22. Jeremy

Chapter twenty-two

Jeremy

G ryphon called me earlier to tell me the good news.

Rian is now registered as an Omega.

The Alpha made the right calls, managing to get all the paperwork together in a short amount of time, and now we no longer have to live our lives in dread.

Better yet, Rian won't be arrested for the mere crime of failing to inform the government of his identity.

He won't have to leave us or register at the Academy either.

Plus, he no longer has to take those God-awful hormone suppressants or spray himself with desensitizer.

Rian is officially our pack Omega, and he is going to stay with us indefinitely.

He hasn't stopped smiling since I broke the news, and now he looks ten years younger.

Keeping such a secret must have taken its toll, but now he is as free as a bird.

"I think this calls for champagne," he announces. "Leo?"

The Alpha nods, then rushes to the kitchen to grab a bottle and several glasses.

Troy is solemn throughout the whole exchange, and I would have thought he would be the most ecstatic.

After all, he was always the most protective of Rian and his secrets.

So much to the point where he could be cruel and hostile to anyone he deemed a threat.

As a matter of fact, he looks as if he's going to be sick.

As usual, he keeps far away from Rian.

The Omega still won't speak to him, even during this exciting time, and he really is going out of his way to teach his Alpha a lesson.

I never thought that Rian would be the type to bear a grudge, but he and Leo are truly pissed at Troy.

The past seems so frivolous now that Rian has officially become our pack Omega.

It was Troy's wish for so long, yet he can't rejoice.

In fact, the guilt seems to be eating him up more than ever.

I know he feels bad about how he treated Belle in the past, yet he still keeps her at arm's length.

He didn't even join us for her heat and he's going to extreme lengths to punish himself.

He's not making any attempts at all to build bridges, and Troy really is a fool.

In the end, he is only going to hurt himself.

Belle hasn't stopped smiling since I revealed the news, and my heart swells at the sight of her tears.

She gave up her freedom so that Francis wouldn't spill our pack's secret, and it looks like her sacrifice paid off in the end.

I still haven't told them the rest of the news.

But I will wait until Leo arrives with the champagne.

Leo arrives with the champagne at last, and now he pours each of us a glass.

Well, except for Troy.

He ignores Troy completely, and this is getting stupid.

We're grown adults.

Troy grows paler when he sees the champagne, and maybe it wasn't such a smart move drinking around a recovering alcoholic.

As far as I know, Troy hasn't had a single drop since the night Belle left with Francis.

Rian pops the bottle open, pouring only four glasses.

I glance at Troy.

I'm not sure if he notices the snub, but his face tics, and then his fingers flinch, and I think it's time I talked with the guys.

Belle notices the snub, and she peers at Troy sadly as he keeps far away from the festivities.

I sip my glass, addressing the room.

"There's more…"

Everyone looks my way.

Except Troy.

He continues to wallow in self-pity.

"What is it?" Rian asks.

I inhale a deep breath. "Gryphon also secured us invites to the Presentation Ball next week."

Rian's chin drops wide open. Even Troy looks up from his brooding.

The Presentation Ball is an exclusive event.

It happens yearly, and only the most elite packs get to attend. Yet Gryphon thought it would be a good idea for us to attend and present Rian.

His pack will also be presenting Mila, too.

I'm just not sure where Belle fits in.

Gryphon got her an invite too, and I would love more than anything to present her right along with Rian, but it's just a little too soon.

Unless Gryphon managed to pull some more strings.

Right now, it may be best to present her as our Pack Beta, and this is going to hurt.

Belle should be up there with the best of them.

It's more than what she deserves after she sacrificed everything for us.

Rian shakes his head. "How?"

I shrug, sipping my glass. "It helps when your cousin is pack brothers with the governor."

And it does, too.

But I think Pack Hart just feels indebted to me.

As far as I'm concerned, we're even.

No more favors.

Belle looks at me confused. "What's the Presentation Ball?"

Rian answers for her. "It's a high-brow event for all the richest packs in the city. It's where they go to present their Omegas."

Belle has stars in her eyes next, and it hurts to look at her. "It sounds wonderful. Like a scene straight from one of my books…"

Which is why it is going to hurt even more.

I hate that she can't present either. It's not fair.

But for now, she needs to lay low.

There are people out there who want her head after all, and we need to keep our wits about us.

But I'll be damned if she doesn't get to wear a pretty dress.

Gryphon was very specific on that front.

It seems he wants her there just as much as we all do.

One day, we will get to present her for real.

And then the night will be all about her.

Belle doesn't even question or comment on whether she will get to present. She is just happy for Rian as it will be his night after all, and I know then that she was meant for us.

I think I am falling for her.

Troy slinks out of the room, probably sick of the sight of the festivities, and I take that opportunity to speak with Rian alone.

Leo remains with Belle, and the two play a little drinking game as I take Rian outside on the terrace.

"So," I begin. "When is this feud between you and Troy finally going to end?"

Rian sighs, drinking his champagne. "I knew this was what you dragged me out here for."

"Well?" I probe further.

The Omega gazes down into his glass. "I just don't know… I'm finding it hard to forgive him. I know Belle is back in our lives now, but he still has a way to go."

I nod. "Fair enough. Just don't leave it too long. You don't want to live with regrets."

He watches me strangely. "Why? Is there something else you're not telling us?"

I don't need to tell him more.

He heard what happened at the prison.

Someone tried to kill Belle for daring to speak about the Facility.

Who's to say they won't come for the rest of us?

After all, we know enough ourselves now.

According to Gryphon, none of the other Omegas have talked, and it seems that the Facility really does have them tight-lipped.

I think of Twenty-two for the millionth time, shaking my head as I head back to the house.

"Just look his way every now and then at least, Rian. I'm sick of his sour puss."

Troy has been in a depression ever since Rian started ignoring him, and I almost feel bad for him.

He may be getting his just deserts, but it's awful seeing someone suffer regardless.

They're bonded mates, and for some reason, the separation is taking its toll on Troy.

Yet Rian looks as healthy as ever, and it seems Belle is just enough for him.

After all, she's his second scent match.

But the sooner he makes amends with Troy, then the better for us all.

There's a gaping chasm in our pack bond, and if one of them doesn't give in soon, then it will only grow bigger.

And only the Gods will know then what will happen to us.