Here, just… standing amongst the crowd. I don’t know how nobody’s noticed. Maybe she’s managed to get hold of scent blockers?
She stiffens as my eyes widen, and I shake my head slightly. I won’t single her out or draw attention to her.
Instead, I slide my eyes away, but hold up my fist and place it across my chest. When I glance back, she repeats the gesture.
I see you.
I see you too.
The fear clawing up my spine settles into a low awareness. This is bigger than me.
This day is for every omega who has suffered under the hands of our government.
And I will not show them my throat.
ChapterSeventy
Max
The shouts and screams only grow as we hustle Ava towards the concrete steps leading up to the justice building. Most seem positive, but I’ve spotted a few signs that definitely suggest they’re Creed supporters. They stand silently for the most part, watching us with narrowed eyes and angry faces.
It’s a reminder that not everyone is an ally. Not that we needed it.
We reach the steps, climbing up them and passing government guards until we’re met by a pinch-faced beta with coiffed blonde hair.
“Ava Stone?” she asks, her gaze moving up and down Ava before briefly scanning us. She looks unimpressed.
Ava’s shoulders stiffen, her back straightening as she draws herself up. “It’s Ava Grey, actually. I’m mated now.”
The beta purses her lips but doesn’t respond, turning on her heel and beckoning us as she walks towards the justice building. I swap a glance with Luc, his mouth turned down in displeasure. Ava glares at the beta’s back before grabbing my hand. We start to follow, Luc and Nik falling into step behind us, tension in the air as the double doors are held open for us to enter by two guards.
Here we go.
We walk into an opulent lobby, a wide, open space with marbled pillars stationed at intervals around the room. Ornate wooden doors are scattered between them, the hushed silence broken by footsteps as official-looking men in suits move from place to place. All activity stops as we follow the beta to one of the doors, everyone pausing to look over at us. Ava’s steps remain steady even as her hand shakes in mine. I squeeze it gently.
You are not alone.
The blonde beta raps her knuckles against the door, a scant moment passing before a low, female voice responds. We file into an office, my eyes scanning our vicinity as a familiar beta female rises from behind a desk, this one older and wearing a much warmer expression.
“Ava Stone,” she says with a small smile. “Thank you so much for coming.”
Ava reaches out for her outstretched hand with hesitation, lightly shaking it. “It’s actually Ava Grey,” she corrects. The beta glances between us with a nod. “My apologies. Samantha, could you get us some drinks please?”
The blonde beta huffs a little before she stalks out of the room, and the older beta purses her lips in disapproval. “I’m sorry about that. Please, take a seat.”
We settle into chairs around her desk, although Luc remains upright, taking up position behind Ava’s chair, his fingers brushing her neck.
The beta female clears her throat. “I’m Senator Erica Denver.”
Ava leans forward. “You’re the senator who put forward the motion to repeal the law.”
Denver nods, pushing her tortoiseshell glasses up her face. “I am. I had actually been gathering my own evidence to bring this discussion to the table, but your videos and the impact they’ve had on the public was an opportunity to bring my work forward.”
“Why?” Luc’s voice is hard, his expression glacial as he stares at the senator. “What’s your motive?”
The senator doesn’t flinch, staring straight back at him. “My sister awakened as an omega. I haven’t seen her for ten years. You are not the only ones affected by the Creed, Mr. Grey.”
Luc pauses at the bleakness in her words, his head dipping in a small nod of respect. “You’ll forgive me for asking, I hope. We don’t live in a world where we can take people on face value.”
