Chapter 46
For the past week, I didn’t know where to turn.
Between planning the grand opening of the new OHI building, everyone getting serious about Madison’s pregnancy care, preparing to move into our new pack house, and the spiral of worries over the impending life joining our family, I had exhausted myself.
Madison was meeting my family today. I couldn’t tell if she or I were more nervous about it. I had dropped such a bomb on them, and they’d taken it in stride, but I was nothing if not a worrier.
“I want to thank all of you for being here today.” We had a crowd of a few hundred staring at me where I stood behind the podium.
“The Omega Housing Initiative has always been a project dear to my heart, and I am blessed to have worked alongside so many incredible people who share my vision.” I went down my gratitude list, until I reached the portion for Madison, though I didn’t need any written speech for her.
“One who deserves our thanks and admiration, is our interior designer for this building, Madison St. James. Not only did she step in to help when we needed her, but it was clear to all involved how much passion and expertise she brought with her. For your countless hours dedicated to the omegas moving in, I want to thank you. I know we’ll see incredible things from you in the future because we already have.
Now, I invite all of you to enjoy the refreshments provided by Aleida’s Elotes, and the omegas moving in can join us inside to receive their keys. ”
From the audience, Madison looked up at me with shiny eyes. She had done such an amazing job with the suites, and I wanted everyone to know it, since few would actually be privy to her work in person.
Beau approached both of us with a tired smile, greeting Madison and our pack in turn. “I’m sorry I wasn’t more help at the end.”
“We managed.” I pulled him into a hug. We were past handshakes by this point. “You have new children to care for. I’m glad you could make it today, though.”
“Me too.” Beau nodded and turned to Madison. “I saw the progress updates. You have a gift.”
My omega’s cheeks flushed. “That’s so sweet to say.”
“I’m serious. You did such a great job with our nursery, so I had no concerns when Alve pitched you to take over for Tiffany. You should be proud.”
She was. I felt it in the bond, the warm bubble of pride filling up her chest.
My family waved in the crowd, and I waved back, but I’d already told them it would be a little later in the program before I could step away, so I was able to avoid introductions for a few more moments by taking Madison inside to show the omegas their new homes.
All of them cried. Happy tears ranged from misty eyes to wracking sobs.
Ordinarily, I would’ve been deeply overwhelmed by so many crying people, but Madison was so happy and that kept a cage on my nervous reactions.
They swamped her with hugs as she showed them around and I handed off their keys after the final paperwork was signed.
This was why I loved the OHI so much. Omegas deserved more than just a safe home, they deserved a beautiful one, too.
“I have more good news,” I whispered to Madison when the final set of keys had been handed off.
“I love good news.” She stepped into my arms snuggling close.
“We secured the land grant for the new building.”
“Tyler’s company lost?” Petty glee erupted in the bond, and I couldn’t blame her one bit for that.
“It did. We got the email this morning, and once the permits go through, we can start construction.”
“Alve, that’s amazing!” She hopped up to reach me for a kiss and I spun her, my smile getting too big and breaking the connection.
A throat clearing drew our attention. My oldest sister, Annika, peeked around the corner, two of her young sons peering at us from behind her legs. “Are we ever going to get to meet her? You’re taking forever.”
Embarrassment flooded me, but Madison took my hand, stopping much of it in its tracks.
“It’s so nice to meet you.” Madison beamed at her, stepping into a hug without letting go of my hand. “I’m Madison.”
My tongue tangled itself, but I managed an introduction. “This is Annika. My other sister is Hedda. These two are my nephews, Aaron and Andy.”
Madison crouched down to greet each of them individually, and I could tell Annika was charmed by that.
“No fair.” Hedda appeared around the corner. “You were supposed to wait for me.”
Madison grinned, standing again. “You must be Hedda.”
“And you must be the secret omega.” She said it with a laugh, though I had already parsed her tone and found no derision. “Okaa-san is dying to meet you.”
My family had grown significantly since my youth. On top of my sisters getting packs and having children, my mother had also gotten a pack. For years, she’d only been with my father, but after I’d left for college, she’d added two more to the ranks.
“Madison, this is my mother, Yuzuki, my father, Gustav, and her mates, Mitchell and Robert.” Growing up, my mother had never been overly affectionate, nor had my father, but that had been changing since the arrival of grandchildren, so I was only a little shocked when they both hugged Madison.
Mitchell and Robert had no reservations hugging her, too, though they let her move in their direction to initiate it instead of diving in.
The rest of my pack, as well as my sister’s packs and their plethora of children, found us and I introduced them all, too. For a moment, I wished I had thought ahead to bring name tags the way Jude’s sister had done. Sometimes I forgot how many of them there were until they were all in one spot.
To think I had dreaded this moment. My family was so happy to be included, to be here to celebrate what we had accomplished and the life we were building.
I listened to the conversations with half an ear.
Madison’s hand was an anchor I needed and took ready advantage of.
Nathan slipped his hand into my other one.
I squeezed it gratefully. When he and I first met, I never would have guessed he’d be so good at comforting.
Honestly, I was convinced he had some sort of superpower that let him read people and see what they needed.
“I’m borrowing Alve for a minute,” Nathan announced, pulling me from the crowd and to the far side of the lobby where he poured me a paper cup of water from the cooler. “Drink. You’ve been running around all day. Have you had anything to eat?”
“I had breakfast…”
Nathan’s eyes narrowed. “That was eight hours ago. Wait here.” He wandered off to the refreshment tables outside, returning with lemonade and a plate of tacos.
I consumed both under his watch. Leo’s parents catered the event, and it was obvious where his skill in the kitchen had come from. His mother, Aleida, and his father, Berto, were both gentle souls, and if I had anything to say about it, they’d cater every event until they retired.
Nathan’s easy smile only returned when I had polished off the last bits. “Mama Aleida told me to make sure you ate every bite. Mission accomplished.”
I laughed at that. “I fear you’ve found an ally in her when it comes to pack care.”
“Oh, she’s absolutely going to be my new bestie. She’s teaching me how to make tamales next week.”
“I look forward to sampling them. Thank you for the plate.”
“You’re welcome. You looked overwhelmed, so I thought you could use a few minutes of peace, or at least as peaceful as a grand opening gets.”
“You were correct.” I offered a smile, melting instantly when he wrapped his arms around me.
The others were steady in the bond, but Nathan wasn’t there with us quite yet.
I knew Madison wanted him, but when we were at the mercy of heat flares, his joining us was dependent on biology, not emotional desire. “We’re lucky to have you.”
“No argument here.” Nathan laughed. “When were you planning on telling me about your sneaky deal?”
I tensed. He meant the deal I had struck for his architectural firm to handle our next construction.
“It wasn’t intentionally sneaky. I was testing the waters, to see about a potential future and partnership.
They were so excited to start and had nothing but wonderful things to say about you.
I assumed I could trust them since you worked there and you had never said anything bad about it. ”
“They’re good folks. Are you collecting all of us to work together?” Nathan kissed my cheek. “Because that’s cute as fuck. I’m not sure how you’ll wrangle Leo into the mix with the horses, but I imagine you’ll figure it out at some point.”
“He’s next on the list,” I confirmed with a smile.
“You’re obligated to celebrate,” Nathan told me, moving directly into my line of sight so I was forced to make eye contact. “Your brain is already diving into the next project, isn’t it?”
I opened my mouth to respond, but closed it again without saying anything.
“I thought so. You accomplished something huge, and even if you only celebrate today, I need you to be proud of it.” He cupped my cheeks, squishing them. “Say it.”
Desire and embarrassment twisted through me. “I’m proud of my work.”
“Good.”
He kissed me soundly, until I forgot where I was, breathless and dazed when he pulled away with a cheeky smile.
“Someday soon when you’re not run off your feet, I want you to fuck me into next week.”
My whole pack peeked around the corner as the bolt of lust that shot through me hit the bond.
Nathan laughed, waving to them. “I hope you know I’m going to be insufferable when I get in there with everyone.”
“You won’t be.” It may have been something we worried about in the beginning, but I understood him better now. “You’ll be exactly what we need.”