverence for Ava.”
“Stella, she’s not?—”
“If you don’t help her, Nolan, I will,” Bakari says, fire in his eyes.
I snarl and step toward him, ready to punch him.He’s insane if he thinks I’ll give him access to our suite.He’s not going near her.
“No!”Stella thrusts herself between us and rounds on me.“You stubborn jackass.That sweet girl is yours, Nolan.She isyourOmega.You’ve been courting her for days now.You’re just too blind to see your own actions.”
I flinch.I have been courting Ava.Icansee that.But that doesn’t change the fact that she’s not mine.I can’t help her the way she truly needs during her heat.Herfirstheat.I feel like I’m going insane, torturing myself.
“Whatever, Stella.I have to go back on stage.Give her everything you can and send someone to get her dozens of donuts.She’ll need them, crave them.It will make her happy.”
“You aresoannoying.I can’t believe how ridiculous you’re being!”she retorts.
I step back on stage, and the crowd goes crazy.Still, I can’t help the urgent pull telling me I shouldn’t be performing in front of thousands of people, but back at the hotel, present and attentive to Ava.Sure, I trust Stella to follow my instructions, but there’s something inherently wrong with it all.I should be the one getting Ava those damn donuts.I didn’t even have enough time to tell Stella which ones are Ava’s favorites.Only I know that.Well, me and her fans on Instagram.
Only three more songs—two and the encore.Almost there, we’re almost done.I should be enjoying this final show, but I can think only about getting off stage.When an Omega needs her Alpha, everything else becomes less necessary.I can’t bear thinking about my beautiful Omega, all bundled up alone in her nest, becoming unstable and slipping into madness.She can’t suffer like that.What if she feels unsettled in the big room?Maybe I should have told Stella to set her up in the closet.My Omega needs to feel secure, like she did in my room on my bus.My Omega?
My heart hammers in my chest when I picture her smile, remember her babbling when she can’t keep random thoughts from escaping her mouth and her zeal for life’s little pleasures, like her beloved donuts.
What she just did, confronting Larissa.How she stood up for me and the band.
If I kept her in my life, her fame, reach, and influence would flourish as she grows her own Instagram account.My popularity and the public’s curiosity would drive them to discover her and how amazing she is.Her follower count would become insane if she was my girl.If she was mine, the world would know it, and nobody could take her from me, not even Lord Stryker.She would be mine for eternity.
The comfort that thought brings me feels right.
Is she mine?My girl, my Omega, my mate?My heart is screaming the truth that I’ve been denying.I’ve been needlessly torturing myself, and for what?I want Ava.I want everything with her.I want her smiles and her giggles.God, how I love this girl.What the fuck?Do I actually love her?
With the sudden realization, I almost miss a line of the song I’m singing.I love Ava.It may have been quick, but during the past few days, Ava has become the most important thing in my world.There is no one better than me to give her everything she needs.A family, close friendships, a home with me in the palace.She wants to become a vampire mate.Then she should be mine—mymate.She wants happiness.I would make it my life’s mission.Hell, I would even give her the kids she wants in the future.There are no limits to how much I cherish and love this girl.
When the last note of the song is played, I look out into the crowd, and a woman flashes her tits at us.Has this shit ever held an appeal?I’m not even remotely interested in the girl and her penchant for nudity.The woman I would give all my attention to is alone right now, and she shouldn’t be.I need to wrap everything up as quickly as possible.I need to be with my Omega and help her.I shouldn’t have pulled away from her tonight.It could be our last together.
Would she reject me?Part of me wonders whether Ava will accept me as her mate.After how I acted earlier tonight, I can’t be sure.
The band and I leave the stage to build up excitement and anticipation for the night’s last song.The crowd is chanting and cheering to get us to come back on.Rex and the guys shake out their bodies to remain warm and loose, but all I can think about is my girl.
I couldn’t be happier with my realization.Ava has my heart.She’s had me for days, maybe since we first met.God, it pisses me off that my dad was right, and now I owe him.I owe him big for taking this risk, breaking the rules, and gifting me my Ava.For knowing the truth before I did; Ava should have always been mine.
“Hey guys, we need to make this a one-song encore.I need to get to Ava,” I say.
“Now I get it!That’s why you weren’t all there tonight.”Ian smirks at me.
“What happened to Ava?”Rex asks, sounding concerned.
