47. Chapter Forty-Seven
Mira
The morning sun warms my face as I sit at our usual outdoor table at Café Lumière. I can hardly believe I’m sitting out in the open. Adrian's cedar scent cocoons me, giving off light hints of smoky goodness as he slides another croissant onto my plate, while Zane adds more fresh berries to my bowl. Cole's steady presence at my back, his hand occasionally stroking my shoulder, makes me feel safe enough to people-watch.
“Eat, Sweetness,” Cole murmurs, his fingers threading through my hair in a way that makes me want to purr. “You barely touched your eggs.” His concern flows through our bond, warm and steady like his pine scent.
“I'm saving room for the pain au chocolat ,” I tell him, leaning into his touch. Their steady love washes through the bond, steady and constant, three distinct flavors of devotion that mix together into a perfect harmony of belonging.
“Then have both,” Zane grins, already signaling the waiter. “You're still too thin. Besides, what kind of alphas would we be if we didn't spoil our omega rotten?”
They do spoil me. Constantly. Completely. In ways I never could have imagined. Every day brings new surprises. Little gifts appearing on my pillow, spontaneous outings, endless affection and attention. Just yesterday, Adrian brought home a first edition of my favorite childhood book, simply because I mentioned it in passing. Last week, Cole surprised me with tubs of lilacs in our garden on top of the roof, which has become my third favorite place right after my nest and Adrian's home-office library. And Zane... well, Zane’s life's mission is to make me smile at least once every hour.
This life I'm living now is surreal in its perfection. The absolute security of knowing I am loved beyond measure was inconceivable once upon a time. Even before Haven, before the horror, I never dreamed of having something like this. My life with my parents was good—loving, secure, happy—but it wasn't this. This all-encompassing love, this acute belonging, this certainty that I am exactly where I'm meant to be.
But I was beta then.
I am omega now.
A pang of sadness hits me. My parents would have loved to see me so happy. Mom would have adored how Adrian fusses over my reading collection, always making sure I have the perfect lighting and comfortable pillows. She would have appreciated how Cole makes sure I eat properly, probably sharing recipes with him in the kitchen. And Zane... Mom would have laughed at his jokes, encouraged his playfulness. Dad would have respected Adrian's protective nature, bonded with Cole over their shared love of strategy games, and probably tried to out-joke Zane at every opportunity.
“What's wrong, Little One?” Cole's voice cuts through my thoughts, his brow furrowing with immediate concern.
I shake my head, not wanting to cast any shadows over this perfect morning. The sun is warm, the coffee is hot, and I'm surrounded by more love than I ever thought possible. “Nothing, really. Just thinking about my parents. Wishing they could see how happy I am now. How well you all take care of me.”
“Ah yes.” Zane waggles his eyebrows in an exaggerated manner, looking absolutely ridiculous. “Though maybe not too happy. Some things parents don't need to see, if you know what I mean.” He gives me a wink that's so over-the-top it makes me snort with laughter. “Like how thoroughly we worship you in that big nest of ours...”
Heat rises in my cheeks as a different heat stirs to life between my thighs. In Zane’s words, they had thoroughly worshipped me this morning, so much so we were nearly late getting here. Three pairs of hands, three mouths, three bodies devoted to my pleasure... I'd hate to think I might have missed finding my friends because I couldn't keep my hands to myself. How I want them on my body again as fast as I can get them.
“Whatever you're thinking right now, the answer is yes,” Cole groans.
I squirm in my seat, their heated gazes on me. The bond leaves no room for guessing what they want too.
My thoughts drift to our nest. I've continued adding to it over the past weeks, weaving in new blankets and fairy lights, incorporating pieces of all of us until it's become a perfect reflection of our bond. The soft textures, the mingled scents, the twinkling lights that cast everything in gentle gold... it's where I’m most complete, most loved, most free.
And judging by the way my alphas are looking at me now, that's exactly where we'll be spending our afternoon.
“After we see if Emma and Leah saw my advertisement,” I remind them firmly, though my resolve wavers as Zane's foot brushes against my ankle under the table .
“Of course, Baby Girl. We have all afternoon. Tonight. Tomorrow morning and every day next week.” Zane’s grin promises delicious things to come.
I take a sip of my coffee, trying to cool my heated cheeks. These alphas will be the death of me.
But what a wonderful way to go.
Adrian's hand finds mine under the table. “We’ll do whatever you want.” His thumb traces circles on my palm, sending little sparks of pleasure through our bond and helping get my mind off what my omega body yearns to do.
It's still amazing to me, being able to sit here in the open air, watching the world go by without fear. Four months ago, I was pretending to be a beta, terrified my designation would be discovered. Now I'm bonded to three perfect mates, free to live and love and exist as I choose. The sun is on my face. Children laugh as they pass by. I inhale the smell of coffee and pastries from the café without that crushing anxiety that used to be my constant companion.
My eyes drift to The Daily Herald propped against the water pitcher. Fourth Sunday. Fourth month. Fourth advertisement I placed: “Sisters three seek reunion.” Simple words carrying so much hope. Emma, Leah… if they're alive, if they're free, if they're safe enough to read newspapers... The thought of them out there somewhere, maybe as scared as I once was, makes my heart ache.
“They'll come when they can.” Adrian’s fingers tighten on mine. “If they can.”
“I have to believe they're alive. That they got away like I did. That they found safety too.” My voice catches slightly. “That they found love like this.”
Zane leans in to press a kiss to my temple. “Then we'll keep coming. Every Sunday each month, as long as it takes to find them.” His playfulness gives way to serious determination. “And we'll help them find what they need, just like we found you.”
“Whatever it takes.” Cole’s hand curves on my shoulder, grounding me, reminding me that I'm not alone. Not anymore. I have mates. Scent-matches who have proven time and again that they’ll move heaven and earth to right this enormous wrong .
The morning bustle of the café continues around us, waiters moving between tables, customers chatting, life happening in all its beautiful normalcy.
I survived Haven's hell. And I found love, freedom, and happiness.
Somewhere out there, I have to believe Emma and Leah are alive to find the same things. I can only hope they’re alive. That one day we’ll be together again. Until then, I'll keep waiting, keep hoping, keep living this beautiful new life my alphas have given me.
I hope the same for all of the omegas affected by Haven, Mercer and her brand of training.
My fingers trace the rim of my coffee cup as these thoughts pass through my mind. “Those omegas in the Basement...”
After Mercer’s death, Asher was given the go ahead to investigate Haven.
They found the Basement and two omegas locked down there. He’d asked me to help them while they recovered in hospital. I remember the way they flinched, how they huddled together in their shared room, too scared to be alone. I understand that fear all too well.
Their stories had come to light. They were just like Emma, Leah and myself. Single children, parents killed in 'car accidents’. The pattern was too clear, too deliberate and too damming to be coincidence, and it all led to Asher’s case being expanded with more resources and money.
“Asher's making progress. Every omega's testimony adds another piece to the puzzle. Thanks to you and those two omegas, we can connect Mercer and Hardwick, and their intent to auction off those omegas,” Adrian says.
I shiver when I think of the auctions and how many omegas those two female alphas ‘sold’. The number hasn’t been finalized and I don’t think it ever will be.
“It goes deep,” Cole adds thoughtfully, his hand never stopping his comforting strokes on my shoulder. “But Haven is gone and Mercer can't hurt anyone else. We’ll get Hardwick too, when we have enough evidence against her. Your story, and those of other omegas, have helped revolutionize omega affairs, Mira. You’ve changed so many lives for the better.”
I have. I know I have. And Mercer didn’t treat all omegas like me, otherwise the real story of The Haven Institute would have been outed years ago. Some very influential families send their omegas there, after all. Mercer and Hardwick only waited for the right kind of omega to come along so they could shape them how they saw fit. They only targeted the omegas who were all alone in the world and vulnerable. Whose disappearance would raise no questions. Omegas lost to the world. They haven’t found evidence toward Hardwick’s involvement and I know taking down a Senator is going to be hard.
Still, Mercer and Hardwick had help. Hugo and Lars, for example, who had doled out the training and the punishments. “Has Asher told you he’s tracked down Hugo or Lars yet?” I ask Adrian, who shakes his head.
“Asher will catch them. They’re running scared. No resources, no backup.” Zane’s eyes darken with promised violence. “The whole force of Brynwald is looking for them.”
“The important thing is that those omegas are free now. The ones who need help are getting the right kind.” Adrian’s kiss lingers on my knuckles. “And every day we learn more and get closer to exposing everyone involved.”
“The therapy program you helped design is making a real difference,” Cole adds with quiet pride. “Those omegas trust you. You’re showing them it's possible to heal.”
Beyond helping others, Cole has taken a courageous step in his own journey. He's begun seeing Dr. Reeves again to address his own trauma, an act of bravery that marks a significant step forward in his healing process. It's not just about managing his grief; it's about forgiving himself for the burdens he's carried for too long.
I see the change in him, subtle yet profound. There's a lightness about him now, an ease as he releases his guilt and the self-recriminations that have haunted him. His journey toward healing sends positive ripples through our pack, a testament to the power of vulnerability and growth.
“Implementing these programs have kept me busy. I’m so thankful for Sophie’s help.” Warmth fills me as I think about the healing center we've established in the Pinnacle building. Every day brings new challenges, but also new victories. Zane introduced me to his sister and we hit it off. She’s been such a big help and is so passionate. Her anger and disbelief at what I suffered at Haven drives her as much as it drives me.
My mates never hesitated to fund the omega rehabilitation program, putting healing before profit. They've poured millions into creating safe spaces, hiring specialized therapists, providing everything needed to help traumatized omegas.
“Worth every penny,” Zane says, reaching for more coffee. “Even if Hardwick and her cronies are still blocking our Mortalis research funding. Funny how they can find endless red tape when it comes to actually solving the omega birth crisis.”
Pinnacle's resources have been diverted from researching the virus that caused omega birth rates to plummet, all because of political red tape at the hands of Hardwick, the female instrumental in my systematic torture.
“Funny how there was no paperwork found at Haven to implement her in illegal omega auctions too,” Cole growls.
“We have Mira’s testimony. And those of the omegas found in the basement, and it’s still not enough,” Zane says, his anger pinging through our bond.
It would be enough if omegas had rights, but our word means nothing. Even the scars on our bodies mean nothing. We're still reduced to being whispers in a storm, easily dismissed and disregarded by those with power. Seen as nothing more than a biological function. To those who dictate the rules, our pain is invisible, irrelevant.
But not to my alphas. And, I’ve learned, not to many other alphas, either. I was subjected to the worst in the designation and thought that was all they were, but my alphas, my mates, have shown me there are more alphas out there who want change than the alphas who want control. We just have to fight for it.
We are fighting for it.
“I have every faith that Asher will get exactly what we need to put Hardwick away forever,” Adrian says.
“At least things are changing,” Cole observes, his steady presence behind me grounding as always. “The public's outrage over Haven... people are demanding answers about omega rights, about the birth crisis. Hardwick can't keep her stranglehold on her position of power forever.” His hand squeezes my shoulder gently. “She’s running scared and the truth has a way of coming out.”
Adrian's phone buzzes, interrupting our discussion. The moment he looks at the screen, his entire demeanor shifts. His cedar scent ignites into burning wood as his surge of shock resounds through our bond.
He looks up, his eyes dark with something that makes my stomach clench. His hand tightens on mine almost painfully. “That was Phoenix. Asher’s pack brother.”
Zane’s brows draw together. “What’s he doing contacting us?”
“Adrian? What's going on?” Joy wars with worry. My heart picks up speed at his expression.
He looks at me, his eyes intense. “Asher has found Emma.”
Joy explodes through me, bright and sudden. “Emma? They found her?” The words tumble out as hope surges in my chest, but Adrian's serious expression doesn't match my elation, and confusion seeps in. “Why... why aren't you happy about this?”
“Asher led his taskforce to a suspect's house. They were keeping an omega there. It was Emma. She's asking for you.” His voice is measured, too measured, like he's choosing each word with deliberate care.
My heart pounds against my ribs, so hard I can hear it in my ears. “ This is good news, isn't it? We've been looking for so long...” But something in Adrian's expression makes the words die in my throat. The tension around his eyes, the tightness in his jaw. “What aren't you telling me?”
Adrian takes both my hands in his, his touch gentle but grave. “Asher is in a lot of trouble. The moment he saw Emma...” He takes a deep breath, and his concern pulses through our bond. “He bit her. Claimed her. Bonded her right there in the middle of the raid.”
***