Grayson’s massive frame and gruff exterior had scared me at first, but he had surprised me with how nurturing he was. Turns out, he was a big teddy bear, just like Cam. For the briefest second, a vision of our two packs hanging out together, relaxed and laughing, flitted through my mind. My longing for that future was so intense I had to close my eyes and take a breath.
“I don’t know if I want them to return quickly with a verdict or drag it out. Waiting fucking sucks, but I also don’t want it to be real, you know?” Lilah’s voice was muffled from where her face still rested on her arms.
“I know,” I said, putting my head on the counter so we were staring at each other.
“I’m so glad you’re my sister,” she whispered. “Maybe your pack can move to Sol after this is all over. I need a friend.”
“Are you lonely, kitten?” Grayson asked, turning from the stove to look at his omega. Now it was Lilah’s turn to shrug.
“There aren’t any other omegas in my lab and… I don’t know. It’s been hard to make friends who understand how I grew up.”
I reached out my hand and she took it in a tight grip.
“I know what it’s like to be lonely,” I whispered.
A lump formed in my throat. Maybe it would be better to leave. I had so many bad memories here, and moving would mean I would be closer to Lilah and Sam. But there was a part of me that wanted to stay and see Luna province become a better place.
Grayson set down a large plate of pancakes.
“Both of you need to eat,” he said gruffly, running his hand through Lilah’s hair as though he couldn’t stop himself.
Lilah and I exchanged a smile. Protective alphas.
The smell of food lured more people into the kitchen. Everyone looked a little worse for the wear after days of stress from both the trial and from putting everything in place to deal the final blow to the government. I berated myself for being so checked out I hadn’t been paying attention to the plan. I needed to ask questions and be more involved.
I stared listlessly at the pancakes in front of me. It was almost nine o’clock. How long would we have to wait for the jury?
“We need some music,” Sam said with a clap. “Feels like a fucking funeral in here.”
I scowled, not in the mood for him to make light of our situation.
“Don’t look at me like that,” he said with a smirk. “I bet I have something you want to listen to. What about… the new Lil O album?”
“What?” Lilah and I yelled at the same time.
“Who’s that?” Nico asked, sitting beside me with a plate piled high with food.
“Only the coolest omega musician ever,” Lilah said, her eyes wide.
“She does concerts in Sol,” I added. “Like, live concerts! And she’s an omega!”
Matteo groaned, pressing his face into Lilah’s hair. “Is this the really vulgar one?”
Lilah elbowed him in the ribs. “She is an artist. You just can’t appreciate her genius.”
Noah snorted. “Genius is one word for it.” He came behind Lilah’s chair and wrapped his arms around her, which she promptly shoved off.
“No insulting Lil O,” she sniffed. Noah grinned, putting his arms back around her. She didn’t shove him off this time.
The sound of a thumping bass echoed through the kitchen as Sam connected to a Bluetooth speaker. I gasped with excitement at the opening lines of the song.
“She just makes me feel like I can do anything,” Lilah said, bouncing in her chair.
Sam stood behind me and leaned his chin on my shoulder. “Did I do good?”
“Yes, fine,” I said teasingly. “Good job.”
The mood in the kitchen shifted with the music, even if many of the alphas were grumbling about it. I tapped my fingers along to the beat and even ate some bites of pancake. I caught Grayson breathing a sigh of relief as I ate, quickly averting his eyes when he saw me watching him.
