Chapter Twenty

Representative Adam came with his pack. Two other alphas, not including his alpha assistant.

They looked completely at home as Jackson settled them onto the guest couch. I watched one of Adam’s packmate’s nose wrinkle slightly, and I wondered if he was overwhelmed with my scent in the house or if he could detect Eve’s scent when she sat there a few weeks ago.

Adam and his pack sat on the couch, the assistant standing behind them looking more like a security guard than an administrator of any kind. All the alphas smelled terrible, like black pepper, salt water, and some kind of strong alcohol.

I curled myself into my mate, attempting to subtly inhale his berry perfume or risk seriously offending Adam’s pack—something I wasn’t completely opposed to doing.

“Here you go.” Seb carried all three drinks from the bar like he was a professional waiter, handing them out directly to the alphas.

I was sitting on the couch opposite our ‘guests’ with Zeke by my side. His body was so close to mine that we were touching at every possible point of contact, the heat from him radiating even through his comfy clothes. With his hand on my thigh, squeezing semi-tightly, he was the designated alpha in charge of ensuring I didn’t act on any potential negative emotions this conversation was most definitely going to bring.

Han was half standing on my other side, leaning against the couch’s arm, his ankles crossed like he was having a leisurely conversation. Jackson was behind me, standing tall, no doubt with his arms crossed because regardless of the fact that he’d been telling me all day I’d need to behave, I knew those same words were haunting him now. Sebastian was the only one sitting slightly away from me, taking up a single seater couch off to the side.

“I guess you’re probably wondering why we’re here,” Adam said. He gave a sort of self-deprecating laugh as if the whole situation was crazy. “Firstly, we figured it was about time that we came and checked in on you all. A member of your pack was severely injured at one of the businesses that I own, and I didn’t want you all to think that we abandon our patrons. Omegas are so important to our society, and even one injured is a gross negligence.”

It was Sebastian that spoke up first, easily taking the lead. “Hannah’s already been cleared by the doctor. We are back to our regularly scheduled programming, thankfully.”

That comment got a few chuckles from Adam’s pack.

One of the alphas whose name I didn’t bother remembering leaned forward, asking, “But the attack, that must have left some emotional scars.”

“Hannah’s head trauma has unfortunately caused her memory to lapse. She doesn’t remember the incident.”

Again, the words came from Sebastian, leading the conversation rather than Jackson. My posh mate had literal training in deciphering and speaking formal ambiguity. It was easy to admit that Seb took conversing with Adam naturally, still, I wondered if Adam took it as an insult that Seb was speaking with him rather than my pack’s first alpha or if Seb’s name was truly that powerful.

“A blessing of sorts,” Adam said, earning nods from his packmates. “I couldn’t imagine how tough it’s been dealing with an omega going through such a traumatic time.”

I stiffened at those words, hating being referred to as if I wasn’t fucking present. Sure, Adam was turned slightly so he was looking directly at Sebastian. That didn’t mean he should just exclude me. Also, who worries more about how other people handle someone else’s trauma? Not only did it ignore the very real fear that my mates had for my safety and health, but it was degrading as shit to what happened to me.

Zeke’s hand on my knee squeezed tighter, and he shifted in his seat, inconspicuously adjusting so he was slightly leaning against me rather than simply touching me. A hand touched my shoulder, the gentle weight of Jackson’s presence reminding me of his pleas that I be a good omega for this meeting.

“Hannah’s strong,” Sebastian said, his chest puffing up. “We’re just happy that she’s here, with us, and healing.”

Those words filled me with pride, calming the tirade of emotions I hadn’t even recognized growing inside me.

“Of course,” Adam agreed. “There’s been a lot of speculation surrounding your omega and how she’s doing. She’s become quite recognizable, actually. Lots of people are worried about her.”

There was something … odd in his tone. I couldn’t place it and my alphas didn’t stop speaking to give me a minute to think about it.

“We’ve ensured all of our families understand that Hannah is fine,” Han said, speaking up for the first time. I had no idea if what Han said was true or not considering the only conversation my mates had about their families was that we all didn’t get along.

Adam waved a hand in the air like Han’s comment was obvious, “Of course. I was meaning the public. Unfortunately, the world has been watching this pack since the incident. Lots of people feel like they know someone once they see them on the screen, especially those that make a reoccurrence in such a dramatic fashion.”

“We’ve noticed,” Seb said, nodding solemnly like he was agreeing to something terrible. “Unfortunately, there’s nothing we can do about everyone talking about Hannah.”

“I actually had an idea about that. A way to help protect your omega. It’s the second reason we’re here, now that we know she’s okay.”

Behind me, my mate’s growl was loud enough that I knew everyone could hear it. His hand was still on my shoulder, his fingers digging in like he was trying to anchor himself to me, taking comfort from me rather than offering it. I turned my head as best I could and kissed his hand, reaching up with my own fingers to reassure him. My instincts screamed at me, demanding I do more to help my alpha, to wrap myself around him or maybe even get on my knees to thank him for his protection.

Just as I was about to crawl over the back of the couch to my mate, Jackson’s growl softened.

Despite his scent having bloomed with anger, I could scent the bitterness of the other alphas. I doubted my mates could scent the slight change in their shift since my designation had the best sense of smell. That didn’t stop the smug smile from pulling at my lips no matter how much I knew I shouldn’t allow it.

On top of that, I wouldn’t have thought Jackson would have been the first one to break civility, but I appreciated that it wasn’t me. Looking over my shoulder, I smirked at Jackson who didn’t find me nearly as amusing as I found myself in that moment.

“We didn’t mean any offense,” Adam said, the apology barely existent. “You’re protecting your omega as best you can. Sometimes it helps to have friends in high places, though.”

Was he supposed to be the friend? And why did his apology have a ‘we’ when he was the idiot that insulted my alpha?

“What do you suggest?” Sebastian asked. He was leaning forward now, looking intrigued, and bringing all the attention back to him.

“An interview. Something calmer than being attacked by the press. As easy as this sit-down, just talking, explaining what happened and how she’s doing now.”

“It would be a short interview considering Hannah lost years of her memory,” Han joked.

One of Adam’s pack members spoke up, the one that smelled like salty water, saying, “Memory loss is technically a medical diagnosis. She wouldn’t have to admit that in any interview. That would be a violation of privacy.”

“If I was being honest,” Sebastian started, “I would admit that I’m not particularly trusting of reporters at the moment. You’ll recall the last time I took Hannah out and the unfortunate events that transpired. Putting her back into that position doesn’t particularly appeal to any of us.”

Adam turned his gaze to me, temporarily, a look on his face like he was seeing a dying dog, not a person. “Understandable. But I do have some expertise with reporters and the public. I can tell you that scrutiny will continue to follow you until the public feels like it’s gotten the answers to their questions.”

It took me longer than I’d like to admit to understand Adam’s suggestion. A few weeks ago, I would have jumped at this opportunity. Except now I knew what the reporters were like. How they pushed into your private space, all huddled together with bright flashing lights, demanding to be heard over one another. They’d stared at me, yelling questions that had to be tongue twisters to get out, and shoving devices into my face, unrelenting in their pursuit.

Then there was the fact that the offer came from Adam. I had seen the way the female reporter had set him up for success in that one-on-one interview, and I knew any help he offered would be with the same vibe, the same set-up that aligned with his vile propaganda.

Han shook his head back and forth, not adamantly, but softly. “Hannah doesn’t have the experience you do with talking to reporters. I’ve seen the footage that was recorded the night she and Sebastian were overwhelmed. The flashing lights and yelled questions weren’t a safe space. Right, Hannah?”

I almost didn’t answer, so used to the alphas talking about me like I wasn’t here. The silence in the room was deafening, the words finally coming together in my brain, making me realize I needed to actually say something.

“Right. My mates have been telling me that the best option is to stay out of the public’s attention, and I agree with that.”

“Your mates are wise,” Adam said, speaking to me for the first time.

I groaned internally, hating what I’d said. To anyone else, my words would have just shown that I was in agreement with my alphas, except I knew that what Adam actually heard was that my mates made the decision since it was their idea. I could have just said that I thought it was best to stay out of the public’s eyes. I could have stopped after agreeing with Han or maybe even demanded to know how I was supposed to conduct any interview when I couldn’t fucking leave my home anymore. Damn, that would’ve been so good!

“My suggestion was for an intimate interview, not with a news station but an actual journalist. One with integrity and an omega of their own. You’d sit down, in a particularly comfortable seat if I say so myself, talking about your recent experiences. No pressure, a single camera, nothing overwhelming.”

I felt my eyebrows pull together, my confusion more than obvious in my features and my scent. Hopefully, Adam would believe that the emotion came from not understanding the type of interview rather than my absolute curiosity at his intentions. After all, he thought I was a dumb omega.

“I’m not sure—”

Seb’s words were cut off by Adam. “I’m talking about the long-term effects of protecting your omega. Right now, whether you like it or not, she’s a public figure. Her name, her designation, her injuries, it’s all being addressed by morning shows and talk segments. There’s nothing you can do about that, no hiding her, only ensuring that she isn’t used as a tool by people who hadn’t even bothered to check in with how she’s healing.”

That was fucking laughable. The chuckle almost made it past my lips, getting caught in my throat.

Pressing my face against Zeke’s shoulder to hide the sound, I cleared my throat as quietly as possible.

“Who exactly were you thinking of?” Seb asked.

“Presley Abject. She’s someone I would have my own personal interviews with if we hadn’t been friends for years and I knew she’d take it easy on me.”

“Oh, yes, Presley. My mother knows her omega’s parents … a friend of a friend. How is mating treating them all?”

“Wonderfully. Like any good alpha, Presley is still focused on her career, aware she needs to provide long-term, and I know she wouldn’t mind if I set up a meeting.”

“Did she take off time for her mating? We wouldn’t want to pull her from bonding with her omega. It’s important for the pack health as well as the health of her omega that mates stay close together, especially so close to leaving marks.”

I wondered if it was as obvious to Adam as it was to me that Seb was trying to turn down this offer. And I wondered if it didn’t matter how subtly Sebastian changed the topic. If Adam would continue to lead us back to where he wanted because his offer was more a demand.

“Presley is never truly off the clock.” Adam’s words were losing their careful teasing, their lightheartedness. “And even if she did take off time, I know this issue would be close to her heart.”

For a moment, none of my alphas responded. Adam took a slow sip of his dark liquor, the look on his face so cocky, it was obvious that he thought he’d won.

Won what, though?

Was he trying to slip me up in the interview, forcing me to admit that I am an omega who was at the sit-in protest of his diner? Would that actually help him keep my designation under lock and key? Or was I supposed to lie, supposed to further his narrative that I was a victim to the betas?

I wished that I remembered what happened. Not knowing felt as if I was missing a piece of this puzzle—the single piece that would help me to understand Adam better. Help me play the game better.

“Doing an interview, any interview as a member of this pack, requires a conversation with our families,” Seb finally said.

It sounded like a last-ditch effort, and Adam’s smile said he knew it too.

“By all means. Call them. Have a discussion. I’m not unfamiliar with the names in this pack, and I’m more than sure all our values and goals align. Protecting omegas is always at the top of my agenda—it controls almost everything I do. In the meantime, I’ll go ahead and book the interview with Presley. It’ll take about three weeks to book the studio and set up lighting, makeup, all that jazz. Plenty of time to speak with your families.”

Adam finished his drink in a huge gulp, setting the glass down harder than he probably should’ve. Then he was standing, buttoning his jacket again and reaching a hand toward my alphas. Everyone stood except Zeke and me.

I didn’t care if I looked like a bad omega for not saying proper goodbyes. As far as I was concerned, they weren’t true guests in this house. I crossed one leg over the other, playing with the fabric covering my knee as I waited for my alphas to shut the door and come back to me.

Nothing about this suggestion felt like a good idea. The fact that it came from Adam was warning number one. Number two was that he essentially didn’t let us refuse. Then, there was the Presley issue, number three, which was mostly just on the basis that I didn’t trust anyone that Adam would speak fondly of. Finally, the last concern was the timeline. Three weeks? That would be just days before the permanency vote for the omega movement proposition. That couldn’t be a coincidence.

I refused to be used as a weapon for Adam to wield. My attack, my silence, all of it had already been used against my best intentions. Still, I’d managed to justify that to myself because it was out of my control. They were using videos and pictures and comments that were taken out of context.

Sitting down and lying—or even dancing around the answer like I was a professional ballerina—was me changing sides. Even if I didn’t lie, if my truth was twisted for the wrong audience, that would all be on me. My fault.

“Hannah.”

My name pulled me out of my spiraling thoughts. Jackson was crouched in front of me, hands on either side of me like he hadn’t wanted to touch me and risk startling me. His scent was bitter, no doubt he’d held back his emotions as best he could while Adam was here, which is why Sebastian had taken the lead. Now that we were all alone again, he wasn’t holding back.

“We can get you out of this if you want.”

If I wanted? Why did his words sound weird? I looked up at Han and Seb, both males standing off to the sides of Jackson, watching me intently, both with mirror looks of worry on their faces.

“I can’t do an interview that makes things worse for my designation.” I needed them to understand that. I understood that they didn’t want to piss Adam off, but I wasn’t going to be used to hurt other omegas.

“We know, rebel. We never thought you would. The question is whether you think you can handle the interview setting?”

“What do you mean?”

“Could you sit down, in front of a camera, and be interviewed?”

“What do you mean?”

A headache was forming between my eyes. He said he understood that I wouldn’t do an interview that hurt my designation, yet he wanted to know if the act of being interviewed would freak me out? Did he think I could somehow talk my way around an actual answer to a professional social investigator? Or was he planning on my memory loss to be effective in not answering questions?

“Do you trust me, rebel?”

I nodded, slowly. I did trust my mates. Not just instinctively. It was a lesson I was learning over and over again. “Yes.”

“Good. Let’s get you to bed. I’m taking you out on a date tomorrow.”

Jackson lifted me from the couch, carrying me up the stairs with ease as my other alphas followed. With the way I was wrapped around him, I watched my mates climb the stairs after us. The scents of nerves and frustration and relief were swirling around us in a mayhem of mixed uncontrollable emotions.

We undressed, my mates keeping their boxers on while I slept completely naked. Usually, I preferred pajamas. If I was honest, I was too distracted to put them on. My mind was buzzing with nothing, jumping from topics so quickly that I couldn’t have honestly answered the question of what I was thinking about.

It wasn’t just me that was distracted either.

I wanted to comfort all my mates, wanted to grow myself or multiply so I could wrap them all up in my arms and scent. Instead, I had to settle for a puppy pile. Jackson on the bottom with me laying on top of him. Sebastian on one side so I could reach out and touch him while Han and Zeke cuddled on Jackson’s other side. Han was closer, but Zeke reached an arm out to hold my hand.

In the dark silence of the space, I couldn’t help asking, “What’s the plan?”

“Don’t worry, rebel. We have three weeks to get you prepared. I’ll explain everything tomorrow, you’ll need your sleep.”

Despite my internal protests, I did fall asleep almost instantly.