Page 171 of Claiming the Pack's Omega
Selene's gaze darts between Theo and I and her lips purse.
"I don't mean to overstep," she says slowly. Slowly enough for me to realize she's probably—no, definitely—going to overstep. "But what is the nature of your relationship? That's something that could be called to question considering her—your... previous occupation."
Oh fuck that. Is she slut shaming me?
Considering the fact that she referred to me in third person when I'm literally sitting in front of her, there's no doubt in my mind she was.
And worst of all, she's questioning the relationship Theo and I have? What, does she think that I seduced him into whisking me and my family away from the Southside? Does she think Theo deserves better than the dirty Southside whore she thinks I am?
Looks like there's no fighting the snarl that tugs at my lips.
"Selene," Theo snaps, his eyes narrowing on his colleague.
The woman just purses her lips. "You know I'm right, Theo, the defense will do everything in their power to tear apart our case and introducing a witness that?—"
Like hell am I going to sit here and take this bullshit. She may have a point about the defense and whatnot, but she doesn't get to sit here, practically call me a slut, and try to convince my mate he shouldn't be with me.Especially whenI'm sitting right fucking here.
I lean forward, narrowing my eyes on her.
"Sorry to interrupt," I say, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "But let's get one thing out of the way first."
Her mouth snaps shut and her head practically swings to me on a swivel. Looks like she's shocked, a little omega like me would have a voice.
"Spitfire," Theo murmurs under his breath, like he's worried about what I'm going to say.
I squeeze Theo's hand, which is the best I can do to reassure him right now. I'm not going to ruin his case, but I'm not going to let this beta woman walk all over me when she obviously has the hots for Theo.
"Theo is my scent match," I say, resting my free hand on my hip. "The entire Graylock Pack is. Pretty hard to argue against that in the court of law. I hear you Northsiders are awfully fond of that kind of bond."
This time, Selene's jaw really does hit the floor.
"Scent match?" She asks, her voice a high-pitched squeak. She immediately turns to Theo for confirmation, because apparently, I'm not a trustworthy source.
Theo just nods in response to Selene, leaving me with the floor.
"Yes, my scent matches. I already know my 'previous occupation' is going to be called to question," I say, with air quotes. "But I've dealt with enough women in the locker rooms to know what you weren't saying, loud and fucking clear."
"I—I—Please don't swear here, it's not—not?—"
"God," I say, throwing myself back into my chair. "I didn't even cuss you out. So it's okay if you basically call me a whore that's not worth Theo's time as long as you don't swear or call it out directly?"
Theo squeezes my hand again and I fight to take a deep breath.
I'm getting distracted. She's pissing me off. I don't think I've ever been this angry in a very long time. Definitely not at another woman. I never cared enough about the things that other girls in the locker rooms would argue about. Even when Lulu was pissed that I got to be Stone's ring girl, it wasn't like I did it on purpose.
Where the hell is this coming from? Is it the stress from the case? The hormone changes from the lack of suppressants? Meeting my scent matches and becoming incredibly territorial? Maybe all of it. Either way, even if I don't have to work with this woman forever, Theo might have to.
"Selene, I'm going to lay things out for you," I say. "Even if you don't respect me, for whatever reason, you obviously respect Theo." Maybe a little too much.
"I—I do," she says, nodding quickly. I almost laugh when she doesn't dispute the fact that she doesn't respect me.
"Good, well, Theo respects me, and we've got to work together, so I'd appreciate it if you don't make comments like that. I may not have the fancy law degrees you guys do, but I'm not stupid."
She nods quickly, her gaze falling to the table. "You're right, I let my emotions get the better of me. It won't happen again."
"We're glad to hear it, Selene," Theo adds, flashing me a reassuring smile.
I relax back into my chair, feeling content that I didn't completely fuck things up with his coworker.
