I hoped that guard wasn’t coming back, because the urge to punch Bjorn in the face was rising in me like a tidal wave.
“You’re right. It’s impossible. And what about it?” I shot back.
“Amos is an omega.”
My blood boiled. “Amos is different.”
“How convenient.” Bjorn scoffed. “Amos is the only special omega, magically blessed with the ability for kindness.”
“If you say one more thing about my brother—”
Shep got between us. “Guys,” he said, very quietly. “The Kennel.”
That cooled us down. I didn’twantto back off from Bjorn and his stupidity, but the threat of the Kennel loomed over us if that guard found us fighting again. It wasn’t worth the risk.
I turned away. “Whatever.”
“Mature, isn’t he?” Shep mumbled to Bjorn.
I could have left the room. Maybe I should have. But I’d come here to see Shep, not Bjorn, and leaving now would basically be admitting he won our argument. I plopped my ass on Shep’s bed and crossed my arms.
“Anyway,” Shep said, exasperated, “what I was saying is, do you have any tips in case, er, a hypothetical omega purchases a hypothetical alpha’s contract?”
As the rush of adrenaline left Bjorn, our previous conversation seemed to come back to him. He was quiet for a while.
“If you get your fated mate, like I did with Eugene, it’s heaven,” he said softly. There was no hint of joking in his voice. He was dead serious. “Other than that, I wouldn’t know.” As if remembering I was in the room, he shot me a snide look. “But if theprinceis interested in buying you out, Rourke… You might be shit out of luck, my friend. That dog of his looked pretty whipped to me.”
* * *
I wasn’t goingto waste any more of my brain cells thinking about the prince, so I said nothing to Bjorn. I said bye to Shep, grabbed one of Amos’s cookies on the way out, and headed back to my own room. I didn’t care if it made me look like a coward anymore. I couldn’t listen to Bjorn’s bullshit for one second longer.
I bit into the cookie. It was amazing. Part of it must have been the superior ingredients they had in the middle quarter, where his school was located, but everything else was all him. The spiced ginger melted in my mouth. In the dim sterility of my room, the cookie was comforting and warm, reminding me of home. Of my brother.
Thank you, Amos.
I felt the fierce determination of my belief down to my bones. I would never be some omega’s plaything. I didn’t care if it was the prince, the King, any of them.
Had he been taunting me earlier? Did he truly intend to buy my contract or was he just fucking with me?
I didn’t know. All I knew for certain was that if he ever came back here, he’d better expect a hell of a fight.
7
Sebastian
The day of the viewing had finally arrived.
Oh, joy.
I woke with no particular hurry. Let the servants at the door wait. In fact, let the alphas wait. I didn’t expect a single interesting one among them.
After eventually rising from my bed, I washed and was laced up into my outfit. The servants seemed a bit more enthusiastic than usual. Perhaps Father had told them what a momentous occasion it was, and to do their best work. Or else.
Though I had no appetite, I joined my brothers in the dining hall for the sake of routine. Father was absent, likely preparing for the big day ahead. The butler once again brought me a large plate of food that I had no intention of eating. I picked at the fresh sliced peaches and had a small amount of coffee.
“Excited to get pregnant tonight?” Elian asked. His plate was already empty, and despite his annoying commentary, I knew he was eyeing mine.
I looked at him. “If you want this, I suggest you clean your mouth.”
