Page 115 of Curvy Quirky Omega

Francisco had made a request in front of everyone instead of just commanding my presence.

I got up slowly and carefully made my way to the stage, holding his gaze the whole time instead of looking down at the floor like I really, really wanted to. He gave me an encouraging smile and came around the podium to meet me at the bottom of the stairs.

Francisco escorted me up onto the stage and I’ve never been more grateful he forced me to learn all the weird etiquette rules of the legacy world.

When we reached the podium, he released my hand and Frankie came to stand next to me. Her familiar tangerine scent was calming enough I felt my heart rate go back to something a little more normal.

“I have officially adopted Lucy as my daughter, and she’s agreed to take the Lopez name. Lucy has my full support and protection in all her endeavors. Thank you for officially joining our family.” I was just as shocked as everyone else when he hugged me. “You look happy, pumpkin.”

“I am.” I smiled up at him when I realized he was one of the few people who could actually read my expressions. “Thank you for everything you’ve done for me.”

“It was nothing.” He chucked me under the chin and then looked to Frankie who nodded and escorted me back down the stairs as her father ended his announcements.

Everyone was staring, but Frankie was by my side. Liam and Cas were standing by our table, waiting for me.

I had a family.

And I knew I would never have to be alone again.

The Steele pack was next and they announced River’s engagement to Frankie next. I barely heard it as I focused on my breathing so I wouldn’t freak the fuck out about how many people were staring at me even with Liam and Cas sitting on either side of me.

I was finally able to refocus when Nicolette finished her announcements. She’d set the date for Gideon’s funeral three weeks from now, but that was it. She didn’t say anything about Liam or Melinda even when the other omega was sitting at the Valor table next to Warren and two other members of Valor.

Despite taking Cas’s last name, Nicolette refused to remove Liam from the family registry.

I anxiously smoothed the skirt of my dress as the Grimm pack went up to the podium only to announce that they didn’t have any announcements before going right back to their table.

Then it was our turn.

When Liam stood, every single person in that ballroom turned to watch him walk toward the podium with his hands in his pockets like he didn’t have a care in the world. Thanks to that, they didn’t notice Cas and I get up to follow him once he was on that stage.

The spotlight suddenly seemed harsh when it was on Liam. His white hair seemed to reflect it back until he was almost blinding, but those red eyes shone like gemstones under the sun.

He leaned down to the mic with his hands still in his pockets and gave his mother a feral grin. “There’s something my mother forgot to tell you.”

You could hear a pin drop. It was that fucking quiet.

Liam stood up straight and gave the entire ballroom the same look he’d given Arturo at Bite – like they were nothing. “I am now the heir to Valor.”

I took the stairs up to the stage once more as the silence grew heavier, glad Cas was by my side as we made our way toward Liam.

For the second time tonight, I stood on this stage, but this time was different. I turned and faced the crowd, releasing Cas to stand on my own.

Clasping my hands in front of me just like any other well-bred legacy omega would do, I lifted my chin and held Frankie’s gaze so I wouldn’t forget why we were doing this.

“I’m sure you’ve heard by now there’s a new legacy pack in the city of Acheron,” Liam announced, waving his hand at Cas. “As of this morning, we’re officially the Valentine pack.”

Suddenly, the ballroom was filled with hushed whispers. So many I couldn’t make out what they were saying.

“Yes, yes. How can I be Liam Valentine and still inherit Valor.” Liam looked down at me with so much intensity my stomach flipped. “Well, you see…my pack is going to devour everything that rightfully belongs to me.”

Then he turned back to the other legacies in the ballroom and gave them a lazy smile. “Because who’s going to stop me when the alpha of Valor has already sworn allegiance to me?”

“Jesus Christ,” Nicolette muttered, her voice distinct enough it cut right through all the muttering. “Is it too much to ask you to be just a little bit normal, you ungrateful brat?”

Liam’s smile widened and he leaned back down to the mic. “Thank you, Mother. I couldn’t have done it without you.”

Nicolette crossed her arms over her chest and glared at him, but her eyes were sparkling just like her son’s.

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