My omega settles slightly, despite the eyes still following us.
All too soon though, we reach the private room, and the host nods his head briefly before opening the door and allowing us to step inside.
“You’re late, Wren.” Father’s disapproving voice rings out in the room, and just like that, despite the fact I totally stood my ground on the phone yesterday, I’m sinking in on myself.
He sits at the head of the table, as usual, his heavy presence near suffocating.
The three bodyguards behind him are almost unnecessary, with how intimidating he is. There’s a wiry man on a computer in the corner, looking around nervously. I vaguely recognize him as Lester, our family’s accountant. Or is he the IT guy?
“Oi, fuck off, we are not,” Teddy snaps, his hand tightening in mine. “It’s six o’clock on the dot, you bloody wanker.”
My eyes go wide. He just…talked to my father like that as if it were nothing.
Years of conditioning have me braced for Father’s response. But…he just grits his teeth. “If you’re on time, you’re late. Any civilized person knows that.”
Mother sneers from her spot next to Father as her eyes run over me. “Two weeks away and you gain back all that weight we spent so long keeping off.”
My alphas growl behind me at the words, but they don’t say anything, which I’m grateful for. This final confrontation is one I have to handle myself.
The way my parents look at me…the same disdain is there as before, but now there’s an undercurrent of…fear? They realize I hold the fate of their livelihood in my dumb little omega hands, and it terrifies them.
That fear…it gives me the strength I need to speak.
“Father,” I say finally, finding my voice. Hands tighten their grip on me, filling me with confidence. I look to Mother next to him. “Mother. I’d say it’s nice to see you both again, but, given the circumstances…”
Her eyes travel across the faces of my mates, nothing but disdain in her features. “I shouldn’t be surprisedtheseare the men you’ve chosen to whore yourself out to. I suppose they don’t mind the chubbiness.”
My jaw drops. Howdareshe? How dare she sell me off to a piece of shit pack like Pack Caruso and then criticize the pack that loves and cares for me?
If there had been any feelings of trepidation left at facing my parents again—it’s burned away by the rage I feel at the fact she would dare insult my pack.
“Actually, we were just saying how amazing her ass looks in this dress,” Maverick says coolly, and I almost want to outright laugh at the expression that takes over my parents’ faces.
Maverick’s comment helps me calm down a little, and I’m able to keep my composure as I speak. “I’m not sure why youwouldbe surprised, Mother,” my voice is nothing but polite as I approach the large table, “after all, I do believe this pack suits me quite well.”
“How would you know?” Father huffs, “You haven’t even been with them for two weeks.”
A saccharine smile fills my face. “I believe I know them better than I know you, at this point, seeing as Ineverwould have thought you’d sell me.”
Mother’s face pales for a moment before she shakes her head. “Let’s get on with this, you—”
There’s a knock on the door, and then a waiter is poking his head in. “Excuse me, are you ready to order?”
Father starts to speak, “No—”
“Yes please!” I say brightly. “I’m absolutely famished.”
My father sends me an angry look but sighs. “Yes, we’re ready.”
The waiter starts with Father, of course, and Mother orders a salad.
“Can I please have the chicken parmesan?” I ask sweetly. And the waiter nods, writing it down.
“No!” Mother snaps, rather loudly. “We will not be paying for—”
“We’ll split the check,” Brennan snaps back at Mother before looking at the waiter with an apologetic grin. “Please.”
The waiter nods, eyes wide, before taking the rest of the orders and scurrying out of the room.
