He clears his throat and looks up at me. “Ms. Clairmont, some concerning information has come to our attention that needs to be addressed.”
“I’m not sure what you’re talking about.” It’s technically not a lie, since I don’t know which of my misconducts he’s referring to.
Mark’s eyes narrow. “We were informed by a reliable source that you’ve been lying about your designation.”
My stomach lurches. That isn’t either of the things I expected. “Wait, what? You’re joking,” I blurt, unable to hide my surprise.
“Ms. Clairmont, I assure you this is a very serious accusation. Lying about your designation is grounds for termination, due to the potential risk to both you and your coworkers.”
I blink back at him, not believing what I’m hearing. “I didn’t lie about my designation. I was a beta when I was hired.”
Mark shakes his head. “That’s semantics. You went into heat and revealed as an omega, then failed to report that to usso we could make proper… accommodations.” There’s a hint of distaste in his voice, obviously not a fan of having omegas in the workplace.
Anger rises inside me. “You didn’t ask me for any details when I came back from my absence. I offered to provide medical documentation, and you told me that wasn’t necessary.”
“That doesn’t change that it was your responsibility to inform us and you failed to do so. Do you deny that?”
“No, but?—”
He holds a hand up. “I’m sorry, Ms. Clairmont, but due to your gross negligence, Pulse PR must terminate your employment. Effective immediately.” He pushes the paperwork over to me and waits for me to pick it up.
I push it back across the desk with a huff. I know I should stay calm, but I’m furious and shocked that I can’t keep my disbelief contained.
“This is crazy. I need to talk to someone higher up. They’ll understand. Me being an omega has no impact on my ability to do my job. Talk to my manager. He’ll confirm that.”
Something flicks across Mark’s expression at my mention of River. More dread pools inside me. “The decision has already been made. I’ll need you to sign the severance papers and then I’ll escort you to gather your belongings,” he says blandly.
With no other option before me, I flip through the paperwork, picking up the pen with numb fingers. My eyes are too blurry to read much of anything, but I don’t want him to know that.
As I bring the tip of the pen to the signature line on the paper, I hesitate.
Looking back up at Mark, I speak, voice shaking as I fight to get the words out without crying. “Who reported this to y-you?”
The beta is unaffected by my distress, picking at a thread on his sleeve before meeting my gaze.
I startle at the disdain in his eyes. He’s looking at me like I’m a melodramatic crybaby omega instead of someone having a reasonable reaction to being fired from the job they’ve spent the last five years working their ass off at.
“I’m afraid I can’t provide that information,” he sighs.
“Fine.” I look back down at the paperwork, a tear spilling down my cheek and plopping in a wet splotch onto the page despite my best efforts to hold it back.
Only two people in the office know I’m an omega.
Lauren and River.
There’s no reason Lauren would’ve reported me. She’s had weeks to bring it up to HR and the last time we spoke, she was offering to help me make my office space more comfortable for my omega.
River, on the other hand…
Mark was coming from his office before he talked to me.
Fuck.
More tears spill, streaming down my cheeks.
Mark sighs heavily as he waits for me to sign the papers.
I’ve got to get out of here. Away from this asshole and his claustrophobic office. Get somewhere my omega is safe, because it’s clear I never was at this job.
