Page 40 of The Other Omega

Eleanor seemed to notice the change in me, but she only smiled. Nora pointed at me. “She refuses to listen. She needs to rest.”

“But there’s no time. I only have three days.”

Eleanor set the books on the side table. “Nora is right, sweetling. Perhaps a nap would do you good.”

“I can’t waste time sleeping. I just need more coffee, and I’ll be fine.”

“Another cup, and she’ll invent an entirely new civilisation, complete with its own laws and customs,” Ivy said, a mischievous smile spreading across her face.

“I made up one House.” I lifted both hands.

Nora raised her head from the pillow. “Two, if we include Solitaire.”

“We’re not.”

“I’m afraid Ivy is right,” Eleanor said. “You’ve had quite enough coffee for today.”

I groaned, dropped my notes into my lap and stretched until my back gave a satisfying little crack.

“Shall we turn to another subject?” Eleanor pulled a chair closer to the bed. “One that may hold your attention a little better.”

I tilted my head. “Like what?”

“Perhaps…” She picked a tiny piece of lint from her skirt and smoothed the fabric over her knees. “The physiology of Alphas and Omegas, and what makes them particularly suited to one another.”

“Mother!” Ivy turned to her, looking scandalised, then laughed again. Nora covered her face with both hands.

I looked between them. “What?”

“You never gave us this lesson with an audience,” Nora muttered, her hands covering her face.

“No, but a different approach may be more helpful for Elowen.” Eleanor considered her next words. “Having you both here may help with the… absorption of the information.”

Nora lowered her hands just enough to look at Ivy. “Did she say absorption?”

“She did.” Ivy looked baffled.

I looked between the three of them. “What is happening?”

Eleanor straightened in her chair, completely unfazed that both her daughters looked like they wanted the floor to swallow them. “Before we begin, tell me, Elowen: what do you understand a Pack to be?”

“I know this!” I rummaged through my notes. “I wrote it down somewhere. It’s a poly marriage.”

“Pardon?” Eleanor said.

“She’s been inventing words,” Nora explained.

“Sorry! I don’t mean to.” My stomach dropped. Think, Elowen. Quick! “I just… like making up words that sound nice. It’s weird.”

Eleanor smiled. “You may invent whatever terms you please, sweetling, provided you remember to use the correct ones in company.”

“Of course,” I answered far too quickly. A faint sourness crept into my scent, but Eleanor seemed to take it for nerves.

“You needn’t remember every detail.” Her expression softened. “A sound understanding of the basics will serve you well.”

“Right.” I nodded, trying to relax. “The basics.”

“Precisely. Now, what did you mean by a… poly marriage?”