Page 176 of Pack Rivals: Part Two
“Don’s focus is purely political,” Melody chimes in. “Have you seen the polling data? He’s definitely going to make Senator.”
“Too damn right the amount of money my pack has spent on this campaign.”
“And did you see theRockview Times? They’re dubbing him as a potential presidential candidate.” Melody flicks her hair. I’m pretty certain her alpha paid for that article but I don’t bother to correct her. “Can you imagine? Me as First Lady.” She smiles smugly at Bea like she just won a point in some game.
“I can’t,” Bea says.
Melody frowns, not quite following Bea’s logic.
I pick up my menu and scan my eye down the list of options.
“I had an understanding that your focus on politics hadn’t completely overtaken your focus on pharmaceuticals.”
“Of course not,” Don huffs, “we still have a business to run.”
“Still researching new treatments?”
“Yes.”
Melody flutters her eyelashes. “Cleaver Pharmaceuticals is investing in future cures for some of the world’s most deadly diseases.” She spiels off like she’s memorized that little line of PR.
“Deadly diseases like being a beta?” I say casually.
“Being a beta?” Melody says, eyes flicking to her alpha who frowns at me.
“Is that some kind of joke, Silver?”
“No, not at all. I hear all kinds of organizations,” I lean in on that last word, “are looking at ways to turn betas into omegas.”
“Ridiculous,” Don mutters, straightening his knife and fork.
“Really?” Bea says all innocently. “Melody, you’ve heard of such things, haven’t you? I remember you telling me about it.”
“Well,” Melody shuffles on her seat, aware there’s tension in the air but unclear why. Melody’s always been wowed by the glamor and the money. She’s never bothered to do her research. To look at what lies behind the facade. “I’ve definitely heard rumors about drugs on the black market … but that’s probably rumors.”
“It’s not. I had a father hire me recently because some sick bastard was selling his daughter medication he promised would turn her into an omega.”
“Gosh,” Melody says with feigned astonishment, “how awful.”
“It’s just low-lifes,” Don says, “low-lifes selling gullible young men and women magic beans. That’s all.”
“No, it’s not,” Bea says. “It’s far more serious than that. Some people seem convinced those magic beans exist and they’ll do anything to land their hands on them.”
I reach for her leg under the table, squeezing her thigh.
“I’m sure you’re right. People are always searching for ways to make themselves rich,” Don turns in his seat, “now where’s the waiter?”
“People like you,” I say lowly, a threat in my voice.
Melody’s mouth falls open a little. Her alpha, however, turns back around to me slowly.
“Are you accusing me of something here, Silver? Is this why you invited us to lunch because I won’t stand for you flinging–”
“Yes, I’m accusing you. I’m accusing you of working with Micko Sondrio and his omega. I think you see big potential in this, but you knew making any legitimate progress would take years and years of slow, costly research. So, you went for the cheaper, quicker and morally repugnant route instead.”
“This is nonsense! Can you hear yourself, Silver? Me, my pack, work with a man like Micko Sondrio? Head of the Snakebites. Are you insane? Has the presence of your omega scrambled your brains?”
“No, her presence has made me a very determined man.”
