Page 21 of Your Wild Omega (The Feral Actress #2)

Chapter sixteen

Rickon

The shooting location for The Omega’s Race teems with energy on the first day of filming, even though it’s barely dawn.

I dig one hand in my pocket and smile as we stroll into the bustling site filled with tents, catering trucks, and, in the distance, horses.

At the beginning, everyone brims with enthusiasm, optimistic the shoots will go smoothly.

But the longer the filming draws out, the crankier the cast and crew get, the long days and short nights taking a toll.

Red looks pale as we enter the racetrack, but otherwise she doesn’t show her nerves.

Now that I know her better, I notice when she closes her eyes for a moment and sinks into her character—and it’s not just for filming.

Every situation that poses a challenge draws her into some kind of role, where she subtly shifts her behavior.

It’s easy for me to see why others might label her with a personality disorder. I’m not sure even Red knows which is the authentic version of herself. But I catch snippets when we’re alone and her guard comes down. It’s a relief to know I’m one of the few people she can be herself with.

But today’s the day she steps into Ashana’s shoes, a female rider who switches designation to become an omega, overturning her life as a jockey.

The bustle in the set slows for a moment as we step into the open space beside the stable that will feature the most in this film. Whispers run through the crowd like a zephyr as people poke their neighbors to stop and look at the stunning omega and her leashed alpha.

Director Yun stalks over. “Glad to see you here, Red.” His brows arch as he scans Zack and the suited-up OCB agents a few steps behind us. “Are you turning my film set into a publicity stunt?”

Red bats her lashes. “Why? Do you want a leash yourself?”

His cheeks tint as he glares at her. “Watch yourself, kiddo.”

Red grins and leans against Zack’s shoulder. “Meet Zack. He’s my emotional support alpha.”

Valencio and I both choke and I transition my shock into a cough and turn away to hide my laughter. It’s an appropriate title, because Red sure is happy these days.

“Well, that’s a new one,” the director says, shaking his head.

Red shrugs. “I’ll be releasing a press statement about him soon enough, but how about we let everyone wonder about the hulking alpha waiting in the corner for a while first?”

He laughs. “Girl, I feel ten years younger when you’re around.”

My omega flutters her hand in his direction. “Sorry, but still too mature for me, dirty old man.”

“Pfft.” He lifts one finger in warning and arches a brow. “I said watch yourself.”

I press my teeth down into my lip to stop from bursting into laughter. Who else in this world can speak to the distinguished director like that, other than Red Jones?

She presses her hands together in front of her chest. “Sorry. I’m a little nervous.”

The director shakes his head in mock despair, and then offers me his hand to shake. “Welcome, Rickon.” He tilts his head, shifting his gaze back to Red. “No need for nerves. Rickon’s an old hand at this. He’ll show you and your emotional support alpha the ropes.”

I chuckle.

The director lifts his brows, one corner of his mouth tilting. “Let’s get started, shall we?” he says, turning away.

Zack follows when Red tugs on his leash, obedient by all appearances, as we head to the costume department. Our omega blows out a deep breath and passes me the leash, both of us knowing that today is as much a test for our wild alpha as it is for the new actress.

We spent the past two days visiting shops and going for long walks, and although Zack sweated and growled through it all, he didn’t bolt again. I can only hope we’ve done enough to get through filming.

Callie welcomes us with open arms and a wide grin before ushering Red into her booth. “I have been waiting for you, beautiful woman, eh,” she declares as the omega strips. “And now you bring a second alpha? Everyone will clamor for a chance to join your pack, eh, sweet girl.”

Red chuckles as she tugs on the fitted riding pants. “And why are you so certain he’s ours?”

Callie arches her brows. “Are you mocking me, Red? It’s all in the eyes.” She twitches her fingers apart, pointing into her own eyes, then Red’s.

My omega blushes faintly and flashes me a grin, as pleased as I am to have Zack recognized as pack. I rub the leather loop on the end of the leash between my fingers as I watch her slip on the riding boots.

“Has nothin’ to do with a new bond mark, of course,” the costumer adds, smirking.

Red slaps her hand over the scar on her shoulder. “Oh, you sly queen.”

Callie chuckles deviously and holds out the shirt for the first shoot. "Which we will now have to cover up so it doesn't show under the collar, eh?"

Normally I’d be inside the booth, passing clothes or reading over the schedule, but now my awareness splits between my gorgeous omega and the killer alpha at my side.

He stands tensely, shifting as he scans the humming tent.

Every time the flap opens to admit a staff member, he twitches, on the alert for danger.

I rest my hand on his arm and find the muscles hard with tension. “We’re safe. No one’s going to attack us here,” I murmur.

Zack’s gaze drops to my hand, and his expression softens. As much as I want to keep my eyes on Red, when I consider the area with all the dividers, it must be a nightmare for an alpha used to being attacked.

“Red will be busy for a while,” I tell the alpha. “How about we turn around and I’ll explain some things?”

I pressure his arm until he swings sideways and then chat softly about the filming process while Red gets her hair braided and makeup done. I want to take him out and introduce him to horses, but I know he won’t cope without Red in sight.

“Rickon?”

I turn as Red steps out and my breath catches.

Fuck, she’s stunning. Fitted tan jodhpurs cling to her ass and the white shirt skims her breasts and arms. I’ve seen her in this “horse girl” look plenty of times, but in makeup and on the verge of filming, it’s different. And she looks completely natural.

After all the preparation and reciting lines, we’re here, on the verge of her debut.

I sink a careful kiss into her hair. “I’m so lucky to be your manager,” I murmur.

She glows with happiness and pride. “Thank you. Can you look after this for me?” She holds up her wrist to show her new diamond bracelet. I nod and slide Zack’s leash up my arm to unclasp it and transfer it to my wrist. The metal’s warm from her skin.

I recognized the bracelet as a gift from Callisto the moment I first laid eyes on it, and along with the roses, it sends a signal. My stomach churns as the sparkles hold me spellbound. Callisto as part of our pack? It’s my dream come true, and yet somehow the idea makes me nervous.

And I think my unease stems from the alpha at my side, who’s asserting himself so much when we’re at home. Callisto’s keeping his distance from the wary alpha, for good reason.

Zack looks Red up and down, and then flinches. A growl rips through his throat.

“What’s wrong?” I ask, tightening my grip. If he tries to rip the leash out of my hands, I probably won’t be able to stop him, and the OCB agents are currently sitting on nil versus Zack’s one for containing him.

Zack grabs at Red’s collar and peels back the edge, revealing a smooth neckline. With no bond.

He bares his teeth, and I lunge, getting my hand over his mouth as he leans in. “It’s still there,” I tell him as his ivories press on my fingers. A bleeding omega’s the last thing we want, if Zack decides he needs to renew his bond mark.

“Callie, quick. Pass me some foundation,” I call.

She snatches the bottle off the table and thrusts it at me before backing away, even the surrounding betas reacting to Zack’s radiating anger.

“Look, Zack.” I paint over a freckle on my arm. “Seems like it’s gone, but it’s just covered up. See?” I wipe the foundation off my skin, revealing the tiny brown mark. “Same for Red. They just painted over it.”

Zack looks from my arm to Red’s neck and snorts.

She smiles and splays her hand to his chest. “You can feel it here. It’s not gone. I’m still in your heart.”

A shudder runs through the big alpha. Can’t blame him.

“I wouldn’t want to give up a bond either,” I mutter dryly. “If I had one.”

Red glances at me from under her lashes. She says nothing, but it’s like I can hear her shouting in my head. I want your bond too.

Fuck. I’m gonna get hard, and antsy at this rate, and it’ll torment me all day.

Especially with Zack holding her shirt open so a little perfect cleavage peeks out.

I drag my gaze back to our feral. He peers over my fingers to investigate my arm again.

Then his hot, wet tongue slides out across my palm.

I swallow down a moan and snatch my hand away.

Not helping with the chub in my pants, big guy.

“Come on. Red has places to be,” I mumble. Hopefully, I can divert his attention. And mine. I turn to walk away.

Zack pulls back on the leash, and my heart pounds, wondering if this is when his training all falls apart. He releases Red and rests his hand around the metal links in the leash, fingering them lightly. Heat burns through my ears as I recall what those fingers did to me the last few nights.

He steps closer, with an intelligent, dangerous look in his eye. His breath mists my ear as he leans down to bring our faces level and says, “Later.” His fingers close around mine on the end of the leash, locking it in my grip.

My dick twitches.

A delicious thrill runs through me as he straightens. I never asked for his consent to lead him around like a dog, but he just gave it to me. When we’re in public, at least. At home? That’s a completely different story.

And just like that, I’m a lost cause. Head over heels for an alpha I never saw coming.

“All right, Zack,” I whisper before clearing my throat. “Later. But now it’s time for our omega to shine.”

The flurry of activity on the set serves as a wonderful distraction.

I introduce Red to the camera crew, including those recording the behind the scenes, which is like a whole separate movie.

Those guys notice Zack’s leash right away and snap some photos.

Snack tables, lighting crew, and, for this film, the livestock handlers and the animal rights representatives.

Before we know it, Director Yun’s calling for the first take.

“Show them everything you’ve got,” I whisper to Red.

She blows me and Zack a kiss, neither of us willing to risk smearing makeup by locking lips. “Zack, stay with Rickon.” She emphasizes the stay once more, and then walks over to the set.

Zack stiffens as she moves under the cover of the stable roof, only partially visible for the first scenes of grooming and saddling the racehorse.

“Later,” I tell him. “She’ll be in your arms later, but for now, this is something Red needs to do.”

He rumbles faintly before moving closer until our shoulders bump. Not sure which one of us is getting comfort from the touch, because I don’t like not seeing Red either.

The loudspeaker booms and my heart leaps into my throat. “We’re rolling. Three, two, one, action.”

Emotion wells up inside me. I can only partially see the movements of Red and the horse, obscured by timber beams, cameras at different angles, and a huge crew, but the glimpses of scarlet hair show me her movements.

She’s here, finally living her dreams. I did everything possible to give her this chance.

Now the rest is on her.