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Orion rolled his eyes as he stalked over to his mate. He tipped Lyric’s chin up, capturing his lips in a possessive kiss. I looked away, rubbing my chest to ease the ache. I’d have to get used to seeing that and knowing I’d never ever have it. It wasn’t fair to expect the two of them to never show affection to each other around me. I didn’t think they’d be able to stop it even if they tried.
Oblivious to my inner turmoil, Orion broke the kiss and smiled dopily at Lyric, who just blinked at his mate in a daze.
“The table arrangements are fine, kitten. No more fussing over them.”
Lyric pouted. “But—”
The alpha tapped his mate’s lips. “Nope. They’re fine. I won’t have you stressing yourself to death over some petty bullshit. Besides, it might be entertaining to watch them sputter because they’re sitting next to someone who offended them twenty-five years ago.”
I laughed and interceded before I had to hear any more about this. “Orion’s right. It will be fine. Let’s get going so we’re not still in here when the first guest arrives.”
Orion squeezed both of our shoulders before turning to me. “You sure you’re good with this? Gideon will understand if you change your mind.”
I swallowed back my emotion. Once again, I was blown away by how lucky I’d gotten. No other alpha I knew would have given me leave like Orion was. Then again, maybe there were more alphas who understood omegas weren’t property than I thought. I was learning that we weren’t as alone as it seemed more and more every day.
“I want to do this. I can’t thank you enough for everything.”
“You don’t have to thank me. You’re my brother. My family. Of course I’ll take care of you.”
My eyes were wet with tears, and I couldn’t stop from launching myself at my brother and wrapping my arms around him. Orion hesitated a moment from surprise, and then his massive arms were squeezing tight around me. Seconds later, a much smaller pair of arms joined the hug as a half crying, half laughing Lyric joined the love fest.
When we finally pulled apart, everyone was a mess, but it was also time to greet our guests. The Christmas Eve dinner had been a Strongfire tradition for generations. Atlas had hosted it every year, up until this one of course, and it was the first time it was not being held in the Strongfire mansion.
There was a lot of backlash over Orion’s decision to host in his smaller home and some practical issues, like size, but he wouldn’t back down. The house had stayed empty since Atlas was exiled, and it didn’t seem like Orion ever planned on returning to it. Despite my brother’s casual attitude, this was important, and we had to make sure everything went well.
Just as we were finally about to leave the room, Orion turned back toward us. “One last thing. I forcefully suggested that Tennyson bring my brother Bastion to the dinner or I’d bring up my concerns about his questionable accounting regarding his medical practices to the financial council.”
Lyric just laughed as I stared at the alpha, dumbfounded. “You blackmailed him?”
Orion shrugged, unconcerned. “Of course not. I just merely pointed out that it was curious how he managed to maintain his lifestyle based off his public tax records.”
Lyric shoved his fist practically in his mouth to keep from laughing. “I’m sure that went over well.”
“He said he’d bring Bastion, so I’d say it went over swimmingly.”
“So, what’s the plan, alpha?” Lyric asked once he finally calmed down.
“Nothing specific. But I want you two to keep an eye on him and, if you can, get a minute alone to check on him. From what I understand, I doubt he’d be honest with me, but you two might have a chance.”
We both agreed we’d try to talk to him. Just in time, too, because one of the security guards, who was also acting as butler for the day, came to announce that the first guest had arrived.
* * *
“Come on, we need to move quickly.”
I looked up from my plate, where I was currently stuffing my face with lobster bites, to see a very urgent Lyric bouncing from foot to foot, already impatiently waiting for me.
“Move quickly for what?” But I was already standing.
He gestured to where Orion and Gideon were talking to a huge alpha in his fifties. I recognized the man from the ball. He had given me the chills whenever I saw him then, and that hadn’t changed in the last few weeks in the slightest.Gods, had it really only been a few weeks since the ball? My life changed that drastically in less than month.But Lyric was speaking now so I brought my attention back to him.
“That’s Bastion’s husband. Alpha Tennyson. Orion and Gideon are distracting him so we can try to speak to Bastion alone. He wasn’t stepping away from the poor omega for a second. Come, we need to hurry.”
Lyric took my hand and I allowed him to lead me across the den turned cocktail hour space. I had been hiding toward the back, near one of the massive Christmas trees, and trying to ignore all the looks and whispers. Between my actions at the ball and the rumors swirling about a possible announcement, I found a lot of eyes watching me. Too many. All but the one pair I wanted on me. Not that Emerson was here or was expected to show, but I couldn’t help but search the room, looking for his cool gray-blue eyes.
Unfortunately, with Lyric and Orion hosting the party and Gideon unable to speak to me until the official announcement, I had been mostly left on my own, with Arden acting as my unofficial babysitter. I didn’t mind his company, and I was happy to be mostly alone to gorge on the most delicious lobster balls I had ever eaten.
But now, I turned my attention entirely to the task at hand. I hadn’t even realized that my half-brother had arrived, but now I was anxious to meet him.
