“No obligations here,” my father said smoothly. “Only opportunity. A match worth consideration.”
He didn’t say my name, but his eyes flicked to me.
“She’s been raised to understand her place in the world,” my mother added lightly, returning to her seat. “Unblemished. Unentangled. A clean reputation, unspoiled by modern Omega ideologies.”
“She’s been taught obedience?” Nicolaus asked without inflection.
“She understands the value of silence,” my father said. “And the danger of vanity.”
“I’d like to hear her speak,” Miles said suddenly, eyes sliding to me like a knife under silk.
“She speaks when necessary,” my mother answered quickly. “But this isn’t her conversation. It’s ours.”
“You haven’t explained the point yet,” Julian said, cutting through the tension. “What exactly are you offering?”
“A union,” my father said plainly. “A future alliance with a family as established as ours. You’ll find no scandals, no inconvenient entanglements. Her heat was medically suppressed last year to allow for flexibility. She can be presented when you’re ready.”
“Suppressed?” Christopher asked, voice dropping. “That’s not a minor choice.”
“It was done under licensed medical care,” my mother said. “To ensure she could be introduced to her future mates in a controlled environment. No chance of bonding without consent. No... accidents.”
Nicolaus raised a brow. “Convenient.”
“Strategic,” my father corrected. “You’d have complete control over the timing and transition.”
The room went quiet for a long moment. I could feel every heartbeat in my chest.
“She’s untouched?” Julian asked finally.
“Of course,” my mother said, as if the answer was obvious. “She’s never even been scented by an Alpha without supervision. Her files—medical, emotional development, education—are all available for review.”
“Does she know why she’s here?” Nicolaus asked.
“She understands the nature of our ambitions,” my father answered. “We’ll inform her of the specifics when they’re relevant. There’s no need to burden her until a decision is made.”
“She’s a person, not a stock investment,” Miles muttered.
“She’s an Omega,” my mother said crisply. “And we’ve ensured she will be everything a discerning pack could want.”
Julian didn’t respond immediately. His fingers traced the rim of the untouched champagne glass in his hand. His gaze flicked to me again—and this time, he lingered.
Still not hungry.
Still not cruel.
Just... curious. Unsettlingly so.
“She doesn’t even look afraid,” Nicolaus observed.
“She’s been taught not to show fear,” my mother said, smiling like it was a compliment.
Julian stood slowly. “We’ll need to talk privately.”
“Of course,” my father said, rising with him. “We’ll send you everything we’ve prepared—documents, references, and her full personal file.”
My mother came to my side and placed a manicured hand on my arm.
“Come, darling,” she murmured, her voice honeyed and false. “We’ll leave the men to speak.”
