He could have any Omega that he wants.
He was probably just helping out a fellow performer in trouble.
Singer solidarity.
Right?
Icarus gives me a long look. “Do we have athirdman to add to our future bonded pack? Well, we did need a Beta.”
Before I can answer, however, Bird’s sweet cookie scent sours in alarm.
“Ellington,” Bird hisses in warning.
Instantly, Icarus straightens, flooding the corridor with dominant Alpha pheromones.
It doesn’t stop Ellington, who hurries toward us with narrowed eyes. “Mr. Sinner, you are late for breakfast.”
Ellington is dressed in a silk pink designer suit and teal coat. He runs his hand through his brunet hair, as if to contain his anger.
Wait, not anger, ratherfear.
Why? What’s going on?
Panic rises up in me as well.
Icarus steps smartly in front of Bird and me. “I am precisely four minutes ahead of schedule. Breakfast doesn’t start until?—”
“Are you daring to contradict me?”
“Of course not, Mr. Frost.”
“I shall be reporting you. Such tardiness is unacceptable. Our guests have requested certain Omegas, and because I couldn’t find all of them andyou, you have now delayed the hotel meeting their needs. Omega Three has been selected. I hope you understand what the consequences will be if the guests put in a complaint. My Alpha is far less forgiving…of all of us…than I am.”
Icarus’ lips thin. “Tell them to choose a different Omega. Bird must rest today. This isn’t negotiable. Are you trying to kill him?”
Silence echoes down the corridor.
My heartbeat sounds too loud in my own head.
I reach to take Bird’s hand in my own.
“Excuse me?” Ellington stares at Icarus in shock. “Did you just try to give me an order? You don’t get tonegotiatewith me, yet alone claim something is non-negotiable. I am yourboss.Do you think that because I am here alone, I am nothing but a vulnerable Omega? Will you try an Alpha Command on me next?”
Ellington is shaking.
Bird and I exchange a shocked glance.
I have never seen Ellington shaking like this. He looks like he’s falling apart.
How often must Maya have used Alpha Commands on him? He’s acting like he has PTSD.
The state that he is in is turning my whole world view on its head.
Ellington is the pampered, in control Omega, while the rest of us quake beneath him.
Isn’t he?
Icarus looks startled. “Of course not. I have never used an Alpha Command on an Omega and I never will.”
