Page 38 of The Feisty Omega

I wasn’t sure Irian’s father would give me the time of day if he knew who was here to see him, but he was unlikely to know my last name.

“Alpha Braden.”

The beta nodded. “Wait here, please Alpha,” he said before disappearing down a dim hallway off to our right.

Within minutes he returned, but not before my palms had begun to grow damp and clammy. Unobtrusively, I ran them down the fabric of my trousers.

“Alpha will see you, Alpha Braden,” the beta said graciously, indicating the way. “This way please.”

When we stopped outside a pair of ornate gold-filigreed double doors, I pursed my lips together tightly to trap the hiss of absolute disgust at the pompous display.

Rap! Rap!The golden doorknocker was just another piece of ostentatiousness in a place – could you really call it a home? – that was already way over the top.

In the face of this obvious and excessive wealth, I tried not to feel inadequate, but the truth was, it was difficult. I didn’t know how Irian had turned out so down to earth when this was what he’d come from.

“Come,” a sonorous voice intoned.

The beta opened the door, and I stepped through.

“Your guest, Alpha,” he said, before retreating and closing the door behind him with a faint click.

Irian’s father was seated at an old-fashioned desk on the far side of the room. Beyond him, a window looked out onto hectares of rolling hills. I wondered vaguely how much of the land was his. I shuddered. There was no doubt I was in the presence of a powerful man, and with his wife on the Council, he was doubly so. And doubly dangerous if he chose to be.

He remained silent, waiting for me to approach the desk. The plush carpet silently absorbed each footfall, and I felt my heart thudding in my chest. I hoped he couldn’t hear how nervous I was. A trickle of perspiration slid down my sides.

It struck me that the desk was intentionally placed, designed to discomfort and disadvantage anyone who came petitioning the alpha, because by the time I stood in front of it, it felt like a lifetime had passed.

He still hadn’t said a word.

“Alpha.” I inclined my head. My stupid fringe fell across my eye as I submissively lowered my eyes. At moments like these I wished I were more sophisticated. I hadn’t realized Irian’s family were as well off, both financially and socially, as they clearly were. It was likely they would have high expectations of anyone who wanted to mate their son.

The silence drew out. I could hear my heart beating, fluttering like a trapped bird desperate to free itself. Moisture gathered under my fringe. A drop rolled down the side of my face, my skin itched and I wanted to rub it, but I dared not move. I had to be strong in front of my future father-in-law. The urge to rock from foot to foot was hard to resist, but I did. I stood perfectly still, waiting for the man to tell me I might speak.

As an alpha, this submission annoyed me, making me restless, but I bit down on my lip until it hurt, trying not to show my irritation.

ou“Who are you? You look familiar but I can’t place you, and I don’t believe we had an appointment?” He glared at me as he spoke. Clearly, I had been too inconsequential for him to have paid me any mind.

I straightened, pushed my shoulders back and lifted my head. It wouldn’t do to show fear now.

“My name is Talius, sir, and no, we don’t have an appointment. I’m a friend of your son, Irian.”

“Irian,” he drawled the name slowly and pensively, as though he were scrolling through his memories to check if he had a son of that name, or perhaps he was trying decipher a motive for my presence in front of him. That was easy, I’d tell him as soon as he gave me permission to state my purpose.

There was another long silence.

“I remember you now,” he said, a note of condescension in his voice. “You’re from Alpha Moray’s pack, aren’t you? One of the youngsters.”

“Yes, Alpha. Although I’ve passed my majority now.”

“And why are you here now, Talius, friend of Irian?” he mocked me. “I don’t suppose my son has come to visit me too?”

“No, sir, he’s not here. I wanted to speak to you privately.”

“Well, you’re here. And I’m already interrupted,” he said, not very encouragingly. “So go on and be quick about it. I don’t have all day.”

I swallowed. The pounding in my chest was unbearable, so loud I wondered if he might be able to hear it. I hoped not. That would do nothing for my image as a strong, fearless protector sfor his son. I inhaled deeply, standing as tall as I could stretch myself.

“I’m aware that Irian is shortly to turn 19. I wanted to inform you that I will be making a claim for him.”

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