chapter 79
Tori's POV:
The murmurs from the gathering crowd buzzed in my sensitive ears, their words cutting deeper than any blade could.
Garrett scrambled to his feet, brushing glass from his expensive suit.
His eyes narrowed to slits as he jabbed a finger in my direction.
"Elizabeth," he snarled, voice shaking with rage. "I demand justice! This... this Omega" —he spat the word like poison— "just attacked me unprovoked! In your own home!"
The crowd's murmurs intensified. I felt dozens of eyes boring into me, judging, condemning.
My wolf Tracy growled defensively in our shared consciousness.
Stay strong. Don't show fear.
"This is a direct challenge to our hierarchy," Garrett continued, gaining confidence as people nodded along. "An Omega attacking a guest at an Alpha family's gathering? It's completely unheard of! She must be punished severely to restore order."
Hannah stepped forward from the crowd, her face a mask of maternal concern that didn't reach her eyes.
"I'm so sorry, Elizabeth. I've clearly failed in teaching my daughter proper behavior. I'll personally ensure she's—"
Elizabeth silenced her with a single raised hand, never taking her piercing gaze off me.
"Tori," her voice was calm but carried an undeniable authority that made everyone lean forward slightly. "Do you have anything to say?"
I swallowed hard, acutely aware that my future might depend on what happened in the next few moments. Would anyone believe an Omega's word against a rich male?
"I was defending myself," I stated firmly, meeting Elizabeth's eyes directly. "He blocked my exit, grabbed my wrist, and made it clear he wouldn't take no for an answer."
Elizabeth's expression remained unreadable as she turned to Garrett. Something in her eyes made him take an involuntary step back.
"Mr. Woods," she said, her voice dropping several degrees colder. "Did you put your hands on this young female without her permission?"
"I was merely being friendly," he stammered, color draining from his face. "She overreacted—"
"Answer the question." The command in Elizabeth's voice was unmistakable.
Garrett's gaze darted around, seeking allies and finding none. "Yes, I touched her arm, but it was completely consensual," he insisted. "Her mother introduced us! Hannah told me Tori greatly admired me and wanted to get to know me better."
"That's a lie!" I interjected, unable to contain my outrage. "I made it clear I wasn't interested in your advances. You grabbed me when I tried to leave!"
Elizabeth's piercing gaze shifted to Hannah, who stood uncomfortably at the edge of the gathering. "Mrs. Price, is this true? Did you introduce your daughter to Mr. Woods?"
Hannah shifted her weight, suddenly finding herself the center of unwanted attention.
"I... I only wanted what's best for Tori," she said, voice dripping with false concern. "This has nothing to do with me. I simply made an introduction. I had no idea she would attack him! I can't be held responsible for her violent tendencies."
Elizabeth's eyes narrowed dangerously, her expression cooling several more degrees.
"Interesting. Most mothers I know would be defending their daughters in such a situation, not distancing themselves."
Her voice carried throughout the silent room.
"And Mr. Woods' particular... preferences regarding young Omegas are hardly a secret in our circles. What exactly was your intention in introducing your daughter to someone with such a reputation?"
Hannah paled, opening and closing her mouth without producing a sound, trapped by Elizabeth's direct question and the judgmental stares of the other guests.
The room filled with hushed whispers that seemed to grow louder with each passing second. I could catch fragments of conversation around us:
"Always knew there was something off about her treatment of that girl..."
"Using her own daughter as a pawn..."
"I never would have expected this from her..."
"To think we all believed she was such a caring mother..."
Hannah's composure began to crack visibly as the whispers intensified. Her breathing quickened, and a sheen of sweat appeared on her forehead. She placed a protective hand over her slightly swollen belly.
"I... I didn't... that wasn't what..." she stammered, looking increasingly panicked.
Her face contorted suddenly, and she doubled over slightly. "Alexander," she gasped, reaching blindly for her husband. "My stomach—something's wrong."
Alexander rushed to her side immediately, his face tight with concern.
"We need to get you to the hospital," he said firmly, wrapping a supportive arm around her waist.
"I apologize for the disruption," Alexander addressed Elizabeth with a quick, formal nod. "Hannah's pregnancy has been difficult. We need to have her checked immediately."
Elizabeth nodded solemnly. "Of course. Your wife's health comes first."
As Alexander guided Hannah through the parting crowd toward the exit, I caught her glancing back over her shoulder. Our eyes met briefly, and what I saw wasn't pain or concern—but fury.
A strange mix of emotions washed over me as I watched them leave.
The old saying about pregnancy making women forget things briefly crossed my mind—"a baby brain" or "one pregnancy makes you stupid for three years" as my grandmother used to joke.
But this wasn't forgetfulness; it was a poorly calculated attempt to humiliate me that backfired spectacularly.
A chill ran down my spine as another thought occurred to me.
If Elizabeth hadn't questioned so thoroughly—if she hadn't cared enough to dig deeper—the night could have ended very differently.
Without her protection, I would have been just another Omega causing trouble, my reputation once again in tatters.
The realization was sobering.
"James," Elizabeth called sharply, and immediately two security guards materialized at her side. "Escort Mr. Woods from the property. He is no longer welcome here or at any Grayson event. Ever."
The absolute silence that followed was deafening. Garrett's mouth opened and closed like a fish gasping for air.
"But what about her?" he finally sputtered, pointing an accusing finger at me. "She physically attacked me! Are you saying an Omega can assault people without consequences? She used her claws!"