36. Mila

Chapter thirty-six

Mila

I grip Oliver's arm tightly, holding on to him as if my life depends on it.

This was a bad idea. I don't like this, and I have to turn back now and change into something appropriate.

The whole room is looking at me. Not Oliver, but me. The Beta.

Everything spins, and the room soon becomes a whirling mass of lights. I think I am going to pass out.

Luckily, my prince charming keeps me upright, and then he whispers close, his breath teasing the shell of my ear.

"You can do this, Mila… I won't let any one of those vultures get to you, I promise. This night is all about you… like every night should be…"

I squeeze my eyes, hoping I don't ruin my makeup.

Finally, I glance up, catching sight of my reflection in a glass door.

I don't even look like myself anymore, and truth be told…

It terrifies me. Not because I look different. But because I finally recognize myself.

The girl who stares back at me in the beautiful ballgown was who I was always supposed to be.

Not some soldier who was trained to protect, but someone who was meant to be cherished, and protected.

Someone who could draw the eye of every person in a room.

All eyes are on me, and I am not used to the attention. It truly is like entering a vulture's nest.

Most of those eyes are vicious and unforgiving. I spy several Omegas, looking me up and down inside the arms of their Alphas.

They know what I am, and they don't like it.

They hate that a Beta is getting more attention than they are, and in turn, their Alphas bare their teeth at me because I am upsetting their Omegas.

Worst of all, are the eyes of the top brass.

All the governors regard me with contempt.

Governor Lily stares at me with ire. Her knuckles turn white around the handle of her champagne flute, and if she's not careful, the glass will shatter and ruin her pretty baby pink dress.

Baby pink isn't really her color, but the Alpha always insists on wearing some variation of the color.

As if to emphasize how tough she truly is.

Pink makes her stand out. Pink contrasts with her sheer brute strength, almost putting her enemies at ease who may take her for granted.

As if anyone could take that woman for granted.

Right now, she looks as if she wants to eviscerate me. Gryphon especially.

Oliver's Alpha shines with sweat. It glistens on his forehead, catching the light of the chandeliers as he looks at everything but Governor Lily.

Instead, he leads us into the room, a nervous tic in his jaw as he marches forward.

Oliver guides me into the room, and I almost feel like I am floating across the ground in my dress.

Lachlan and Barret step in line after us, and now whispers echo through the ballroom as they watch me and Oliver.

Why has Pack Hart's Omega put his Beta in a sparkly dress?

Why is he giving her all the attention?

Surely, he can't be in his right mind…?

Oh, but he is.

Oliver wants this to be my night. He feels that I should be seen rather than blending into the background like my fellow Betas.

I spot some of my old classmates with their respective packs, their expressions neutral as they don't break protocol.

Instead, they keep a fair distance from their assigned Omegas, ensuring their safety throughout the night.

That could have been me tonight. In fact, that should have been me…

This is all wrong.

It's not too late to turn back and change into my uniform.

I just hope I am not punished for this.

Oliver said he would protect me. That the brass wouldn't dare go near me while I hang onto his arm.

For that reason, I cannot leave his side all night.

I may be trained in battle, but there is no way I would be able to go up against all these enemies.

There's just too many of them.

"Would you like a drink, Mila?" Oliver asks, and I wet my lips with my tongue.

"Yeah… a drink may help…"

My mouth is too dry.

He eyes me up and down appreciatively, giving me a delightful smile.

I focus on his dimples. They put me at ease, and I sigh, smiling back up at him.

"You really do look lovely tonight. Look at the way they all glare at you…"

We gaze toward a gaggle of gossipy Omegas. All female, and all vicious.

I recognize one of them from the selection. Her Alpha had stood in front of her, keeping her from my line of sight.

That same Alpha looms above her, and when he sees me looking at his Omega again, he snarls.

Luckily, Lachlan notices the exchange between us, settling his ice-blue eyes on the other Alpha.

The other Alpha loses all his bravado, and now he grabs his Omega, tugging her away.

No one can beat Lachlan in a staring match. I've seen the guy…

Sometimes, he doesn't blink.

Lachlan grins down at me, reaching across to stroke the petals of the snowdrop he tucked behind my ear earlier.

"He won't ever be a problem for you ever again, snowdrop. If he gives you trouble, I will dice him up and his Omega for you…"

His eyes flash, and how sweet… If not incredibly disturbing...

I would rather he didn't cut people up for me, thank you. Though I appreciate his offer.

My head whips about the room, and I only just realized that Gryphon is missing.

Where could he have gone?

"Wait, where's Gryphon?" I ask, searching the crowd.

I'm actually concerned, and I don't know why. Considering the Alpha has been nothing but rude to me since I arrived.

I am a threat to his happiness.

I also kind of stole away his Omega…

That was probably why the Alpha from earlier blocked my view of his precious Omega.

I have myself a reputation now: The Omega stealer…

Oliver shrugs, only having eyes for me. "Probably gone off to wallow somewhere. Who could blame him? Look at you… he's probably jealous…"

"Yeah, but he's your Alpha. He… wait… do you mean jealous of me or you?"

Barret smirks, showcasing that one dimple. "Why do you think he hates you so much?"

I shake my head, confused. "Because I stole his Omega? Took his place in the nest?"

Barret doesn't say anything, he just shakes his head. Lachlan wears a stupid grin on his crazy face as usual.

Oliver chuckles, pulling me closer. His lips brush my cheek, and I shudder. "He likes you, Mila. Just as much as any of us do…"

No, that can't be right.

Gryphon hates me because I stole Oliver. Not because he likes me, too.

My cheeks blush, and I peer down at the floor. "So… you all like me?"

Oliver nods, affirming my question. "We more than just like you, Mila…"

My heart thunders, and suddenly my vision tunnels and I almost pass out again.

That champagne couldn't come soon enough.

As if reading my mind, Lachlan snatches a flute from a passing server and hands me my champagne. I down it in one go, and all three guys watch me impressed.

Lachlan peeps, and grabs me another. Barret has to stop him by the third.

"But she looks so pretty when she's binge drinking…"

Barret snarls. "Getting her drunk won't help, Lachlan. There are enough eyes on her already…"

He's right. I shouldn't have even drank one champagne flute.

I am supposed to be on duty!

If the brass decides to react, then I could be in deep trouble.

My dad could lose his house. His care.

Oliver seems to sense where my thoughts have gone, and he grabs my cheek. "Mila… nothing will happen to you. I will keep you safe. I promised you…"

His voice reassures me, but when I spy the glare in Governor Lily's eyes, I am not so sure.

I don't care what they do to me. I just hope they don't take it out on my father.

He is innocent in all this.

I feel another set of eyes, and I peer up, my blood running cold when I spot Governor Frederick.

He raises his flute to me in salutations, almost as if congratulating me.

After all, I was only acting on his orders. If there is going to be anyone who protects me, then it will be him…

Governor Lily can't touch me, so long as Governor Fredrick is around.

Forever his little pawn.

He was the one who told me to get close to this pack, and Oliver especially.

My heart skips on the back of my tongue, and the room spins again.

What have I done?

I have a bad feeling in my gut. It weighs me down, and I grab my head, wishing that the room would stop swaying.

My body feels flush and tight in the bodice, and my perfume spikes.

Oliver grips my cheek. "Mila?"

I look up into his ocean-blue eyes. So full of concern for me, and my heart can't take it.

I had no idea what I signed up for when Governor Frederick asked me to his office that day, but it couldn't have been good.

No wonder Gryphon hates me.

I only became what he feared in the end.

What kind of danger have I put Oliver in with the Beta governor?

The Omega leads me across the room, finding me a seat, and now he stays by my side.

The music changes, and it looks as if the Alphas are going to have their first dance with their Omegas.

Yet Oliver doesn't move for the floor. He remains by my side.

"You should go and dance with your Alphas, Oliver…"

He scoffs. "And leave you alone? No chance, Mila."

"Ditto," Lachlan replies, kneeling down on the floor beside me.

Barret stands on my other side.

So, are none of them going to take Oliver for a dance? They are his Alphas…

They should want to show him off.

Instead, they stay by my side, waiting while my wooziness passes.

Maybe then, they will take him to the dance floor.

And I will have no choice but to remain on the sidelines.