Chapter Sixty-Eight
Grace
“Are you ready?” Wes stood in the doorway of my office, looking boyishly handsome, as he flashed me a smile with dimples.
“Yes. Let’s go.” I grabbed my bag. Riley had already gone upstairs to get a ride home with Spencer, Hiro had left, and Blaise hadn’t come in today.
Wes’s arm wrapped around my waist as we walked down the hall. “How was your day? Did anyone get in trouble?”
“Well, I let the interns do a project with ice cream since my new flavor arrived in the cafeteria. Maybe I’ll get in trouble.” I loved coming up with fun things for the Special Projects interns to do.
He chuckled. “Love that. I have yet to get scolded today.”
Margie rounded the corner and scowled when she saw Wes. “We didn’t do it.”
Wes sighed. “Margie, I’m literally here to get my mate.”
“Hummmf.” Rolling her eyes, she stalked past us.
“Hey.” Creed joined us as we walked to the elevators.
“Hey. The professor still hasn’t answered me.
It’s fine that he’s mad at me, but if Tru isn't coming this weekend, I need to know.” My belly turned.
It had been a week since my brothers had held Nate at gunpoint to get my whereabouts.
He could blame me all he wanted, but I’d like him to leave my siblings out of it.
Creed’s look softened as we went down to the lobby. “He’s not angry with you. I think he’s upset at himself for telling them where you were. They got your number from his phone, too.”
“He had to protect himself.” I leaned into Wes. Solomon probably would have shot him–or one of his students. It must have been a terrifying experience for them all.
“It’s all Mum, I’m sure. Having one less adult in the house is stressing her out.” Creed pinched the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger.
“Yep, I put her mate in danger. I’m now persona non grata." I sighed. Tru thought that she was still coming, and if she didn’t get to visit me, she’d be very disappointed. We’d made plans, including having tea at the Everydoll Boutique with Terrance’s kids.
Creed shook his head. “According to Verity, it’s still on.”
Given Verity was on escort duty, since Tru was too young to fly alone, hopefully she’d be the one to know.
“Also, they’re a little upset with me that I won’t quit my job and move home to help out,” he added with a heavy sigh.
And blamed me for that, I was sure. It would probably all fall to Verity.
“If I hear anything else, I’ll let you know,” he promised.
“Thanks.” We exited the elevator into the lobby.
Creed waved as he left to go catch the bus. Wes and I took the parking garage elevator down to his truck.
“I’ll be right there, so if anything goes sideways, we can just leave,” Wes assured as we drove to the restaurant.
“Thanks, Wes.” I squeezed his thigh. Mrs. K had come through with trying to find me a therapist. It would be online, but better than nothing. However, before he agreed to anything, he wanted to meet me in person first and took the ultra-bullet down from Canada to do so.
Understandable. He probably wanted to make sure I was trustworthy–and to see if it would even work. Just because he was a therapist who knew other worlds existed didn’t mean he’d be right for me.
“If Tru isn’t able to visit, we’ll figure it out,” Wes said. “Is Mercy still coming?”
“She is.” And was really excited about it. Mercy was hoping that the skate smash camp could eventually lead to the opportunity to try out for the Rockland Raiders discovery league. Apparently, the league's discovery programs helped promising skate smashers to prepare to go pro.
I glanced at my phone and all my unanswered texts to the professor. With a sigh, I texted Verity, who was busy with summer research and child-wrangling.
Me
Is Tru still coming?
Also, I hadn’t heard from the Authority. No news was good news, but I was curious about what happened to everyone. Hopefully, I wouldn’t have to testify.
It was still hard to believe that Rosalind hated me that much.
This was why I needed a therapist.
“Oh, Mrs. Beekman checked and our documentation for adding me to the pack has been formally accepted.” I glanced at a text she’d sent me earlier today.
Yesterday, I met with her at the Center after my post-heat checkup.
Apparently, everything looked good. I was still a gamma and would probably stay one.
Which was also fine. I had an appointment with a specialist coming up to take a closer look at my seizures.
It would be nice to know if they were temporary because of my world-traveling or if they were a permanent effect of everything that I’d endured.
My phone buzzed. But it wasn’t the professor or Verity.
Brennan
I keep thinking of how I had you for lunch today.
Ducking my head, my cheeks burned. Brennan had been stealing me most nights. Which I didn’t mind. Sometimes Jett or Evan–or both of them–joined in.
And today… today Brennan came to my work at lunch and fucked me on my desk in my office and then fed me onion rings.
Amazing.
Wes glanced over at me. “Evan?”
“Bren.” I smiled. I texted him back.
Me
I’d like to make that a regular lunch date.
We pulled into the restaurant. Spencer had arranged everything–a place with a small, private dining room where the two of us could talk but had glass windows so our alphas could see us.
“He’s already here,” the hostess said. “I’ll take you back.”
Wes and I followed. I saw him waiting anxiously at the table, on his phone. He was probably about the professor’s age, and had dark hair, a dadbod, and a pleasant face.
“There you are. Someone will be with you soon.” The hostess returned to her station.
As we approached the door, a man and a woman, both alphas, came over to us.
“You’re Grace?” The woman looked me up and down.
“Yes, I am. This is my mate, Wes.” Nerves shot through me.
“Milo means everything to us. You understand why we’re wary,” the man stated.
“I do, and I appreciate it so much,” I replied. “Let me talk to him, and if he decides no, I won’t bother you again.”
They stepped aside. I kissed Wes. “It will be fine.”
I went into the private dining room and took a small box out of my purse, using it to look for listening devices. Satisfied there were none, I put it back. “Sorry, my mate is in cybersecurity; can’t be too safe. I’m Grace.”
“Milo.” He smiled and looked over the menu. “Apparently we’re someplace trendy, and my teenager is jealous."
“Did they come with you to Rockland? Order them something to go. This is all my treat.” I looked to see what I wanted.
He shook his head. “The kids stayed with my other mates, they all have summer activities that keep them busy.”
“I understand. My pack has a teenager, too.” The server came in, and we ordered.
Milo and I made small talk about his trip down from Canada and my day at work.
Finally, the server brought our food and closed the door.
“I don’t work for the Authority. I’m not here to put you in danger.
As far as I know, there are no plans to make anyone return to their worlds of origin.
Omegas are protected by the Authority, and someone once told me there were very few reasons to send anyone back, but I also understand your wariness.
” I poked at my colorful salad with my fork.
“Well, they sent you back, didn’t they? I was told it wasn’t the same, but still…” Milo took a sip of his drink, looking a bit nervous.
“They did, but I was taken from this world as a baby and grew up on one without designations. You can see how that might be problematic. I dreamt of my soulmate but couldn’t get to him.
The only reason I was returned was because I was a witness in a smuggling ring.
Someone there realized that I was in the wrong world and returned me out of kindness so that I could be with my alpha. ” I ate a berry.
Milo nodded, swallowing his bite of sandwich. “It’s a lot to go to another world. One with no designations? It’s hard to imagine.”
“As hard as it is to imagine omegas being illegal. Not that we don’t have illegal designations here.” I frowned. Spencer and I would find people who could carry out Elaris’ work. He was already setting up meetings.
“We weren’t illegal in my world, we’re just commodities, property, with little choices or rights.
I was lucky. I was seventeen when I was smuggled here, so I’d faced nothing truly horrific.
Every day I think about those who didn’t get out.
How fortunate that I have a choice. I can have a job.
I can choose who I’m with. I can love.” He looked out the window at his mates.
“They know?” I took another bite.
“They didn’t at first. I told them after I got pregnant. They took it pretty well, all things considered.” He chuckled.
“Wes knew, we talked about it when we dreamt of each other. But not everyone in the pack did when I arrived.”
We continued talking. I really wanted to know more about his world, but that’s not what this meeting was for. My curiosity could wait. Instead, I told him more about me, since that was why we were here–so he could see if I was a trustworthy person.
“You have a family here? Nine siblings?” He finished his drink.
“I love them, but they’re a lot.” I showed him the photo of all ten of us from the mating party.
“That’s a lot of siblings. My pack has three children.” He showed me photos of his kids.
We talked more. Finally, Milo looked at his phone. “My mates are wondering if we’re about done.”
“That’s up to you. Do you have the information you need? You can ask me anything.” I used the pad on the table to pay our bill.
“Why don’t we try a few online sessions and see where it goes from there. I absolutely want to help you if I can.” He stood.
“Thank you, Milo, for taking a chance on me.” I grabbed my things.
“I’ll be in touch,” he promised as we walked to the door of our private dining room.
“Thanks again.” I looked at Wes, who was right there.
“Ready to go home? I know you ate, but Brennan’s cooking you dinner.” Wes grinned.
Awww. We got in his truck and drove off.
“How did it go? I talked to his alphas a bunch. They’re really nice,” Wes said.
“We’re going to give it a try. I really hope it works out.” I noticed I’d missed a call from the professor. Oh. I called him back.
“Grace, hi,” he said softly.
“Hi, Nate. Sorry, I was in a meeting.” Was this where he told me that Tru wasn’t coming? If he tried to keep Mercy from camp, Riley would riot.
“It’s okay. I apologize for not calling you sooner. It’s been a lot,” he admitted.
“I’m sorry someone did that to you because they were looking for me.” I stared out the window as we drove back to the house. Guilt ate at me.
“It’s not your fault. There's just a lot going on with it being summer, and the trials, and everything. And well, Adriana has officially lost her position with the university. Mine is okay, thank goodness. We were a little worried. Still, everything is hectic,” he explained.
“Okay, I… I’d understand if you didn’t want to talk to me–or if your alphas didn’t want your family to have contact with me.” I squeezed my eyes shut. I still had so many complex feelings about the professor.
“What, no. Grace, none of this is you. It’s mostly just me being overwhelmed and disorganized. Tru’s trip is absolutely happening. Between you and me, I’m a little afraid of what might happen if we cancel.” He chuckled.
Yes, she would find some way to just come here anyway.
“I’ll take good care of her. We have such fun things planned.” Relief that it was still on coated me. I knew how much it meant to Tru and didn’t want to disappoint her.
“They all had such fun at your party,” he added. “Though the boys seem convinced that Compass BioTek works with secret government agencies.”
“Would that surprise you if we did?” I shook my head.
“No. Hey, I have to go, but I just wanted to assure you that it’s still on. Good night, Grace,” he said.
“Thank you. And good night, Professor.” I ended the call.
Wes smiled. “Still on?”
“Yep.” I did a little dance in my seat. “Now, I wonder what Brennan is making for dinner?”