I narrow my eyes, daring just one of them to argue with me. Julia shifts in her seat, her boyfriend beside her, though this conversation isn’t directed at him.
“If she were unhappy, she would have told-”
“Julia, I love you, don’t get me wrong, so please hear me when I say this. Cordelia just wants you to be happy. So much so that she has and will do whatever it takes to make you happy, including join you on every wonderful hobby you decide to take up.”
Julia stares at me. “But-”
I glare at her, and she subsides, dropping her shoulders.
“Cordelia does not say no. So, I’m asking, no, I’m telling you to stop asking her for help. Or I will start saying no for her.”
“You think that omega will let you speak for her?” my mum growls, her whole little self bristling in feminine rage.
“No, I think I’ll have to fight her on it. But it’s a war I’m prepared to wage. And I know I can win.”
She crosses her arms and lifts her chin, glaring at me. “I need help. Are you going to do it?”
I grit my teeth, glaring at her. “You promised you wouldn’t rope us all into this. ‘Just a few dates, it will be harmless.’ Your exact words, Mum.”
She has the decency to flinch, but the stubborn tilt to her head returns, and I know she’s not going to give up.
“I didn’t expect it to get so big. We have journalists and influencer's, tourists, people hoping to sign up for the next one. Everyone is just desperate for love. Surely, it’s not a bad thing?”
I want to argue with her, but I can’t fault her reasoning and the intention behind it. I let out a massive sigh and study them.
Mum is flanked by Dad and Pops, while Julia and Randall sit beside Dad. They all look almost miserable. Good, I hope they feel like crap.
“I’ll help you run the next one.”
Mum laughs.
I glare at her.
“Oh, sorry, you’re serious?”
I snarl, but it’s echoed by my dads warning me to pull my alpha in. For once, I ignore them. They aren’t the dominant force in the room, and I’m a pissed-off alpha protecting his omega.
“I am very serious.”
“Oh, sweetie, no. You can’t help; you would be horrible.”
I try not to be offended, but it’s hard.
“Let me help you,” I say louder. “Leave Cordelia out of it. Let her date and explore the pack dynamics and take a rest from this whole town.”
“You have too much on, Sebastian. You work and volunteer with the lifeguards; you fill in at the pub and the restaurant, plus you run your graphic design business, too.”
“I can do it,” I say to Pops stubbornly. “I’ll find a way.”
He sits back, his arms folded over his chest and studies me. Oh, here we go. He’s about to hit me with one of his tests. I brace myself, focusing all my attention on him. If I pass, they will fight Mum for me.
“How would you romance your omega?”
“With whatever it is that makes them get a sparkle in their eye.”
Pops and Dad exchange a look.
“How would you soothe a distraught omega?”
