Pitt slaps his chest, but as he rolls to his feet, I grab the back of his shirt. “I’ve got it,” I tell him. “I need to… wash up a little, anyway.”
Three masculine chuckles follow me as I stagger to my feet. I’m instantly blinded by the movie projector, and I duck away from the spotlight, my cheeks flaming as I dash towards the bathroom. It’s an omega-only one, which is another upgrade since Booker’s day, and I hum my approval as I grab a paper towel and press it to my flush face. My hair is a wreck, but my lips look pink and plump, no doubt care of Wings’ perfect cock. I smile at his lingering taste in my mouth, but the happy glow slides off my face as Mimi and two of her smirking clones enter the bathroom. “Well, look who’s going around snapping up allthe ungettable alphas.”
“They’re only ungettable if you’re a raving bitch,” I tell her, tossing the paper towel in the trash.
Mimi gives me a smile that’s all teeth and malice. “You act like you’ve got this whole club wrapped around your finger, but you haven’t got a clue.” She steps in closer, her nostrils flaring with disgust. “That omega you’re keeping around like a pet is about to get stripped of his cut.”
I stare at her with barely concealed rage. “What the fuck are you talking about?”
“So youhaven’theard.” She shakes her head pityingly, but if smug had a scent, it would be whatever noxious odor she’s secreting from her pores. “We discussed it at church, and Ark is going to strip Wings of his colors. The charter spells it out plain and simple. Unbonded omegas can’t be patched members, and they certainly can’t have a seat at the council table.”
My heart plummets, because there’s no denying the ring of truth in her words. “Over my dead fucking body.”
She smirks, clearly reveling in my pain. “Pitt was there. You should ask him about it, and see if he denies it.”
I push past her before I grab her head and smash it into the vanity. I’m not normally given to violent rages, but the thought of Wings being demoted because of his designation burns through me like an inferno. Fucking Flyers. And as for Ark… He promised me that this shit was done, but I guess that was just more brotherhood bullshit.
The night air hits me like a boot to the face. I blink at the flashing lights from the screen, but my head is already swiveling in the other direction. I smell Ark before I see him, a wave of dominant pheromones that nearly puts me on my ass.
“What’s wrong?” he demands, his gaze raking over my face, but one glance over my shoulder and I’m guessing he knowsexactly what just went down in the bathroom. “Go watch the movie, ladies.”
Ladies?I think about stomping my foot on his boot, but Mimi gives him a flutter of her lashes. “I was just keeping her in the loop, Pres.”
She shoots me a smug wink as she flounces off but I’m already turning back to confront Ark. “Is it true?”
“That she’s the kind of bitch who hates her own designation?” He rubs his hand over his face, and I grab his elbow and steer him over to a dark corner. Light sabers are exploding on the screen, so it’s not like anyone can hear us, but I don’t want witnesses if I have to punch their president in his ignorant face. “Tell me it isn’t true!” I hiss, my hands balled into fists. “Are you really going to strip Wings of his colors for being an omega?”
Instead of denying it, he says in an even voice, “Mimi raised the issue at church when I told them I wanted Wings for VP. It’s a charter problem, but one I’m in the process of fixing.”
Which means Pittdidknow, and I feel a stab of betrayal that he didn’t warn me. But I have no problem sharing my wrath equally between the guilty parties. “You’ve literally put a target on his back, Ark! You said you’d protect him!”
“And I will.” He folds his arms. “Give me a little credit, Abbie.”
There’s still enough real estate on his chest for me to poke him with an angry finger. “You strip his colors, it means nothing's changed. In fact, it’s worse! At least with your dad we were prepared, because weknewwe were fair game.”
His eyes narrow as he stares down at me. “You think I'd let that shit happen to him?No oneis fair game, least of all your mates.”
“I don’t know, Pres,” I spit, still too angry to be placated. “The old charter still stands, right? That means any asshole with a grudge can use your dad’s words to stab an omega in the back.”
He makes a rumbling sound that I’m pretty sure the whole club can hear over the fireworks on the screen. “Goddamn, you're infuriating...”
“And you’re adisappointment!” I spit, feeling tears pinch the back of my eyes. I have no idea why I’m so hurt, but I can’t stand to look at him for another second. “Screw this. I’m going back to my room...”
I’ve barely taken a step when he scoops me up and puts me over his shoulder. It’s so unexpected, the world tilts alarmingly, and I’m temporarily struck dumb as I slap against his broad back. I stare numbly at the Iron Flyers patch, but a furious heartbeat later, I find my voice again and screech, “What thefuckare you doing?”
“Giving you a chance to calm the hell down,” he growls, his chest reverberating under me. “Just lie there and shut up for a minute, okay?”
My mouth snaps shut, more out of shock than obedience, but as he heads back across the quad, I really start squirming. “Donottake me out there like this, Ark…”
He grunts as he smacks my ass. I’m so shocked, I can’t tell if he’s rubbing it in or soothing away the sting as his hand makes circles on my rump. But as the cool air kisses my thighs, I curse the impulse to wear a short skirt, and vow to never wear one again in his presence. In fact, I hope he enjoys the view, because the next time he gets this close to me, I’ll be wearing a goddamn HAZMAT suit.
Surprised giggles and murmured whispers make my cheeks flame as he marches me over to my blanket. I try to twist out of his grasp, but his hand tightens on my thighs, and I only catch a glimpse of Wings’ wide eyes. “Pres?” he asks. “What are you doing with Abbie?”
“She got a little upset over some bullshit gossip,” he grunts, pointing at his beer. “Can you give her that? I think her throat is sore from all her screeching.”
“Do you know how much damage I can do with a glass bottle?” I hiss, but Bluff is grinning at me, like he’s gloating over whathecan do with a bottle. I narrow my eyes at him, but he grabs my flailing hand long enough to press a kiss to the palm.
“Enough of that,” Ark tells him, nudging him back with his boot. “I’m borrowing Abigail for a little while. We’re going on a field trip.”
