Page 74 of For the First Time
“That’s not true,” I tried to tell them.“And even if it was, it’s an omega’s choice who they spend their heat with.If they spend it with any alphas at all.”
“But if more omegas knew the dangers—”
“There’s no studies that show conclusive dangers.”I started to pace, needing the movement to help me focus.
“That’s where you’re wrong,” dad said.“Adam has been funding several studies and one of them is on the negative effects of betas in packs.”
My jaw dropped.“And don’t you think that an alpha who is going around talking about how betas shouldn’t be in packs, who suddenly found scientific proof of that, might be biased.”
“No.No one was doing any proper research before Adam.He’s just explaining the data.”
I made a sound that was barely human.“He’s not a scientist!He’s a fucking representative, who’s an asshole, by the way, and a designation elitist.”
“Eve Tellus,” Deborah-Ma snapped.“You will watch your words this moment and remember who you’re speaking to.”
“Do you remember who you’re speaking to?A beta.A beta who’s spent half of her life working at the OC.Don’t you think I’d know a little bit of what I’m talking about?More than a career politician who’s literally throwing money at scientists to get whatever answer he wants?”
“No.Because youarea beta.You just can’t understand.”
Oaks growled, the sound dark and menacing.
“Adam is an alpha.Protecting and caring for omegas is literally in his designation.”
I scoffed.“Yeah, well, so is cruelty.The man is a blatant liar.”
“Eve—”
“You know what?I got to go.”I hung up the phone, frustrated that I didn’t have something to break in a dramatic display of how angry I was.For half a moment, I considered just throwing my phone, but that would be useless, wasteful, and only punishing me.
Not that I wanted to punish my family pack.Or that I could.I honestly doubted that they even cared that I’d hung up.
A hand in my hair had my head snapping back, my gaze flicking to Oaks’s face hovering above mine, demanding my attention.His honey cracker scent was tainted with the addition of his rage.
“I don’t want any of that bullshit clouding your thoughts,” he basically growled.“I don’t care if they’re your family pack, everything they just spit out was bullshit.Worse, it wasn’t even true.Atlas’s omega instincts were obsessed with you, with fucking you so full that I’m half surprised you’re not pregnant already.”
Just the mention of Atlas’s heat had my stomach tightening in excitement.The heavy emotions of my phone call slowly falling off my shoulders like a too-heavy weight.It hurt, scraped my skin on the fall, but then it was gone, and I felt lighter.
“You know what they said was all wrong, right?”
I nodded or tried to.Oaks’s hand was still in my hair, his fist on my ponytail keeping me from moving my head properly.
“Why did they even call?”
“I called my mom.I wanted to get some answers about my sister’s event.”
His gaze flicked between my eyes like he was searching for something on my face.“You still want to do that?”
“I told them I would.”Not exactly a glowing review, but it was all I had.I always did the parties for my family.If I didn’t do them...I guess they’d just hire someone.I wasn’t sure if I’d even get an invite if I didn’t already know all the information.I wasn’t sure what that said about me.No, I knew what it said, it was just too heart breaking to actually admit.
“All right.”
It didn’t sound all right.“I figured it would be a good chance to have you all meet my family.”
The party wasn’t for another few months.I’d figured by the time the new year was around the corner, I would be officially claimed by all three of my packmates.I didn’t know why Everett was waiting.Not that I’d asked him.I’d properly convinced myself that asking why someone hasn’t claimed you was inappropriate.After all, Everett didn’thaveto claim me.It wouldn’t make me any more a part of pack Wilder than I already was.
So why couldn’t I let it go?
Everett claimed he was going to bond me one day.I was just being impatient.Of course, one day could be tomorrow.Or next week.Or in a few years from now.If he was willing to bond me, I didn’t understand why he wouldn’t just do it now?
