Chapter 9 #2
I take her hand, knowing it’d be rude not to, even though her potent alpha energy makes my omega wary to touch her. She helps me to my feet with surprising ease, clearly much stronger than her slender frame belies.
“Thank you. It’s my fault. I wasn’t looking where I was going.”
“Are you okay?” a nearby alpha asks, and I shrink back from him instinctively.
The alpha still holding my hand turns and glares at him. “She’s fine. Haven’t you ever seen someone trip before?” She turns back to me as he grimaces and moves away, lowering her voice conspiratorially. “They’re like vultures, ready to swoop in the moment a pretty omega is in need.”
I laugh as she releases my hand, shaking my head. “More like they’re eager to take pictures of the old omega falling on her ass so they can go viral.”
She arches a well-manicured brow at me. “Why would they go viral… Oh! I know you.”
Her recognition makes me take a step back, and I almost trip on my dress again, but her hand darts out to stabilize me.
“Whoa, careful!” she says with a soft chuckle. When I don’t smile back, her expression sobers and her hand drops. “I apologize for being rude. It’s just that I’ve been meaning to get in touch with you.”
My stomach clenches. “Please tell me it’s not to write another article for AlphaNet.”
The alpha releases a shocked laugh, shaking her head.
“No, no, not at all. Quite the opposite, in fact. I’m Sandra Martin.
” The name is vaguely familiar, but she must be one of the clients or investors Lauren’s been working with directly because we haven’t met.
I rack my brain to figure out what sector she’s in, to no avail.
Sandra sees my lack of recognition and reaches into her sequined clutch, pulling out a business card and extending it to me. When I don’t immediately take it, she grins. “I know it’s a bit old-fashioned, but I like how official it makes me look.”
I give her an apologetic smile and take the card, glancing down at the matte black cardstock with silver lettering.
Sandra Martin.
Executive Director of Omega Legal Defense Fund
Holy shit. The OLDF is one of the biggest non-profits advocating for omega rights in the country. I can’t believe I walked into her and had to have her help me off the damn floor. As if this weren’t already embarrassing enough.
“Oh my god, I’m so sorry I crashed into you and assumed you—”
Sandra cuts me off, holding up a hand. “Don’t apologize, darling. I’m glad you ran into me.” With any other alpha, I’d think they were flirting, but the energy coming off of this alpha is comforting, not flirtatious.
Astrid approaches cautiously, my drink in hand. She raises a questioning brow at me. “Everything okay?”
“I mean, I’m going to have a huge bruise later, but I’m fine.”
“Arnica,” Sandra says with a soft smile. “I’d say ice, too, but I doubt you want to want to hold a cup of ice against your hip all night.”
“I’ve got some arnica gel at home. Remind me to give it to you later,” Astrid says with a nod.
I make introductions, and the two chat for a moment about the perils of accident-prone kids—and friends.
I can’t help wondering why this powerful woman would want to talk to me of all people.
Shifting awkwardly, I sip my drink to try to cool off.
My skin is still burning from the embarrassment of falling on my ass in the middle of the party.
If I don’t end up with a photo of that on the internet roasting me tomorrow, it’ll be a miracle.
“I’m sure you have lots of other people you need to say hello to, but if you’re interested in setting up a meeting, my number is on the card,” Sandra says, drawing my attention back into the conversation.
“A meeting?”
“To discuss your case,” she says, expression turning more serious.
“My case?” I feel like an idiot, and my stomach tenses like it did when I got called on in school and didn’t know the answer.
Sandra nods. “I’ve looked into your situation, and I think you have grounds to sue for unlawful termination.”
In all the drama and stress of the past few months, suing Pulse PR was never on my mind. Sure, I threatened them with my lawyer and didn’t sign the severance contract, but they had every right to fire me. Or maybe they didn’t?
“Ah, right. Thank you. I’m still, uh, considering my options.” I try not to let my surprise be too apparent, but I doubt it’s working.
“Well, give me a call if you’d like to talk it through. It was lovely to meet you, Camille.”
“Yes, thank you, it was nice meeting you.”
She walks away and I watch her, a little dumbfounded.
“Damn, that lady is cool,” Astrid whispers. “Good work running into her.”
I roll my eyes. “Yeah, falling on my ass in front of a powerful alpha and a room full of people was a great move.”
She laughs and gives my shoulder a consoling pat.
I sigh, feeling eyes on me and waiting for the next disastrous social interaction. “Can we go home yet?”
Astrid shakes her head. “Nope. Gotta stick it out for at least an hour.”
“I hate you,” I reply, glaring at her.
“No, you don’t. Think about it this way—how much worse can it get?”
Judging from how things have gone so far and my shitty luck, probably a lot. But I swallow down that thought and brace myself for more mandatory socialization, praying it will be over soon.