Ammy pulled herself together, took a deep breath and then turned. She looked to Liam and nodded then she signed them and handed the papers to Jason. Jason thumbed through them and stopped over the last page, running his fingers over the money amount. His laugh sounded forced, and his voice was tight, seeming to be trying to lighten the heavy mood in the room."Well, with this amount of money, I may as well make you, my mistress!"Lillian gasped and set her cup down quickly, the worn China clattering against the matching saucer, the loud sound made Jason grimace and he looked horrified, guilty. Sebestian hid his face behind his hands, shaking his head slowly and Liam closed his eyes, breathing deep as if searching for patience. Ammy stared at Jason, watching him sink into himself in embarrassment, cringing. Ammy only felt amusement. She felt a sadistic pleasure at seeing Jason, perfect and charming Jason, squirm with guilt over his tasteless joke. Not that Jason had ever wronged her di
The next two weeks passed quickly for Ammy. She met Liam a few times and they exchanged countless letters to finalize the money exchange. Eventually, as Liam predicted, their progress was stagnated by the laws of omega ownership. The amount of money that Ammy would have access to was usually given to omegas in small payments over their lives. Ammy was insistent to both Jason and Liam that he wanted the money all at once. She wouldn't give Jason the chance to rip the money from her at a future time, not that Jason seemed like the sort to do so. Ammy had learned early and often in her life to trust others sparingly, or ideally, not at all.With the money transfer stalled, Ammy was reluctant to make solid plans. There was so much that could go wrong. Liam had been a pillar of strength, going far beyond her duties as Jason solicitor to help Ammy. He also promised to reach out to his colleagues and help Ammy find a home, anywhere she wished. Ammy was hesitant to ask why Liam was doing so m
Ammy prepared a tea tray for Jason and asked Lillian to sit as chaperone on their meeting. With only the three of them, the parlor was decided upon. Ammy was thankful that her room would be left alone this time, no alpha scents to scrub clean. Her heat was a week away and the thought of Jason scent lingering in her room while she ached for an alpha was terrifying. It would only confuse her inner omega, the scent of an alpha so near but no mate to help her.Ammy opened the door when Jason arrived. He gave a polite smile and invited her in, burning with curiosity. It had been a trying ordeal to sleep last night, lying awake and obsessing over how this meeting would go. Jason was stunning in her perfectly tailored black tailcoat and rich purple shirt, shiny buttons catching the light. Not a hair was out of place and his eye paint matched his shirt. How was Jason so beautiful?Jason gave Ammy an amused smile, as if he could read her thoughts and Ammy cleared her throat. She showed Jason t
"This sounds like those sordid Society stories. I would be your omega mate, exiled to live my life in the country while you stay in the city, galivanting around, partaking of sordid affairs and expensive parties."Ammy laughed, expecting Jason to do the same. Instead, Jason looked...speculative. At Jason' continued silence, Ammy shifted, increasingly uncomfortable."I was speaking in jest and... why are you even here, Jason?"Jason' face was serious and he tipped his head to the side, brushing a hand through his hair."I was curious and...I can't stop thinking about you."The silence that followed was heavy. Ammy was unsure of how to respond or even if she should. They stared at each other, unmoving and Ammy couldn't place the look in Jason' dark eyes. It was an intense emotion, one that Ammy had never received before. It made her skin feel electrified and she wanted to slide from her chair, onto her knees and crawl to her alpha. The smoky scent of cloves and cinnamon reached out and
The next morning Ammy was slow to wake, and Allen was the only reason she rose at a decent hour. She had barely slept, lying awake long into the night, sad and lonely. She was resolved to start the day anew, to push her maudlin thoughts aside and focus on the good. It didn't matter that she was in love with two unattainable alphas. Ammy had weathered much worse in her life and she would do as he always did; keep going forward. Even if her unrequited love hurt her, made her feel flayed open, Ammy would survive, and she was determined to thrive.Allen had requested her presence today at the Will's estate, begging her to sit for a portrait. Ammy was looking forward to a lazy day with Allen, lounging in her studio and chatting while she worked.Ammy was met by the Will's butler and then shown to the receiving parlor. She allowed herself to relax in the room, gazing out of the parlor window to the cobbled drive, watching the servants go about their morning. The door behind her opened and A
"I do not hate you! Please, Ammy, tell me. All I can think about is how much of your heart was sent in those letters that never reached me."Sebestian's voice was hoarse, and Ammy couldn't stop herself from raising her head and meeting Sebestian's burning gaze. Her own face was wet, tears still falling freely."I heard you had presented alpha, and I rejoiced. Surely you would send for me, bring me back home, marry me and...I loved you! Forgive me, Sebestian, I love you still."The hands holding Ammy grew slack, Sebestian's face holding nothing but shock and disbelief. Ammy turned, sobbing, hating herself for her unwanted confession. Sebestian would pity her now and she couldn't bear to stay. She ran from the parlor and out the front door, hearing footsteps pursuing her, too far away to catch her. She didn't wait for a carriage, not wanting Sebestian to stop her. She fled down the drive and to the busy street, ignoring the frantic calls of her name. In her haste, Ammy was almost run ov
Ammy couldn't stop herself from clutching Allen's hand for strength as they walked across the meadow towards the two alphas. Sam was skipping stones at the edge of the lake close to the picnic area. The sun was bright, and Jason was lounging on the blanket, looking relaxed and carefree but Ammy could see a line of tension in his shoulders. Sebestian stood stiffly next to Jason, staring at their approach. It made Ammy want to turn and run. Maybe Jason could tell because he reached over and swatted Sebestian's leg, saying something too low for Ammy to hear. Sebestian dipped her head and began setting up and opening the umbrella for shade while Jason opened one of the baskets and drew out a tall bottle and began pouring glasses of what looked like champagne.The two omegas made it to the edge of the lake and Ammy stopped them next to Sam. They watched him skip stones and Ammy took the time to emotionally and mentally prepare herself. She had no idea what awaited her in this confrontation
Ammy watched Jason take a sharp breath and his eyes tear up. Sebestian gave Ammy a bright smile that Jason mirrored. Ammy's eyes widened and she shook under their warm gazes, inhaling their happy scents. She did preen then, under their shining eyes and happy smiles, feeling warm and content in having pleased her alphas. That thought brought her up short. These were not her alphas, no matter how much she wanted them to be. Her omega needed to get itself together before they figured out how much she craved their approval and touch.Ammy's stomach rumbled loudly, making Ammy blush and Jason smirked before calling the others over to eat. Ammy allowed Jason to usher her to the blanket, well into the shade and they started to set out the food. Bread, smoked meat, cheese, jam, grapes, lemon cakes and Ammy's favorite; strawberries and cream. There was more juice and plenty of champagne. Ammy sat back, content to watch the others pile their plates high and chat with each other. Jason sat besid