The local chapter leader, a woman with curly blonde hair named Mariah, walked to the podium, and the members quieted down as we listened to upcoming plans, including the Spring festival, which I’d volunteered to help work on. Now I had to calculate when my next heat would pop up so I could actually help.
We were almost at the end of the agenda when Chilli came to the podium. She hadn’t gone back to New York yet? Why did she care about the Baltimore coven so much? She smiled out at the members and then laid eyes on me. “We can’t let this meeting end without congratulating one of our members, Billie Bellamy, who has officially become an omega.”
What the fuck? My eyes widened, and I slouched low in my seat. This was news I definitely did not want shared. I was already on the radar of some mysterious evil person. No one else needed to know. Several people in the room turned and looked at me with curious or even envious eyes.
Chilli continued. “When we have an omega in our coven, we must ensure that we protect her with all we have. She’s unclaimed, and a very real threat continues to loom over her head every day. We must have her back.”
I heard whispers of agreement and murmurs of how I had to get claimed soon and wonders of why I was so old and still an unclaimed omega. I had yet to tell Chilli I was claimed, and now I was glad I had not.
Lila sucked her teeth, shaking her head. “This is bull shit. This news was not for the masses.”
No, it wasn’t, and I was thoroughly embarrassed. “I feel like she’s more excited than I am.”
Chilli tapped the mic to quiet the crowd, her face beaming. What else could she possibly have to say? “To have an omega witch is rare. It adds to the power of our coven, so this benefits us all.”
I would have liked to talk to Chilli about this first. I didn’t see why announcing it was necessary. In fact, it pissed me off.
“For that reason,” she stated, “It’s very important that she has the right alphas to claim her.”
More murmurs of agreement. What even was this? How was my love life up for discussion at a meeting? This was weird as hell.
“It should be an alpha witch from another powerful coven. Then we can unite. That will strengthen us for sure against any enemies,” shouted a guy with a bald head whose name I couldn’t remember at the moment.
The crowd replied in agreement. This was crazy. I was not going to sit here and let a bunch of people I barely knew comment on my life as if they had a say. I jumped up, my insides burning with rage. “I already have a pack that I picked.”
Chilli nodded. “But they aren’t witches, and one is a demon.”
What was her deal? Did she think getting the coven to back her choice would sway me? This was my choice and my choice alone. “My father, whom you all knew, hand-picked this pack. I trust his judgment.”
I could see some faces relax and nod. My father had been well-loved. I knew not everyone would blindly follow Chilli’s words, and it didn’t really matter. I had made my decision.
“Your father,” Chilli began, “wasn’t thinking about what would be best for our coven. There are so many supernatural groups out there, and many do not play fair. And we have the dark mage terrorist group to strengthen up against.”
What did she think I would do if I was with an alpha pack from a coven? Was I supposed to go to the front of battle lines? I was just planning to go back to work.
An older woman with short gray hair stood up. Her name was Nancy, if I recall. “Do you have an alternative for her? It seems she’s made her decision, and it’s dangerous for her to continue to go unclaimed for so long. I counsel a lot of omegas, I know.”
Chilli nodded and pointed to the crowd. I followed her fingers to where Anil stood up, along with three other men I’d never seen before. “I selected Anil Shah from the New York coven. We all know how powerful they are, and our union would make us truly formidable.”
Anil smiled, turning around to look at the many faces in the crowd. He looked unassuming and handsome, and I knew people would be swayed by the dapper style and sophistication he exuded. This was especially so when compared to the angry demon in the lobby dressed in jeans and an old T-shirt.
Anil raised a hand. “I don’t want to push anything. This is all Billie’s decision. However, we would be more than happy to have her join our pack. The men beside me are also alphas, and they lead their various supernatural clans.” He pointed to a red-haired man with green eyes. “This is Adam Parker of the vampires New Jersey.” Then two other men, one with long brown locks and the other with a closely shaved head. “That’s Peter of the werepanthers New York and Isaac, a wind mage who is part of my coven.”
All the men were handsome.
I wanted none of them.
I couldn’t even decipher their alpha scents. I was completely underwhelmed.
This shit show had gone on for long enough. “It’s nice to meet you all, but I’ve made my decision. I’ve got to go. One of my alphas is waiting for me.” I turned to head to the door, Lila following me.
Once we made it out of the room, I let out a series of expletives, fury heating my face. “The fucking audacity to blindside me in a meeting. I’m done with the coven. I’m not going back.”
Lila linked her arm with mine as we moved toward the elevators. “Don’t leave. Not everyone in that room agreed with her, and she isn’t the local chapter head. Maybe we can file a report with the national chapter.”
I shook my head, knowing that would be pointless. Chilli was well respected, and they would most likely agree with her perspective. I felt betrayed and hurt. I thought she was a friend. “I should have said I was already claimed.”
Lila pressed the elevator down button. “Maybe, but it’s none of their business. That was so desperate of her. And of Anil, too. Did he ever mention having an alpha pack?”
