Forbidden: Part One – Chapter 8

“It must be so hard having to take care of yourself all alone in your apartment,” Hale said, his dark eyes intent on my face.

Kill me now. I wasn’t sure how much longer I could tolerate these condescending asshole alphas. Hale, Duke, Pierce, and Henderson Madden. What fucking annoying names. We were only a few minutes into the interview, and my fight or flight warred within me. I didn’t know if I wanted to punch them all in the face or flee from the room.

The alphas looked like models with their perfect hair and clothes and were styled so similarly it was hard to tell them apart. They started the interview by going on about how much money and political influence they had. My guess was that one of their suits cost more than all of my possessions combined. It was a good thing I didn’t want to impress them because I felt painfully underdressed in my jumpsuit. I wished they would stop raking their eyes up and down my body.

Hale had explained that he and Pierce worked with Jericho, helping him pass new Designation Legislation. This pack was at least partially responsible for my choices being taken away, but by their tone of voice, you would think I should be down on my knees thanking them. I had been prepared to hate this pack on principle, but they did a great job of providing me with actual reasons to despise them.

The alphas had chosen separate chairs around the room, making me feel surrounded. I quickly glanced at the door, hating that Duke’s massive frame was between me and the exit. I struggled to breathe, not just because of my anxiety but also from their pungent scents burning my nose.

“I’ve enjoyed living alone,” I said, meeting Hale’s gaze. “I like being independent and can take care of myself.”

I heard what sounded like a scoff coming from Henderson, who was sitting in a lounge chair with his legs spread wide. He ran his hand through his bleach-blond hair, and a waft of his dill scent washed over me. Fucking disgusting.

“I’m sure you’ve done the absolute best you could to take care of yourself,” he said in a voice more suited to talking to a young child. Or a dog. “But with us, you won’t have to worry about anything. We will make sure that all your needs are met with complete satisfaction.” His eyes darkened as he leaned forward.

There was no missing the innuendo there. My chest tightened uncomfortably.

“Omegas thrive under care, and that’s what we would give you,” Pierce said from his position on the couch across from me. His damp cardboard scent matched his dour expression. “You wouldn’t have to worry about anything. All of your meals would be prepared for you. We have a state-of-the-art nest and, of course, the gym in the lower levels. You can find anything you need in the house.”

My skin crawled at the thought of being stuck in their house day in and day out.

“A personal chef, a nest, and a gym… what more could a girl want?” I asked, trying to keep the sarcasm out of my voice.

“Don’t worry, between the strict meal plan and the gym, you’ll be in perfect shape in no time,” Duke said with a flawless smile that didn’t reach his cold eyes. He looked down at his watch as if I was taking up too much of his time. His acidic vinegar smell left me wondering how these alphas ever had women interested in them. They probably only slept with betas who couldn’t scent them. I clenched my jaw, tamping down any thoughts of them touching me to prevent myself from bursting into tears.

It took me a minute for my brain to catch up with what he had said. “Wait… what do you mean?” I asked, my heart pounding faster.

“We’re sure you’ve tried so hard on your own,” Henderson said, “But obviously, the state of your body is evidence enough that you need to be under the supervision of strong, capable alphas. We would handle everything, so you wouldn’t need to worry about anything except being a good, obedient omega for us.”

What. The. Fuck. I had reached my limit. Everything in me was on edge, having to sit here with these alphas who talked to me like I was stupid, treated me like garbage, and who not only hated my body but felt comfortable enough critiquing it our first time meeting.

We had more time left in the interview, but I needed to end this now. There was no way I could choose this pack. The alphas Amirah had selected could be aliens or monsters or shifters that turned into houseplants, and at this point, I would not care. I would rather die than go home with Pack Madden. They didn’t seem all that interested in having an omega join their pack, and they certainly weren’t interested in me. They needed me to elevate their status as a “completed” pack.

Many traditionalists believed alpha packs weren’t complete or legitimate until they found an omega—a critique occasionally levied against Glen Jacoby, who was unbonded. I imagined with Pack Madden’s interest in politics, bonding with an omega would increase their legitimacy with politicians and voters—none of whom, conveniently, were omegas anymore.

Duke smirked as he looked around at his pack mates. “At least one thing’s for sure, no matter how fucking ugly an omega is, you can always count on her having a sweet cunt.”

The other alphas smirked. I froze in total disbelief as the room spun around me. I couldn’t believe he had just said that.

“Look, Josephine,” Pierce said in his bored tone. “You’re twenty-three years old. Your records show you caused significant trouble while at the Academy. You can’t hope to get offers from any decent packs. Here’s how this will work—you will move in with us and we’ll bond. We will provide you with everything you need in the house. We can be generous. In return, you fulfill all of our needs and follow our rules. If you break our rules, there will be consequences. You obviously need a firm hand to keep you in line. You’ll get to enjoy being with a wealthy, highly respected pack. You can choose your own dresses for the parties and functions you attend with us. This is the best offer you’re going to get.”

“This has been a mistake,” I said, trying to keep my voice from shaking with anger as I stood. “This interview is over.”

“We have not dismissed you,” Duke snarled, moving to block the exit. “Sit back down.”

My inner omega instinctually wanted to obey alphas, but even she wasn’t impressed by this asshole.

“No, I would like to leave,” I said again, walking quickly to the door, trying to keep as much distance between Duke and me as possible.

“You’re making a mistake,” Hale growled as he lunged towards me, grabbing hold of my wrist.

My heart raced, adrenaline pumping through my veins. Last week during self-defense, we learned how to get out of wrist holds. My body moved seemingly without my awareness as I took a step towards Hale, placed my hand over his wrist, and yanked my arm down hard towards his thumb. He let go, shock flashing across his face, and I backed away from his reach. The door opened and Dave stormed in, quickly moving his body between me and the alphas.

“Are you alright?” he asked, looking down at my wrist.

I nodded my head, unable to talk. My wrist throbbed and was going to bruise, but I didn’t think it was seriously injured. Terror pumped through my body, but I was also proud that I had used my self-defense skills instead of freezing.

“Can I leave?” I whispered, my voice cracking a bit. The urge to wrap myself up in a pile of blankets in a dark, warm room was overwhelming.

“I thought we made clear that you were not to touch the omega or do anything to make her uncomfortable,” Dave growled at them. The alphas looked furious, and I was scared they would fight Dave or try to hurt me again.

“We have authority over the omega,” Henderson said snidely. I almost gagged as his putrid scent filled the room.

“She is not your omega,” Dave responded. “You have no authority over her, and you violated the interview policies. This interview is over.”

Dave gently ushered me out of the room and down a hallway. He was muttering under his breath. I couldn’t catch everything he said, but I thought I heard “little pieces of shit alphas” and “should be castrated.”

I asked Dave to point me to the nearest restroom. I leaned on the bathroom counter, feeling too dizzy to stand. The thought of doing another interview made me want to cry, even though a part of me—a very small part—was curious about Pack Ashwood. But mostly, I just wanted to go home, get in my pajamas, and pretend I had a different life.

There was a knock on the bathroom door.

“Josie, are you okay?” Dave asked. “It’s been a while.”

“I’m fine,” I squeaked out, sounding completely unconvincing.

“Can I come in?”

I didn’t want to be in an enclosed space with an alpha, but Clementine trusted Dave and he had just come to my rescue. I hesitantly unlocked the door, backing away as he entered.

“Can I see your arm?” he asked more gently than I would have expected, keeping as much distance between us as he could.

My tears finally started falling. I couldn’t handle tenderness right now. I was feeling too vulnerable.

Dave took a deep breath and slowly moved closer, leaning down so our eyes were level and he was no longer looming over me. He gently took hold of my wrist. There was just the slightest redness, but I knew the bruises would form by tonight. Omegas bruised and injured easily—another excuse for alphas to control us for our own protection.

Dave seemed satisfied that my wrist didn’t need medical care and released it.

He sighed, staying crouched down. “Sweet omega, you are a gift. Those alphas don’t deserve you. You deserve a pack that will worship the ground you walk on and gives you whatever you want and need. Do you understand?”

I realized Dave actually wanted me to answer, so I gave him a little nod, even though what he said didn’t make sense. Even before the Designation Laws, I had been taught that omegas existed to serve their alphas, not the other way around. I had never heard an alpha outside of Sam and Luc say anything to the contrary.

“Very good,” he said. “Now, dry your tears. We need to eat lunch, and then you’ll meet Pack Ashwood.”

He led me to a small outside courtyard and pulled two sandwiches out of his coat pocket.

“I’m not hungry,” I said, taking the sandwich from him.

Dave gave me a stern look. “You need to keep your energy up.”

I wrinkled my nose but unwrapped the sandwich and took a small bite.

“Do you know Pack Ashwood?” I asked quietly.

“A bit,” he hedged. I knew he couldn’t talk freely here—we never knew who was listening. “They seem like reliable, trustworthy alphas.”

I nodded, feeling slightly less panicked. I didn’t know Dave, but he was unlike so many of the alphas I grew up with—his calm presence made me feel like I could trust what he said. We sat in companionable silence while we ate until Dave’s phone vibrated, alerting him it was time to take me into the second interview. I followed him inside, feeling like I was on autopilot until we reached the interview room door.

“You remember what I said?” Dave asked me.

“Yes,” I whispered.

“Good,” he said with a brief nod. He then opened the door, revealing the three alphas waiting for me. I took a deep breath and walked into the room.