Page 96 of Stolen Omega

I close my eyes briefly, concentrating on my breathing to avoid talking back to her.

She needs to spew out all of the vicious bile that’s inside her before she’ll be capable of listening.

Even then, it’s not a guarantee. It never is when you’re dealing with someone so entitled.

“Wherever you’ve put her, we’ll find her. She’s not yours. She doesn’t belong to any Alpha, and she never will.” She sounds triumphant at the end, pleased about how sure she is that her Omega daughter will never belong to an Alpha.

She doesn’t care that she’s depriving her child of the freedom of choice. That’s not news to me. It was obvious from the minute I read Zelena’s contract that this woman was not a loving parent.

No real mother could refuse her child the right to choose permanent mates.

She acts like she’s doing what needs to be done to protect her daughter, but that’s bullshit.

I know what this bitch is really afraid of, and it has nothing to do with protecting her child.

She’s only concerned that Zelena will find someone capable of love.

Someone who’ll show her everything she’s been missing.

Once Zelena’s eyes are open to that, she’ll find out how much better her life can be without her parents in it, and there’s no way in hell she’ll ever sign a new contract that gives them ninety percent of her wealth, and one hundred percent control over her life.

I turn to look at Alma. Her demeanor changes when I stare down at her. She shrinks a little, showing that for all her bravado, when it comes right down to it, she’s afraid to be alone with someone she knows is more powerful than she is.

“My job is to protect Zelena, and I take my role very seriously. I’ve followed every last one of your rules. I’m never alone with your daughter, and I am never close enough to her to make her perfume. If you still have a problem with me being in charge of her safety after I’ve done everything you’ve asked of me for the past few years, you should fire me right now.”

Preferably before the doors open on the hallway that leads to her suite.

She stares back at me, as if she’s trying to work out if I’m lying.

When she looks away, I have no idea what she’s thinking.

She turns back a moment later, and I can tell she still isn’t sure I’m being honest.

Of course she’s not. I’m an Alpha, and for a woman who married one of those, she sure as hell doesn’t seem to have any love for our sort.

“Do you want to tell me what I’m going to find in Zelena’s suite?” she asks, her tone still icy.

“I’ve never personally been inside Zelena’s suite, so I wouldn’t know what you’re asking about.”

She narrows her eyes, staring at me as if she’s looking for something.

“You’re telling me you’ve never wanted to be the one to watch over her in her suite?”

“That would be a breach of protocol, ma’am. Like I told you, I’ve never breached protocol, and I never would.”

“That didn’t answer my question.”

I think I can see where she’s headed with these questions now. I don’t think she’s going to find it possible to believe a word I say if I don’t offer up proof that I have the same drives as the Alphas she seems to hate.

“It would be a lie to say I’m not attracted to your daughter. She’s an Omega. I’m an Alpha. There are natural attractions between Omegas and Alphas. I knew that could be a complication when I took the job, and I was fully prepared for it. I would never break protocol based on a simple attraction. My work has been my life. It always will be.”

At least, it always would have been if I hadn’t met my true mate and found out it was possible to have something more. My priorities have been shifting slowly. I’ve been getting ready to become her Alpha, to let my world revolve around her in a more meaningful way.

“So, this Russell Kent really has been the one with her at nights, then.”

“He checks in with me at night and in the morning, every night.”

The elevator reaches our floor, and the doors open.

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