Chapter 42
42
Hazel
Several days later, I took a deep breath as I stared at my reflection in the floor length mirror. The soft lights twinkling in my makeshift nest caught the rhinestones on my dress and sent scattered rainbows around the room.
“Hazel,” Crew called, followed by a gentle tapping on the door, “we need to go soon, baby.”
“Almost done,” I said back, butterflies flapping around in my tummy like a swarm.
I wasn’t being presented at tonight’s gala as an eligible omega, but I was representing Pack Dutton at our first event as a pack. And I still wanted to impress people I would probably never see again just to make my alphas look good.
Even if it was at an archaic ball that showed off potential omegas as pieces of meat on a stage while a few hundred alphas drooled over them and made notes like this was an NFL draft pick.
I smoothed a hand down the tight bodice of my dress. It hugged every curve, exaggerating and accentuating the cinch of my waist to the swell of my hips. My breasts were propped up thanks to some clever padding and positioning of the built in bra. The top of the dress wore like a halter up my chest and wrapped around my neck, but the back was almost completely exposed.
Five thin strands of rhinestones anchored the neck to the almost indecently low back. The dress itself was a soft champagne, and the top half was clustered with rhinestones that faded further down my body.
But the part I loved most? It showed off every single bite my pack had given me. I wore their marks proudly, wanting the world to see who owned me.
Knowing we needed to leave, I spun to the vanity and sprayed my neck and wrists with a scent dampener that all but eliminated my scent. Then I rubbed a scent canceling lotion under my nose so I wouldn’t spend the night overwhelmed by the scents of alpha pheromones.
I slipped into my heels, a simple and strappy pair that matched the color of my dress, and then pulled the door open and paused.
Rhett and Jude were chatting quietly by the front door. Rhett’s black tuxedo was complete with a bowtie that I wanted to tug free with my teeth. Jude was in a simple navy blue suit with a white button-up and matching navy tie.
Kellan was sitting on the couch, his long hair twisted into a messy bun. He wore black pants and a black button-up with the sleeves rolled up his forearms. The top two buttons of his shirt were undone, giving a glimpse at the dark ink on his chest that flowed down both arms to his fingers.
Crew leaned on the wall beside my door, his head down as he scrolled through messages on his phone. It was like he’d just stepped out of a boardroom in a black suit with a stark white shirt.
My mouth watered, and I barely swallowed a whine as I took in my pack. Seriously, did we really need to attend this thing? Or could I just drag them all back into my nest?—
“Holy fuck, sugar.” Kellan was the first to spot me, and he stood up, slack-jawed.
Crew let out an approving rumble as he pushed off the wall and came to stand in front of me. He crowded me against the doorframe, and even in my heels, he still towered over me.
His blue eyes were electric even as his nose wrinkled. “I’ll be glad when this night is over so I can strip this dress and the scent blockers off you.”
I tipped my head back to look up at him. “Or we could stay here and do that instead.”
“Fuck, I wish,” he murmured, pulling me to his chest.
I balked for a second because there was a decent amount of cosmetics on my face, and the last thing we needed was me smearing makeup on his white shirt. Calla had happily helped me shop for all new makeup, from brushes to bronzer, foundation to false eyelashes. She’d recommended a killer setting spray that she insisted didn’t transfer, but I’d hugged my dad enough as a teen—and ruined enough of his work shirts—to know how bad a simple hug could go when it came to makeup. Better safe than sorry.
Sensing my hesitation, Crew arched a brow. “Something wrong?”
I pointed to my face. “I don’t want to mess up your clothes.”
Crew huffed and yanked me into him, nose first.
Fuck it. If he didn’t care, neither did I. And I’d never turn down being loved on by one of these men.
I turned my head and managed to catch notes of his scent through the heavy blocker.
Fingers stroked my exposed back. “Perfection,” Rhett whispered before kissing a shoulder blade.
“Damn right,” Kellan said, sounding like he was right beside us.
“I’m with Haze,” Jude chimed in. “I vote we stay here and?—”
Rhett groaned. “Don’t finish that sentence, pup, or we’ll never leave.”
I shivered at the slight bit of alpha bark Rhett used on our beta.
“Let’s go,” Crew muttered, taking my hand and leading me to the front door.
I eyed his shirt as we left.
Huh. Calla was right.
No transfer.
The Intercontinental was hosting the gala this year in their biggest ballroom. It was a space that took up half of the first and second floors, dueling curved staircases with a landing halfway to the top of the second floor combining the spaces. The massive crystal chandeliers cast a buttery light across everyone in the room, giving it an almost ethereal vibe.
Men in tuxes and women in elaborate gowns filled the space, many of them dancing in the center of the room, to the music of a five-piece orchestra along the far wall. Around the dancefloor was seating for the dinner and announcements, and waiters drifted through the crowd with platters of hor d’oeuvres and trays full of champagne.
“Wow,” I managed, grateful for the scent blocking lotion. I could only imagine how potent the combined scents of this many alphas would be. Men easily outnumbered the women three-to- one. And while it was clear there were several packs, there were also clusters of men eyeing the rows of women cordoned off by red velvet stanchions on the second floor.
“The omegas being debuted,” Rhett leaned in to tell me, inclining his head toward them.
I pressed my lips into a tight line, almost literally biting my tongue as Rhett’s mother and the Senator came over.
“Son,” Senator Coulson said while sipping on a bourbon.
Mrs. Coulson came forward to give me a hug and air kisses. “Hazel, you look absolutely splendid. Not many people can wear that color without it washing them out… Or that style. Oh, to have a young, firm body.” She giggled like she’d shared a scandalous secret with me.
I shrugged and leaned against Kellan and Jude, offering her a wide smile. “It’s definitely different for me. I’m usually wearing a lot less around these guys.”
Mrs. Coulson choked on the champagne she’d brought to her lips. Coughing, she spluttered into her gloved hand.
The Senator glowered at her before handing her a napkin from a nearby tray. “Honestly, Mirabelle.”
“Are you all right, Mother?” Rhett asked, sounding more bored than concerned.
Mirabelle’s face flushed. “If you’ll excuse me.” She spun in a swish of sapphire blue satin that actually looked incredible on her.
Senator Coulson rounded on Rhett. “I expect you to behave this evening. You represent our family, and I will not have you?—”
“Forgive me, Father,” Rhett cut in, “but I am here with my family representing Pack Dutton.”
Senator Coulson’s face turned a worrying shade of red as he glared at his youngest son.
“If you’ll excuse us, we’re going to find our table,” Rhett added, taking Jude in one hand and flattening his other on the small of my back to urge us away from his father.
Kellan clapped a hand on the Senator’s shoulder and plucked the half-drunk glass from his fingers before tossing it back. “Thanks.” He deposited the glass on a passing waiter’s tray before he followed us to the table.
Jude’s shoulders shook with silent laughter as Crew huffed. “Did you seriously have to bait him?”
“Guy’s a dick,” Kellan retorted, “but he has solid taste in alcohol.”
I smothered a giggle as Rhett found our seats easily as we’d been seated beside Thane’s pack. I obviously recognized him and Jensen, but it was the third man who made me pause.
Kyland Anders.
Son of the current president and man who likely hijacked my DNA to make me an omega.
Thane and Jensen stood, followed by Kyland.
Holy crap was he tall. He had a few inches on Kellan, easy. And his shoulders were massive. Not even the perfectly tailored suit could disguise those muscles.
“Ky, this is my brother, Rhett, and his pack,” Thane introduced.
Kyland smiled, and it transformed his face from brooding to boyish. “Hey.” He spoke softly, completely at odds with his larger than life first impression. His eyes found mine, a melted chocolate color that was surprisingly kind. “Hazel, right?”
I nodded and leaned a little more against Kellan. Part of me was still wary. Trusting Jensen and Thane was one thing. But Kyland was literally the spawn of demons.
Kyland’s lips turned up in a sad smile. “I get it. From what Thane and Jay have told me, my parents’ pack really screwed you. If it makes you uncomfortable, I can sit elsewhere.”
“No,” I said after a moment. “We can’t pick our family, right?”
“Not biologically,” Kyland agreed before looking at his packmates. “But my real family is at this table, and I definitely chose them.”
“I know what you mean,” I murmured with a tentative smile.
“Please, have a seat,” Kyland urged, waving a hand at the chair farthest from him and set between two empty seats on either side.
Crew pulled my chair out and helped me settle in before sitting to my right. Kellan took the seat that put him between Jensen and Crew, while Jude sat at my left and Rhett placed himself between our beta and Thane.
Not sure what to do, I grabbed my goblet of water and took a greedy drink. When Crew slung an arm around my shoulders, I gratefully leaned into him and sipped my drink as I watched people move around the room, greeting old friends and eyeing up old foes.
I slipped into people-watching mode as my pack talked with Thane’s, finishing my cup of water and starting on a second one that appeared. Under the table, Jude’s hand landed on my lap, and all of my pack filled our bond with support and love.
I rested my head on Crew's shoulder, blinking slowly as I focused on them.
At least, I did until I opened my eyes and saw Kyland staring at me with a wistful sort of look.
I straightened and set my glass down without breaking his gaze. “What?” I finally asked.
All conversation at our table stopped abruptly, and Kyland’s cheeks stained pink as he ducked his head. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to stare.”
“And yet you were,” Kellan snarled.
Kyland flinched. “I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable, Hazel.”
“And yet you did ,” Kellan snapped, looking ready to jump over the table.
“I truly meant no offense,” Kyland added, looking genuinely abashed, “I just… I guess I’m a little jealous.”
“Jealous?” Crew repeated, ice dripping from his tone as he stiffened like he was preparing to fight.
“Yes,” Kyland replied. “My pack has been looking for the omega that would complete us for years, and we’ve yet to find them.”
Jensen’s jaw tightened and he tossed his napkin on the table. “Excuse me,” he muttered darkly before getting up and stalking away until the crowd swallowed him up.
Kyland looked stricken as he turned to Thane. “I didn’t mean?—”
“I know.” Thane stood slowly. “I’ll find him.”
Kyland sighed and dropped his head into his hands. “I’m fucking all of this up.”
Something about his dejected posture and the way unhappiness rolled off him in waves had my omega side curious and wanting to help, if I could.
“Do you want to talk about it?” I offered.
Kyland looked up, his eyes suspiciously wet. “Thank you, but it’s all rather complicated.”
The corner of my mouth twitched. “I think I can keep up.”
“No doubt you could,” he agreed. “We want an omega, but we can’t subject them to my parents’ pack. It’s bad enough my father is constantly trying to get us to accept an omega of his choosing, but all he cares about is how an omega looks and… other unmentionable things.”
“Asshole,” Jude grumbled.
“Yes,” Kyland replied with a nod. “We can’t, in good conscience, find and bond an omega while my parents are so… unchecked in their beliefs and priorities. And the one we’ve found, that one of us is certain is the right omega…”
“Your parents would never approve of her?” I guessed.
Kyland met my gaze, something there I couldn’t quite grasp. “They would never approve of him .”
My breath caught as the dots started connecting. One then the next, dominoes toppling to form a startling picture.
“Him?” Crew asked, sounding a little surprised.
But I wasn’t.
“Logan,” I breathed.
Kyland’s mouth went flat and he gave a barely discernible dip of his head. “I’m sure you can imagine why we can’t let my parents know.”
“Of course,” I replied.
“Whoa, Logan?” Jude asked, looking at me. “As in your Logan?”
“Yeah,” I managed.
“Jensen met him when he first came to the omega house for placement. Did his intake work, and said it was like being struck by lightning,” Kyland explained. “We all smelled Logan’s scent on him and felt it, too.”
“Does Logan know?” I mean, surely he would’ve told me if he’d met an alpha he liked.
“Probably not. All alphas in the houses wear scent blockers unless they’re attending to an omega in heat. Jensen’s scent was masked whenever they interacted,” he added. “Thane has seen him a few times, but I only have his scent to go on.”
I glanced at Kellan and then Crew, remembering how the first time I’d smelled them it had felt like being hit in the head with a frying pan. My entire life became divided into pre and post Pack Dutton. They were the force that changed my life.
“Jensen would claim Logan tonight if we could,” Kyland said. “We all would. But my parents are monsters. If we ever want to have Logan in our life—if any pack has a chance at true happiness—then things have to change. I won’t risk bringing him into our lives to be used as a pawn.”
I spotted Thane and Jensen coming back to the table out of the corner of my eye.
“For what it’s worth? Logan would be lucky to have you guys as his pack,” I told him.
“The best friend seal of approval,” Kyland mused with a small smile.
I smirked. “The only approval you ever really need.”