Even though she’ll hate us for it.
As we reach the courtyard area that’s used to hold the opening of the Trials, Tristan parks up, throwing his keys to a beta valet who gapes at Alicia’s monstrosity. She struggles out of the car, rearranging the cape to cover the majority of the dress.
“You need to leave now,” Tristan orders. “We’ll find you.”
“Make sure you do.” She flounces off towards the public entrance, where guests are starting to gather and leaving a bleak silence in her wake.
Tristan clears his throat. “We do this right, and we can make sure Sienna is free and clear of us before she even has to set foot in the house.”
Jax swipes his hand over his face. “It’s not fucking right, Tristan.”
Tristan stares at him. “Nothing about this is right, Jax. The last thing I want to do is get up there and humiliate an omega who doesn’t fucking deserve it. But better that than what’s waiting for her if she stays around Alicia.”
Agreed. I don’t know what the fuck this omega did to make Alicia hate her so much, but the sheer poison of her hatred worries me, no matter what agreement Tristan made with Erikkson to try and protect her.
“Tristan?” a voice calls and we look over to see David beckoning us. The flash of pain across Tristan’s face disappears in a flash, hidden behind the smooth mask of his political smile.
“Dad.” He tenses as David wraps him in a hug.
David pulls back, his expression a little confused as he looks over our suits. “Black? Interesting choice for your Bonding Ceremony.”
I try to smile. “We wanted to look our best.”
“Of course.” He gestures us through the small door into a preparation room.
“How are you all doing?” he asks. “Excited? I remember my Bonding Ceremony like it was yesterday.”
“Can’t wait,” Jax drawls, a slight edge to his voice that makes Tristan give him a warning look.
“We’re all a little nervous,” he hedges to David.
“It wouldn’t be a Bonding Ceremony if you weren’t.” David smiles before he takes a step back.
“As you know, Ollena Hayward is in charge of briefing your omega before the Trials begin. As Council Leader and the most senior Alpha representative on the Council, you have me to take you through your own pre-Trials briefing. Take a seat, and we’ll get started.”
We all sink into the comfortable chairs dotted around the room. Jax works a finger under his collar to loosen it slightly, his hands twitching. I wonder if he wants a drink as badly as I do right now.
I glance at Logan where he’s determinedly staring at David. His eyes flick to me once before moving back, his face expressionless.
David’s brows crease as he looks between us.
“On behalf of the Omega Hub, I’d like to formally welcome you to your Bonding Ceremony. This is step one of the Bonding Trials, where your matched omega will progress through a series of tests to assess her suitability before a final mating Ceremony takes place.
“The first trial, scent matching, will take place today. When you are announced by the Head of the Omega Hub, you move directly to your mate. Tristan, as Pack Leader, you’ll be going first, then it’s oldest to youngest.
“The purpose of scent matching is to ensure that both the omega and the proposed pack are attracted to each other on a biological level. To assess this, the omega must inhale your scent, and you hers. Not just that, but you must ensure that your scent is embedded into her skin, where it will remain for the duration of the trials. Should the Mating Ceremony not go ahead, the scent will fade.
“The first Trial and Bonding Ceremony can be extremely daunting for omegas, and as their future pack, it’s your responsibility to make sure they feel at ease. Is that clear?”
“Crystal,” Jax drawls, and grunts as Tristan kicks him.
David crosses his arms. “That’s it. What’s wrong?”
Tristan clears his throat. “Nothing, dad.”
David looks between us, his eyes assessing, but we’re a closed book. He sighs.
“I’m proud of you all, you know.”
