"He's our packmate," Aidan says, and there's a warning in his voice that makes even this intimidating woman take a step back.
"Of course," she says quickly. "We'll do what we can to help. When you're ready."
I take a deep breath, squaring my shoulders. I can do this. For Darren. For my pack, and… fuck, when did I start thinking of them as mine?
"Ready?" Jax asks, looking between Aidan and me.
"Let's give them a show," I say, channeling every ounce of fake bravado I possess.
The doors open, and we're immediately assaulted by chaos.
Cameras flash like strobe lights, momentarily blinding me. The crowd surges forward, held back only by a thin line of security. Reporters shout questions, each trying to be heard overthe others. Fans scream, some supportive, some definitely not. The energy is electric and terrifying.
"Jax! Jax! What's the team's position on Malloy's omega status?"
"Aidan! Did you know Morris is in critical condition?"
"Who's the girl? Is she Malloy's girlfriend?"
"Was this planned? Did the team know he's an omega all along?"
Jax's hand finds the small of my back, guiding me forward. Aidan flanks my other side, using his considerable bulk to create space. We push through the crowd, ignoring the questions even as they get more invasive.
"Miss! Are you dating the whole pack?"
"How long have you known about Malloy's designation?"
"Do you think omegas belong in professional sports?"
That last one makes me see red. I turn toward the reporter, a weaselly looking man with a press badge from some gossip rag, and before Jax can stop me, I'm talking.
"I think anyone who can play at Darren's level belongs wherever the fuck they want to be," I snap, my voice carrying over the noise. "His designation doesn't change the fact that he's one of the best defensemen in the league. Or are you too busy sniffing around for scandal to actually watch the games?"
The reporter's mouth opens and closes like a fish. Someone laughs, another reporter, maybe, and then everyone's shouting questions at once.
"Is that confirmation of a relationship?"
"How long have you been involved with the pack?"
"What's your name?"
"Aren't you afraid you'll be pushed out of a pack that already has an omega?"
Holy shit, these people are vultures.
Aidan steps forward, partially blocking me from view. "Back off," he growls, and there's a bark-adjacent edge in his voice that makes the crowd step back instinctively. They're probably also recalling what he just did on the ice.
"Keep moving," Jax murmurs in my ear, but I catch the hint of approval in his voice.
We push through the crowd, security finally getting their shit together and creating a clearer path. The SUV is visible now, idling at the curb with its engine running. Just a few more yards.
"Aidan! Aidan! How do you justify nearly killing a man?"
"Morris was facing an omega in heat! Don't you think?—"
Aidan stops so abruptly I nearly run into his back. He turns to face the reporter who asked that last question, and the look on his face makes my blood run cold. This is the same expression he wore before he destroyed Morris.
"Morris," he says, his voice deadly quiet but somehow carrying over the crowd, "was about to assault our teammate. An omega in a vulnerable state. If you think that's acceptable, thenyou'repart of the fucking problem."
