None of us is willing to drive without Veda, so we pile into Major’s truck and leave mine behind to be picked up on another day. It doesn’t really matter; nothing really matters after all we learned.
Veda has a baby.
I couldn't believe the words coming out of her mouth, but now it all makes too much sense. St. James gave Major the impression that whoever his grandkid was had done something really bad. Of course, for the prude, an unmarried pregnant woman is the worst that could happen.
We are Veda’s punishment. She grew up as a rich kid in Dallas, and I feel that he was trying to get her away from everything as a message that there are consequences for every action. I have a few opinions about her grandfather, but I decide not to say them out loud. I have plenty of time to decide what will happen with Anderson St. James.
We have to concentrate on Mirasol right now.
Without asking, I know what my packmates are thinking. We haven’t exchanged a word since we all left Veda’s bedroom after the nightmare, but there’s no need to put into words the fear that crept into me.
If there's an Omega trafficking ring, it’s hard to believe that Veda’s grandfather is not involved.
Not that St. James deserved it, but I gave him the benefit of the doubt. Veda seemed to believe her grandpa raised her without really knowing what she was, but Mirasol raises some questions. There are too many Omegas around this one Beta, too many girls he likes to mistreat.
It all means that rescuing Mirasol might be harder than we think, and we have to do it quickly.
Once the doors are locked and we head away from the township, Veda visibly relaxes. Major is driving, and she’s in the passenger seat while Derrick and I share the back.
“Nothing against your township, but this was intense,” she says as she rests her head back.
“Are you okay?” I ask, and she gives me a smile from over her shoulder.
“I am now that we are going home.”
Home.
She doesn't notice, but each one of us freezes when she calls the ranch her home. She’s only been there for a couple of weeks, but they were the best weeks of my life.
Veda woke up something in me.
Better than a mating bond and more than scent-matching. Before her, we went through life pushing from one day to the next. Now, surviving is not enough anymore. Veda arrived, and I want to live. I crave life. I relax into my seat, making bold plans to steal this woman for myself.
The mating ceremony means nothing. Let the packs come home and try to steal my woman. If anything, Arthur is correct to voice his fear. I have a month to make up her mind, and I’ll take everyopportunity. By the time the mating ceremony is here, there will be no doubts in Veda that she belongs to us.
“I need you now to walk me through everything that happened,” Major interrupts my thoughts.
Damn, he can ruin a mood, can’t he?
Veda shifts on her seat, positioning her body to face his.
“What do you mean?”
“I need every detail that you remember about your pregnancy and the lead-up to your grandfather taking Mirasol,” he says in a hard voice that makes me flinch. “I need to know the hospital where you had the baby. I need to know if you remember the names of the doctors. Everything.”
She nods, taking it all in. Yes, we need more information to start the search, but I thought he was going to give her at least the ride back to relax.
“Maybe you can gather information later—” I start.
“No,” she says firmly. “I shouldn’t have let him take her. I didn’t want to give her away, but he had nine months to fill my head with lies. My brain feels clear for the first time in a long time. I want my daughter back.”
“Mom said a lot is going on with your hormones postpartum,” Derrick adds, softness in tone. “You need rest, food, and care. She gave us a list of everything you need.”
“And we have some textbooks too.” I made sure to pack those. “So you can read up on everything you want to know about being an Omega.”
Veda’s cheeks flash red, and she opens her mouth, bet anything to tell us we are doing too much. Major is quicker than her. “You need to be strong so we can get your daughter back. You need the food and the care, Veda. Your only job for now is to build up your strength.”
His words have an impact, and she swallows her protests at once, “Thank you.”
