Page 4 of A Holiday Arrangement

That was why Orion was being so careful. His belief was that if he had enough support when he proposed his changes, then they wouldn’t be able to silence them all. It was dangerous and slow moving, but it was smart. It was also how I got roped into being the one who felt Councilman Jameson out. I was unattached. I had no family, no omegas under my protection. They had no one they could threaten or hurt to keep me in line. Sure, I could end up dead, but what would that accomplish? I was just one cog in the machine, and it would not stop the operation if something happened to me. If anything, it would open more eyes to just how wrong everything was in this country.

Before heading over to the councilman’s table, I glanced back at Orion, who was still deep in conversation. I had nothing to report to him yet anyway. I turned to head to my seat when someone in the corner of my eye stopped me in my tracks. A young omega was sitting next to Orion. His slightly rounded face added to his innocence and made him look younger than I knew him to be. His wide eyes were intelligent as they bounced around the room, taking everything in. His skin was so pale, it was practically porcelain, and if it wasn’t for the smattering of darker freckles along his cheekbones, I’d think he was a doll. His hair was a reddish brown, reminding me of when leaves begin to turn in the fall. It probably came to his chin when it was loose but was now slicked back in the formal style that was popular for omegas. It didn’t take a genius to figure out who he was: Jett Kincaide, now known as Jett Strongfire, the prize for the night so to speak.

I had no interest in that farce, in claiming an omega or taking a mate, yet I couldn’t bring myself to turn away. He held me in a trance, one impossible for me to break. And then, as if he noticed me staring at him from across the room, the omega’s eyes fell on me. Whatever spell that held me entranced trapped him as well. The young omega locked eyes with me, no longer paying attention to anyone or anything else. I swore, even from this far away, I saw him shiver, his fat lower lip going in between his teeth. I didn’t need to be close enough to smell him to know he was aroused.

I was vaguely aware of the crowd around us, but they were just background noise. Every instinct inside me was screaming to go to him, to claim the omega as mine. How dare he try to find another mate tonight. There was no one else, only me. I would claim him here in front of this crowd, show every one of these alphas exactly who he belonged to. Leave no question that the omega was mine and gods help anyone else who dared to look at him.

Someone bumped into my arm, snapping me out of my trance. I blinked heavily, forcing myself to look away. Gods, what was that? The boy wasn’t mine and he never would be. No omega would. I was better off alone, and the way my thoughts travelled was proof of that. I shook my head, trying to get myself together. Logically, I knew I was too far away to smell the omega, yet it felt like his scent was infiltrating my lungs. Cinnamon and vanilla. I needed to get away. I had to focus on the job I was here for, not my boss’s brother.

I finally turned away from the table, but not before I stole another glance at the omega. He was half out of his chair, his lips parted and his eyes still on me. I could practically see them begging for me to come closer and take what was rightfully mine.

I wrenched my head away and headed toward the councilman before I lost my godsdamn mind.

CHAPTER3

Jett

I tookanother deep breath and involuntary stepped toward Lyric. This entire thing was starting to seem like a terrible idea. Why did I think I could manage this? There were just so many people here, so many alphas. They were all watching me with hungry eyes because I was stupid enough to agree to this.

Christmas carols rang through the ballroom, played by a band that was set up in the corner. I tried to focus on those. My omega father always loved Christmas and would sing to me as a small child. Maybe the familiar tunes would be enough to stave off my panic.

But everything was just soloudthat I could barely hear the music over the traveling voices. I was struggling to place the song. Was this a new one? Maybe one Father didn’t know? We didn’t get the opportunity to keep up with trends and pop culture, so maybe that was it? Or maybe my memories of my father were fading faster than I thought and music was quickly losing the comfort it used to give me.

Just as the panic started to get the best of me and breathing became a struggle, a warm and light presence was there, squeezing my hand and leaning into me, giving me support. I glanced over with a weak smile as Lyric watched me out of the corner of his eye with concern.

He squeezed just a bit tighter as he whispered, “Are you okay?” We were currently standing one step behind Orion in a welcoming line of sorts. I wasn’t sure if it was a formal thing or if all these people were just vying for my brother’s attention and decided to crowd him as soon as we entered. With Orion’s huge body in front of us and Arden protectively behind us, it was hard for the pestering alphas to get a look at us, which I was sure was both of their intentions. Of course, I’d be the center of attention later, but I was grateful for their attempt to give me a chance to adjust. Even if it wasn’t helping.

I forced a smile at Lyric, trying to ease his concern. If he got too worried, then Orion would sense it through their bond, which would cause him to turn toward us and bring the attention of all these alphas with him. That was the last thing I wanted.

“I’m fine. This is just . . . a lot.”

Guilt flashed through Lyric’s emerald-green eyes. “I-I didn’t even think about that when I suggested, you know—” His eyes scanned the swarming alphas that Orion was now forcibly pushing back so we could enter the room. I understood he was trying to be discreet. It seemed that no one noticed or put together that I was the omega prize many would be fighting for later. “You’ve never been to something like this before, have you?”

I shook my head. “No. My aunt may be from a big family, but she wasn’t one for socialization. When she had to, she kept my father and me hidden.”

“I’m sorry. I should’ve never brought this up. Let me speak to Orion. I’m sure he can do something.”

“No!” I stopped him before he got Orion’s attention by gripping his forearm. “No, it’s okay. It was a good plan. It still is a good plan. I just need a . . . minute to adjust.”

Lyric watched me for such a long time, I began to squirm. I swore he saw into my soul. It was a little unnerving. Finally, after an eternity, Lyric nodded. “Fine, but you need to promise to tell me or Orion if it becomes too much. He won’t be upset.”

I sucked in my lip as I nodded. I knew that. Orion had made it more than clear that he had no intention of forcing me through this and had asked at least a million times if I was sure. I knew he’d shut down this whole crazy idea in seconds with just a word. But I wouldn’t do that, not unless the panic became unbearable. I wouldn’t shame him like that, even if he claimed he didn’t care. It was bad enough that rumors were starting to spread that he was too lenient with his omegas, especially Lyric, and that he allowed him too many freedoms. He wasn’t ready for that kind of attention or scrutiny, and he certainly didn’t need the government breathing down his neck and investigating his businesses. If he went back on his word for something like this just because his bastard half-brother asked him to? It could set back the small amount of progress he was beginning to make. And if they did start investigating him, not only would his businesses be threatened, but Lyric, his mother, siblings, and I would all be in danger if they felt he was an incompetent guardian for us.

So no, it would take a lot more than some nerves to get me to back out of this thing. I was determined to walk out of here with a mate, no matter what.

Orion managed to get through the horde and led us to a long table toward the front of the ballroom. I finally allowed myself to take in the place. Real pine trees, larger than I had ever seen in my life, lined both sides of the ballroom, lit up beautifully with white lights. Fresh garlands, also wrapped with the same type of lights, were draped around the space. Golden candles wrapped with holly decorated the tables as centerpieces. Everything was beautiful and formal, just a little bit frigid for my taste, but I knew it catered to the elite that filled the halls. My aunt wouldn’t allow us to decorate for Christmas, but Father had somehow found a small fake tree, less than two feet in height, and we would decorate that with handmade ornaments and garland made from popcorn and cereal pieces. I used to love that tree, but my aunt threw it away when she found it after Father died.

I shook the thoughts away and took my seat on the left side of Orion as Lyric sat to his right. I wanted to be near Lyric. He had become such a support for me, but there was some formality I didn’t understand that forbade that. Orion had just rolled his eyes and assured me we’d be standing and moving around so much that I wouldn’t be separated from my friend for long.

Sure enough, it wasn’t long before an alpha woman approached holding the hand of an omega male. They both had silver bands around their wrists, the woman’s covered in diamonds, the man’s with a gold band laced through it, which indicated they were a mated couple and married. Unlike most of the alphas who had already approached us, Orion stood and genuinely smiled at her, like he actually wanted to talk to her. Lyric stood too, tilting his head respectfully at the alpha. Should I as well? Gods, I should have made it much clearer how little experience I had in high society. I knew with my pedigree, Orion had assumed I was already trained in these things, and I let him believe that. Unsure, I awkwardly stood.

“Alpha Montroose, it’s good to see you again.” He took her outstretched hand and kissed her knuckles. I just held in my snicker and glanced at Lyric, who smirked at me. Even though I was woefully naïve in these situations, my brother was anything but, his charm effortless. He was so relaxed at home, outwardly rejecting all the trappings and rules of our society, it was easy to forget he was born and bred for this role.

“Alpha Strongfire. It has certainly been too long.” Her eyes flicked toward Lyric, kindness in her gaze. “I hear congratulations are in order?”

My brother’s face split in the dopey grin that it always did when he was thinking about Lyric. They were so in love, it made me a little sick sometimes. “Yes, thank you. Lady Aurora, I’m pleased to introduce my husband, Lyric.” He squeezed Lyric’s hand affectionately before gesturing toward me, where I stood awkwardly on their other side. “And this is my brother Jett.”

She smiled warmly at me and I found myself relaxing, which was rare for me around an alpha. I still stiffened around Orion and Arden occasionally, even though I knew neither would ever hurt me. And with the only female alpha I had any familiarity with being my aunt, it was pleasant knowing I could separate them in my mind despite their designation.

---