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Chapter One
Rhea
The bus smells like sweat, fast food, and leftover pheromones.
Not the worst it’s ever been, but bad enough to make me crack the window with my elbow and breathe through my mouth.
My headphones are in. Not for music - just static. A force field. A habit.
Something to keep the world out.
I stare out the dirty glass, trying to ignore the low hum of omega scent a few rows ahead. It’s faint, but unmistakable - sweet and thick, like peaches in the sun.
I don’t need to look to know she’s sitting with her back straight and her Alpha’s scent wrapped around her like expensive perfume.
That’s fine. That’s her life.
And it’s got nothing to do with me.
My phone buzzes in my coat pocket. Again.
Lexi.
I answer with a sigh. “Still on the bus. No, I haven’t died.”
“You better not have,” she snaps. “It’s your birthday, Rhea. If you vanish on me today, I will climb through your window like a cursed spirit, drag you out by the ankles, and dress you myself while chanting your full birth name.”
“I’d like to see you try,” I mutter, but a ghost of a smile pulls at my mouth.
“Don’t tempt me. And you better not be planning to flake on the gala.”
“I told you I’d be there.”
“Youalsotold me last week that you’d come out for drinks and then ghosted after two mojitos.”
“Because you tried to make me do karaoke!”
“And I’ll make sure you do it tonight if you try to run. You know I will.”
I sigh. “I’ll be there. Just… don’t count on me wearing anything glittery.”
“You’re working, not walking the runway,” Lexi snorts. “But maybe try not to look like you just rolled out of a parking lot with your camera bag and three granola bars.”
“That’s specific.”
“I’ve met you.”
I roll my eyes. “You’re lucky I love you. And that I need rent money.”
“You’re luckyIloveyou, or I’d have found someone who wouldn't dream of wearing combat boots to formal events.”
A pause.
Then her voice shifts slightly, into something softer and less teasing.
“But really, Rhea… thanks for doing this. I know you hate these kinds of things, and I know it's your birthday and you’d probably rather eat cake alone with your plants. But I’m glad you’re coming. Even if it’s just to work. You deserve to be around people who see how damn good you are.”
My chest tightens.
