I tilt my head towards Mama, who nods. As Madam Dumas bustles over to her assistant, I stroke my hand gently down the softness of the white feathers that make up the skirt.
White. For purity.
It’s tradition for any omega entering the Bonding Trials to wear white to the opening ceremony. White for innocence. White for virginity.
My stomach clenches again as Jessalyn hiccups loudly, staring at my dress.
“Why don’t the alphas have to wear white?” she points out loudly, earning a disapproving look from my mother. “Why is it just the omega?”
I scoff lightly. “Alphas aren’t expected to remain chaste, Jess,” I point out. “That’s all on me.”
The nerves churn, a hint of nausea threatening as Jess grumbles. “That’s insane. Fuck the patriarchy!”
She punctuates herextremely loudstatement with a punch to the air. Madam Dumas and her assistant turn to look over, their mouths agape.
“Jessalyn!” My mother’s face flushes bright red as she looks around, scandalized. I clamp my mouth shut to try and force back the laughter, but my shaking shoulders give me away as I cover my face.
The crystal chandelier above my head clinks lightly as the door to the boutique pushes open, the afternoon sunshine glinting off the mirrors lining the room.
I squint as the sun hits my eyes, moving my hand up to block the rays. Blinking rapidly, I turn back to Jess, catching her pouring herself yet another glass of champagne.
“Jess,” I mutter under my breath. “I need you sober.”
“I am –hic– sober. Sober as a judge. Sober as the Justice Milo.”
My mother whips out a hand and grabs the perilously full glass. “No more for you, sweetheart.”
“Hey!”
The click of heels echoes on the floor behind me as I turn to take in the newcomer.
She’s a freaking goddess. Tall, curves in all the right places, and long scarlet hair falling dramatically down her back with just the right amount of curl. Green eyes glitter as she glances at me, and I offer a smile. It slips away as she takes a long look at my dress, her lip curling in unmistakable derision.
“Bitch.I thought people only curled their lip in books,” Jess whisper-shouts. My face feels like it’s about to burst into flames.
“You’rethe Cohen omega?” the girl says, her tone high and cutting. “You?”
I feel myself shrink.
“What did you just say to my daughter?” my mother asks, outraged. “You need to leave. This is a private appointment.”
Doesn’t she have a point, though? If this pack is as important as everyone says…, what am I doing matching with them?
Madam Dumas splits from her assistant, holding her hands up apologetically as Jessalyn pulls herself up and advances threateningly toward our intruder.
“Ms Erikkson. We’re not open today unless you have an appointment.”
Erikkson. There’s only one Erikkson in Navarre, and that’s the Council Beta liaison.
Jessalyn clearly reaches the same conclusion as she puts her hand on her hip and smiles sweetly.
Oh, this is not good.
“You know, green really isn’t a good look for you.” She gestures dismissively at the beta. “I thought your daddy was all about better relations between the designations? You’re really not helping his case here.”
The beta sniffs. “I was just offering some helpful advice.”
Leaning forward, she stares me straight in the eye.
