Page 88 of Puck & Her Blades

The elite Omegas throng in chattering groups. There’s excited laughter. I don’t blame them. The Blades are one of the wealthiest, celebrity packs with two generations of sporting heroes. Many of the Omegas here have been selected from the VIP fans, while others are from eminent families.

It would be a good match for any of them.

They’re wearing elegant dresses and diamonds that gleam under the lights.

I’d have felt embarrassed to attend tonight, wearing only my cheap black clothes. Except this morning, Cygnus brought a gleaming package with him to our tutoring session, which was wrapped in ribbon.

I loved the way that it’d almost been as large as him.

Cygnus bit his lip with excitement, as he thrust the gift at me.

I took the time to sooth his bitten lip with a kiss (there was always time to kiss Cygnus), and he smiled, softly.

“Open it,” he urged, dropping to warm himself in front of the crackling fire. “Zev helped me to order it for tonight.”

Unsure, I placed the package on the couch and unwound the ribbon, before pulling off the top.

Then I drew in my breath, staring at the gorgeous silver dress that matched my eyes and was threaded with snowflakes.

It was an evening dress based on one of my skating outfits.

When I didn’t say anything for a long moment, Cygnus fiddled with his hands in his lap, concerned.

“Do you like it?” Cygnus asked. “I can get you something else…”

I dropped to the floor next to Cygnus, dragging him onto my lap. I kissed him deeply and thoroughly to prove to him just how much I loved his thoughtful gift.

Just how much I loved that he saw and understood me.

And it appeared, so did Zev.

I glance around the ballroom.

I hope that I get to talk to Zev tonight, this Alpha who the others all admire but is still mysterious to me. Yet I’m alone in this huge room, surrounded by crowds but ignored by everyone.

At matches, the spotlight is on me as the mascot but without the costume, no one recognizes me.

I have total anonymity.

As a Reject, not a single other Omega has spoken to me.

A few have turned up their noses like they were smelling something bad.

Once, I was a famous skater, but even if they recognize me, they know that now, I’m only a Rej.

Most simply act like I’m invisible.

The Beta servers have been kind, however, offering me canapés and drinks like I’m no different to the elite Omegas.

I’m going to make sure that Jackson knows that about the behavior of the estate’s staff.

It makes me feel better because these Betas are the ones who take care of Cygnus when he’s ill, as well as being the people who Asher works alongside, when he does chores.

Yet I can’t help the tension in my shoulders because the Blades must choose their female Omega tonight.

I was once part of the same world as them.

I don’t know what Jackson is plotting, but he’s demanding a VIP private room here, and if he doesn’t follow through with inviting someone into it, then what will Roarke do to him?

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