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“You okay, my sweet?”
“Gabe, I’m better than okay. I’m safe. I’m loved...” I whisper as I glance at Jake and then Walker. “I’m home.”
Epilogue One
Two years later
I’m sitting down, yet my knees still wobble as the plates are taken away.
There are so many people in the hotel’s elegant ballroom. Some, like me, are getting an award, some are here for moral support, just like my alphas.
“You can do this, Eleanor, my darling. You know you can?” Walker rubs his palm over my thigh, pushing his strength and calm through our bond.
I blow out a breath. I’m not as positive as Walker. He makes presentations all the time. Me, apart from the odd table of potential buyers, that is as far as I’ve gone—not hundreds of people.
My nerves set in at the thought of getting on the stage and talking to everyone here. And suddenly there’s a flurry of conversation all around us as the emcee and the event organizer stride onto the stage.
My heart is beating against my breastbone, and just when I feel I could walk out of the room and forget about the accolade, my eyes meet with Gabe’s soulful gaze.
“I love you,” he mouths, “you’ve got this.”
I grab his hand and squeeze it as I turn and glance at Walker and smile. “I love you too.”
My gaze finds Jake next. He is sitting opposite, but it never stopped us from playing footsie all night. There are tears in my eyes when I say, “I’m nervous.”
“You’ve got this. And we’re here with you.” He pushes love and strength through the bond.
Walker and Gabe know Jake could have had me to himself. And he did, right up until my life was on the line. It was the moment he knew he needed to share me with Walker and Gabe. But it was more than that, he not only wanted his omega but he also wanted a pack… a family.
“Good evening.” The emcee’s words hush the room as eyes turn to him.
He’s a tall, thin man with slicked-back hair and a sharp jawline. He’s wearing a black suit and tie, and his eyes are piercing as he scans the crowd, waiting for total silence and attention.
“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome. My name is Simon Jenkins, and I’m honored to be your host for the evening, especially because tonight is a very special night. It’s the one hundredth award ceremony for ‘honoring women in business’ and tonight we have an incredible lineup of businesswomen who deserve their place with the amazing women who have received awards before them. And this one hundredth ceremony is extra special, because each of the lady recipients is an omega.”
Walker cheers, and the rest of the room gives a round of applause before he continues.
The emcee continues, “Thank you. So, without further ado, let’s get started.”
The audience applauds again as the emcee takes his place behind the podium. “Please give a round of applause for the CEO of Honoring Women in Business Awards. She is also Chief Editor for the magazine of the same name, Melanie Hudson.”
The sound of clapping reverberates over the air as the event organizer, a woman in her mid-thirties with a no-nonsense look on her face, approaches the stage. And I’m feeling even more nervous.
“You deserve to be here,” Walker whispers in my ear as he pushes energy through the bond. “You did this. Let everyone celebrate you.”
I exhale and nod.
“Thank you, Simon, and good evening, everyone. As the event organizer, I’d like to take a moment to thank our sponsors, Hotel Pierre, their staff, and everyone who made tonight the success it already is. I’d also like to thank you, our women in business, for believing in yourself and working so hard to make your business the success it is, and for joining us tonight, and letting us celebrate with you. Thank you.”
The crowd applauds as the event organizer takes her place next to the emcee. She hands him the microphone and reaches for the first trophy.
The emcee clears his throat.
“Ladies and gentlemen. Our first award is for women in finance and the winner of the award is Olivia Lines. Some of you will know Olivia as she’s been talking on lots of television shows lately. For those who don’t, Olivia has taken the financial world in her hands, and she’s not giving it back. Being the only omega in the financial industry, she’s not only proved she deserves to be there, she’s risen among the alphas and taken their places. Congratulations Olivia, who is not only the new vice president of the Fortune 500 firm, Atlantic Financials, she has set up an app which helps girls to follow her lead. Please give a massive round of applause for Olivia Lines.”
I gasp when I see a lady around my height striding across the stage. I expected to see a woman in her early forties in a navy suit and sensible hair walk onto the stage.
But she’s in her mid-twenties. Her make-up is light. Her hair is chocolate brown and styled in soft waves to the middle of her back. She’s wearing a pair of white wide-legged trousers and a pale blue silk shirt, French tuck at the front. Her high-heeled shoes are tan colored, as is the belt around her waist. She looks effortlessly chic. Not how I would have expected for someone who worked in the city.
