Page 31 of Knot All Is Ruined: Part 2

“While I’ve never experienced it, I have seen a drastic change in those blessed with children. It does indeed change everything,” Sorin agreed. “Speaking of someone stealing children, I was calling to find out your plan to return these Omegas to their families. Also, to ask a favor.”

“I figured as much. Let me head to my office where we can talk a little more freely. I try to keep Marius and Nixon out of this part of things as much as possible. Marius especially feels responsible for the Omegas getting shipped off in the first place even though we’re slowly getting back all that we can,” Savo explained.

A lull in the call occurred as I could hear a door opening then closing, a chair being drawn out, papers shuffling, and a clunk like he’d set the phone down. This was the moment Vicky decided to make his move. The bastard pretended to adjust me so he could stretch his legs out and lean back against one of the bunks making his cock thrust up into me. I stifled a gasp leaning forward, bracing my hands on his thighs as I now straddled the man.

“Hold on, I’m grabbing my file on this real quick. Cambrie will have my head if I don’t make sure my information is correct. She likes to make sure we can track down the families, so they’re prepared for their homecoming,” Savo said absently as papers shuffled.

This had my head snapping up to stare at Sorin. He knew all too well I desperately wanted information on whether my mother was alive. To save myself the pain, I just accepted she was gone, but to get confirmation would just put the wondering to rest.

“All right, I have Victoria Bombardo, also known as Tori, age nineteen. Both parents are still living and have great-paying jobs. Seems they sent her to the Care Center the moment she presented as an Omega since they both lost their jobs,” Savo shared, surprising me with how much information he had on us. “Violet Antonal, age twenty-three, her mother is still living, but her father passed two years ago of a terminal illness he’d had most of his life. Danella Holstad, age twenty-five, has both parents still living, but her mother is not well. They’re a prominent family, so she is getting excellent medical care. However, it doesn’t look good. The sooner we can get her home, the better if she hopes to say goodbye.”

Hearing the news about my mother, I covered my face and burst into tears. Someone approached me and pulled me into their arms. The sweet chocolate scent told me it was Lucian. He was the only other person who knew I’d longed to find out about my mother. Clinging to him, I sobbed, shocked to hear my mother was alive and tortured with the knowledge I still might not get to see her. Lucian carried me out of the room and settled on the couch, rocking me as I processed all this.

“My Heart, if there is a way we can get you home to see your mother, then I vow to you it will happen,” Lucian whispered, pressing his lips to my forehead. “If she is your mother, then clearly your strength came from her. If Savo tells her you’re alive, I have to believe she will hold on until she can see you.”

I tried to talk, but I could only manage hiccupping gasps of air as I fought back the tears. Giving up, I just surrendered to the feelings but tried not to overwhelm the guys with them.

“Don’t do that, Wildflower,” Petru scolded as a blanket was tucked around me. “Don’t hide your pain from us. In fact, do the opposite. Give it all to us so we can carry that burden for you, at least for a little while. You’ve been holding onto this for so long. Being so strong and brave. It’s time to allow your family to support you in freeing yourself to be weak, just for now. When you’re ready, we will help you back up, dust you off, and stand right beside you.”

Blinking away tears, I looked at him, wondering if he really meant what he was saying. Petru took a tissue then wiped the tears and snot from my face making me realize I must look terrible.

“I don’t want to be weak,” I croaked out.

“Dani, you are hardly weak. Even now, you’re fighting to pull yourself together so you can charge ahead,” Lucian chided. “All he’s asking is that you don’t shut us out, hiding the parts of you that you think are weak. We all heard the same thing you did, and it doesn’t take a genius to know how important your parents are to you. Hell, we’ve seen the lengths you’ll go to for your friends. How could a parent hold less importance to you than them?”

Sniffling, I wiped at my nose and brushed my hair out of my face, trying to ground myself in something. Then I realized what he was saying, what they both were saying. The thing I needed was right here, in front of me, ready to slog through this emotional baggage with me. Why did it have to be so hard for me to let them help me? I trusted them to protect me physically, but why didn’t that extend to emotionally?

“How… How can I be strong but let you help? I don’t know how to do that,” I sobbed.

Petru gave me a sad smile before he pressed a soft kiss to my lips. “It’s okay. We will figure it out together, but I need you to answer one question. If we can get you back to see your mother, do you want us to make that happen, however necessary? Meaning, we can send you back with Tori and Violet while we deal with things here, so you have time with your mother.”

My eyes grew wide. “Are you asking me to leave?”

“No, my sweet little wildflower, I am telling you that if this is important and you need to do this. Your pack will support you one hundred percent no matter what,” Petru explained. “What I don’t want is for you to assume it’s impossible for you to go home right away.”

“What if something happens and you get put in jail or killed? I won’t know if anything’s wrong since I’ll be back in Oscad.” I shook my head furiously. “No, we either go together to see her, or we don’t go at all. Besides, how can I see my mother, tell her I have a pack and you’re not with me? She will want to meet all of you.”

“Okay, then that’s what we’ll do. No matter what, when this is over we’ll visit your family and you can introduce us,” Lucian decided. Petru gave him a disapproving look but sighed as he stroked my cheek with his thumb. “I love you, Danella, and I want to fix this for you, but if this is your choice I will support you as promised.”

“That’s my choice. We all go, or we don’t go at all,” I announced, knowing it might mean never seeing my mother alive. Even still, I wouldn’t do that without them by my side. We were a pack, and packs do things together, as a team, end of story.

“I’ll tell Sorin,” Petru murmured, kissing me quickly before heading back to the bunk room.