Page 50 of In Control

Eventually, I confessed to Rosie. Some of the story anyway.

I didn’t want her pack getting involved and getting into trouble.

Seems that instinct was correct because another pack is exactly what’s resurrected this creep.

I glare at the balled-up piece of paper.

So he’s back? So what?

It’s not going to change anything.

11

Gabriel

Liam islike an eager puppy dog all week long, bubbling over with excitement at the prospect of me meeting this beta woman, Sophia.

Esra on the other hand is hardly home and when he is, he shuts himself in his room. The few words he’s exchanged with me this week have been short angry grunts.

As for Roman, he throws worried glances between all of us, and once or twice attempts to resurrect a conversation about the subject. He even attempts to call a pack meeting. But Liam says he has surgery and Esra insists he’s working late.

I don’t know what he’s so worried about. Esra will come around. I’m pretty sure of that. And if he doesn’t, well I’m sick to death of his mood swings.

It’s not how it’s meant to be between bonded mates. He’s meant to be my rock, my shelter, the one I go to when my stupid omega hormones run riot and the self-doubt creeps in. Instead, he’s about as far from my rock as a plate of fucking jelly. I can’t rely on him anymore.

Roman senses the shift between us but Liam is as oblivious as ever.

At least he wants to spend time with me. At least he still wants me. He’s spent the last week whispering about his fantasies in my ear. He wants to watch me with this woman and I have to admit the idea turns me on.

I’m a performer after all. Have been since the day I learned to pirouette across a stage. I love to be watched. I fucking crave the admiration. I live for the spotlight.

Sure it has its downsides – haven’t I learned that the hard way?

But fuck, despite bloody Esra’s insistence to give it up, I won’t. It’s like asking me to stop breathing. Attention is my oxygen.

Liam meets me at the theatre after rehearsals. I’ve changed into dark jeans and a silk shirt, open at the collar. He’s out of his scrubs and tonight he’s dressed in one of his sharp suits.

“Don’t you look handsome,” I chime, letting him kiss my cheek as I smooth my hand down his chest. I try not to think about the fact my alphas rarely dress up for me these days.

“And you look fucking delicious,” Liam whispers into my ear, making me shiver. His vivid alpha scent swoops into my sinuses and for a moment I allow myself to buzz with it.

“We could skip this date and head home,” I murmur.

Liam steps back.

“You’re having second thoughts?” Liam asks, peering down into my face.

Despite the fact that we’ve all been sleeping together as a pack for ten years now, we’ve never invited someone else into the bedroom with us. Certainly not a beta and definitely not a woman. But the idea excites me. The image of that pretty little thing in the kitchen has been tantalising me all week along with Liam’s dirty ideas.

I drag my nails though the five o’clock shadow on his cheeks.

“No, you just look so damn fine. It’s hard to behave around you.”

“Who said anything about behaving?” He winks at me and takes my hand in his.

We walk along the dark streets of the city, the air muggy with the day’s lingering heat. Other people, on their way out, weave around us on the pavement and several stare at us with open admiration. We make a handsome pair. We always have, despite the grey gathering around his ears and the lines forming on both our faces.

“It seems like a long time since we did this,” I tell him, leaning into his side.

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