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“Oh, Adeline…” My heart hurt for her.
“It’s okay. I mean, it’snotokay, but it’s not like I was already claimed, like you.” She brushed off my concern, but the tears in her eyes told a different story. We sat in silence for a little while, just listening to the waves until she spoke again, her voice soft and timid. “I’ve been with the OMA for a few years. This was the first pack that reciprocated my interest after our initial meetings. It hasn’t been an easy journey. And now this. They probably think I stood them up.”
“Wait…” I shook my head, thoroughly confused. “Excuse my ignorance, but how is that possible? I thought Omegas basically had their choice of packs once they came of age.”
Julia shot me a baffled look. “You speak like you haven’t been through the process yourself.”
I glanced away, almost embarrassed to answer and share my own experiences. “I haven’t. There’s a whole story there. But this isn’t about me right now.” I tilted my head, trying to catch the red-heads attention. “Adeline?”
“I’m not a typical Omega,” she whispered, clinking her nails against the mug nervously. “There’s something wrong with my uterus. I-I can’t have children. To say that’s a deal-breaker for most Alphas is an understatement. Every time I choose a pack that smells wonderful to me, they turn me down once they learn of my deformity.” She winced and her pale skin pinkened.
Julia made a low, angry sound of distaste. “Their fucking loss,” she spat protectively. “And good riddance. Being a breeding machine isn’t the be-all, end-all. There’s more to Omegas than going through heats and growing round with child. I, for one, don’t want to have children. But it’s not like I get a choice in the matter.”
“I’ve always wanted to be a mother,” Adeline admitted sheepishly.
I hadn’t given it much thought, not actively, anyway. When I’d been with Pack Silver, it was my greatest fear. But now? I could absolutely picture a little one running around with Jamison’s eyes or Thane’s smile. Any of their features would be adorable in miniature, and I realized that my fear of having children had changed into a dream. “Me too,” I added, surprising myself.
“But it just isn’t in the cards for me.” She blew out an emotion-ridden, shaky breath. “Not naturally, anyway.”
I reached for her and squeezed her forearm in support. “There are many ways to have a family. Don’t count yourself out. You deserve to have everything you’ve dreamed of.”
“That’s easy for you to say. You already have such an amazing pack.” Wistfulness entered her tear-filled gaze. “You’re so lucky.”
I nearly snorted, swallowing it back the moment it started to form. Instead, I ended up half-choking, half-coughing. I banged a fist against my chest, winced, and apologized. “Sorry. I don’t think I’ve ever been called that before.”
“Trust me, it’s true.” She sounded almost offended.
“You’re right,” I said somberly. “Finding my pack was pure luck and I don’t take them for granted. Let me explain.” It took a few minutes to fill the girls in on my history. How my father had traded me. How I’d suffered under Pack Silver’s treatment. How I’d done the scariest thing in my life thus far by fighting back and running for my life. But when I got to the part where I met my mates, I had to agree—fate had smiled upon me, as Thane liked to say.
I told them everything, down to my kidnapping and nearly being sold at auction. They listened with rapt attention.
“Damn. And I thought my life was dramatic.” Adeline shook her head, dazed. “Maybe we do need wine.”
I almost agreed. Almost.
“What about you?” I stretched my foot out and bumped it into Julia’s leg. Then immediately curled up under my blanket again with a small shiver. The ocean breeze was doing the most to turn us into popsicles, but I didn’t think the girls would be so candid inside where it was warm because then we’d be surrounded by Alphas. So many Alphas.
“My family is… complicated,” she said with a sigh.
“Come on,” Adeline whined good-naturedly. “We shared our stories. Embarrassing parts and all. Give us the deets.”
Julia cracked a smile and rolled her eyes. “Fine, fine. But no judging, okay?” She was teasing, but there was a hint of apprehension there, too.
We crossed our hearts, leaning in as though she were departing some big secret. She peered over her shoulder before continuing. Whatever it was, she didn’t want everyone to know.
“I’m part of the Cristenello family.”
“And they are…” Adeline trailed off, digging for my information.
At the same time, I gasped and leaned even closer. “No way. Really?”
“I feel like I’m missing something.” Adeline glanced between us, clearly not understand the bomb our new friend had just dropped. “Spill. I don’t want to be left out!”
“The Cristenellos are, how do I put this—” I hadn’t figured out the politest way to explain before Julia blurted it out.
“We’re mafia. Or, at least, my family is. I wasn’t really given a choice, born into it and all that.”
“Wait… for real?” Adeline’s eyes grew to the size of saucers.
