Chapter 73

Claire's POV What did she mean by that? I mean, she'd invited me. She remained seated, regarding me with the sort of expression one might reserve for something unpleasant tracked in on the bottom of a shoe. Her steel-gray eyes—so like Theo's, yet utterly devoid of his warmth—swept over me with undisguised disdain. "So," she said, her voice cutting through the afternoon stillness like shards of ice, "you're the Omega." "The Omega," as if my rank was the only thing about me worth acknowledging. The dismissal was so complete, so casually cruel, that it took my breath away. I remained standing, uncertain whether to take a seat uninvited. Luna Roanna made no gesture toward the elegant chairs arranged around the room, clearly intending for me to remain on my feet like a servant awaiting orders. The power play was obvious and effective—she sat in comfort while I stood before her like a supplicant. "I am," I replied, forcing my voice to remain level despite the way my heart hammered against my