“They travel quite a bit for their work. Most omegas don’t want a pack where the alphas will be gone a lot.”
I barely kept from rolling my eyes. God forbid omegas have their own lives or jobs or want to travel themselves. Once we found our pack of possessive, overprotective alphas, we were expected to stay at home, pining for the alphas to return while always being sexually available. For the millionth time, I wished I were a beta.
“Once the Designation Laws were passed,” Clementine continued, “they didn’t want to be a part of the corrupt system. Amirah convinced them to be a possible pack option for omegas who are part of the Alliance. They have some non-traditional traits as well. For one, they don’t want children.”
I perked up. I’d never heard of alphas that didn’t want children. Usually, they were obsessed with impregnating their omega.Just another way to keep us trapped at home and dependent on them.
“All three have been involved in lobbying efforts to get the government to remove the Designation Laws. They’ve given us a ton of money under the table so we can keep fighting for equality.” Clementine raised her eyebrows suggestively when she said the last part. Damn her for knowing that would pique my interest.
I kept being pulled back to the photo, something warm sparking inside me, but I quickly shut it down.I have to stay on my guard.
“So, after the interviews, I just… go home with them?” I asked, hearing the edge of panic in my voice.
“After the interviews, you’ll let us know which pack you choose. Technically, you could say you want more interviews, but any other packs would likely be ones chosen by your parents. Amirah had to fight to get Pack Ashwood approved as an option. Assuming you choose them, you’ll move into their house tomorrow. Your parents will accompany you for the traditional hand-off meeting.”
“We’re just moving on down through the levels of hell,” I muttered.
Clementine shot me a sympathetic look. “There’s someone monitoring the interview room to ensure you’re safe. The alphas aren’t allowed to touch you or force you to decide on the spot. If they do anything like that, the monitor is supposed to intervene. I’m guessing your parents and the director will also listen in. Don’t talk about anything you wouldn’t want them to know.”
Way too quickly, we pulled into the DC parking lot. I clenched my jaw, steeling myself to enter this terrible place to meet with terrible people. I forced myself to take a deep breath.You are capable. You can do this. I didn’t believe my own words, but I kept repeating them, hoping they would become true.
ChapterEight
Josie
“It must besohard having to take care of yourself all alone in your apartment,” Hale said, his dark eyes intent on my face.
Kill me now.I wasn’t sure how much longer I could tolerate these condescending asshole alphas. Hale, Duke, Pierce, and Henderson Madden.What fucking annoying names. We were only a few minutes into the interview, and my fight or flight warred within me. I didn’t know if I wanted to punch them all in the face or flee from the room.
The alphas looked like models with their perfect hair and clothes and were styled so similarly it was hard to tell them apart. They started the interview by going on about how much money and political influence they had. My guess was that one of their suits cost more than all of my possessions combined. It was a good thing I didn’t want to impress them because I felt painfully underdressed in my jumpsuit. I wished they would stop raking their eyes up and down my body.
Hale had explained that he and Pierce worked with Jericho, helping him pass new Designation Legislation. This pack was at least partially responsible for my choices being taken away, but by their tone of voice, you would think I should be down on my knees thanking them. I had been prepared to hate this pack on principle, but they did a great job of providing me with actual reasons to despise them.
The alphas had chosen separate chairs around the room, making me feel surrounded. I quickly glanced at the door, hating that Duke’s massive frame was between me and the exit. I struggled to breathe, not just because of my anxiety but also from their pungent scents burning my nose.
“I’ve enjoyed living alone,” I said, meeting Hale’s gaze. “I like being independent and can take care of myself.”
I heard what sounded like a scoff coming from Henderson, who was sitting in a lounge chair with his legs spread wide. He ran his hand through his bleach-blond hair, and a waft of his dill scent washed over me.Fucking disgusting.
“I’m sure you’ve done the absolute best you could to take care of yourself,” he said in a voice more suited to talking to a young child. Or a dog. “But with us, you won’t have to worry about anything. We will make sure that all your needs are met withcomplete satisfaction.” His eyes darkened as he leaned forward.
There was no missing the innuendo there.My chest tightened uncomfortably.
“Omegas thrive under care, and that’s what we would give you,” Pierce said from his position on the couch across from me. His damp cardboard scent matched his dour expression. “You wouldn’t have to worry about anything. All of your meals would be prepared for you. We have a state-of-the-art nest and, of course, the gym in the lower levels. You can find anything you need in the house.”
My skin crawled at the thought of being stuck in their house day in and day out.
“A personal chef, a nest, and a gym… what more could a girl want?” I asked, trying to keep the sarcasm out of my voice.
“Don’t worry, between the strict meal plan and the gym, you’ll be in perfect shape in no time,” Duke said with a flawless smile that didn’t reach his cold eyes. He looked down at his watch as ifIwas taking up too much ofhistime. His acidic vinegar smell left me wondering how these alphas ever had women interested in them. They probably only slept with betas who couldn’t scent them. I clenched my jaw, tamping down any thoughts of them touching me to prevent myself from bursting into tears.
It took me a minute for my brain to catch up with what he had said. “Wait… what do you mean?” I asked, my heart pounding faster.
“We’re sure you’ve tried so hard on your own,” Henderson said, “But obviously, the state of your body is evidence enough that you need to be under the supervision of strong, capable alphas. We would handle everything, so you wouldn’t need to worry about anything except being a good, obedient omega for us.”
What. The. Fuck. I had reached my limit. Everything in me was on edge, having to sit here with these alphas who talked to me like I was stupid, treated me like garbage, and who not only hated my body but felt comfortable enough critiquing it ourfirst time meeting.
We had more time left in the interview, but I needed to end this now. There was no way I could choose this pack. The alphas Amirah had selected could be aliens or monsters or shifters that turned into houseplants, and at this point, I would not care. I would rather die than go home with Pack Madden. They didn’t seem all that interested in having an omega join their pack, and they certainly weren’t interested in me. They needed me to elevate their status as a “completed” pack.
