The Alpha's forbidden omega mate - Chapter 15: Chapter 15

"Father."
Derek's short greeting sent shivers down my spine. I whirled around to see the imposing figure of Rowan and Derek's father approaching.
Marcus Magnus, CEO of the famous Magnus Hotel chain, looked every bit the powerful alpha everyone thought he was. His chiseled features were set in a stern expression, his eyes sharp and focused like lasers.
"Derek," he greeted his son with a curt nod, then turned his piercing gaze on me. "I see you're keeping..pany."
The way he said "company" made it sound like an insult, and I felt a surge of anger and humiliation burn my cheeks.
Derek, however, didn't even blink. "You know me, Father. Always a people person."
Marcus's eyes narrowed slightly at Derek's sarcasm. An awkward silence stretched between them.
Finally, he let out a dry chuckle. "Ever the jokester. Though I must admit, I'm surprised you didn't announce your return to the family hotel with more..."
He paused, giving Derek a pointed look. "...Fanfare."
Derek met his father's intense stare, his face unreadable.
"What can I say? I knew my homecoming wouldn't be a parade," he said, his voice flat.
The words hung heavy in the air, filled with unspoken tension. My heart hammered in my chest as I watched the powerful men stand face-to-face.
Marcus let out a low growl, almost like a warning.
"You always had a sharp tongue, boy. No wonder you barely lasted a year at the Chicago hotel before failing."
He shook his head in clear disapproval. "No discipline, no commitment to the family name."
My breath hitched at Marcus's harsh words. Derek's jaw tightened, but he didn't reply.
The alpha's cold gaze shifted to me, making me freeze.
"Well, well," he sneered, his eyes raking over me.
"Look who your company is - the baby mama herself. And I see you've already started hanging out with the hotel staff in your usual...unselective way."
"Tell me, did you have to buy that maid's uniform a few sizes too small to really catch my son's eye?”
I felt my face burn with embarrassment as he crudely suggested that I was some kind of seductress trying to trap the Magnus men. Derek stepped closer to me protectively.
"Leave her out of this, Father," he growled in warning.
But Marcus just waved a dismissive hand. "Relax, I'm just trying to understand the...attraction."
His eyes dropped to my pregnant belly. "Although, I suppose the attraction is that little bump. You always did have a peculiar taste in women, Derek."
Humiliation burned my cheeks as I felt like shrinking under his cruel words.
"What's wrong, sweetheart? A little too much male attention making you squirm?" His smile turned mean.
"We both know you omega girls live for this - being passed around and cum inside by every available guy until you're a pregnant, crying mess."
"You're way out of line, Dad!" Derek snarled, fury burning in his eyes.
Marcus smirked. "Am I? Seems like this little breeder tricked her way into the family by using those fertile hips of hers."
My breath hitched as tears welled up in my eyes.
Marcus watched my reaction with amusement.
"Tell me, were you hoping to climb the social ladder by popping out the next heir? Figured you'd have everyone wrapped around that belly?"
His cruel words sent shivers down my spine.
"Guess you didn't count on me being around to remind my sons what a manipulative, whiny bitch you really are under that pretty face." He laughed again, a mocking sound that cut me deep.
Marcus scoffed at Derek's attempts to defend me. "You're living proof of how cruel omegas can be, abandoning their own pups."
Derek's jaw clenched tight, but he didn't reply. Marcus's words were confusing. What did he mean about abandoning pups?
Marcus turned back to me with a cruel smile.
"This woman really worked her magic on both of you, didn't she? Bet you're just counting down the days until she pops out that 'money baby' and disappears like a stray bitch in heat."
I was shocked by his terrible suggestion that I would abandon my child. Derek stepped in front of me to protect me.
"That's enough! Don't talk about her like that," he said.
But Marcus just laughed darkly. "Come on, we both know those omegas like you get pregnant and then run away. Isn't that right, baby mama?"
He looked me up and down with disgust.
"At least have the decency to waddle your ass out of my hotel before the drool from that thing you're carrying makes my good sheets dirty and smelly."
I felt sick from his disgusting insults and accusations. Derek pulled me close and gave his father one last warning look before leading me away from the hateful man.
Tears welled up in my eyes as I looked at Derek. "What did your dad mean when he said you're an example of omega mothers leaving their pups?"
Derek let out a big sigh. "Don't listen to his nastiness, Catrina. It's just mean words meant to hurt."
"But what does it mean?" I insisted. "He was talking about your own mom, wasn't he?"
Derek clenched his jaw and shook his head. "It doesn't matter. He's just trying to get a rise out of us with that hateful, sexist stuff."
My tears turned hot with anger. I pulled away from Derek. "Yeah, I figured that's what you all wanted – to get rid of me!"
Derek's eyes widened. "Catrina, no, that's not what - "
"But you hear your dad!," I said, wiping my tears away. "He hates me. He hates me for being an omega, and he hates me for being with Rowan."
Derek sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "My dad has a lot of problems, Catrina. He grew up in a different time and doesn't understand how things are now. He's scared of change, and you represent that change to him..."
"Maybe I should just do what he says!" I yelled, feeling panicked.
"Leave the baby here and disappear!"
My outburst stopped me cold. A deep, loud voice made me freeze. Rowan stood there, his eyes burning with anger as he looked between Derek and me.
"What did you just say?" he demanded in a low voice.