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I might not know everything I should about high society, but I was familiar enough to understand that rumors spread like wildfire. Once your reputation was tattered, that was the end. There was no coming back from it.
Orion shrugged and waved his hand in a so/so motion. “They don’t know exactly what happened, but apparently, at least one of those assholes overheard you two. The gossip started before I was even aware of anything.”
My body couldn’t decide between going numb and shutting everything out and completely panicking. I wasn’t worried about me exactly. I was sure there would be no chance of me finding even a heat partner, let alone a mate now, but that didn’t matter anyway. If it wasn’t Emerson, I didn’t think I could be with anyone else. At least not for a while.
What I was worried about was how this would impact Orion. What he was doing was important. So much more important than someone who could knot me every four months. And it didn’t matter what happened. Even if it wasn’t consensual, the omega would be blamed. People might whisper behind the alpha’s back, but all the shame, all the punishment would fall squarely on the omega.
Not that I would ever blame Emerson, not for that. I knew what I was doing. Words might not have been spoken, but I was never frightened. I was aware I could walk away at any time and Emerson wouldn’t stop me. I refused. And still, even after knowing what happened, I wouldn’t change that because at least I tried.
If this hurt Orion, though, if it made his goals harder to reach, I’d never forgive myself. I’d have to do . . . something to fix it.
Orion squatted down in front of me and cupped my cheek lightly. “Hey, Jett, it’s okay.”
“I-I’m sorry. I should’ve thought about that before—I couldn’t focus on anything but proving I was meant for him, and I ruined everything. I was so selfish. I’ll fix it, I promise. I’m so sorry.”
“Jett.” There was just a trace of his alpha compulsion, just enough to have me sitting up straighter to listen. “Listen to me, okay?”
I nodded in agreement.
“You have nothing to apologize for. Nothing. I’m still not sure what happened here, and I’m not sure I want to, but nothing you did was wrong. I don’t give a fuck what they are saying. They always need someone to talk about, and my family has been the fodder of gossip my whole life. I learned a long time ago not to give a fuck. Anyone who matters won’t believe the bullshit.”
“But the mission—” I whispered, knowing full well there were ears everywhere.
“I swear to you, Jett, it’s fine. All I’m worried about is you, understand?”
He seemed genuine, even if I didn’t get why. My impulsiveness was going to ruin everything. My aunt’s voice filled my head, reminding me that “I’ll never be a proper omega.”
“Why can’t you just behave like every other omega, Jett? You wonder why I keep you hidden in this house? You think I’d honestly risk the embarrassment you’ll certainly cause me if I allow you out into society?”
Orion’s strong grip on the back of my neck brought me out of my thoughts. I scrubbed my face. I couldn’t think straight. Everything was a jumbled mess and it seemed impossible to unravel it enough to settle on one particular thing.
“Let’s get you out of here, okay?”
I nodded, grateful to be done with the conversation for now.
“Would you like to go back up to our room?”
I looked up at my brother, bleary-eyed. He looked as exhausted as I felt.
“Would that be easier for you? I don’t want to mess things up even more.”
The look on Orion’s face told me that never crossed his mind. “What? Gods, Jett, do you think I’m trying to hide you? Well, fuck that. I was only offering for your own comfort. I know you’re exhausted and have been through a lot. I’d never shove you in a fucking corner in hopes that they’d forget you.”
Relief filled me. Emerson might not want me, but my brother and Lyric did. And that was something. It wasn’t everything, but it was more than enough. It would have to be.
I wiped my face for the hundredth time and smiled slightly at him. “Then, if it’s okay, I’d rather go back. At least for a little while. I know it won’t be easy, but I’m tired of being the shameful secret.”
My brother stood, fire in his eyes. “Then by all means, let’s go back to the party and show all those stuck-up assholes just what we think about their bullshit.”
Just as we were leaving, I stopped my brother one last time. “Alpha, please don’t hurt or fire Emerson. Or do anything. Please promise me that.”
Orion sighed heavily before looking at me. I thought he might deny me but instead, he just groaned. “I feel like I might regret this but fine. I won’t hurt him or fire him. At least right now. He pulls this shit again and I reserve the right to change my mind, understand?”
I couldn’t help but smile. “I understand. Thank you.” Orion rolled his eyes but led us out of the room finally.
CHAPTER7
Emerson
