I barked out a laugh.Brat? Me?“Ah, yes, because I haveeverythingI’ve ever wanted.”
I never had a say in anything, much less what I wanted. Sure I’d had materialistic things in spades, but what I’d always wanted, truly wanted—safety, protection, respect— was never given.
He looked at me and scoffed. “You’re saying it’s a lie?”
“Not at all,” I said between laughter. He could believe what he wanted. He grunted and continued forward. “So that’s why you searched overseas for an Omega? To find someone docile?”
“Unregistered.”
“Right, the ORD,” I mused.
Dorian guided me through the electronic doors that swooshed open, letting us into the air-conditioned department store.
The US government—The Council—had different divisions, and one of them was the Omega Rights Division. Every single Omega in the USA was to register under The Council, and ORD came into play to advocate for Omega rights and fair treatment.
It was nice in theory, if there weren’t loopholes to everything, and if there wasn’t corruption at every level of government. Either way, at least there was a registry here. It made it harder to get sold off like cattle the way I was.
“So now that we’re working together, you’re going to have to fill me in a little on why your pack needed toprocurean Omega.”
He guided me to the shoes. I let go of his arm and selected a pair off the stand. I waited as he seemed to contemplate whether to answer me. Pushing him on the topic wouldn’t get me anywhere, so I kept my mouth shut.
“We needed access to an exclusive gathering.”
I hummed, rifling through what I’d heard him discussing with Elias. “A Heat Auction.” I kept my voice low even though there was no one around.
“You well know how Alphas desire Omegas.” He shrugged, stuffing his hands in his slack pockets as he swept his gaze around. Alpha pheromones came off him in droves. A hard masculine energy that would make anyone beg. “Either way we decided, we’d get in with an Omega.”
“Either way?”
“If we had to auction you or gift you to Elias’ pack.”
I went silent, slowly placed the shoes back on the shelf, and turned on my heel to stride toward the dresses. He followed close enough that I felt his warmth.
“Why so desperate to get in?”
He didn’t say anything, so I peeked back at him.
“Patience.”
In other words, I wasn’t getting any more out of him. I zeroed in on the outfits lining the back of the wall.
“So, I get you guys in, cooperate, and after I.” I paused. “Offermyself to a Pack during my heat, you will release me?”
“As long as you satisfy your end of the bargain.” More underlying threats. I plucked a cocktail dress that was a size larger than my size to accommodate my hips.
“Welcome to Langley’s. Can I help you?” A short, older woman approached while I’d been lost in his words.
“Yes—”
“No, thank you,” I interrupted Dorian and ignored the thundercloud of his expression. The woman’s nose moved, and her eyelids lowered as if she liked what she smelled. My territorial instincts swelled, and she noticed me tense.
“Let me know if you change your mind.” She withdrew, keeping her distance.
Dorian was watching me with deep contemplation again, like I was a puzzle he just couldn’t figure out. I was getting the feeling he always figured things out.
A familiar melody echoed from the speakers.
I loved this song. More accurately, I loved the band Bellrose, and especially their drummer. Humming, I swept my eyes around for the sleepwear area.
