Page 33

TWENTY-EIGHT

Playing: Face the Music by Louis Tomlinson

I keep my attention on Stacia as we enter the semi-crowded bar hand-in-hand. She’s looking around for anything that can explain why we’re here. It’s adorable, seeing her scrunch her forehead and gnaw at her lip in concentration.

“You’re trying really hard over there. You may pop a blood vessel,” I joke, and she looks at me like she wants to give me the finger.

“I’m just not sure why this is the best place to spend my birthday,” she comments. “I mean, we’re pretty far away from campus and Uriah isn’t even here.”

Yes, he is. He’s just not with us .

Ciro, Atlas, and I may have kidnapped our scent-matched omega for tonight.

She agreed to let us take her out when Ciro talked to her a few weeks ago, but she’s allowed us to be very vague on our plans.

I understand, from our beta’s snooping and Rory’s warning, that she hasn’t had the best of birthdays, but we all know she’s going to enjoy the hell out of this.

Atlas looks back at Stacia as we continue to make our way through the space. “He’ll be here, don’t worry. He wouldn’t miss your birthday for anything.” And then he kisses her forehead. Her features relax, and her hand in mine seems to lose some tension as well.

Ciro makes a turn to hit the bar. Atlas keeps going, leading us to our designated spot on the other side, where the band equipment is already set up. Stacia’s eyes widen when she sees the banner around the stage.

“Sacred Sound?” She tilts her head in confusion. “We’re here to see a band?”

I give her a cheeky grin. “We sure are.”

She’s racking her brain, and when she finally figures out the puzzle, her whole face lights up.

“Holy shit!” she screams, bouncing up and down almost involuntarily, all without letting go of my hand. “Is Uriah’s band playing tonight? Is that what we’re doing? Please tell me I’m right.”

Atlas and I look at each other. Her reaction fills us with glee like nothing else. We knew this would make her happy, seeing Uri in his own environment, but her response is even better than we anticipated.

“Yes, angel. They should be going on any minute. And then, there’s an after-party we need to attend.” He watches her face, which is still lit up and has the biggest smile I’ve ever seen. “Is that okay?”

“That sounds wonderful!” Her voice cracks, showing a little bit of emotion. I reach out to comfort her but before I can say anything Ciro comes around the corner carrying two beers.

He hands one to me but looks at Stacia with a guilty expression. “Sorry, Stacia. I’d try to sneak you something but this venue is important to the band so it’s risky.”

She waves her hand at him. “Don’t worry about it. I’m just excited to see Uriah play.”

“You’re not the only one, either. I don’t turn twenty-one until May, so we’ll be sober together.” Atlas’ words make her smile wide.

Someone claps me on the back, and I turn to see a familiar long-haired fellow, his cinnamon scent potent as ever. “Hey, Bels.”

“I’m glad you guys could make it,” Bellamy retorts as he flashes a blinding smile at all of us. “Uri should really let you guys come to more gigs.” His eyes land on Stacia and his eyes squint with curiosity as he eyes our interlaced fingers.

Atlas puts his arm around Stacia. “Stacia, this is Bellamy Aymes, the lead singer of Sacred Sound. And Bels, this is Stacia, our…” He looks at our omega, trying to determine how she wants to be introduced, but she beats him to it.

“I’m their scent match.” She gives him a tiny wave instead of a handshake. The gesture causes my alpha to preen in my chest.

Bellamy’s face lights up. “Ah, shit. A scent match? Is that why Uriah’s been on a buzz lately?

” He shakes his head, nothing but delight in his expression.

“Leave it to him to keep that kind of life-changing information to himself, the scoundrel. If I ever meet my scent match, I’m going to scream it from the rooftops. ”

Ciro chuckles. “Knowing you, you probably mean that literally.”

Bellamy returns his laugh before turning his attention back to Stacia. “I’m guessing you’re the reason Uriah let these goofballs show up.”

I give him a playful push. “It’s her birthday, so it’s a special occasion.

” It’s true, though. Uriah doesn’t invite us to many gigs.

He’s a bit shy when it comes to his music, specifically performing, but he had no qualms about tonight.

He knew Stacia wanted to see him play, so he was determined to make that happen.

“Oh shit! Happy birthday! I’ll make sure the guys give you a good show.” He gives her an innocent wink before clapping Atlas on the shoulder. “It’s almost time, so I gotta head back there. I’ll see you guys after?”

We all nod as he departs, his scent falling away as he descends into the crowd. “Well, he seems nice,” Stacia states.

Atlas lets out a humorous scoff. “He seems tame, but he’s as chaotic as they come. He’s truly meant for the rockstar lifestyle.”

That’s a fucking understatement. I’m surprised the guy hasn’t been expelled from Bensen yet.

Just on cue, the lights in the bar dim. Phineas, the drummer of Sacred Sound, comes out first and begins to play. There’s no formal introduction, just each member of the band making their way one by one until their playing synchronizes and their first song starts to blare through the speakers.

Uriah stands on the left side of the stage strumming his bass, doing what he knows best. He ignores the crowd as he focuses on his playing. Our pack mate has normal stage fright, but now there’s an omega here paying extra close attention to him, her eyes sparkling as she watches his every move.

Stacia starts jumping with the crowd, getting into the music even though she doesn’t know any of the words. During the softer songs, I wrap my arms around her and rest my chin on her head. She allows the closeness, wrapping her own arms around mine, which makes my heart soar even higher.

At some point, Uriah looks over and tries to find us in the crowd.

We all throw our hands up, hooting and hollering so he can see us.

When his eyes fall on our section, a genuine smile graces his lips.

It’s the happiest I’ve ever seen him, and I know it’s because he’s picturing a future of this.

Our completed pack, showing up for each other always, just like he’s always wanted.

We’re reaching the end of their set. I suddenly smell a very familiar scent, lavender and vanilla meeting my nose in droves. Stacia’s perfume is fumigating the space, and it makes my head dizzy with desire. She’s getting turned on watching Uriah on stage, and it makes me a very proud pack mate.

Which is such a strange feeling. I always knew we’d one day court an omega as a pack, but I still assumed there would be some kind of jealousy muddying the waters.

I don’t feel anything like that. My alpha is prideful, joyous.

Watching our pack mates stir up happiness within our scent match is all that matters.

When the final song ends, the singer bids the audience good night just before the band and the crowd start to depart. Stacia turns around in my hold, looking at all three of us with flushed cheeks, sweat shining across her forehead.

“So, you said there’s an after-party?”

I give her a kiss on the head, sweat and all. “Only if you want to.”

She smiles big. “Of course I do! Let’s fucking go!”