“Thank you,” I say anyway. It doesn’t matter who she is. She took care of my baby, so I’m grateful for her.
“She’s a very happy baby,” the woman tells me. “She’s incredible.”
Of course she is. I do not doubt it.
The men arrive, three walls of muscles blocking the sun coming from the entrance. I raise my eyes at them and smile. This is the happiest day of my life, and it’s all because of them.
“Thank you,” I say to Major.
He shakes his head as if it’s nothing, but we both know it’s everything. He brought me back my reason to live. It doesn’t matter how little part he thinks he played in this. Actually, it was the three of them.They gave me the strength to stand tall and be the mother Mirasol deserves.
Sometimes the best thing someone can do for you is to stand by your side and hold your hand while you pick up the pieces. That was what my cowboys did. They took me from the darkest place I’ve ever been and gave me room to grow.
“We found more Omegas.” He changes the subject from my gratitude.
My eyes go to the stranger. “I see. Is Dominic able to help them?”
Major sighs and takes a seat on the couch across from me. “He’s going to try, but he’s not with the Alliance anymore.”
I have a million questions, but he shakes his head. “We already moved them to a safer place, they are not in danger anymore. I’m just saying that he’s not with the Alliance, so I’m not sure how much he can do besides take them from immediate danger.”
The only person we have on our side is now gone, another reason to believe that Mirasol, here in my arms, is a miracle. Without Dominic’s investigation, we’d have nothing.
“That means Grandpa will walk free,” I say.
Major’s jaw ticks. “You don’t need to worry about St. James.”
“Don’t I?” I shake my head. Mirasol has finished her bottle, and I hold her against my chest. I vaguely know she needs to burp, and I look at the woman, a little lost at what I’m supposed to do now.
“Gentle taps on her back,” she tells me.
If it were anything else, I’d swallow my questions not to look stupid, but this is about my daughter. My ego has no place here. It’s about what’s best for her. I follow her instructions, relaxing when Mirasol burps.
“You don’t ever need to worry about your safety. Ever,” Derrick cuts in. “St. James can’t take you from us.”
I don’t point out that a pack will. They contacted the township to let them know I won’t be making an appearance until Mirasol is safe in my arms, but that’s just a delay in the plans. Everyone seems to be very convinced I don’t belong here.Everyone but me.
“Anderson won’t be a problem for long,” the woman says. “People are talking about him, finding a way to edge him out of business. The packs don’t like that a Beta controls every breeding house in Texas.”
I suck in a breath. I never knew my grandpa’s reach was that far. He’s responsible for so much pain, for so many losses. How many mothers did he separate from their kids? How many tears were shed because of his greed?
“If people are just trying to take him out, he won’t see justice,” I say.
“He’s not your problem,” Major says with a finality that soothes my soul. “He won’t ever touch you or Mirasol, and that’s enough for now.”
“Okay,” I accept, choosing to believe it’s enough. “So what else aren’t you telling me?”
My eyes find the stranger sitting close to us. I'm grateful for her taking care of Mirasol when I couldn’t, but I don’t understand why she needs to be here. There’s so much to be discussed, so much to think about, and it doesn’t make sense.
If he found more Omegas and Dominic is helping them, why not this one?
He dips his chin, hearing the questions I don’t say out loud.
“This is Manuela, Veda.”
Everything stops, even the air in my lungs. I don’t know if that’s a popular name in Brazil, but it’s definitely not here. And Major wouldn’t throw that out, assuming I wouldn’t think…
I take in her features, the way her brown eyes shine as she looks at me. The same brown in my eyes and in Mirasol’s. Her curly hair hasa similar curl pattern of mine. It’s like looking at a mirror a few years down the line.
