“Oh, it’s so exciting! Just absolutely mental. I’m freaking out, are you freaking out?”
“I am also freaking out,” I whisper, hopefully low enough that Christine can’t hear. When the corner of her mouth twitches upwards, I know I wasn’t successful. At least she decides not to tease me about it, letting me quickly catch up with Haley.
She gushes over the latest revision of the screenplay for the new Melinoë solo movie, which will start filming in just a few weeks, putting us all on the road again.
Though the solo movie had been intended to give me a chance to work without interference from Christine, our bond immediately made that a problem. Christine’s now on as a producer, and the latest script features an Electra cameo, so she still gets to step in front of the camera.
Christine stood by her faith in Haley’s solo star potential, and the chance to try her hand at the producer side of things seems to have eased her worries about getting pigeon-holed.
Then Haley asks about Annie—we all spent a few days at Christine’s pool a few weeks back—and I offer up a quick report about my hometown. Rusty’s doing better than can be expected, especially on a new medication for his canine arthritis. Mom and Dad are talking to me again, and we catch up once a month or so. Now that I’m bonded, Mom has simultaneously given up on ever convincing me to return home and also stopped worrying so much about me.
It’s still a bit of a sore subject—Mom’s made more than one back-handed comment about how nice it would be to just let an alpha solve all her problems—but since we mostly talk about the weather when we catch up, it’s been alright.
Just as I finish my recap, the lights in the theater dim.
As much as I’d rather avoid the spotlights now illuminating center stage, Christine heads that way, and my omega instincts are very confident that the safest place is at my alpha’s side. I tryto position myself just behind Haley and Christine, hoping to go unnoticed.
Lana takes the mic first, thanking all the fans for their enthusiasm toward the first Electra movie, which is what has made this sequel possible.
Christine picks up from there, echoing the sentiment and emphasizing what an honor it’s been to play Electra. But then she says something that surprises me.
“We all have our hard days—even Electra. Especially me. So, I want you all to know that when it’s hard to keep going…” Her voice actually cracks.
While she can still pull one over on me, I’m getting better at figuring out whether she’s actually acting or not. I slip my hand forward and lace my fingers with hers, giving an encouraging squeeze.
She steadies. “It means theabsolute worldthat Electra has been so empowering to so many of you. Your messages at conventions, on social media, through fan mail—I remember every single one. She has been such a pillar and source of strength for me, and getting to share that is… puremagic. Magic thatyoucreate when you let these stories into your hearts. I hope today you can see how… it’s okay to falter. Everyone falls. Heroes pick themselves back up again—because they know they’re never alone.”
Applause roars through the theater, joined by whistles and cheers.
It’s the sort of thing that would have made my eyes roll into the back of my skull before. I’ll give her shit later, call her cheesy. Make jokes about the magic of friendship for the next couple weeks.
But for now, I just bask in it, beaming up at her with shameless adoration. Sure, she’s impulsive, and cocksure, and completely obnoxious at times. But she’s also sincere, and hard-working, and secretly still dreams she can make the world a better place.
The microphone goes to Haley next. “Jeez, how do I even follow that?”
Warm laughter ripples through the audience.
“You get used to that, actually. Working on-set with Christine. She reallyisthat talented and wonderful to work with. But more than that, she brings out the best in everyone around her, too. I amimmenselyproud of this film, and what you’ll see up there ismybest because of Christine and the whole team supporting me. And also because it’s only really me half the time.”
While the audience chuckles again, my cheek heats with a blush. At least I can hide behind Christine.
Haley continues, “Melinoë is intense, complicated, and acomplete badass. That last part is thanks to the stunt crew, who worked incredibly hard on some honest-to-goodness old-fashioned stunts to make this movie feel soreal. I especially want to thank Alanna, who literally put her body on the line for me, and I’m so glad she could make it tonight.”
I finally breathe again. If this is about recognizing Alanna, I don’t need to panic.
“I’d also like to specially thank…” Haley reaches back and hooks her arm around mine.
No no no no.
She pulls me into the spotlight between her and Christine. Only my fingers still laced with Christine’s keep my soul from leaving my body as the spotlight floods my vision, blurring the nearly one thousand people staring right at us.
“…my best friend, Mylo Rye. He brought something so special to Melinoë, and she wouldn’t be the same without him.Iwouldn’t be the same without him. I have been constantlyimpressed with Mylo’s bravery and resilience. I’ve never met anyone tougher.”
Oh, god, I think I’m crying.
“And that’s why,” Haley concludes, “tonight, we’ll be doing a special collection for donations to the Omega Resource Center.”
Applause becomes a deafening roar.
