Page 61 of Your Wild Omega (The Feral Actress #2)

Chapter forty-eight

Rickon

Red’s plan to shut Brad down executes flawlessly.

I stop at a news agency Friday morning on our way to work and find myself greeted by a dazzling array of Brad’s photos on the glossy covers with headlines like I just wanted your attention and Brad unceremoniously dumped .

And, as paparazzi do best, they’ve dug up all sorts of photos of Brad looking desperate, when in reality he was probably just mouth breathing when the photo got snapped. Not my problem.

Play with fire and you’re gonna get burned.

I carry my treasures back to the car with a triumphant grin. “Oh, look, Red. You’re in the news again.”

“Let’s see.” Red makes grabby fingers and lets out a maniacal laugh as she takes the magazines and scans through the folds. “He’s going to be pissed.”

Zack takes one magazine and gets a sly look on his face as he stabs his finger down on a photo of Red and Brad. “Ohm. Act.”

I chuckle and put the car into gear, checking the traffic before pulling out into the street.

“You’re so right, Zack,” Red crows, glowing with pride. “Your omega was just acting.” She tugs him to her side, and they snuggle all the way to the racetrack.

Agent Josef shakes his head in the passenger seat next to me.

“I can’t believe how far he’s come in just a couple of months.

Makes you wonder how much effort they’re putting into assessing these alphas for rehabilitation.

” He skips the obvious. Zack would be dead by now if Red hadn’t rescued him. Thank God she can hear our voices.

Tension hangs over the film set as we arrive, the strained mood clear in the curious glances and hushed whispers that trail behind us. Bradley storms up to Red inside the wardrobe tent, his palpable anger setting my hair on end.

“What the fuck’s going on, Red?” he demands.

Zack growls and steps between the furious alpha and our mate. For the first time, the true malevolence lurking within my pack alpha gusts through our bond, stealing my breath. This alpha’s ready to tear the world to pieces for his omega. And for me.

It’s a fucking miracle Zack ever submitted to a leash.

Red hangs herself off Zack’s shoulder, and his bloodlust simmers down. “What are you talking about?” she asks, eyes wide. Bloody hell, I love this actress.

Brad snatches a magazine from his manager and slaps his hand against the cover with a loud thwack. “This! You supposedly shooting me down.”

“Oh.” She taps a polished finger against her jaw and I hide my smile. “I just took your advice and gave a statement about the truth. I’m not yours, Brad, and I never will be. Pretty sure I mentioned that at the restaurant.”

His face turns a wonderful rainbow of expressions that leave a flushed stamp across his handsome exterior. “You set me up. They even have an audio recording of us talking.”

Red chuckles. “Did I? I can’t be certain, but how about the people you had watching us from the other tables? Maybe one of them leaked the truth.” She lifts both hands in the air, a vision of innocence. “You know how it is. The paparazzi love their wild stories.”

He throws the magazine to the ground and curls his hands into fists. “Red Jones!” he snarls.

She tilts her head and scoffs. “Maybe I wasn’t clear enough. I’d rather sandpaper my pussy than let you anywhere near it, dumbass. So keep your grubby paws off me and my pack.”

“You bitch,” he hisses, face contorting with anger as he steps forward.

I click my tongue and usher Red past me, out of harm’s way. “Hey, let’s keep it professional, Brad. We’re in the work environment, after all, and everyone’s watching.”

“This isn’t the end,” he hisses, flushing darkly.

A familiar gluggy sensation rises through my chest. I’ll take beatings and being called an al-mega; I’ll deal with being hit on and treated like a substitute. But threaten my omega? Nuh-uh.

“You’re wrong.” My voice doesn’t seem to belong to me anymore.

I step forward, rage boiling out in every direction.

“It’s over. The lady said no. I said no.

You’re welcome to try your luck with Zack, but our bond tells me he’d much prefer to pull your beating heart out of your bloody body.

” The daylight fades, and thunder rumbles in my ears as I stare him down. “No means no, fucker.”

It’s not daylight changing; it’s just Zack stepping up behind me and resting his hands on my shoulders. His growl’s no joke, filled with dark menace. But the way it quivers through my back thrills me and fills me with confidence.

The alpha’s presence burns so thick and violent, Brad rocks back a step. After a split second, I realize that’s not all Zack’s presence. My alpha scent spills, vanilla tones burned to brimstone by fierce anger. This time, I didn’t even have to get drunk to manage it.

Fear flashes in Brad’s eyes as his gaze jumps from me to the big alpha at my back. “Y-you let him bond you?” the actor stammers.

I laugh, the sound loud in the silent tent. “Yes, I did, and I love it. That’s what it takes to be part of our pack, so please, grow up, and leave us be. We’re not your playthings. And next time you spread lies to the media, I’ll be sending my lawyer. Maybe you’ve heard of Callisto Wren?”

Even if he hasn’t heard of Callisto personally, the Wren family is a household name, their net worth approaching ten figures.

Brad’s mouth snaps shut and he slumps, and I know he’s done.

I nod and turn, linking my arm with Zack’s to look for Red. She’s paused just inside her dressing area, smiling at me like I’m her hero. I suck in a jagged breath and nod to her, feeling elated. We’ll face many more hurdles on her journey through stardom, but Brad won’t be one of them.

I snap the curtain edge and it slides on its railing, blocking out the stunned alpha and the frozen spectators.

“You really got worked up there, alpha,” Red teases, stepping into my open arms and breathing deep.

As I squeeze her to my chest, my limbs shake. “I think I’ll leave the heroics for Zack next time,” I say with a squeaky laugh.

Red chuckles and presses a soft kiss to my lips. “You were amazing.”

Callie, Red’s costumer, claps her hands. “All are amazing, yez? Can ve please get dressed now, eh?” The tension shatters as we laugh, and by the time we leave, Brad’s nowhere to be seen.

We stumble into the house, exhausted. Mr Yun worked us late with indoor scenes, making up for the day he gave Red off after her fall.

We’ve reached a static point in filming where the process feels endless because we’re not even halfway through.

The repeated reshoots, with no end in sight, drag on everyone’s spirits.

It’s no one’s fault. Sometimes a horse neighs in the middle of important dialogue, or one of the crew members trips on the equipment. Other times, the director wants to try a different angle or change up the positions, so they shoot over and over until he’s satisfied.

Red works hard, listening carefully to direction, interpreting like a seasoned veteran, and doing the retakes without a single complaint.

The palpable tension between her and Brad doesn’t help the atmosphere, but Mr Yun seems aware and postponed their sex scene for later. That one will be fun for sure.

I collapse onto the couch. “Fuck, this day felt twice as long as usual,” I mutter. I shouldn’t stop. I need to keep pushing until my family’s fed and washed, but I don’t think I can take another step.

Red lies down with her head on my lap, silent because she’s preserving her voice after it got scratchy in the last scene.

Ozzie screeches at us. “Hello. Fuck off. Get out!”

I chuckle and press my knuckles to my aching forehead, which hurts almost as much as my feet. “Hello to you too, Ozzie.” I run my other hand through Red’s hair, massaging her scalp. “Should we let him out?”

Although Ozzie’s been out a few times, we’ve cautiously kept him away from Zack. But it might be safe to let them meet now. If Zack didn’t attack the alpha who threatened Red today, maybe we’re taking giant leaps forward.

My omega hauls herself upright and goes over to the cage, letting the bird climb onto her finger before transferring him to her shoulder. He clings to her hair, bobbing his head in delight.

I pull myself up on my elbows. “Hey, Zack. Want to meet the bird?”

“Bird, yes. Ozz-ee.” The big alpha reaches out his hand.

Red winces as she extracts the parrot from her locks and transfers him to Zack’s fingers. The colorful bird tilts his head back and forth, studying the big alpha. “Bastard,” he shrieks, spreading his wings and dancing up and down. “Hallo. Bastard.”

Zack blinks at the noisy critter, clearly unsure what to do.

I lose it. It’s just too cute. I flop back against the armrest, choking with laughter, and damn if it doesn’t feel good.

After all the tension, I needed a laugh.

“I’m not cooking tonight,” I declare once I catch my breath.

“If you’re hungry, eat granola bars or something. ”

Red grins as she gently takes the foul-mouthed parrot away from Zack. “Fine by me.”

Agent Pierce rolls up his sleeves and washes his hands at the sink. “If you don’t mind me invading your kitchen, I’ll cook something.”

“Shit, really?” I ask. Not his job at all, but I won’t say no. “Knock yourself out.”

I cover my face with one arm, blocking out the clanking as he gets pots and cutting boards out.

I think I need a vacation. We’ve been living every day on edge, but things might finally settle into a routine now.

I can even think about lining up Red’s next film contract.

Tomorrow I’ll ask Mr Yun’s assistant which titles are in the director’s scope.

A weird dial tone disrupts my daze and I lift my hips to dig my phone out of my back pocket. “Oh, it’s Hale,” I mutter in surprise. And he’s attempting to video call. My belly lurches. It’s after dark and Callisto’s paralegal is calling. Something isn’t right.