Page 15 of The Gift
Attraction between designations is different. It can and does occur, but it’s nothing like the biological bond that tethers an omega to their alpha, to their pack. The ability to solidify that connection is another. Typically, that task stops with the strongest alpha, but once a bond connects both the alpha and the omega, it generally sweeps up all and sundry in the pack. Maybe that’s why the alphas are portrayed as the strongest? They have to be able to cut through lust and insta-take-me to what is best for a pack.
Of course, he stands up. I give him points for being able to keep his dominance and needs in check for so long. Him taking control of this meeting was always on the cards. He wouldn’t have been able to do anything less. His eyes flit to Ashton, the other alpha of the pack, and he too stands. Their movement stirs the air in the room too. Another reason why I took the wall instead of a seat, is the cloud of pheromones that plume.
I start inhaling through my mouth and exhaling out my nose, which makes my jaw jut out weirdly, but everyone’s focus is on the alphas. And as good as they look, I suspect they’d also smell like indulgence. I search through my bag and grab a handful of peppermints, hoping to mint blast and confuse my inner bloodhound.
“The notes we provided are based on evidence and first-hand experience,” Ashton starts. He cracks his neck subtly under the watchful attention of the room.
Where Henley’s genetics nearly pulse like a neon sign off him, citing him as the alpha, Ashton’s dominance isn’t so flash in your face. It’s like one of those life buoys in the ocean. He’s not going to stop the storm, but he’ll provide safety to anyone who gets caught up in the turbulence. He’ll be a shelter to shield the rain, a blanket from the cold, whereas Henley will be up there fighting it out with the weather gods, demanding they take their storm elsewhere.
“When was your last interaction with an omega?” Ben asks, beating me to the question that was already in my mind. The clarity that the peppermint brings works as good as the burning sting does to my nose.
“I’m not sure that’s relevant,” Ashton says without anger or impatience.
Ashton in looks is as different to Henley as day is to night, but in the same context, they have the similar attributes too. They’re both tall, though Ashton is slightly taller. And where Henley is precise in his looks, Ashton’s hair is longer—messily tussled is the best way to describe it. And it’s lighter, like he’s been working in the sun. But where Henley has sapphire blue eyes, Ashton’s blue are like crystal shards of ice.
I watch intrigued as his eyes dart over to Carmen who’s swinging back on her chair, like she’s deep in consideration.
“I agree with Ben, I think it’s a valid question,” Carmen adds, folding her hands behind her head, full power pose.
I admire her for many reasons: confidence is one. But so is her ability to push people out of their comfort zones. To encourage people to think and act differently. In a lot of ways, it’s that insistence to continually challenge yourself to see and feel all viewpoints that makes her such a force to be reckoned with. She expects your best, and she somehow gets it.
“Before I answer that, can I do a run down for you on how our world works, from an alpha’s point of view? And look, you might have already had a spinning door of expert consultants sitting around this very table giving you that information.”
“That’s very true, we have,” Carmen prods, softening her aggressive comeback with a smile.
“Good,” Ashton answers, his gaze intensifying. If I had to guess, I’d say he’s struggling with not showing the team, instead of telling the team.
“If I can interject before we all get carried away and start sizing things up”—I pop a brow up at Carmen, and then do the same to Henley—“we really do understand an alpha’s influence. No one here is suggesting we need to have a theological discussion on evolution. We all still live in a world where alphas hold the power, as a team we’ve done stories on when alphas go bad. Indeed, our exposé on the Pierson’s pyramid was one, as was the story we did following the trial of the cult leader in Idaho a year ago. And we’re not even discussing the push back we’re getting from some of the other packs involved in the Regalo. We know, trust me.”
“We saw both of those stories. And I know this is off topic, but it is one of the reasons we agreed to come on board and help. Every person here,” Ashton takes his time and looks at everyone around the table, which is interesting, “added weight to that story. The way you provided an account that was unbiased and well researched meant you took people where they should go, letting them see for themselves what scumbags those alphas were. In some ways, I was surprised to learn that you are a team of betas. And I say that without being derogatory.”
“Yet you are being derogatory,” Carmen smirks, tipping her head to the side.
“We’ve evolved a long way from being a wolf pack, but in essence it is the same philosophy. While we can’t shift physically, emotionally we do still attribute the same characteristics of the wolves. Alphas will become aggressive and territorial when faced with threats. They insist on designations because it is based on survival,” Ashton continues, not getting side-tracked by Carmen’s not-that-veiled jabs. But they’ll get used to the way she operates.
“And we’re looking forward to hopefully catching some of those attributes on film. I know we have a lot of viewers who are keen to see that.” One of the camera men, Hugh adds. His face lights up as he blazes in embarrassment, but we all turn our attention back to the pack being cross-examined.
“Yeah, they also want to see the scent marking, the mating instinct that can sometimes drive an alpha to rage,” Koda adds blandly. Though it certainly is not nice, nor could it be misconstrued as anything but disgust.
“And the number of people we have requesting footage of actual knotting is mind blowing,” Carmen adds, stirring the pot some more.
“They can always watch AlphaPorn or HotKnot for that. It’s almost an insult that people want to sully the magic of bonding. It’s also an incredibly dangerous time for anyone but those entrenched in a pack to bear witness to,” Reno says, finally finding his voice. He’s been a part of the discussion, his attention going to the person speaking, but he’s also kept quiet until now. Interestingly.
“Why did you agree to that as a part of the contract then?” I ask him and the other members of their entourage point blank. I need to know.
Reno doesn’t use his words per-say, his eyes going to his alpha for direction.
And Henley doesn’t answer either, instead, he drills those blue eyes of his right at me. It takes a lot of effort to hold his gaze as long as I do, and later there will be hell to pay. And I mean that as me, not him. A deeply private and hidden part of me is cowering and she will need reassuring comfort soon. I have no issue admitting that to myself.
“Ashton and I formed our pack years ago. I’m sure you all read that we were one of the ones to get a Gift that year. I think a part of this is an extension of our hope that we can offer a bit of solace, or some comfort. To let any of those omegas know that weareapologetic because we did not know. If we had, there’s no way we would have wanted to be a part of it. Ashton and I, particularly, carry a deep scar due to our involvement along with a seated sense of responsibility. And we believe intrinsically that we need to help them, even if it is to simply beg for their forgiveness.”
“You’d be able to drop to your knees for an omega? Seems counterintuitive,” Carmen continues to stir the pot.
“It definitely goes against the grain of alpha behaviours. Submission is not something that comes easy, but those people were dragged into one man’s plot for supremacy. And then they were systematically let down by the government,” Ashton says. It looks like he’s more poised to be able to handle the diplomatic discussions needed then Henley.
“Were they?” I challenge.
“How do you mean?” Henley bites, his temper at the situation bringing a dose of acidity to his voice.
