Page 49 of Bullied Forced Omega
At least someone has respect.
“It’s fine, Jeremy. I understand Marcus’s trepidation over this unique situation. I tell you what… It’s been a long time since we had all the packs come together to catch up. Let’s invite them all to the feast tonight. We can find out if anyone saw us hunting today, and we can settle any issues that it might have caused. It will also be a good way to welcome all of the Alphas homeafter their Black Ops training. Reuniting us, reestablishing our alliances and peace agreements.”
“Good idea,” Lexus says, nodding. “It has been a long time since we hosted the surrounding packs. It’s long overdue.”
Marcus nods, satisfied with the idea. I can tell he wants to find out who knows what.
“Please issue an invitation to the Alphas of the New Salem, Thief River, and Hazen packs. We will light the fires at sunset.”
The pack cheers in agreement, and with one redirecting move, Jace has calmed the elders and given them what they want, but also avoided a brutal fight between two wolves. He took control without violence.
I’m alsofullyaware that Jace has no intention of bending to Marcus. He might have put forward the idea as though he wanted to subtly find out if the other packs saw the Omegas hunting… but I know better. Jace is proud of the Omegas. He wants to show off, to show the other packs what they are capable of and the direction he is leading us in. I’m impressed. He handled this perfectly.
My eyes are tight on Marcus as he walks back toward the jeep. I’ve never had feelings toward the man before, but right now I strongly dislike him. I don’t take well to anyone disagreeing with my mate. For some reason, Marcus clearly doesn’t like Jace.
Jeremy and Lexus were more observant and far more diplomatic, but Marcus needs to learn a thing or two about how to treat a strong Alpha like Jace. He’s going to regret it if he doesn’t.
***
That evening, Jace leaves for the party before me because he wants to help with preparations and be there when the first Alpha guests arrive with their packs.
I’m rushing around in a bit of a panic. Parties were never my strength. Socializing in all its forms, in fact, has always been a source of stress for me.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve changed and grown, and the training has me feeling more confident than I’ve ever felt before, but still… There are going to be a lot of people there tonight.
Standing in front of my closet, I stare at the red dress I’ve never worn before. An item I bought on impulse a few years ago. A beautiful dress. Stunning. Far too sexy for me to pull off.
Fuck it.I huff, pushed by Mika’s excitement. “We’re doing it,” I say, pulling the dress out. If I don’t wear it tonight, I may as well throw it away. So let’s give it that one chance to shine before I lose this brief moment of confidence. I pair the dress with my black sneakers because we’re hosting the party out on the fields, and there’s no chance in hell I’m fighting with that annoyance all night. My feet need to be happy, not struggling to balance on the earth's soil.
Of course, when I arrive at the party wearing the red dress, I am painfully aware of how figure-hugging it is and how many people are actually here.
The meadow is flooded with people. There is a massive bonfire in the center of a stone pit, and a number of large slabs of meat, freshly prepared deer from today’s hunt, are rotating on spits near the flames.
Music pulses through the evening air, and then the sun has streaked the sky with beautiful pink clouds for sunset.
It always amazes me how quickly people can pull a party together.
In the distance, I see Jace talking to the other Alphas, laughing, holding a beer.
I hear Kelsey shout my name and turn toward her.
“Mira, oh my word, I thought you’dneverwear it!” she exclaims, excited as she runs over to me in a blue and white floral dress.
“Ugh, I know. And I regret it instantly,” I sigh, tugging at the red dress.
“Stop that, you look incredible. I’ve already caught several men scoping you out,” she grins.
“Very funny,” I scoff, rolling my eyes again.
“Come, there are pastries and vegetables already prepared as starters. The meat is going to take a few hours,” she says, tugging me towards a buffet table to grab some snacks. Thank goodness, because I’m so hungry that if I have one or two drinks now, it might go straight to my head.
As the night goes on, I start to relax and even enjoy myself.
My students all come to say hello. Lila and Fenex spend some time chatting to me, telling me about how they’ve moved in together and their plans for a wedding.
Kelsey drags me to the dance floor a few times.
And all around us, I hear people talking about how the Omegas of Rose Falls were the ones who made the kill for tonight’s feast.
