Page 9

9

F aye

My mouth tastes of battery acid as I make my way down the corridor. I was just at breakfast with Addilyn and some of the other omegas—the alphas nowhere to be seen—when a servant appeared at my side, leaning down to whisper discreetly that I had been summoned by the council.

And now, I’m pushing through the heavy oak doors, coming to stand in front of the three of them. Alone, they’re terrifying, commanding, their power oozing off of them like strong cologne, but together, the pressure is almost unbearable. Each of them is sitting on a large, elaborate throne, gazing down at me with a mix of amusement and disinterest.

I fall to my knees, bowing and lowering my head to them. I have no other choice. Were I to fight the feeling, my muscles would start to cramp, my bones aching until I gave in and lowered myself in respect to them.

“Hello, Faye,” Brock says. “You may rise.”

Even though he’s given me permission, it still hurts to come back to my feet. My body would much rather prefer that I stayed down on my knees.

“Thank you,” I murmur, eyes cast downward.

“How have you been finding The Selection this far?” Brock asks, and my heart continues to hammer.

Surely, this can’t be why they summoned me, a single omega, just to ask how I’m enjoying the event?

His power influences me to tell the truth. To admit that most of it has been horrible, aside from the few moments I was able to be alone with Cayson and Ezra. Aside from their kindness, and how they’ve been there to save me from Kurt.

I swallow, trying to form words that aren’t a lie, because it would pain me to lie outright to them. But I also can’t tell the complete truth, that Kurt’s presence here is a nightmare to me that I never get to wake up from. That would just lead to them yelling at me and accusing me of making things up again.

“It’s been fine,” I finally manage to say, my eyes firmly fixed on the bottom of the thrones. I can’t bear to lift them any higher.

“Just fine?” Brock asks, letting out a laugh. “Surely, at least some of the activities have impressed you?”

I blush a deep scarlet when I think about last night, when Cayson and Ezra arrived at my door with the board game and drinks. Yes, that activity had turned out much better than the rest. But then again, anytime I was forced to be around Kurt was terrible.

“Yes,” I manage, nodding a bit for emphasis. “Yes, some of them have been impressive.”

Lance nods, looking happier. “How are you liking the other omegas? Are you getting along with them?”

I think of Addilyn, Janna, and the others, and swallow again.

“I’m getting along with them just fine,” I say, thinking of how Janna had moved to the other side of the room when I asked her about speaking up.

It makes me warm, remembering how angry I was, and I feel the ultimas watching me closely. But I’ve already learned that sharing something like that with the ultimas will lead to absolutely nothing except trouble, so I keep my thoughts to myself. Besides, I know I’m not really here for that. They want something. All of this has to just be small talk before they get to it.

“Let’s cut to the chase,” a different voice speaks up, and I recognize the cruel tone as coming from Hector. “Faye, you are required to explore your bond with every alpha. That includes Kurt.”

They can’t be serious. Expecting me to explore my bond with Kurt is absolute horse shit when they know I accused him of murder, twice. When they know I believe he killed my brother then Serra. They have to see that Kurt only chose me to hurt me, as insane as that idea is. Right? They’re the leaders of all the wolves. I can’t be smarter than them.

“I–” What can I possibly say? Nothing they’ll listen to. “But my brother… and Serra, Kurt–”

Brock sighs and folds his arms.

“It’s your responsibility to get to know your mates, regardless of what silly, little notions have formed in your tiny omega brain,” Hector continues angrily.

“Hector–” Lance begins, his tone shocked, but Hector continues.

“Because whether you like it or not, you’ll likely be leaving The Selection with Kurt as your mate, so it’s time to grow up and accept that.”

I dry heave, stopping myself just before actually vomiting. My whole body curls forward. A tense silence stretches between them as they watch my violent reaction to just the idea of Kurt being my mate, and I take my hand from my mouth, standing up straighter as the nausea passes.

Cayson, Ezra, and I have a plan. I’ll never get stuck with Kurt.

Lance sighs. “This is…”

“This is how it works,” Hector says, his words biting. “You must bond with Kurt.”

I must, because the only ones who can stop this thing are the other alphas that claimed me. Cayson and Ezra. If they refuse to bond with Kurt, the council will determine the bond cannot be made to avoid the packs warring with each other, and all of us will return next year, with the understanding that we are to make new bonds. It’s a terrible system. An unfair system. One where the omega has no power.

The way it always is.

“Yes, yes,” I say, tears springing to my eyes, fear coursing through my body. “I’m sorry. I will.”

Tears track down my cheeks. I have to obey the ultimas. I have to keep my thoughts to myself. Speaking up won’t do me any good. I just have to get out of here. Still, the ultimas’ gazes never leave me.

Lance speaks, his voice gentler, but still intimidating. “He just means that we’ve noticed you favoring some of your potential mates over others.”

The mates that haven’t killed anyone? I guess they’re right, I am favoring them.

“I’m so sorry,” I choke out.

“Don’t act like you aren’t aware of what you’re doing,” Hector snaps. “It’s clear you favor certain alphas, but it is not up to you, an omega, to decide who her mate is. Not once a claim has been made. Before that, we give you omegas long leashes to decide who you connect with. But something you did must have made Kurt think there was a bond between you. You can’t just lead him on and then pretend otherwise now because of made-up stories in your head.”

“Of course,” I say, my voice wavering. It’s like I have no control over my body—I have to agree with them, defer to them. “I’ll do better.”

“Faye,” Lance says, “you can look up here.”

I force myself to meet his eyes, and when I do, there’s a layer of kindness there that soothes me the slightest bit. His blue eyes are earnest, and his expression is concerned. Like maybe seeing an omega absolutely terrified of the man who’s claiming her is something he doesn’t feel good about.

“I have the sense that there’s something you’re not saying,” he says, tilting his head. “You can tell us. We are here to protect you, Faye.”

Immediately, I have a flashback to the first time this happened, trying to get anyone to listen to me when I tried to explain what had happened to my brother, how it was Kurt who had killed him. Nobody cared, nobody listened. Not these three men. Not my alpha. Not any of my people, except Addilyn.

Then I think of Serra, and I know she deserves better than this. She deserves better than the death she got. Hell, she deserves better than these three men not serving Kurt the justice he so rightfully deserves just because of his powerful daddy.

If nobody ever stands up against Kurt, he’ll just keep doing whatever he wants, hurting people and taking innocent lives. It seems important that I say something. That I speak up any time I have the chance. I don’t feel strong, but I wonder if anyone ever really does.

“Okay,” I say, trying to calm down, knowing that the more hysterical I am, the less likely they are to believe me. “Kurt is a murderer. I personally saw him kill my brother, and I don’t feel safe being around him, even though I know none of you believed me about what I saw. When we found Serra in the forest that day, she had been killed exactly the same way. I suspect he also killed her. I told you as much! I feel nothing but loathing for Kurt, nothing but pain, fear, and grief when I look at him. There’s not a single part of my soul that’s compatible with his. What’s more, deep in my heart I know he’s only claiming me as his omega to hurt me further. I mean, you all just recently had him apologize for choking me and attacking me in my room. Surely the evidence is pointing to this not being a match.”

I run out of words and just stop talking. Waiting. Glad I got it all out, even while knowing deep inside that my words won’t matter.

“That is a very strong claim to make about a member of Pack Obsidian,” Hector says, and my heart sinks. “Not to mention the son of Dexter. They are an honorable family”

I shudder at the sound of Kurt’s father’s name, shrinking back and away from the ultimas. Rumors of the cruelty he’s capable of have floated through every circle, even reaching me, when I was still involved with my pack. Why is everyone pretending those rumors don’t exist? Because it’s safer that way, I guess.

Lance’s voice is soft. “They are an honorable family, but sometimes mistakes are made. Surely, in a circumstance like this, we can make an exception and separate this match without them continuing to explore their supposed bond.”

“Breaking the rules of The Selection? Ridiculous!” Hector growls, and I flinch. “And all over the words of one troubled omega.”

“Troubled or not, she seems to know how she feels,” Lance tells him, casting him a strange glance.

“And her feelings matter more than the son of the alpha to Pack Obsidian?” Hector snaps.

Lance sighs. “We’re not supposed to base our decisions on which alpha we might piss off.”

“But we are supposed to base them on one emotional omega being upset?” the other ultima challenges.

Both men glance at Brock, who has sat silently, watching the conversation. My body tenses, and I look at him too, getting the distinct impression that his words will be the deciding factor here, and praying that this might be the moment I’m allowed to untangle myself from Kurt.

“Whether or not your claims are true,” Brock says, staring at me, his expression thoughtful, “it’s unfortunate that you have to spend time with someone that you have these feelings for. But those are the rules—you must explore the mating bond. If it is how you say, it won’t develop. But according to the rules, you must at least give it a chance.”

Damn it.

I fully believe that the ultimas may have never seen an alpha claim an omega they didn’t feel a mate bond with, because such a thing is unheard of. If Kurt claims me, for example, then meets his mate in another year, he will not be free to claim her. Men wait, sometimes for many years, to meet their mate, because they’re worth waiting for. And because they wouldn’t want to risk not being able to claim her later, since alphas only get one mate. But these men have never seen someone as twisted as Kurt before. He’s claiming me because the idea of being able to hurt me for a lifetime is more valuable than a real mate.

I just wish I could get them to see that.

My head bows in defeat. They’re going to keep making me be around Kurt because this system isn’t made to detect people like him. I won’t be free of him yet. The room is silent around me.

After a moment, Brock speaks again. “Faye, we are looking into what happened with that girl. If we find evidence against the culprit, no matter who that is, they will be handled appropriately.”

I can only nod. I don’t trust myself to speak.

“But you should know, as of this time we do not see anything to indicate Kurt is responsible for her death, so you may need to open your heart to the possibility that while Kurt got… too excited with you, he may not be the bad person you have convinced yourself he is. He may end up becoming a loving and wonderful partner.”

My eyes feel dull and lifeless. “You think the man who killed my brother will become a loving partner to me? Understood.”

“Faye…” Lance says gently, but he says nothing more.

If I wasn’t in front of them, I’d laugh at the absurdity of Kurt becoming a “loving and wonderful partner.” My gaze finds Brock’s, and I can see it in his eyes. Even he doubts his own words. Even he doesn’t think Kurt is as wonderful as these men seem to be making him out to be.

“Explore your bond with Kurt regardless of how you feel. That’s an order,” he says, leaning back.

My entire body deflates with relief the next time he speaks, his voice echoing through the room. “You are dismissed.”