Page 106 of Knot So Fast
MEDIA CIRCUS
~AUREN~
The press conference room is a special kind of hell designed by people who've never had to sit under blazing lights while hundreds of strangers dissect every micro-expression on your face.
I sit next to Lachlan at the long table that's been set up for this circus, trying to maintain the composed expression that my mother drilled into me during years of "proper Omega deportment" lessons that I apparently retained despite the memory loss.
The questions come like rapid-fire bullets, each reporter more eager than the last to get their soundbite, their viral moment, their piece of the Auren Vale puzzle that they can package and sell to the masses.
"Miss Vale, how does it feel to be the first Omega to come second in the preliminary race for one of the greatest racing competitions in the world?"
I lean toward the microphone, acutely aware of how every movement is being captured by dozens of cameras.
"It feels like I should have come first, but I suppose second place isn't terrible for someone who supposedly forgot how to drive."
A ripple of laughter runs through the room, but another reporter is already jumping in, not wanting to lose momentum.
"Are you even prepared to race against men who've been in the industry for years? Some of them have been racing professionally since before you were in secondary school."
The condescension in his tone makes my teeth clench, but I keep my smile pleasant.
"Well, considering I just beat twenty-one of those experienced men while starting from dead last, I'd say I'm managing just fine. But thank you for your concern about my preparation. Very touching."
Lachlan shifts beside me, and I can feel the amusement radiating from him even though his expression remains professionally neutral. His hand rests on the table near mine, not quite touching but close enough that I can feel the warmth.
Another reporter—a woman this time, with sharp eyes and an even sharper suit—leans forward.
"Was this destined, perhaps? Your mother was a former racer back in the day, though she never reached Formula One level due to the obvious implications of that era. Do you see this as fulfilling her unrealized dreams?"
The question hits closer to home than I'd like, mainly because I have no fucking idea what my mother's racing dreams were or weren't. That's apparently another piece of information that got filed under "things Auren doesn't need to know for her own good."
"My mother's dreams were her own," I say carefully. "Mine are mine. Though I'm sure she's thrilled to see an Omega competing at this level, even if she's probably also planning my funeral for the scandal I've caused."
More laughter, but it's nervous this time.
Everyone knows the Vale family's reputation, their power, their tendency to make problems disappear with surgical precision.
"With the new rule implications requiring you to be the Omega for Wolfe's pack," another reporter jumps in, his tone suggesting he's about to drop what he thinks is a bombshell, "how can we believe this dynamic will stay professional? You're essentially forced into an intimate arrangement for the sake of competition."
Before I can respond, another reporter—younger, hungrier for scandal—blurts out.
"Are you pregnant?"
The question hangs in the air like a particularly offensive fart, and for a moment, the entire room goes silent.
Then I snicker—I can't help it.
The absurdity of the question, the timing, the sheer audacity—it's too much.
Beside me, Lachlan rolls his eyes so dramatically I'm surprised they don't fall out of his head, which sets off a wave of laughter from other reporters and bystanders who apparently have some sense of decency.
"Yes," I deadpan into the microphone. "I'm pregnant with a litter of tiny race cars. They're due in the spring. We're very excited."
The laughter is genuine this time, but Terek—Lachlan's manager who's been standing at the side of the room looking increasingly stressed—steps forward with his hands raised.
"Alright, alright, let's maintain some professionalism here. Please ask appropriate questions, not tabloid nonsense."
The thing is, we've been in here for forty-five minutes already being drilled with questions, and the majority of the session has been focused on Lachlan. All these reporters were far moreintrigued by getting insights from the current champion that could go viral on social media at any moment.
