Chapter 28
Twenty-Eight
KAELEN
An eerie calm hung around Willow as she stared in the mirror, smoothing her hands over invisible wrinkles in her sweater. The oversized cream-colored cable knit drooped off her shoulders, showing off the expanse of the collarbone I wanted to lick.
I stood behind her, catching her gaze in the reflection. My hands rested on her hips, and I murmured praises to soothe the nervous energy that she tried to hide.
“Such a stunning omega.” She blushed prettily, and I grinned into a spot on the underside of her face. “You have nothing to worry about tonight. Patrick is picking up your parents, and your mom is excited to see you.”
When I invited her parents to dinner, William had been less than thrilled. As expected, he prattled on about how his wife was too sick to leave. Based on what Willow told me, Isabelle struggled with fatigue, but always moved mountains to show up for her daughter.
And when I leaked a story to the papers about the candidate for governor and his wife having a private dinner with their daughter and her new husband, he couldn’t refuse.
Unless he wanted bad press.
Her hair bounced as she nodded along, hands splaying over her legging-clad thighs. Quiet sighs made her chest heave. I reached over to the table, plucking the necklace I had gifted her weeks ago, and gently clasped it around her neck.
She fiddled with the glimmering sapphire.
“He will never hurt you again, mo chroí,” I said, my nostrils flaring.
“I know,” she said, covering my hand with hers. “You’ll keep me safe.”
The admission sent a tendril of heat coiling around my ribs and squeezing until it was hard to breathe. I spun her around, tipping her chin. Like the brave omega she was, she leaned in, brushing tentative lips along mine.
My hands fell to her arse, urging her closer. Her eyes crinkled, and the sweetest giggle grew between us.
“Ready?”
“Ready,” she echoed, stealing another kiss before slotting her hand in my much larger one.
The honeyed undertones in her wildflower scent intensified as we arrived in the dining room, and a raspy sound left my lips. She squeaked, hiding her face in my chest. I relished the quiet moment alone, dancing my fingers over her freckled skin.
A throat cleared nearby, and I palmed the back of Willow’s head.
Beaty, muddy eyes glared at me, and I wanted nothing more than to watch the life drain from William Sterling. The hair on my arms prickled, and based on Willow’s reaction, my scent soured.
“It’s okay, Alpha,” she whispered, dragging her nails through the wispy hairs on my nape.
Fuck. How did I get so lucky? I was a vile bastard and didn’t deserve the sweet thing in my arms, but I would cherish her until my dying breath. My purr grew, and I buried my face in her hair.
“Thank you, mo chroí.”
Looking up, I ignored William, my eyes landing on the thin, pale woman beside him. Isabelle Sterling flashed a tight, tired grimace. I tapped Willow on the hip. She turned, sprinting across the room, and gingerly hugged her mom.
Despite the gauntness around Isabelle’s cheeks and the sallow tinge to her skin, it was easy to see Willow inherited Isabelle’s beauty.
Both had dark hair and piercing blue eyes.
However, if I didn’t know Isabelle was an omega, I wouldn’t believe it.
Her scent was so muted it was almost impossible to pick the subtle hints of vanilla and peaches.
“My precious girl. You know, I’m sad I didn’t get to be at your wedding.”
“Sorry, Momma,” Willow said. “It was a bit of a whirlwind.”
Isabelle leveled a glare at me that made my stomach curdle with more fear than any man with a gun.
“Apologies. We have some pictures we can share with you.”
“I’d like that,” Isabelle said, threading Willow’s arm through hers.
Sweat glistened on William’s brow. He plopped down, ignoring his wife and daughter as he poured himself a glass of whisky. I pulled out Isabelle’s chair, carefully helping her sit.
“A gentleman. How surprising,” she said.
I shoved down my simmering anger. Any alpha that treated their omega poorly deserved to be tossed in the Charles, but there was a special place in Hell for William Sterling. A place I would personally escort him to when the time came.
“Yes, ma’am. Would you like a glass of wine?” I asked.
She answered me with a weak wave. “Water is fine, please.”
After filling her glass, I sat next to Willow, eyeing the half-full wineglass in her hand. A pretty blush appeared under her freckles, and I whispered in her ear.
“Not too much, little omega.”
Nodding, she took a sip, avoiding eye contact with her dad.
I didn’t care if Willow drank or how much, but I knew she would feel like shite in the morning if she had more than a glass or two.
Granted, with the terrible hangover she had after her escapades with straight vodka, I doubted she’d drink much ever again.
Dinner was a stilted affair, the thick tension hanging over our group. I helped Isabelle with her plate when William did nothing to assist her, and this time I couldn’t stop the anger that hissed through my teeth.
The fucker had the sense to freeze, fingers shaking around his glass.
Good.
“He seems like a nice boy,” Isabelle said, looking at her daughter, the words almost as frail as she was. “How did you two meet?”
Of course, William didn’t tell his wife that he had sold their only daughter like a piece of cattle. If not to me, then to the Italians. Willow bristled beside me, the color draining from her face. My hand covered her thigh, squeezing it under the table.
“At the animal shelter in Quincy,” I said, bringing our joined hands to my lips.
“What is it you do, Kaelen? Your home is… impressive,” Isabelle asked, pushing the food on her plate around.
Unfortunately for us, Willow’s mom was perceptive, and she didn’t believe an ounce of our bullshite. Someday, we’d tell her the truth, but not now. She was family and deserved to understand our relationship.
My alpha recognized Isabelle as blood, as someone to protect, and I’d do anything to ensure her safety.
“I own a string of successful pubs throughout Boston. I have been lucky to have a lucrative business,” I said, leaving the rest unsaid.
William snorted, and I swear I saw the moment blood turned to ice in his veins when I glared at him. Bold for a man who had a clock counting down his demise above his head.
As we worked through the roast and dessert, Willow relaxed, telling her mother about the rescue I’d gifted her. That seemed to win me bonus points with Isabelle Sterling. While she barely touched dinner, Isabelle ate a heaping portion of pudding.
Placing my napkin on my plate, I stood, pressing a kiss to the top of Willow’s head.
“The gardens are breathtaking this time of year. I’d love to show you the flowers. My ma planted them before she passed.” Sadness brimmed in Isabelle’s eyes. “Would you honor me with your presence, Mrs. Sterling?”
A half-hearted growl fell from William’s lips, but faded as quickly as it came. Willow stiffened, and her scent turned almost acrid with fear.
“I think I can only handle a short one,” Isabelle murmured, taking extra time to stand. “But that sounds lovely.”
“Wonderful,” I said, tilting my chin in the shadows. Aidan and Liam emerged, William blanching at their approach. “My brothers can join Willow and William and get to know him better.”
Once Willow understood I wasn’t leaving her alone with him, the tightness in her limbs faded. Aidan and Liam plopped less than elegantly into the empty seats on either side of Willow.
“Hi, sis,” Liam said, pecking her on the cheek and glaring at William.
I joined Isabelle. The faint scent of peaches and freshly baked bread shifted, lined with the barest touch of fear. My alpha reacted, trying to ease the omega who was now my mother-in-law.
As we stepped out onto the lawn, I wrapped her arm around mine. A light breeze rustled through the treetops, carrying the scent of honeysuckle with it. We strolled down the cobblestone path, my pace adjusting to match hers.
A subtle tremor twitched Isabelle’s fingers as she caressed the flower on a nearby hedge.
“You take care of her,” Isabelle said, patting my forearm.
“On my honor, ma’am,” I said, plucking the rose and tucking it into Isabelle’s hair.
We reached a secluded bench nestled beneath a willow tree. This had been my ma’s favorite place. On her last day, she sat out here for hours with my da. Ma always said willow trees represented resilience and rebirth. Told me they gave her hope.
My Willow was all those things. Strong. Tenacious. Unyielding. I watched her grow in the last few weeks, blooming into the fearless omega she had always been. My gaze landed on Isabelle, and it was easy to see where Willow had gotten her strength from.
Isabelle swayed but didn’t falter.
I gestured for her to sit, and she looked thankful for the opportunity to rest.
“Isabelle,” I began, my quiet voice laced with a serious undertone. Her eyes narrowed, a flicker of apprehension in their depths. “I’d like to help you.”
“I’m fine, Kaelen.”
“No, you’re not. You’re an omega, but your scent is barely visible, and Willow told me the doctors continue to downplay what’s happening with you.”
Her gaze dropped to her entwined fingers on her lap.
“Nothing to worry about. Getting old.”
The shaky break in her tone told me she didn’t even believe what she said.
“You’re not old,” I said, leaning forward. “Something or someone is making you sick, Isabelle. I can help you. I have a private physician who has agreed to investigate your results, but he needs a blood sample from you first.”
Every muscle in her body went rigid, and she refused to look at me.
“I-I can’t. William wouldn’t allow it. His campaign, and I…”
“Shhh,” I whispered, rubbing her arm. “You don’t have to go anywhere, and William will never know. I have a nurse here who can take it right now, and all he will know is that you and I went for a stroll in the gardens where you threatened me if I hurt your little girl.”
A hollow laugh made her cough, and she finally looked up at me.
“You really think you can help?”
Hope illuminated her tired words. I took her small, delicate hands in mine, surprised by how cold they were.
“I do. All I need is your permission, Isabelle.”
If this woman was anything like Willow, I expected her to fight me. But then I saw it, the moment clarity settled in her eyes, making the blue crystal clear. Her body slumped.
“I couldn’t protect her.”
My heart dropped into my stomach.
“He made it so you couldn’t.”
I didn’t know how, but I knew he had something to do with Isabelle’s condition. And I was going to find out. All I needed was her permission. She blinked away a stray tear, resolve glistening in her features.
“Okay.”
“Okay,” I echoed.
Without letting go of her hands, I fished my phone out of my pocket, sending a text. A minute later, a young beta girl appeared, crouching in the grass by Isabelle. The woman was exceedingly gentle, talking Isabelle through every step before sealing the blood sample and packing away her supplies.
“Doctor Sweeney will be in touch soon, Mr. Finnegan.”
“Thank you, dear,” I said, and the girl disappeared the way she came. “Ready?”
After escorting Isabelle back to the dining room, I was pleased to see Willow completely at ease with Aidan and Liam. And I was even happier to see a vein in William’s head about to throb out of his temple.
He jumped to his feet upon our arrival.
“Time to go home.”
I patted Isabelle’s hand, pecking her cheek before she and Willow said their goodbyes. Liam and Aidan offered to drive William and Isabelle home, and I chuckled at the green color rising on William’s face.
Once we were alone again, Willow stepped into my space.
“Alpha,” she whispered, the sound listless and needy.
A coil of hair wrapped around my finger as I tucked it behind her ear. She came to me, her alpha, and I’d take care of her. I slipped an arm under her knees, sweeping her up and against my torso.
“You did such a good job today. Do you want to curl in front of the fire and watch a movie or cuddle in your nest?”
“Nest?”
“Yes, Omega. My good girl. Let’s go to your nest. I need to reward you.”