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“Whoever you do end up with, do not leave them alone after a scene like that for gods’ sake. And if you ever do that again to Jett or anyone else I consider mine, I will not be so forgiving. Training your replacement be damned.”
I gave him a sharp nod. “Understood.”
“Good, now if you’ll excuse me, I need to schmooze some assholes and smooth things over. Oh, and Remmington Chaplain requested a meeting with you. He’s planning on running for council next election and has significant influence. I suggest you sober up enough to have an intelligent conversation with him.”
With that, Orion left me alone at the bar to brood in peace.
CHAPTER8
Jett
“That’s him.That’s the whore we heard in the bathroom.”
“I can’t believe Strongfire is allowing him to show his face after that.”
“It’s truly shameful. And he was supposed to mate with one of us? Disgusting.”
“Right? Like I would ever accept a slut like that in my bedroom.”
“I wouldn’t accept one in my home. I’ll be surprised if Strongfire allows him to stay. I certainly wouldn’t.”
“No, Strongfire is weak when it comes to disciplining omegas. He probably won’t even punish him. Disgraceful.”
“Okay, that’s enough.” I nearly startled out of my skin as Arden slammed his hand on the table, drawing my attention.
I’d never seen him so angry before and it was disturbing. He was always so in control of emotions, so relaxed and even-keeled, but something set him off now.
“Let’s go, you two. I’m taking you away from this. Neither of you need to hear this.”
I looked at Lyric, who shrugged. It felt like I was cheating a bit if I left now. Like I was taking the cowardly way out. But it also had been a solid hour of trying to enjoy the party while being subjected to comments like that or much worse. There wasn’t a person in the room, my family, including Arden, aside, who wasn’t staring me down with open disgust. Though, that was still better than the ones who watched me with revulsion and lust. The ones who were wondering if they could get me to scream like Emerson had.
It was why Arden was ordered to not leave my and Lyric’s sides.
We had been keeping to ourselves, sitting quietly at the table and talking. I was doing my best to not look around and to ignore the comments and jabs, but it was getting harder and harder. Especially because I was sure they were coming ever closer to our table just to make sure I was hearing them clearly.
Lyric stood, looking relieved. He had mastered his death stare and was bandying it about to everyone who dared to get close, which sparked even further outrage. I would be surprised if Orion wasn't getting constant complaints about his unruly omegas.
“Where are we going?” Lyric asked. “To find Bastion?”
Bastion was one of my and Orion’s brothers, the one married to that doctor from up north. Both Orion and Lyric had been worried about him, but the incident with me seemed to sidetrack their mission to check up on him.
Arden shook his head and showered Lyric with a warm gaze full of brotherly affection. “No, little one. He seems to be sequestered to his room. I tried to get in there to speak to him but it’s guarded. Orion could force the issue, but he’s a little occupied right now.”
I swallowed guiltily, looking at the ground. Gods, I’d been so selfish. I was so focused on that connection I felt with Emerson, I didn’t think about any of the other consequences. Now, one of our brothers could potentially be in a dangerous situation that he’d likely still be in at the end of the night because of me.
I had no doubts that if Orion had proof of mistreatment, he’d be there right now, banging the door down. But as of now, it was only speculation and a bad gut feeling. That was not enough to make a scene, especially after he was already putting out my fires. I knew he said not to worry about the ground he lost tonight, but it was hard not to. Why couldn’t I just be a normal, obedient omega who accepted what I was given? Why did I have to be selfish and always want more?
Lyric squeezed my hand as Arden quickly started to usher us out. “I was thinking we’d go to the omega room. They’d allow me in as your private guard, and it might give you two some breathing room without having to leave entirely.
Omega rooms were common in elite places like this. It was exactly what it sounded like: a sitting room of sorts for omegas to go that was separated from most alphas. It was typically used as a way to babysit omegas when the alphas went to talk about business they weren’t permitted to sit in on. The only alphas allowed in the room were the legal guardians of the omegas and a personal guard for each. Alphas would send their charges in there to ensure they weren’t wandering around and getting into trouble and partly to keep them safe.
But it was as good as place as any. I really did need a break. I was constantly on the verge of tears, and not because of the cruel comments, though they certainly weren’t helping. It was from being so close to my fated mate and not being allowed to connect with him. My body didn’t even care if I was bitten. I just needed to be close, held, wanted.
It wasn’t going to happen though. I had to accept it.
On our way to the room, we were stopped by the alpha who had walked into the bathroom and wouldn’t back down from Orion.
His eyes flicked from Arden to Lyric and then to me. They lingered on me, but not in a way that made me uncomfortable. It was like he was checking to make sure I was okay.
