Page 37

Chapter 37

Garrett

And the night was going so damn well too.

I can tell that Ava’s been having a lot of fun, and I’m glad with how everyone’s treated her. I was a little worried. I know first-hand what damn snobs rich people can be.

But nobody’s tried to question her about her background and her family. Instead, they welcome her with open arms. Honestly, I’m kind of shocked to hear everyone talking about how they were waiting for us to find an Omega.

I had no damn idea that everyone was so fascinated with our dating lives, but I suppose that’s how it works when you’re successful and eligible. I can remember how nosy my mom was when I was growing up, and how it felt like all my parents did was get into everyone else’s business and judge them for it.

Ava’s not a scholar of art, but she has an eye for color, and I love watching her move through the room, taking her time with each piece. She might not know a lot of art history, but the point of art is that you shouldn’t need a degree in it to be affected by it. I love watching her face as she takes it all in, as she lets each piece hit her.

She’s beautiful tonight. She’s always beautiful, but in her dress, wearing the same colors that we are… I’m tempted to drag her into a dark corner all night. The only reason I don’t is that I’m not sure she’ll appreciate me starting her first night out as our Omega with scandal, and well, she’s having so much fun. I don’t want to interrupt that.

If Ava thinks that we haven’t noticed how she’s overworking herself, she has another think coming. We can all see it. I worry that she still feels guilty about Marcus even though it’s not her fault he’s a scumbag.

She deserves this night out.

And besides, I want to show her off. I know that we all do. I knew everyone would be impressed by her even if I’m a bit surprised people are being so welcoming and telling us that they were waiting for us to pick an Omega. I expected a bit more wailing that they couldn’t try to pair us with their young Omega kids anymore.

Point is, I’m having a good time, and Ava’s having a great time, and that’s what matters.

And then my damn parents have to show up.

God. I thought there wasn’t a worry about running into them. Stupid of me. I should’ve called the gallery and asked for the guest list, or something. It’s been long enough without them I got sloppy and I relaxed too much.

I should’ve known that they would find a way to turn up like a bad penny, right when I don’t want them to.

I give them a formal nod and then look away, hoping that I’ve made my point clear. They might be here, but that doesn’t mean that I have to interact with them. We both made our sides clear years ago.

“Garrett,” Mom says. Unlike Dad, she doesn’t sound like she’s disappointed in me and struggling to hide it for the sake of propriety. She sounds anguished, like I’ve been off at war. “It’s been far too long since we last saw you.”

Yeah, I wonder why that is, I think savagely. I don’t say it out loud. I’m not going to give them ammo that they’ll use to talk about how far I’ve fallen, how I’ve lost my manners from hanging out with men like my pack, on and on and fucking on .

“It has,” I say, straining to keep my tone polite. I don’t want to have a scene in public.

I’ve had no damn problem causing a scene in public with them before, but before, I didn’t have Ava. I refuse to humiliate her by getting into it with my parents in front of everyone else.

I try to turn away from them and make it clear that I’m not continuing the conversation, but my mother then turns to Ava. “Hello. I’m Jennifer, this is Robert.”

Ava smiles sweetly. Ava’s just a sweet person by nature, it’s easy for her. It’s why I want to protect her so much. People take advantage of sweetness like that. The woman wants to run a damn animal shelter for crying out loud. How many people want to dedicate their lives to that? Not enough of them, in my opinion.

But I don’t think my parents will hear that news and see it as a sign of Ava’s selflessness and kindness. I’ve kept a distance from them and their drama for a damn good reason and I don’t want myself, my pack, or my Omega pulled into it. I’ve built a good life for myself and for all of us. They can’t come along and spoil it.

But I worry that they’ll try their hardest.

“I don’t think I’ve seen you around the art scene before?” Mom says, her tone still polite and friendly. “Are you one of the artists on display here?”

“Oh, no, I’m here to admire the art,” Ava replies.

“Are you a connoisseur?”

“Very much a beginner,” Ava laughs. “But I do love art. I’ve never had a chance to really study it and educate myself on it. But I think that’s part of the beauty of the nature of art, isn’t it? It doesn’t matter if you know a lot or a little, it can still move you. Like music.”

Dad’s gaze flickers to Dante’s hand at the small of Ava’s back. He knows Dante, as well as Ethan and Caleb.

The very few times that my parents and my pack dealt with each other weren’t pleasant ones. Dad was furious he couldn’t legally do anything to stop me from using the money in the trust fund they’d set up for me to jumpstart our company and be our initial capital. None of my three pack mates come from enough of a pedigreed background for him.

He’s also not a fan of entrepreneurship or science and tech. He thinks I should’ve gone into finance, or become a lawyer, or become a doctor. In that order.

Those are the only acceptable roles in society that one of his sons can play.

Dad’s nostrils flare and he zeroes in on Ava. “You’re an Omega.”

Ava gets a little stiff, the way she does every time someone brings up her status. Even after her heat and how amazing that was for all of us, she’s still getting used to being seen in society as an Omega.

With our love and support, I hope that she’ll come to find ease and happiness in her Omega status. That it won’t bother her anymore. But I know that those kinds of things take time. She spent so much of her life hiding and running, and it can’t all be undone in a day.

“Yes,” Ava says, her tone light and even. “Guilty as charged.”

“And you’re with…” Dad’s voice trails off as his gaze moves to me, then back to Ava.

“You’re mated?” Mom sounds surprised, but she’s clearly struggling to hide it. “To my son?”

“Not mated,” Dad mutters. It’s just loud enough that we can hear it, but quiet enough that he can get away with acting like he didn’t mean for us to overhear him. “She has no bite marks, and their scents aren’t completely mingled.”

“Rude, much?” I remark.

Dad shoots me a chastising glare. Yeah, right. That might have sometimes worked on me when I was eight, but I’m a damn adult now and have been for a while. He can’t intimidate me into silence anymore.

“You’re being courted.” Mom’s gaze trails up and down Ava’s body, trying to find fault. She smiles. “That’s a lovely dress.”

“Thank you. Ethan picked it out for me, he has such wonderful fashion sense. And I love matching my Alphas. I think we make a handsome group.”

Ava smiles at Dante, then at me. I can feel Ethan and Caleb hovering worriedly behind us, like they don’t know if they need to leap in to shield Ava, or to drag me away before I do something stupid.

Mom’s smile looks a little pained, and I know it’s because she can’t find fault with Ava’s looks. Ava’s absolutely stunning. Her thick long hair is also more traditional, from Mom’s point of view, and Ava’s natural curves traditionally mean that she’ll be good at bearing children. I don’t give a damn about that kind of thing, I just think she’s damn gorgeous, but Mom does.

After all, for years an Omega was valued on their looks, and ability to have a lot of children. Mom and Dad still subscribe to that kind of thing.

“Well, you are lovely.” Mom’s tone is sweet, but I have to hold in a smirk knowing she’s actually annoyed. “You seem a bit older than most unmated Omegas.”

If she’s trying to make Ava feel like she’s past her prime, she’s not succeeding. “Oh, yes. Well, I presented quite late, actually.”

“Late? Is that a genetic thing?”

“My parents were Betas, so I really don’t know.”

“Your parents.” Dad seizes the opportunity. Oh for fuck’s sake. “What do they do?”

“I don’t know,” Ava replies. Her tone stays light, her smile never slipping, but I can smell a hint of agitation in her scent.

I don’t know if my parents can pick up on that, though. Most people can only tell extreme emotions in someone’s scent, like deep fear, or happiness, or anger. The ability to pick up on the nuances of someone’s emotions through scent only comes through the bonding process.

“My parents and I haven’t spoken in nearly a decade,” Ava explains. “They were never really there for me. I stopped communication when I left for college. I’m not sure what they’re up to now.”

I’m so proud of how simply she can say it. It’s not something to be ashamed of, it’s not something that upsets her anymore. Or at least it’s not something she’ll let strangers see upsets her. She’s just stating facts.

“What about when you were growing up, then?” Dad presses.

“Dad.” I glare at him. “These questions are inappropriate.”

“I’m just getting to know her,” Dad replies.

“It’s okay, Garrett,” Ava says quietly. She raises her voice a little and addresses my father. “They worked multiple jobs. My mother worked at a dentist’s office as a receptionist and at a grocery store on weekends. She also sometimes worked nights. My dad was a construction worker and a plumber. He had a night janitor job when there wasn’t much construction hiring.”

My parents both look like they need to take a bath just hearing about these blue-collar jobs. As if these very workers aren’t the kind of people that the rest of us in society rely on. As if their work is without dignity and unworthy of respect.

“I… see,” my dad says slowly. “And how did you meet our son?”

“Do you work with him?” Mom asks. She pauses. “For him?”

Her tone is polite, inquisitive even, but I know what she’s really saying. She wants to know if I’m fucking my damn secretary or something. My parents want an excuse to say this relationship is inappropriate because of the imbalance of power, the employer-employee connection.

“Oh, no.” Ava laughs. “I actually met Ethan first.”

“At a club,” Ethan says, because he can’t ever resist needling someone.

Ava and Ethan exchange a look where they’re smirking with their eyes. It’s hilarious how identical that look is on their faces. I love how they’re on the same wavelength like that.

My parents are less amused. “A club?”

“Were you… working there?” Mom adds, a whiff of scandal slipping into her tone.

“Just what are you implying?” I shoot back, a growl entering the edges of my voice.

I know exactly what she’s implying. Mom’s never liked Ethan, she thinks he’s bad news. She thinks that by ‘club’ Ethan means ‘strip club.’ She thinks Ava’s a stripper or a sex worker.

For the record, I wouldn’t give a damn if she had been. I don’t care what she does as long as it led her to us and to being our Omega. But Mom and Dad sure as hell won’t see it that way.

And they’re looking for any excuse to kick her to the curb.

“I was out with friends,” Ava says, still keeping her tone even. I can smell it strongly on her now. Her displeasure and frustration. “I work at an animal shelter.”

“You’re a volunteer worker?” Dad asks.

“Well, no, I am paid.”

“Not nearly as much as she’s worth,” Caleb says loyally.

I put my arm around Ava’s waist. Dante steps back at the same moment, a fluid movement that keeps him close to us but cedes property of Ava to me, while he takes up the side so that now we’re better blocked from others in the gallery.

I appreciate it. He’s trying to keep anyone else from noticing this drama and gossiping about it.

“Ava’s one of the most selfless people I know,” I tell my parents. “She wants to help abused and abandoned animals. It’s truly a noble cause.”

“A noble cause to host parties and charity drives for,” Mom counters. “But to actually get in there… Garrett, you’re from a higher pedigree than this.”

“Dogs have pedigrees,” Ava says quietly. “People are just people.”

I’m so fucking proud of her. I squeeze her waist gratefully.

“My dear,” Mom says, in a tone she probably thinks is gentle but is really just condescending as fuck, “you don’t understand our world. And that’s all right. But this doesn’t concern you.”

“She doesn’t even understand art,” Dad mutters to me. “For crying out loud, Garrett. We raised you to have the best possible education.”

“I don’t care if Ava can talk about the rise of Cubism,” I point out. “I care that she has a good heart. That she’s kind and compassionate. That’s the kind of values I want instilled in my kids, and that’s the kind of mother I want for them.”

We haven’t even talked about kids yet, but I know that’s something important to my parents. It’s probably stupid of me to try to change their minds. I know what they’re like. And yet… here I am, unable to stop myself from making the attempt.

“You are beautiful,” Mom notes, looking at Ava. “I’ll give you that. But Garrett, you shouldn’t be choosing your Omega based on looks alone. You need someone from a good family. Someone who will give you connections. I could set you up with—”

“Don’t start,” I cut her off. “You know that anyone you suggest is going to be eighteen and barely legal and I’m not going to have an Omega who’s a full decade younger than I am and basically still a child. I don’t care what hedge fund company her dad owns.”

“Well, you wouldn’t be a decade older if you’d just mated an Omega when we told you to,” Mom replies, sniffing.

“I wasn’t ready for that.”

“Yes, you had to start up your… company.” Dad says the last word like it’s some kind of bug.

I bristle, and Ava leans into my side, letting her scent waft over me. She’s trying to calm me down.

“She says that she presented late.” Mom eyes Ava. “But do you really know that? She could have been in the facility for years waiting for the right rich Alpha to—”

“Did you seriously just call my mate a gold digger ?” I snap.

“Garrett,” Caleb says quietly, a warning. I know. I know, I’m close to causing a scene. And that’s the opposite of what I want.

I take some deep breaths. While I’m trying to calm myself, Dad seizes the opportunity.

“I know that you think you two have a strong bond,” he says, looking between Ava and me. “But you haven’t cemented it yet. You can still change your mind and pick someone else. You’d be surprised at how quickly the love you two think you feel for each other will fade and reveal itself to be nothing but an infatuation.”

Ava’s mouth drops open in pure shock. Dante looks like he might hit my dad, and I wouldn’t stop him if he did.

I step forward, and a little to the left, putting myself directly between Ava and my parents. Now they can’t see her through the shield of my body.

“I’m an adult. And I have been for a while. This is my life, not yours. I told you that when I chose these men as my pack, and when we started our company. If you can’t get that through your heads, that’s on you.”

Dad opens his mouth to speak, but I growl low in my throat and he shuts his mouth with an audible click.

“Ava is my choice. That’s my choice to make. Not yours. And I want her. I care for her deeply, and no other Omega will be a better fit for me and my pack. I’m not leaving her and going after another Omega you think is better. That’s final .”

Nobody gets to harm my Omega or talk down to her. Not even my own parents. Ava is more than worthy to be my Omega, or to be anyone’s Omega. Frankly, I think any Alpha would be lucky to have her.

But I have her. She’s mine. And I’m going to protect her from any threat, no matter where that threat comes from or who’s in front of me.

Maybe that would’ve once upset me to have to choose between my parents and the woman I love. That was a long time ago, though. Now, I know what kind of people my parents are. And they’re people that I’m ashamed to be related to. They’re not the kind of people worth reasoning with.

They’re callous snobs, through and through.

Mom and Dad look at me in shock for a moment. I think, in their deluded minds, they really thought that they could persuade me to give Ava up.

In a way, it’s baffling to me. But in another way, it makes perfect sense. These two people were raised with silver spoons in their mouths. They both come from wealthy and well-established families. People don’t usually tell them no.

In fact if someone does tell them no, they just throw money at the person until the answer changes to ‘yes.’

“Stop harassing my mate,” I growl at them.

I know that Ava and I aren’t mated yet. But I want to mate her, and that’s the plan. And whether we’re technically mated or not, my parents need to know to keep their fucking snobbery to themselves. They don’t own my life and I don’t want their fucking opinions.

That seems to seal the deal for them. They know, just as everyone in our society knows, that you don’t fuck with someone’s mate. I’ve officially drawn the line in the sand.

If they persist after this, most people will be on my side. And my parents never like being on the wrong side of a scandal.

Mom huffs and Dad glares at me, the I’m so disappointed in you glare that, when I was much, much younger, would deeply upset me.

Not anymore.

They leave in a huff. I think they actually literally exit the gallery and head for the car.

Good fucking riddance.

Ava turns to me, staring up at me. She puts her hand on my chest, and I’m sure she can hear my racing heart and feel the way my chest is rapidly expanding and deflating.

My emotions are a riot, and I’m struggling to keep them from exploding in front of all these people.

I look down at her, though, and try to convey that I don’t regret what I just did. I’m protective of her, yes. I’m a possessive bastard, true. But it’s more than either of those things.

It’s that I love her.

I’ve crossed a Rubicon. There’s no going back now. I’ve made my statement, and I can’t take it back. But the thing is, I don’t want to.

Ava is my choice, and I’ll fight for her, no matter what anyone else thinks.