Page 36 of The Other Omega

“Long before your illness, negotiations were concluded regarding your mating to an Alpha Pack from another kingdom.”

Mating negotiations. Alpha Pack. Another kingdom.

Eleanor squeezed my hand. “Do you understand what a mating arrangement is?”

“I think so.” I looked at her. “But when you say arrangement…” I cleared my throat. “Do you mean verbal, or…?”

“A written contract, sweetling. One that you signed yourself.”

“To mate them.”

She nodded, something like hope briefly crossing her face.

“The same way you’re mated to Fathers, right?”

Eleanor chuckled softly. “Yes.”

I looked between all four of them, then settled on Cedric. “I don’t remember any of it.”

“That doesn’t matter. You’re not required to honour it,” he said. “As I told you, this Pack will stand by whatever you decide. If you choose not to proceed with the mating, then you will not proceed. No contract will compel you otherwise.”

I stared at him and reached for Eleanor’s hand again, threading my fingers through hers. Her hand closing around mine brought some relief. “What would happen if I didn’t honour it?”

“We would be liable for breach of contract.” I turned towards Matthias, who hadn’t spoken until then.

“There would be substantial financial penalties and legal costs. Stormforge could also pursue the breach through the courts, potentially for years.” He uncrossed his arms. “Nothing we cannot handle, and certainly nothing I would hesitate to handle if the alternative were my daughter’s unhappiness.”

Something inside me cracked. He meant every word, and I found the same certainty in Cedric, Samir and Eleanor. They would go through hell if I simply said no.

“Would you be in financial trouble?” I asked. “If you had to pay all of that, I mean. Are the penalties really bad, or just…” I glanced around the enormous office. “I don’t actually know how wealthy you are. Can you afford it?”

Matthias’s expression softened. “It would be a steep price. We would have to change aspects of our lives, yes, but none of that matters, Elowen.” He pushed away from the cabinet. “You are our true wealth. You and your sisters.”

My throat tightened, and he continued. “Had we known your fear of this mating would drive you to harm yourself so severely…” His voice faltered. He looked away briefly, then met my eyes again. “I am truly sorry, daughter.”

Tears filled my eyes. This man loved his daughter, and for a little while, I let myself be her. I let him—all of them—love me.

“You’d really support me if I said no?”

“Absolutely,” Cedric said.

“Without question,” Samir added.

Matthias nodded. “Always.”

Eleanor squeezed my hand. “Whatever you choose, sweetling.”

Tears ran down my face. Someone offered me a handkerchief, and I took it without even seeing who it was, pressing it beneath my eyes again and again. Nobody rushed me or tried to fill the silence. They waited until I could breathe properly again.

“You’re very good parents,” I managed, my voice breaking.

You’re everything I wished I’d had.

Eleanor’s fingers tightened around mine, and something warm moved through her scent. I looked at the four of them. “I’ll do it.”

The words came out before I’d given myself time to think.

Cedric’s expression changed. “Elowen⁠—”