Page 74 of The Other Omega

Astrid watched us for a little while before setting down her cup.

“I am very pleased to see such tenderness in you, Elowen. Our sons have need of gentleness in their lives, perhaps more than you yet realise.”

Maren nodded. “Their duties have not always treated them kindly, and there will be times when those duties keep them away longer than any of you would wish.”

“When those days come, remember to care for yourself as faithfully as you care for them, my dear,” Astrid said. “Do not allow worry to diminish that gentleness within you.”

I looked down at Neetah and thought about the five men who had stood so carefully around me in the corridor, protecting me from everyone else’s attention while I cried into Alaric’s coat.

“I’ll do my best,” I said.

“I am very glad to hear it,” Astrid replied.

“And should you ever desire company, or require advice concerning strong-willed Alphas, you may always come to us,” Helena added with a smile.

Astrid nodded, and I smiled at all three women.

“Thank you. Really. I don’t think I have the words to explain how grateful I am.” I gestured vaguely towards my head. “There’s still so much I’m trying to get used to, and books can only teach you so much.”

“Indeed,” Astrid agreed. “There will always be those eager to offer you advice, my dear. Listen when it proves useful, but learn to trust your own judgement as well. You have good instincts.”

“I’ll remember that.”

“I sincerely hope you will.” Astrid stood and turned towards the other women. “Now, I believe we have kept the gentlemen waiting quite long enough.”

Everyone started heading towards the doors, and I followed with Neetah fast asleep in my arms and Leenah beside me.

I couldn’t help feeling quite pleased with myself.

That went well, didn’t it? Two of the three events were done, with just one more to get through before I could finally call it a day.

Come on, Elowen. You can do this!

Chapter 16

Elowen

They’re not here.

I looked around the dining hall for Alaric and the others, barely noticing the polished dark stone walls or the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the mountains. An enormous table ran down the centre of the room, already covered in food, with enough space for at least a hundred people.

Neetah was still asleep against my chest, her chubby little hand resting near my shoulder. I adjusted my arm beneath her, selfishly glad to have her with me in yet another unfamiliar place. I’d only met my mates a few hours ago, so it was way too soon to miss them this much, but common sense was no longer my thing.

Magnus stood at one end of the table with the other men of his Pack. By the windows, Cedric, Samir and Matthias were talking a little apart from the other men, who were waiting for the women to arrive. I felt safest with the three of them, so I headed their way with Leenah beside me while the other women went to join their families. Neetah slept on in my arms.

“I see you’ve found some company,” Cedric said as we approached, looking down at Neetah.

“Only for a little while, unfortunately.” I turned slightly so he could see her face. “She’s such a good girl that I’m tempted to steal her and keep her forever.”

Leenah laughed beside me, and the fathers chuckled. “You are welcome to keep her for a few hours each day,” she said. “Any longer than that, and I suspect you’ll return her quite certain you never wish to have children of your own.”

That made all three of them laugh even more.

“Fathers, this is Leenah. She’s mated to Elias, Lucien and Darius’s brother. And this beautiful little girl is Neetah, officially my favourite niece in the whole world.”

Leenah gave me another grateful smile.

“Ah, Elias’s mate,” Cedric said warmly. “It is a pleasure to meet you, my lady.”