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“Wow,” Rory breathes, her eyes lighting up with awe. “She trained in martial arts?”
“Yep. Her involvement with the Solveig brothers put her on Callahan’s path and he recognized her immediately. He knew who she was even before she figured her past out.”
“She was able to fight off an alpha like him?”
“Not at first,” I explain. “She would always fail because he used his dominance over her. But, Iris refused to give up. She asked her mates for an experimental drug that the military has been working on for beta soldiers. The pills don’t work for every individual and it’s still being researched but sometimes, it is successful and allows an omega to throw off an alpha’s command.”
“Iris is so brave,” Rory whispers.
“You have no idea,” I say, wrapping my arms around her. “Callahan fled after the attack on the Widow’s hideout. We were searching for him everywhere but he was successfully evading us. Then, he decided to kidnap Iris to keep us off his back. He wanted to use her as a hostage to escape the country but he made the mistake of underestimating her. Iris crashed the car he was driving and fought him until her mates could arrive to capture him.”
“Did she get hurt?”
“Yep. Her forehead was smashed and she was bleeding from several injuries but she paid no mind to any of it. She was determined to defeat the man who murdered her parents.”
“It’s amazing to hear about her,” Rory says with a soft smile. “I wish more people could know what she did to stop Callahan.”
“For all her bravery, our cousin is adoringly shy,” I say with a chuckle. “Oli and I can’t stop teasing her. She always falls easily for our jokes and gets so flustered, the fun is never-ending.”
“Really? She’s gullible enough to fall for your shenanigans?” Rory says with an amused chuckle.
“Iris grew up as a beta,” I explain. “She was taught to work hard for every single thing she wanted. She gets easily flustered when anyone gives her too much attention.”
“That’s how every omega should be brought up,” Rory says, staring into my eyes with a sober look. “I was told I was special from the moment I was born. Our society treated me like I was a princess worth a million diamonds. Reality is so different, though. Omegas are weak and pathetic. We’re nothing but sex dolls and baby-making machines in everyone’s eye. That’s all we’re worth.”
Taking her hand, I squeeze it gently. “That’s not true,” I say. “Iris’s story proves omegas can be strong too.”
“You’re right. Things need to change. Omegas shouldn’t be told what their places are in society. Just like betas, we should have a chance to choose what we want for ourselves.”
“I agree with that idea a hundred percent,” I tell her with a serious look. “The omega academies need to bring in changes to their curriculum. They need to train omegas in martial arts too. It’s important to be able to defend yourselves if such a situation ever arises.”
“Dad used to be passionate about the way omegas are treated,” Rory says in a low, grim voice. “He says that some people want omegas to remain complacent and agree to do their duties to their alpha packs. I never cared to listen to his lectures but I finally realized the importance of all his hard work. He’s been fighting for girls like me but I’ve been such an idiot. No wonder he’s always disappointed in me.”
“Your dad’s not disappointed in you because of that.” Gazing at her with a grave expression, I grip her shoulders. “Your dad knows you’re capable of being so much more than you allow yourself to believe. He wants to see your potential. That’s the only way you’d truly be happy. That’s all the man’s ever wanted for you.”
Tears pool in her eyes. “You think I can be more?” she asks in a desperate, choked voice. “Do you seriously think I could leave my past behind?”
“I do,” I say in the gravest tone I can muster. “Men who’re stronger than you haven’t survived the ordeals that you went through. Don’t let your spirit be broken by assholes like your ex-boyfriend. You have the power to fight off a hundred Jake Hudsons and bring them to their knees. The only thing you’ve got to do is believe that you can.”
“Do you think it’d be okay for me to meet Iris?” she asks, looking suddenly anxious.
“Of course, she’d love to meet you,” I say with an encouraging grin.
“Could we go see her today?”
Surprise flickers through me. Until now, she hasn’t even expressed the desire to see her old friends. This is the first time Rory’s asking to meet a stranger from another military pack.
“Seth’s over at Solveig Estate right now,” I say, thinking about my brother’s schedule for the day. “He’ll know if Iris is home today.”
I melt when she nods her head with an excited grin.
Grabbing my phone, I call Seth.
“What’s up?” he greets me in his usual grim fashion. “Is Rory okay?”
“I’m fine,” she chimes in from beside me.
He lets out a heavy breath.
