Page 114 of Curvy Quirky Omega

“Years.” Liam flashed him a grin and then waved at someone. “Let’s go say hi before all the announcements start. After that, we’ll stay through dinner so Lucy can try the dessert. Then we’ll leave. I don’t like being around all these people. They keep looking at our omega and it makes me want to pluck their eyes right out of their head.”

He was loud enough everyone in our immediate vicinity heard him and I bit the inside of my cheek so I didn’t laugh at how quickly they looked anywhere else.

We greeted the Lopez pack before sitting down at our assigned table and I breathed a sigh of relief when I was able to remove the long bustle and train. I don’t even know where it went. The second I removed it, one of the waitstaff took it from me and I was just glad it wasn’t my problem anymore.

Liam took a sip of water from one of the glasses and then handed it to me. “Shouldn’t take long if everyone’s on time. No one really likes doing this.”

I eyed the water in the fancy wine glass, wondering if he really thought someone would poison it. “Would it be alright if we left through the back once we’re done? I would prefer not to deal with all that again.”

“The Explorer is waiting for us in the back lot. One of the valets will get it for us when we’re ready.” Cas rested his arm on the back of my chair and narrowed his eyes as he studied the room. “You still armed?”

I nodded, taking a sip of the water. The knife Francisco gave me was tucked inside my boot and it was comforting. No guns or weapons were allowed inside the legacy events but knives seemed to be a grey area.

The lights dimmed and the chattering died down when the sound of the doors being shut echoed in the ballroom.

I didn’t recognize the person making the opening speech, but I perked up when I heard Francisco’s name being called. Frankie told me these events were done in seniority so the Lopez pack would make their announcements first, then Steele. Valor would be after that and Grimm would be last.

Except there was a new legacy pack now.

Valentine would make their first official announcement tonight and I could feel everyone’s attention on us.

“Your mother is waving at us,” Cas stated. He purposefully looked away from her and I forced myself to keep my eyes on Francisco so I wouldn’t look and second guess my makeup choice.

Liam waved back and then leaned over to whisper, “She looks shocked, but not shocked enough. Do you think I should have worn black lipstick too?”

I eyed him, wondering why he was like this.

“Next time,” Cas whispered back.

Great. Now they were both doing it.

“Good evening.” Francisco’s voice wasn’t overly loud but it carried, demanding everyone’s attention. “I have a few announcements to make this quarter, so I’d appreciate your patience. I know we’re all hungry.”

It felt like people should laugh in response, but no one did.

“Arturo Lopez has broken pack law and as such he is no longer my heir or a Lopez.” A single wave of his hand and Peter dragged Arturo out onto the stage, forcing him to kneel before the whole room. “I want to make it clear that I, Francisco Lopez, do not support the abuse of an alpha’s power and refuse to have it in my pack. I will not stand for it any longer and if I find anyone doing so, I will make sure to deliver justice with all the power at my disposal. We have castrated Arturo both medically and physically. He is no longer an active alpha.”

Holy shit.

I didn’t even know you could do that.

The silence as everyone took that in freaked me the fuck out too. How could they sit there with such bored looks on their faces like this was normal?

“I thought you’d be used to it.” Cas’s lips tickled my ear. “Don’t worry, this is a good thing. No one wants Francisco as an enemy.”

I nodded, but it wasn’t what he’d done that freaked me out. It was how everyone else was reacting.

Like it was nothing.

Peter dragged Arturo off the stage when Francisco held out his hand as if he were expecting someone to hand him something and Frankie walked onto the stage in a gorgeous red dress that left very little to the imagination to take her father’s hand.

“I’d also like to officially welcome my daughter back into the Lopez pack. She was on a little hiatus while she took care of something for me.” He kissed Frankie’s cheek and then released her. “You did very well, Francesca. I am proud of the example you have set for our pack.”

I had no idea what he was talking about, but Frankie was grinning and she looked happy. That’s all I cared about.

“Now, I have one last announcement to make.” Francisco’s eyes met mine and I felt my heart rate spike. “Lucy, would you please come up here?”

A request.

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