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Xar glances over at Blaise, who doesn’t even hesitate. “Singing lead,” he says. “I’m great at bass, even guitar, and I’ve done backup vocals at shows, but I’ve always wanted to stand up front. Just once. Belt out a few songs, feel that rush.”

Xar raises an eyebrow, amused. “You? Front and centre?”

Blaise smirks. “You’d be surprised.”

Xar leans back, a small smile playing on his lips. “Hiking a mountain. Something brutal. Cold air, aching muscles, that kind of quiet you don’t get anywhere else. It’s always been on the list.”

I look between them, something warm tugging at my chest. There’s something raw and unguarded in their answers. Real. I tuck my legs up beneath me and glance at Dane. “What about you?”

He’s quiet for a moment, thoughtful. “Learning how to build something with my hands. Like a real piece of furniture. Something that lasts.”

There’s something grounding in that, something that fits him.

I smile – genuine this time. “That’s...actually really beautiful.”

Blaise leans toward me, teasing. “Alright, your turn. What’s somethingyou’vealways wanted to try?”

The question catches me off guard, but the way they’re all watching me – expectant, open – it doesn’t feel like a trap. Just curiosity. Care.

The question catches me off guard, and for a moment, I freeze.

I could lie. Say something small or forgettable. But their eyes are on me – open, patient – and somehow that makes it worse. Or better. I’m not sure.

“I’ve always wanted to be...loud,” I say, surprising even myself with the word. “To take up space. To walk into a room and not flinch at how people look at me. To laugh too hard, talk too much, not constantly measure how I’m being perceived.”

I swallow, shrugging like it’s no big deal, even though it is.

“But instead, I’ve spent most of my life trying to disappear. Blend in. Survive quietly.”

Their silence isn’t awkward – it’slistening. And for once, I don’t feel like I have to apologise for saying too much.

Xar’s voice is quiet, but certain. “You don’t have to be small here.”

And Blaise, softer than usual: “We see you, Evie.”

There’s a beat of silence, uncomfortable on my part, but then I force myself to move through it.

“So, you guys have been touring for a while now?” I ask. “What made you decide to stay here, in the middle of nowhere, with a storm like this raging outside?”

Blaise chuckles, shaking his head. “It’s just temporary. We’re working on new material, and this seemed like the perfect place to lay low for a while. Plus, the storm is...atmospheric. Really fits with the vibe.”

Xar leans forward slightly. “Yeah, it’s peaceful here. Despite the storm. We needed the break. The music can wait, but we wanted some time to reset, to get away from everything and to…mend our bonds, I guess.”

I blink, absorbing their words. The idea that they would want to be here, in this house, with all its discomfort and distance from the world...it’s strange, but somehow comforting.

“Must be tough to stay still,” I remark softly. “If you’re used to always being on the move, never settling down.”

Xar smiles, though there’s a quiet sadness behind it. “It has its moments. But right now? It’s about making sure we’reallokay.”

I nod slowly, the weight of their words settling deep inside me. Maybe, just maybe, this is what I’ve been needing – what I’ve been looking for without even realising it.

The game moves on, the questions becoming lighter, more playful as I continue to relax in the nest they’ve made for me. But through it all, I realise one thing. I’ve spent so long running, hiding, trying to convince myself I didn’t need anyone. But now, with the guys here, it’s harder to ignore the truth. I feel safer with them.

My omega has found her mates. And that doesn’t terrify me as much as it would have yesterday.

But I can’t help but wonder, scent match aside, if these handsome, talented, famous alphas would ever be interested in plain old, little old me.

EVIANA