Page 12 of Stream Heat
"Content," Theo said, grinning. "Rivals-to-packmates? Chat would go insane."
"Brand rescue," Ash added. "We stop being the villains. You get to come back as a survivor, not a tragedy."
Malik shrugged, matter-of-fact. "It’s the least we can do."
But Reid… he just looked at me, eyes steady and weirdly gentle. "Six months. If you want out after, you walk. No tricks."
I studied them. Five Alphas I’d spent years refusing to bend for, tried to step around at every turn. Now they were the only option on the table, and somehow that was the worst part.
"Keep your story," I said, and I laughed, except it sounded like a sob. "I don’t need a rescue. Or a fake pack. Or to be your pet PR project."
Reid nodded, unfazed. "You can call if you change your mind."
They left, one at a time, each one giving me a last glance like they expected me to disappear if they turned away. Reid stayed in the doorway an extra beat.
"For what it’s worth, Quinn, none of us ever saw you as just your designation. You were always the best at what you do."
That hit harder than anything else tonight. Like he’d found the one weak spot and rammed it with both fists.
"That’s why we’re here," he said, softer. "Not for a label. For you. Because you don’t deserve to get destroyed by this industry."
I threw a shoe at the door, making it shut harder than I intended, but I couldn’t bring myself to care. I was left with my sweat-soaked skin, a career in ruins, and five Alphas’ words stuck in my mind like glass.
The worst part? I believed him. And knowing that scared me more than anything else. The question that haunted me though was whether or not I could trust them?
CHAPTER SIX
Malik
The door slammed shut behind us, a sound sharp enough to set my teeth on edge, echoing down the stairwell like a verdict. None of us moved. Not at first.
The light overhead flickered, washed out and weak, casting broken shadows over scent-dampening jackets. The silence in the hallway wasn’t anger. Something heavier sat with us. Bewildered, off-balance. Like we’d rushed in to pull someone from a burning building, only to get shoved out before we could do a damn thing.
We just stood and listened as Kara dragged herself to the door. A deadbolt and chain slid into place on the other side, sounding more like a jury delivering a verdict than anything else.
“She locked it,” Theo mumbled, staring at the door like it might unlock if he just looked long enough.
“I heard,” I muttered back.
Reid still hadn’t budged. Shoulders set, jaw tight, eyes drilling holes in the chipped paint and dented wood, like if he wanted it enough he could turn time back.
“She’s not thinking straight,” Jace cut in, leaning against the far wall, hands shoved in his pockets. “It’s the crash talking.”
“She was clear enough to kick us out,” Ash said. But he didn’t sound like he believed it.
“She’s scared,” I said. “We barged in. Five Alphas deep. While she was at her lowest. Doesn’t matter that we brought blockers, or meds. That kind of fear doesn’t turn off just because we say we’re here to help.”
Reid finally looked at me. Not accusatory. Just hurting. “She asked for help.”
I nodded. “I know.”
“She said please.”
“I know.” I took a deep breath and released it slowly. When I continued I kept my voice low, hoping that only my pack would hear, “You heard what she said once we got in there, she doesn’t want anyone seeing her like this. She’s spent eight years building a persona for herself. Streamer. Strategist. Unshakeable. Now she’s terrified it’s all coming down in front of everyone.”
“She’s not wrong,” Jace said, eyes dark. “That stream cut too late. Clips are already out there.”
Theo ran a hand through his hair. “I thought she’d be relieved. That someone came. That she didn’t have to do this alone anymore.”
