Page 2 of Royal Omega

“No, not at all,” I lie coolly. “And if they were, I doubt they’d tell me about it.”

“Well, maybe they’re not as stupid as they look,” my mother mutters under her breath before smiling and waving at someone across the room. “We’ve been trying to knock them back for years, but they just won’t die. Maybe once you take their bite, they’ll give you the information we need to sink them.”

Her words make bile rise in my throat. “If I were to betray them, won’t that pretty much destroy my relationship with my pack?”

My mother rolls her eyes. “Come now, dear. You can do better than them.”

“So you want me to take their claim marks and then, what, abandon them, even though we’ll still be bonded by blood?”

“There’s no need to be so dramatic about it,” my mother says, waving at someone across the room. “Smile, dear, or people will think you aren’t having a good time.”

I smile brightly as I say, “You know what I think, Mother? I think you have never considered my future happiness when you make your plans.”

“That’s not fair, Carissa. I just... I have other things to worry about. And you’re strong enough to look after yourself. Remember when that whole debacle went down with that young man... what was his name?”

“Conrad,” I hiss through my smile. “His name was Conrad. I can’t believe you forgot his name.”

“Well he wasn’t right for you, was he, dear? After all, what kind of man could he have been if he wouldn’t stay to fight for you?”

I hesitate, unsure of how to respond to that. It’s true; Conrad left without a fight. I didn’t understand it at the time, and (if I’m honest) it still bothers me. We were so close; so sure of each other; so in love... or so I thought. And then he was just gone. I’m nearly thirty years old, it’s been more than ten years since it happened, but I’m still not over it.

“Carissa, dear,” my mother tsks. “There’s no reason for us to argue, is there?”

“No, Mother, of course not,” I say with a sigh. “Where are my fathers?”

“They’ll be along presently. But they’ll just stand in the corner with their phones, as well you know. You should be focused on Bobby and the Kaplan pack.”

“Even if he asks me to take his bite, I’m not going to say yes.”

My mother’s jaw tightens, and she lets her smile falter. “Why not?” she asks. “He’s been after you for months, Carissa. This is a great opportunity for — um, you.”

“Might want to make this your last martini, Mom. You’re letting your real personality shine through a little more than usual tonight.”

My mother huffs, but tightens her grip on my arm. “Look, missy, I’m getting pretty sick of your attitude. You’re going to be thirty next month, we’ve given you plenty of leeway. Let’s see some return on our investment in... all this.” She waves her hand in a sweeping motion over my body, and I bite back a snarl.

Instead, I smile back at her, smoothing out my hair as calmly as I can. I stopped dying it years ago, so it’s back to its true color, which is sort of a honey brown, or as my mother calls it, ‘dirty blonde.’ According to her, platinum blondes don’t just have more fun — they also attract better alphas.

“I paid for this dress myself, Mother, just like every other gown I’ve bought since I was eighteen.”

“And before that? Didn’t we set you up for success? Admit it, Carissa, you wouldn’t be standing in this ballroom without us.”

Don’t I know it.

I’ve been so absorbed in my conversation with my mother that I don’t notice Bobby’s return until he touches my shoulder gently, smiling graciously at my mother.

“Oh hello, Bobby, dear,” my mother simpers.

“Mrs. Castle, what a pleasure. You look beautiful tonight.”

“Oh thank you. Please, call me Iris. After all, we’re practically family already.”

“Mother,” I hiss through my teeth.

But of course, she ignores me. “...I was just telling Carissa about how important it is to keep up with your appearance, even as you get older. Can’t let children or aging stop you from looking like the omega that your pack fell in love with, you know.”

Bobby’s smile falters for a moment as I sigh heavily, but he recovers fast. “Well, you’re doing very well, Mrs. — I’m sorry, Iris. Do you mind if I steal Carissa away for a moment?”

“By all means,” my mother says.

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