SIMONA
Despite Dominic’s explanation of Alpha influence and what trumps what, I returned to Unity with three new barks holding control and power.
The process itself was simple. Emotionally, though my Alphas struggled but I needed the reassurance more, and they knew that. And they each freed me in spades, completely expelling any lingering worry I had with brutal intention, delivered in beautiful tenderness.
They ripped my fear of Brody’s lingering control over me to shreds.
The safety net knowing Brody’s influence is gone makes me feel the strongest I have for years. Add in the way my Alphas use our bond as a constant way to remind me of their belief is beyond encouraging, especially in light of our next showdown.
Dominic sits beside me, his formidable presence settling around my shoulders, helping me control the burst of nervous energy that has my hands shaking, and my scent diluting.
“Breathe, Mon Amore, everything is going to be fine,” he schools quietly, slipping his hand into mine.
Which is where it stays when Omega Mother Beatrice walks through the door to join us in the meeting room at Unity. The very room where Brody had acted as my brother before reminding me of my place in his world.
Being here is actually a good reminder of how far I’ve come, as well as being incentive to never allow myself to be in such a vulnerable position again.
“Simona, I am sorry to keep you waiting.”
As always, Omega Mother Beatrice’s no-nonsense approach helps mitigate my mild panic attack. The sudden well of emotion is to be expected really; she’s basically a test case for telling people my story, but on top of that, I don’t want to disappoint her. I lay a lot of my success at Unity, and a lot of my growth, towards her unwavering support.
Her focus doesn’t stray from me, even though Dominic sits holding my hand. I take my time working through a few deep steady breathing exercises before I start. Neither of them rush to fill the silence. They wait. And when I eventually manage to drag my eyes off her desk to look at her, I need another breath because her huge, encouraging smile wasn’t what I was expecting.
“I don’t know where to start,” I admit, keeping my focus on her while squeezing the crap out of Dominic’s hand.
“How about introductions? They usually help,” she offers.
Dominic stays quiet, and Omega Mother Beatrice also waits, both of them giving me the reins. For someone who was forced into thinking, and acting a certain way, the way they intentionally let me decide how to handle what I say feels like a gift.
“Omega Mother Beatrice, this is Dominic Torres, my packed Alpha.” My heart is in my throat as I speak the words I never thought I would want to say out loud.
The smile on her face grows. “It seems congratulations are in order.”
I interrupt her. “He is also my lawyer. I’ve lodged for emancipation.”
She settles back in her seat, compassion seeping through her expression, along with a healthy boost of pride. After quickly gathering her thoughts, she leans forward. “How can I help?”
The next few hours pass in the blink of an eye. It’s not a one-sided discussion either. Dominic outlines the legalities of the emancipation, after I talk through my reasons for applying for it. Some of them. Not all of them.
Omega Mother Beatrice offers sound advice, particularly after I explain how awful I feel about not telling the Scorned Girls. Unwittingly, she confirms it’s best for the girls to keep believing I have a stalker until the situation with Brody is completely resolved.A large part of her argument centres around the girls not being at Unity so the risk to them individually is lessened. Then she reiterates they have security of their own, to guard and protect, so there’s next to no chance for Brody to get to them. It still makes me feel like the worst friend ever, but if it keeps them safe then I’d lie to them if I had to.
Our conversation veers off into a few related tangents before I ask about remaining a student at Unity. I thought I saw pride on her face before, but now she leaks it.
She doesn’t stop smiling while we figure out the nitty-gritty of me staying a student. Technically, as soon as an Omega is packed, Unity can provide the Certification needed for Endorsement with the government, but I still want to receive the certification based on my achievements.
We come to an agreement where I will remain a student at Unity during the week before spending the weekend with the Torres Pack, or however I see fit. The arrangement needs herapproval, as Headmistress, because of the change in my status to being a packed Omega.
Her request that I wear special blockers hiding my pack status was something my pack and I were expecting, though hearing her say it out loud still makes Dominic’s presence and scent twist in anger. Even before Hendrix, Dominic, and Ryder had driven me back to Unity, we had collectively decided to hide our pack bond—in most situations. They were fine then, but right now, Dominic’s primal side doesn’t like hiding it. And I get that. I move to him, basically sitting in his lap, and hold his hand and pump our bond with comfort.
Once our conversation resumes, Omega Mother Beatrice’s final stipulation isn’t a surprise at all—under no circumstances are any of my Alphas allowed in my room. That rule isn’t for me, it’s for the safety of all the other students attending. It’s easy to understand and also agree to.
And then she leaves me to say goodbye to my Alpha.
Nerves flutter around my stomach. I’ve shared a whole lot of myself with him, and spent my heat with him inside my body, but try telling my brain that. I’m so jittery I start breathing weird. Thankfully, he doesn’t seem thrown by it. He prowls until I have nowhere to escape before he cages me with his body. The instant his mouth is on mine, I feel the tension evaporate.
“Amore Mio.” An unintelligible growl bubbles from his chest as he kisses me with the full force of his destination. The taste of him lingers on my tongue, and his scent falls like soft mist against my skin, his designation reminding me in no uncertain terms that I am his, and he is mine.
I break away from his kiss. I have to. I’m pretty sure no matter how thrilled Omega Mother Beatrice was at my news, I’d push her to consider my attendance, and her support, if our goodbye got any more heated. Honestly, I’ll have to usethe strong chemical spray to wipe off his scent and presence from the furniture as it is. It reeks in here.
