It feels so peaceful.
“After you,” I say, pulling out her chair.
“Thank you,” Tansy says as she smooths the back of her oversized shirt over her bottom, then sits, slipping into the chair. The motion is so graceful and fluid, like she’s done it a million times.
I push her chair in gently, then take the seat next to her, suddenly very aware of how hungry I am.
Eggs. Bacon. Toast. And a little jar of fresh strawberry jam. I picked it up at the farmer’s market last weekend. The label is crooked and handwritten, but nothing on earth tastes better.
"This looks delicious," Tansy says as she picks up her knife and fork.
Then I just…watch.
She eats like it’s a dance.
Back straight, shoulders relaxed but precise. Knife and fork held just right with smooth and controlled movements. She cuts her eggs neatly, lifts each bite without looking down, then she spreads a careful line of jam across her toast with a smooth flick of her knife.
It’s almost enchanting to watch.
Omegas really are something else.
Picking up my own fork, I straighten my back, thenadjust my silverware, mirroring the way Tansy holds hers. It feels a little ridiculous, but I do it anyway. Then I dig in.
The eggs are warm and fluffy, seasoned just right. I hum softly as I chew, savoring the buttery taste before I swallow.
“After breakfast, I can show you to your room so you can shower.” I take another bite, suddenly feeling very energized, “Assuming you want to shower. I got a few things for you.” I load up my fork again. “Your own towels, new omega-approved scentless soap, extra blankets.” I smile, words starting to tumble out faster. “I set it up in your nesting room, but you can redecorate if you want. I thought it might help you feel more comfortable. Like it’s yours.”
I keep going, filling the space. “There’s a chair by the window, too. The light’s really nice in the afternoons. And I made sure the door locks properly, because privacy matters. It’s not perfect, but I only had a day's notice before Warren and Grason left for the black market. There was no time…”
I trail off.
Tansy’s smile has faded, not all at once, but enough that I notice. Her fork pauses halfway to her mouth. Her eyes drop to her plate, lashes shadowing her cheeks.
“Hey,” I say gently, a knot forming in my chest. “What’s wrong?”
She hesitates, fingers tightening briefly around her fork before she looks up again. When she speaks, her voice is careful and soft. “Can I ask you something?” Her dark eyes meet mine. “You don’t have to answer if it’s…not my place.”
That alone puts me on alert. “Yeah.” I quickly nod. “You can ask anything.”
Her gaze flickers away, then back, like she’s bracing herself. “Earlier…when Warren and Grason went to the black market.” She pauses, choosing each word with intent. “They went without Cass’s approval, right?”
I still.
She notices immediately and rushes to soften it. “I’m not judging,” she says. “I just—I was taught that any member of a pack acting like that would be seen as a…” she pauses like she’s trying to find the right word, “challengeto their pack alpha’s authority. I was wondering if they do things without Cass’s permission often?”
Panic grips me, and I drop my fork. “Theynever,” I say, my chair scraping back a full inch as I lean forward. “We all deeply respect Cass and his authority.”
Her eyes narrow, like she doesn’t believe me, and my stomach drops.
Sudden fear slams into me. I’m saying all the wrong things.
So I swallow hard and try again.
“No one was challenging Cass.” I force myself to speak a little slower. “Warren and Grason are—” I search for the right phrasing, then settle on the truth. “They’re the most loyal alphas on the planet. They’ve been with Cass foryears. Like decades. They wouldneverundermine him.”
She studies my face, clearly trying to decide whether to trust me.
“You have to believe me. This wasn’t about taking power,” I say as my shoulders drop, a little defeated. “Cass is hurt, and they panicked. That’s all. The doctor said that getting an omega would fix him in ways traditional medicine simply couldn’t,” I try to explain. “They honestly thought they were doing the right thing. They were trying to protect our pack.”
