Page 75 of Pack Rivals, Part One

Melody giggles, obviously delighted. "I am not."

"What's the top prize?" I ask.

"Actually," Lydia continues, plucking leaves from the base of a flower, "there are two. Pack York and Pack Boston." I freeze. Every muscle in my body stiffens. Lydia turns to Melody. "Do you have a preference, Mel?"

"I'm keeping my options open." She smiles to herself and my stomach twists.

"You're … you're dating Pack York and Pack Boston?"

"Well," Melody says, tugging one rose out of the vase and then shoving it back in with force, "those boys don't really do dating."

"They're such rogues," Corrine says with a delight that Melody clearly doesn't share. "They are hard to pin down."

"But if anyone's going to do it, Mel's our girl," Lydia adds quickly.

"Why are they considered the top prize?" I ask, my words sounding strangled in my ears.

"Oh, darling," Melody giggles, "you really are clueless, aren't you?" She pats my hand, her fingers cold. "Pack York and Pack Boston are the wealthiest packs in the city with considerable power and influence."

I shouldn't be surprised that's the reason these omegas find the packs so desirable.

"And they're hot," Lara adds, fanning herself. "All six of those men are so damn fine."

I wonder how her packmates would feel hearing her talk about other alphas that way.

Melody pushes her vase away, finally satisfied with her work. She glances at my creation and frowns. "You ought to start meeting packs yourself, you know," she tells me. "You'll want one lined up for your heat." She peers over to my aunt and frowns harder. "I'm sure your aunt can find you a suitable pack. There are lots of up-and-coming ones who I'm sure would love to get to know a new omega."

"Up and coming?" I ask.

"I assume," she leans in to whisper to me as if she's being discreet, even though she's talking loud enough for everyone around the table to hear, "you'd feel uncomfortable with the more wealthy packs in the city, given your background and inexperience."

"Why? Why would my background matter?" I snap, the icy blood in my veins turning hot.

"The wealthy packs expect their omega to behave in a certain way," Melody says, in a tone so patronizing my blood begins to boil.

Lydia nods. "They need us to dress a certain way, act a certain way. It's why we've all been coming to classes like these since we were girls. The packs need to maintain a reputation and appearance. We can't be letting down the side."

I look at the four women all staring back at me; their friendly smiles clearly fake. I see those handbags again, the clothes I'm sure are designer and exclusive, the jewels that cost more than most people in the city earn in a year. I see all the makeup on their faces. I smell the sickly sweet scents.

That's what alphas want? Then why are Pack York and Pack Boston pursuing me?

I should probably cut my losses and end this conversation. It's clear I'm never going to be friends with these women. But my blood demands I speak up. I've spent too many of the last few years biting my lip and holding my tongue.

"Actually, I've met Pack Boston and Pack York. Both packs took me out for a date."

All four omegas stare at me again the same way they did when my aunt revealed I'd only just presented.

Then Melody rolls her eyes and swings her hair over her shoulder. "Oh darling," she chuckles hollowly, "no need to make up stories. It's not us you need to impress."

She turns her back on me and starts to ask Lara about her up-coming wedding. The others turn their backs on me too, excluding me from the conversation for a second time.

It's clear I've upset their queen bee and I'm relieved when my aunt taps me on the shoulder a moment later.

"Are you done?" she asks, examining my flowers with a critical look.

They really are a mess.

"Yep," I tell her. "Can we go?"

---