Page 207 of Claiming the Pack's Omega

I always thought heats would be miserable. But maybe, with my guys, they can be fun.

CHAPTER 43

Reyna

"How do I look?" The question slips out before I can catch it. It's such a stupid, silly question, given the context.

But I can't help it. Old habits die hard, I guess. Especially since I'll be testifying in front of a whole crowd of people.

"You look phenomenal," Stone murmurs, reaching out and squeezing my hand.

I can feel the soft reassurance he's trying to send through the bond, and it calms my frayed nerves.

"You can feel it, huh?" I ask, side eyeing him.

"Your anxiety? Yes, I can," he nods. "There's nothing wrong with feeling anxious. This is a big deal."

"I wish I were allowed in the courtroom outside of just my testimony," I say, slumping forward and onto the large conference table in the room they've stuffed us in.

Well, to be more specific, stuffed me in. Stone was allowed in here at my insistence. Apparently, witnesses for such big cases like these aren't allowed to wait with friends or family. Him being my newly bonded mate and a police officer, even if he's off duty right now, seem to have been enough to convince people, though.

I fight the urge to start spinning in circles.

"Actually, scratch that," I huff. "I don't think I'd wanna be in there because I'd be surrounded by stuffy old geezers. I just want to be there to support Theo."

"That's what Killian and Milo are in the audience for. Theo's been preparing for this for a very long time. Plus, he can handle himself. Especially in the courtroom. You'll see," Stone says, his thumb tracing light circles on the back of my hand.

"I can feel it," I say, reaching up and tracing the bond mark Theo left on the crook of my neck. "He's pretty confident, right now."

I'd heard stories of what having bonded mates would feel like. I think every omega has.

I always thought they were exaggerated. But no, I can feel each of my mates through the bond.

I can't read their thoughts, or anything super crazy like that, but I can feel their presence in the back of my mind. I can also gauge what they're feeling, if I try and seek it out, and they can do the same with me.

It wasn't until my mates bit me that I realized why all the bonded omegas I see often wear off-the-shoulder clothing. I want to show them off too, but unfortunately, I need to look as professional as possible, given the kinds of things the defense will be throwing at me, so I'm stuck in this button-up blouse for now.

When I'm done with this, though?

Off-the-shoulder tops, all the time, everywhere.

There's a knock at the door to the conference room. A court bailiff opens the door a second later and nods to the two of us.

"It's time, Ms. Carver."

"Thank you," I nod.

I glance over my shoulder at Stone, who offers me a reassuring smile.

"I'll be in the courtroom right next to Milo and Killian. You're not going to be alone, I promise."

My mouth goes dry and I regret not taking one of the styrofoam cups of water that were offered to me when I first sat in here.

"Okay," I say, my voice quiet.

I follow the bailiff down the narrow, windowless hall. The sound of my black pumps clicking against the tile floor echoes in the quiet space.

My hands are clammy as the bailiff stands in front of the door to the courtroom. I wipe them nervously against my slacks.