9. Chapter 9
Hunter
This lunch was going better than I expected. I looked around the table, wondering if we’d accidentally found our match at the gala. The Carrington pack chatted with us while their daughters ate, and something just felt right.
I rarely felt relaxed around other packs.
Between my work life and professional obligations, meeting with other packs often felt like negotiations, full of veiled words and fake smiles.
Everyone wanted something from our pack, whether it be influence, money, or visibility.
I’d learned years ago that the second I let my guard down, someone would try to use it against me.
And yet now that I was sitting with this family, I felt calm.
It didn’t make sense. The lunch at the club should have irritated me.
Clara was obviously very ambitious, constantly steering conversations back toward the collaboration campaign and pushing her daughter onto us.
The Carrington pack practically radiated eagerness every time one of us complimented their company.
Arabella, our new ambassador, almost felt a bit too perfect - but she was media trained, socially intelligent, and perfectly put together. And I had to wonder, could she be ours?
As she laughed softly across from me, casually flirting with Elias while discussing business, I could already picture her on future campaigns. She knew how to hold attention naturally. She was radiant, always knowing the right thing to say. She should be perfect for us.
But somehow my attention kept drifting somewhere else - toward her stepsister, Ivy.
Ivy sat quietly, her hands folded neatly in her lap, while everyone else dominated the conversation around her.
Most omegas in rooms like this instinctively fought for social positioning.
Ivy was the opposite. Every time attention landed on her, she looked almost startled or scared by it.
And truthfully, that wasn’t someone who would mesh well with our pack.
We needed a self-assured omega, one that knew her value.
Yet when she spoke, I found myself captivated.
Especially when Elias brought up his research.
Watching Ivy discuss bonding chemistry was like watching an entirely different person emerge beneath the nervousness.
Her eyes brightened and her posture straightened.
She spoke intelligently, referencing Elias’s published studies in a way that clearly surprised him.
“You read my dissertation?” Elias asked, looking genuinely shocked.
“Twice, actually,” Ivy admitted quietly.
Elias looked absurdly pleased by that. I should have found the entire interaction amusing at most. But around Ivy, I found myself feeling increasingly possessive.
It was subtle, for sure. But every time someone interrupted Ivy or redirected attention away from her, irritation crawled beneath my skin unexpectedly fast.
Especially when Clara did it.
“Well, thankfully, Arabella doesn’t need to hide behind research papers to connect with people,” Clara had remarked after Ivy finished speaking.
I saw the exact moment Ivy’s shoulders lowered again.
A deep urge to protect her welled up in me.
I tried to pause and gather myself - this was likely a residual hormonal reaction from smelling the omega scent at the gala.
I was just being overly affected by the omegas around me.
Once we got to talking about the primary reason we’d invited them, there was a remarkable change in interest. After I’d offered the two omegas free Bond match profiles, Ivy excused herself from the table.
Arabella did shortly after as well, and I thought it was a good time to talk to just their parents.
The moment we were alone, the Carrington pack looked at me with curiosity.
“So,” Clara said, her eyes brimming with excitement, “this would give my daughter access to any of the packs that have also had their profiles submitted?” I nodded.
“Yes, on top of offering the compatibility profile, they can submit their results to our match database. Although, it is completely voluntary and can even be done anonymously. We do this for the omega’s sake.
But most packs, and omegas, are thrilled to meet anyone who scores high compatibility marks. ” I explained.
“And what determines high compatibility?” Philip asked.
“We have found that a score of at least 70% compatibility is a huge predictor of success. Those are such a great match that it’s almost inevitable that they end up bonding.
Many of our customers have even found their scent matches that way, without even smelling each other first.” The man’s eyes widened at my response. Phillip held out his hand.
“That sounds like the way of the future. I cannot imagine the possibilities it might open up for people.” He said, holding out his hand. I shook it, and their pack nodded at me.
“I have to ask - I’m assuming your pack has not yet found anyone within a high enough compatibility range?” Clara asked. I shook my head.
“No, not at the 70% range. However, I’m hoping that it changes soon. It's part of the reason that I asked your family here for brunch today.” I said, and Clara’s eyes flickered with realization.
“You think one of them might be your match?” She asked.
“Well, any pack would be lucky to be matched with either of your daughters. But yes, we would be thrilled if it led to a match for us as well,” I said carefully.
I didn’t want to tell them we’d scented our match at the gala.
Even now, thinking about that scent made my alpha stir restlessly beneath my skin.
“Either way, it will take the guesswork out of it and help them find a pack sooner. If that’s what they want.” I added. Not every omega was ready to bond, and I didn’t want to pressure them.
Arabella walked back to the table, glowing with excitement. She sat down, turning to face us with a polite smile.
“I want to thank you so much for offering the Bond profile!” She said, leaning in and resting her chin on her hand as she stared at us with starry eyes. “It would be a dream come true to match with a pack that’s perfectly suited for me.”
Ivy followed, sitting in her seat with a decidedly less than enthusiastic attitude. I noticed the shift immediately. Even with her somewhat subdued demeanor, I noticed that I still felt calmer every time she was nearby.
“And Ivy, would you be interested in getting a free Bond profile?” I asked, hoping both omegas would be as excited. But Ivy just looked down and shrugged her shoulders.
“I guess,” she said quietly.
I watched her. No omega reacted that casually to the possibility of finding a pack match.
Omegas had a deep need to find a pack, and that desire only grew stronger over time.
Why wasn’t she thrilled at the prospect of not only finding a pack, but one that would already be nearly guaranteed to match her personality and scent profile?
Something wasn’t right. Despite all her subtle interest, the way she was acting now was like water drenched over a fire. Something inside me told me that she knew something the rest of us didn’t.
But time would tell. And in the matter of finding the omega meant for us, I’d take all the time in the world.