Maya is standing in the open doorway dressed in a smart business suit. A diamond necklace gleams at her throat: one of the Frost pack’s heirlooms, which she has stolen, along with the pack name and inheritance, falsely.
She is staring around the boardroom in horror at the files spread in front of the pale and shaken board members, as well as her pack members seated unexpectedly in her meeting.
My anxiety spikes.
Here we go.
Ellington stands behind Maya. He is dressed in a silk cerise designer suit, which is creased like maybe he has been treated roughly. He is also wearing a teal coat over it, which he is hugging tightly around himself.
He is swinging his cane, as if it can distract from his busted lip and swollen eye.
Was he punished because Hatton didn’t match at the ball? Because of the show that I put on with the Alcotts to make sure that Hatton would remain unbonded?
After all, Ellington is held responsible not only for his son’s behavior but that of all the Omegas.
I am surprised at how much that thought makes my stomach twist.
Hatton walks at his dad’s elbow, as if he’s ready to catch him in case he collapses. It would be subtle, except I’m looking for it.
How many times have I missed it?
How often did I think that Hatton was being clingy to hisfavoredFirst Omega, when in fact he was being protective?
I realize now how little I know about either of their lives, even though we grew up alongside each other. I made a lot of assumptions out of pain and grief but have I been wrong all this time?
Hatton is overdressed in a frilly designer suit and waistcoat. He looks like a pretty bauble.
It is unusual for Frost Omegas to attend these meetings. It’s why Hatton didn’t risk being at the meeting with us, in case he was missed by Maya and it gave her advance warning.
Has Maya brought her two Omegas today to show them off to the others? To prove that she has disciplined Ellington? Or to try and make a matching for Hatton with one of the board members?
I growl, before I can stop myself.
Maya loses her step in shock. “What are you…? In my chair…? And this meeting wasn’t even meant to start for another hour.”
She doesn’t seem to know what to be most outraged about first.
I’ve never seen her this inarticulate.
It’s a good feeling.
“Whoops, did I forget to send you the change?” Icarus pushes his glasses higher on his nose. “I rescheduled the meeting for half an hour earlier.”
Zero chuckles.
Maya flushes with rage. “Get out of my chair, Grace.”
I settle myself more comfortably into the seat. “Make me.”
Maya loses her cool, storming further into the room.
Ellington doesn’t appear to know what to do, hanging back.
“Touch one hair on her head, and I will break every one of your fingers — slowly,” Lionzio’s voice is cold and deadly.
Maya, a bully who surrounds herself with Omegas because she hasn’t the bravery to meet the challenge of fellow Alphas, becomes ashen.
“H-h-how dare you.” She crumbles, darting her gaze to the door, before yelling, “Security!”
