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“Why do you even know about that?” I asked—like I didn’t know the answer, they watched my career like hawks.
My parents had tried everything to get Love and Ebony out of my life, bribery, blackmail, threats. And when none of it had worked, they’d turned up themselves, ready to escort me out—which had been a big mistake.
Before that day, I don’t think Felix Harrison had ever trulylostin his life, but there was one thing he valued even more than the idea of his children living up to his pack’s legacy. And of course, finding weaknesses was Ebony’s specialty.
So they walked away, and I got my pack.
But I believed they hid annoyance at my successes and took great pleasure in my failures, even while fronting disappointment.
“You cannot be associated with things like that, Rook,” my mother said evenly. “It’s worse than tacky career choices.”
“What… what is?” I asked, trying to backtrack through the conversation around my spiralling thoughts.
“It’s bad enough that Ebony’s a rogue.” Benjamin’s lips were drawn as he said that, as if it disgusted him. “You can’t afford PR like that.”
“Like…?” I stared at them stupidly for a second before I understood. “Like Vex?”
All of their eyebrows shot up, and I regretted saying her name.
“Oh no, dear, you weren’t actually involved with her, were you? I mean I know she was a Sweetheart, but you told me it was Ebony’s—” She cut off, eyes darting to Felix. There was a definite unspoken rule between them that Ebony never be named, and if he had to be, he was ‘that rogue Hightower brother’.
“She’s… important.”
Felix’s eyebrow shot up. “Sort yourself out, son. The first omega who wanders on into your life, and you’re—”
“No. That’s not… it’s not like that.” They could needle me all they fucking wanted, but I wouldn’t hear them talk about her. It was… impossible. They could never know. I knew, just from this. What would they say if they knew we’d already offered her the princess bond. Right then, I was so glad for Love’s commitment to her, he had always been stronger than me. Better than me.
You were supposed to be better…
That’s what she’d written.
And I couldn’t be, not if I did here what I’d done in that stupid round table interview. Not if I let them slander her and did nothing.
“Wait for a mate, Rook,” Benjamin said, eyes kind, though I knew he was just nervous about the thunderous expression on Felix’s face. “I know you don’t want one yet because of your jobs, but later. That’s the better way to go about it anyway, if you ask me—especially with the state of your career.”
“What does that mean?”
“Come now, you don’t believe it’srandomdo you?” my mother asked. “You scent match someone deserving of your station. Look at me and your fathers.” She glanced between them proudly. “Truly ideal.”
“We worked hard and proved ourselves,” Felix was saying. “We got an omega worthy of that. If you ask me, you aren’t… there yet. Still too immature, especially giving up career opportunities like this. You don’t want to be like your cousins now, do you? The Morrison pack were always slacking, never took anything seriously, and who did they match with?”
“Josie comes from a rich family—” I began.
“From engineers and ... and doctors—in the public sector?” Felix scoffed. “Hardly elite, hardlyspecial. Anyone could do those jobs. You do not come from mediocrity, Rook. Not Benjamin, nor your mother—they’re special, with music sought out across the planet.”
“Don’t waste that, son,” Benjamin said. “And your mother’s right. Get the contract back, work hard, and when you do find a match, they’ll be worthy—”
I was on my feet in a moment, sickness twisting my stomach.
Worthy?
I’d hurt her.
Iwas the one who wasn’t worthy of her.
“If I…” I had to steady my breathing, and I couldn’t meet any of their eyes, pulse roaring in my ears. “If I ever court an omega, she willnevermeet any of you.”
“Rook!” My mother’s voice was harsh as she got to her feet.
