Page 29 of No Strings Attached
Warren’s face twists with confusion. “What do you mean?”
“One of the agreements in the contract stated that no one was to reveal Elias’s designation. He was supposed to be ambiguous, both online and in person, unless agreed upon by both parties. Elias would remain designation-less to the public.” Warren’s eyes go wide, his smugness faltering, and I cackle, the sound echoing through the set. “You poor soul,” I say, leaning forward. “It seems Elias’s contract with Hallis and Hart Entertainment has been nullified, effective immediately, and you owe him a payout. Granted, if he agrees to sign another contract…”
Warren’s face twists further, this time with frustration, his hands clenching at his side. There’s no doubt in my mind that Tristan left out this little tidbit in an attempt to reclaim Elias but that’s not my problem to deal with. He stomps over to Tristan, who’s still rubbing his neck, and grabs his arm. “You have some fucking explaining to do,” he snarls before dragging him out of the shooting venue, the door slamming behind them.
Elias and Jamie rush over, both of them checking me over several times before Elias asks what’s going on. I throw him a genuine smile, relief running through me for the first time all day. “It seems Tristan threw Warren under the bus. You said it before but your contract said your designation wasn’t supposed to be shared, which means you can legally break from it or rewrite it on your terms.”
Elias frowns, his brows furrowing. “It can’t be that easy.”
“Baby, sometimes it is,” I tell him. “Warren will fight it, probably take his anger out on Tristan, but for some reason, Tristan didn’t tell Warren about the clause. Which means Tristan has something else up his sleeve. For now, though? You’re all ours.”
Elias’s eyes soften as he pulls me into his arms, his strong hands wrapping around my waist. He kisses me, his lips tasting of sugar and need. I melt against him, my hands sliding up his chest, my berry scent mingling with his honeydew rain. His heat must be close but for the moment, it’s just us.
A general shock ripples through the employees and actors around us, their whispers halting. I realize where I am and pull back, my cheeks heating at the fact that I never made our relationship public.Well, they know now…
I turn to the crew, my voice clear but sheepish. “Guys, surprise? Elias is our Omega.”
There’s a beat of silence and then cheers erupt across the set, laughter bubbling up from the small crowd. Someone shouts, “How did I know they were going to get a whole ass burly Omega?” More laughter follows, mixed with congratulations, and another voice calls out, “I still can’t believe Elias is a fucking Omega. Seriously?”
Elias blushes uncontrollably, his cheeks red beneath his beard, his eyes dropping to the floor. I laugh as I pull away, my heart full at the happy reception we just received. “Okay, let’s wrap this up here,” I say, raising my voice to the crew. “We’ve got more work to do than you’d think.”
Jamie pouts as Elias is dragged back to the poster, mumbling, “Where’s my kiss?” I almost think he’s not going to get one and then Elias turns back and bends Jamie over, kissing him thoroughly before letting him go.
“Happy?” Elias muses, his face just as red as Jamie’s.
“Yes. So much. Let’s go. Everyone is staring.”
I chuckle, realizing how much I’m going to enjoy this dynamic between the three of us.
Jamie
I slipped out when I could, rushing off to the store and picking up a few things before returning to the venue. My heart’s been light all afternoon, a grin plastered on my face that hasn’t faded since Olivia claimed Elias as our Omega in front of the whole crew. That’s when I knew I had to do something. There had to be a gesture from me, from Olivia and I to Elias that would mean something more than just… we love you. My eyes widen at the declaration as I search myself for how I truly feel.
It's not quite love but it’s something dangerously close.
Which is why I had to stop by the nesting store.
I pull the bag from the console and unearth the small white squirrel, an almost replica of the one I saw tapping outside our window every morning. Elias called her Snow and the way his face lit up when he saw her stuck with me. I clutch the small, white squirrel plush from the nesting store to my chest, its soft fur brushing my sweater. I thought about grabbing a picture or adecal for his bedroom, but this is better, something he can hold, something scented with us.
The passenger door opens as Olivia slides in. “You got Elias a scenting present?” she asks, her brown eyes sparkling, a smile tugging at her lips. My face heats, and I clutch the plush tighter, glancing around the lot for Elias. “He’s taking a quick shower,” she says, answering my unspoken question. “He said the scents from the shoot were bothering him.”
I nod, my cheeks still warm. “I thought he might enjoy it. Like, I don’t know where we’ll spend his heat, but he’s not going to move in right away, so I wanted him to have some of us with him.”
Olivia’s smile widens, her hand brushing my arm. “You’re my favorite Alpha, you know that?” she teases.
I scoff, my grin breaking through. “I better be your only Alpha!” I say, and we both laugh, the sound filling the car.
I’m practically bouncing as I watch Olivia take the small white squirrel plush from my hands. She brings it to her face, rubbing it along her cheeks, her berry scent sinking into the soft fur. I already scented it with my citrus, the plush designed to hold an Alpha’s scent for a week, sometimes two, and now it’s a perfect blend of us. My grin widens, my fingers twitching with excitement, and I snatch it back from her, stuffing it into the bag on my lap.
“You’re really excited,” Olivia muses.
“I’ve wanted this for so long, love,” I say, my voice bright, barely containing my glee. “Someone who fits us exactly as we need it—no awkwardness, no weirdness, no feeling left out.”
She grabs my hand, bringing it to her lips. “I know, baby. It’s been a very long time since we were able to exist in our skin.” She pauses, her eyes crinkling with a smile. “Are you taking us to the little Italian place on South Street?”
I grin, my heart swelling. “I’m going to order him that pasta you like,” I say, then freeze, doubt creeping in. “Wait, what if he doesn’t like pasta? Oh no…”
The back door opens, and Elias slides in, his red hair damp from his shower, our Omega dressed in a plain shirt and jeans that hug his frame just right. His honeydew rain scent hits me, sweet and heavy with his preheat, and my hackles go up instantly when I see the tension in his green eyes. “Alpha, I like pasta just fine,” he says, leaning forward to kiss my forehead, his beard brushing my skin, “but can we go?”
