Page 170 of Claiming the Pack's Omega

"We do, but we're preparing for the deposition hearing next week, so we have to have the paper files," Andy sighs.

"Wow," I say, glancing at the stacks upon stacks of paper as I take the seat Theo pulls out for me.

"This is a large case, Spitfire," Theo murmurs. "Your testimony is only a part of it. This is a case against some of the top members of Riverwell's government. And these are people who have helped organize and orchestrate the omega trafficking and drug rings."

His expression grows serious as he takes a seat next to me.

"Considering the scale of what's been happening, it's likely going to be out of our wheelhouse to try and go after all of the people who've taken advantage of the systems we have."

"So you're saying you're going after the people at the top of the food chain, not the common Johns?" I ask, tapping nervously along the edge of the table.

"Yes," Theo nods.

"So, where does my testimony fit into things? I can only really speak on my experience, right?"

"Your testimony is important because before Luna Ward's kidnapping a few months ago by one of Northside's councilmembers, we didn't know there was any large-scale omega trafficking in the Southside at all. Trafficking doesn't have to include being kidnapped. It just means being exploited."

My tapping stills as I clench my hands into fists. My nails bite into the skin of my palm. I seriously need a self-care night. I'm overdue for a manicure.

"And I was exploited," I say, my voice barely above a whisper.

I've clung to the idea that everything was my choice, that I chose to go into the line of work I did for my family, for myself, but did I really? If I could've chosen something else, I totally would have. But that was the only way I could've afforded my suppressants. And the money certainly helped my family.

Theo reaches out to me silently and unclenches my hands. I cling to him, almost desperately as I fight to breathe.

I jump in my seat as the door flies open. A tall, blonde beta woman who must go to the hair salon every four weeks to maintain that kind of color steps into the room. Her eyes go wide when she sees Theo holding my hands and I can read all of her thoughts before she does her best to mask them.

She likes Theo.

I don't get the feeling she likes me.

Well, tough shit. Theo is mine.

Wow. That was an aggressive thought. I stand by it, though.

Theo seems to pick up on the awkward silence. His gaze darts between the new beta woman and me.

"Ah, Selene," Theo says. "This is Reyna, the witness for the omega trafficking case."

"Hello, Reyna," Selene nods.

I don't miss the way her gaze keeps darting down to Theo's hand in mine. I also don't miss the way she doesn't offer to shake hands the same way Andy did.

Well, that's not good, considering we have to work together, at the very least for today, if not for the duration of this case.

"Nice to meet you, Selene," I say, standing from my chair and extending my hand to her.

She pauses for a second, her nostrils flaring ever so slightly, before she reaches out and shakes my hand. She must sense that Theo scent marked me earlier, before we left the pack house. It's kind of hard to miss, considering the way our scents mix together.

"It's nice to meet you too," she says slowly, taking her seat next to Andy and across from me. Despite her sitting in front of me, she still angles her body ever so slightly so she's facing Theo. "What did I miss? I'm so sorry for being late."

The omega part of my brain wants me to snarl at her. Like, actually fucking snarl. Before I met Theo, I would've thought I was crazy if my inner omega wanted me to do that, but I guess coming off suppressants and meeting my scent matches has changed the way I view the world.

"We were just speaking with Reyna about what to expect from the case and the role her testimony will play," Theo says, his tone decidedly less warm than it is with me.

He reaches out to me, pulling my hand down so I sit back down. Whoops. Forgot I was standing.

Theo flashes me a reassuring smile and I instantly relax into my chair. Damn, I probably acted like I was going to throw myself across the table at Selene if he's trying to calm me downthis much. Maybe I didn't hide the snarl my omega was fighting to let out very well.