Chapter 5 #2
“I like that idea. It doesn’t always have to be full scholarships either.
It could be anything that gives them safety–such as a plane ticket or a deposit for an apartment.
I know that the Omega Center has some of that, but the money gets allocated quickly.
They also can’t help non-omega siblings, but we could,” I told them.
“Stardust Scholars–and the Stardust Fund.” Grace snapped her fingers. “Because sometimes you just need a sprinkle of stardust to make some magic.”
“Absolutely. You’re right, there’s a need for both. I love the names you came up with.” I threaded my fingers through hers and squeezed.
While the talk of children made me happy, all these ideas for our family foundation made me equally pleased.
“Oh, you’re awake, great.” A doctor ducked in and checked my monitors. “How are you feeling?”
“Glad to be awake,” I admitted honestly.
She looked over Grace, who just had a wrist monitor like before.
“You’re looking great, Grace. How about if you and your alpha go get some tea? Getting up and moving around will make you feel better. We won’t be long,” she told them.
Grace whined a little. I know.
“Get me some coffee?” Giving her a task might help.
“Okay.” With a sigh, Grace rolled out of bed and put on the shorts Wes handed her, which barely peaked out from her t-shirt. She put on some flip-flops and kissed me.
The two of them left, hand-in-hand, but not before Grace blew me a kiss.
“Is the news bad?” I looked at the doctor.
“Not at all. You should be fine. I just wanted to give you some privacy,” she said.
“She’s fine?” I frowned.
“She had scans and bloodwork first thing this morning, and everything looks okay,” the doctor assured. “Now let’s get you checked out before the rest of your pack returns.”
“Oh, hey, where is everyone?” Brennan walked into my hospital room, holding a bag.
“Grace and Wes went down to the cafeteria, they’ll be back,” I told him. The doctor had just left. I’d called my mother, publicist, and Mrs. K, assuring everyone that I was fine.
“I brought some things for you. Evan’s coming with more.” Brennan set the bag down. “Wow, that’s a gigantic bouquet.”
“Apparently the hospital sent them for Grace.” I used the controls on the bed to move me into a sitting position.
Brennan grunted. “They’re scared that we’re going to sue them.”
“Grace wants to use the money to give all our scholars allowances.” I chuckled.
“That’s so Grace. Um…” His scent went a little anxious. “You don’t have a problem if Grace starts something with Jett… or me… do you?”
“No, not at all, as long as it’s something everyone wants.” While Brennan might be a lot for Grace, I also trusted him to be attuned to her needs.
Relief flooded his face. “Oh good. I don’t know if anything will ever really happen, but well, sometimes…”
Oh.
“If she needs to be taken care of, please take care of her. That’s what packs are for,” I assured.
“More like she had a nightmare and decided it was my cock she wanted a nap on last night. Then at some point she got up and crawled back in bed with you and Evan.” He neatly folded the blankets that Wes had left strewn on the couch.
So that was why she smelled like them.
“Thank you for comforting her. I don’t have any issues with it. Do you?” I knew that he’d really struggled with everything with his ex—and the feelings Grace’s appearance had brought up. Personally, I hadn't liked Caroline much. I’d only tolerated her because she’d meant something to Brennan.
Brennan exhaled sharply as he pushed the bed back into a couch. “I don’t know. She’s so fragile, and I’m not sure I can meet her needs.”
“I think really she just wants your acceptance and love. Maybe some ice cream after you play piano duets,” I suggested.
“Maybe that’s what I grapple with most. I’m used to people needing and wanting more from me. She is a good listener, though.” Brennan rolled his eyes as he stacked the folded blankets on top of the pillows.
“She is. Maybe that’s also what you need from her.”
He turned and stared at me. “Must you be so profound right after surgery?”
“I’ll try to be less insightful,” I joked.
“We were worried. There was a lot of blood,” he whispered.
“I’ll have to go easy on the golf and tennis for a bit, but I’ll be okay. Wes and I have a symposium soon, and I should still be able to make it.” I’d forgotten about it. Mrs. K had asked if she needed to cancel everything.
Brennan sat down. “Wes is going to a conference?”
“There’s a cybersecurity forum that he’s quite excited about.
He’s less excited about the panel he’s on.
I’m on a couple of panels. I was considering bringing Grace, but you have on the calendar that you’re taking her to a piano concert.
If she wants to stay, will you, Jett, and Evan look after her?
It’s a short symposium, and it’s not far, so we can come home quickly if she needs us.
I’ll also cancel if she wants us to.” I hadn’t expected to bond with her so soon.
“If she wants to stay, we’ll watch over her. If she wants to go, I’ll take someone else to the piano concert.” His look went wistful.
“She’s looking forward to it,” I reassured him. “I’m so happy that you have a love of music to share with her.”
“It makes things easier when you share an interest. I suppose I should order some sheet music for some Theodosia pieces considering that’s her middle name.” He got on his phone.
“Danser Dans La Neige is my favorite of Theodosia’s works.” I hummed it under my breath.
“Oh, that’s a nice one. I was thinking of Les Cloches de Mai since it’s a common competition piece in the upper levels.” He looked up at me.
“Or both,” I agreed. I didn’t play the piano, but my mother did. I played the bouzouki a little, but it was back in Greece at my mother’s. Perhaps I should ask her to send it to me.
He nodded. “Good idea.”
“What’s a good idea?” Wes came back in with Grace. Both carried coffee cups. Grace had a little sack.
“I got you coffee and a croissant. They only had plain, not chocolate.” Pulling the bed table over, she set the coffee and bag next to me.
“Thank you, my good doctor.” I gave her a fond smile.
“Hi, Bren. We didn’t bring you anything. I’m sorry.” Grace sat on the bed and leaned into me. I kissed her forehead.
“That’s okay, Grace. Evan, Jett, and Riley are getting food for everyone,” Brennan told us.
“Um. Hi. I… I wanted to make sure that everyone was okay.” Nate Thorne stood awkwardly in the open doorway, holding something.
“Um, we’re okay, Professor.” Grace’s scent went anxious.
“Fortunately, both of them will be fine. But they could have easily not have been,” Wes snapped.
Nate bowed his head. “I’m sorry. We didn’t expect Adriana to come after you. I’m so sorry for what she did.”
“Thank you, Professor. Do you remember Spencer? Also, this is my mate Wes, and this is Brennan, he’s head alpha. Everyone, this is Professor Nate Thorne,” Grace introduced.
“Um, hi.” Wes frowned and moved close to Grace.
“Hi. So, who called the police? They came after Adriana quickly, arresting her for baby trafficking.” Bren looked pensive.
I had the same thought. Sure, I’d planned on turning everything over to the police, but I hadn’t done so yet.
“I did.” Nate’s voice went quiet. “The others are angry with me for involving the law. They’re worried about what it will do to the pack.
But I… I… I can’t believe that she just sat back and let me look for you all those years knowing that she sent you to live with someone else.
She even came with me to meet some of the girls that I thought might be you. ” Nate sniffed.
Grace put a hand to her mouth. “I can’t believe she did that.”
How monstrous.
“How did you look for her?” Brennan asked.
“Mostly online. I’d reverse image search baby pictures of Creed, and my sister, hoping I’d get a hit.
We got a few, but they were never you, though we found one of my brother Barrett’s kids that way.
At one point Barrett hired a PI for me. We traced Rosalind all the way to Europe, and then she just… disappeared.” His look went wistful.
“Professor, you can sit down,” Grace said softly.
Oh. Obviously, they would have had to come to Greece if my father and Dr. K helped them. Where was the equipment? I explored the university thoroughly and found nothing odd and didn’t recall anything being off-limits. Maybe I should ask Mrs. K about it.
Nate sat down in a chair by the small table, moving the flowers and the omega lily so he could see it. “Did Verity visit? That looks like one of the flower pots she buys from her friend.”
“Yes, she came by last night,” Brennan said. “Rosalind got to Europe?”
“We’re not sure how. By then she was wanted. Even if she had a fake record made, she’d probably want to minimize contact with authorities. She might have been smuggled by boat,” he told us.
How did she know that they’d help her? Who got her there?
“You knew I was with her?” Grace asked.
He shook his head. “Not for certain. A woman fitting her description was seen with a baby at some points, though not at others. That’s why I wondered if she trafficked you.
She smuggled you to Europe, sold you, then took the money and disappeared.
But…” Nate frowned. “You weren’t raised abroad.
Somehow she came back here and raised you off the grid?
Or maybe there she got really good fake records made? None of it makes sense.”
No, not to him.
“We might never know what happened.” I gave Grace a squeeze.
Yes, I needed to talk to Mrs. K.
Nate sighed. “I know. And I’m sorry Rosalind was the one who raised you and hurt you. I… I haven’t told anyone other than the pack that I’ve found you. Is it okay if I tell my family?”
Grace thought for a moment. “I guess?”