EPILOGUE - Lyla
One year and one week later…
I only had three hours of sleep, but I couldn’t shut my eyes to sleep on the drive to Chicago if I tried. It would be my first time meeting Ozzi’s parents, and while my mates didn’t say so, I wanted it to go perfectly.
Though it probably wasn’t the smartest idea to have had a New Year’s Eve party with Mariska, Emberlee, and their packs, I needed to blow off some stress, and we had a blast. I kept wanting to go and go, and Emberlee joked that it was funny I had only two mates when I had the energy for twenty.
Oh the looks on Jason’s and Ozzi’s faces at even the thought of any other man touching me!
That’s when I decided, all right, the party was done, and went home to our cozy country house to let my Alphas prove to me that I didn’t need any other men in my life.
They did an excellently thorough job. Enough so that I had to use makeup to hide a bite mark on my neck for our fancy twelve course dinner.
“How are you feeling, astéri mou? My parents’ house is just a block from here.” Ozzi had driven all the way. It was definitely his way of working off stress by zooming around all the cars on the highway.
“Nervous. Over-dressed? Under-dressed? Should I keep my hair up?” I pulled down my visor to look at my classic French twist and brushed a few loose locks on the side back behind my ear.
“You’re beautiful no matter what you’re wearing, baby.
” Jason reached over my seat from the back and caressed the side of my neck near the scar from his claiming bite.
He’d been a total animal that night in front of the Christmas tree, but he’d gotten a lot better keeping his beast leashed now that he had me every day.
“Though you look best wearing nothing at all.”
I glanced back at him in the mirror and giggled as he winked. “I don’t think that would go over too well here.”
“It would definitely liven up the party.” Jason snickered and leaned forward as Ozzi shot him a glare. “Don’t worry so much. Lyla’s met your brother and sister already, and they adore her. Yaya loves everyone, but remember, I get to sit beside her. I want those secret shots of ouzo.”
“That’s because Yaya loves you best.” Ozzi couldn’t hide his smile, but it grew tight as we pulled into the circular drive and parked to one side.
I reached over and took Ozzi’s hand in mine. “It’s going to be fine. Whatever happens, we’ll get through it together.”
His dreamy dark eyes shimmered, reflecting the love I felt for him. “Together, forever and always.”
Ozzi leaned in and kissed me, making my toes curl.
I’d survived two heats with my Alphas, and even the times when I wasn’t drowning in Omega hormones, they could so easily arouse me.
Not just a kiss or even a touch, but a smile or breathing.
Yeah, watching my sexy Alphas just breathe at times was enough to make me want to jump their bones!
Jason hopped out of the car and came around to open my door for me.
I gave Ozzi’s hand one more squeeze and then let Jason help me out.
It was unseasonably warm this year, but there was still a chill in the breeze.
My dress fluttered around my legs. The color was ombre, going from royal blue at the top down to gold at the bottom.
It was one-shouldered with a flowing charmeuse pleated fabric, but the skirt was ankle length for some modesty.
It was one of my newest designs, the Ombre Collection, meant for holiday parties of all types, and was my most popular collection to date.
With the spike in business, I couldn’t handmake everything, but the dresses were all made at a factory in Green Bay.
I was determined to keep everything in state for the time being.
I couldn’t stand the thought of being away from my men.
“Sizzling.” Jason pulled me to him and kissed along my bare shoulder. He wore a blue sweater that made his eyes pop and black trousers which hugged his perfect ass.
Ozzi came around from the other side and offered me his arm.
He’d debated wearing a suit, but when we talked it over, he realized it was just to please his parents.
So instead, he wore a creamy latte colored button-up shirt and dark washed chinos that made his legs look long and strong.
I called it classy understated which suited him just fine.
My heart beat harder as we walked up to the front doors. A pair of simple evergreen wreaths adorned them. Ozzi didn’t get a chance to ring the bell before the doors opened and his younger brother Mauro greeted us.
Mauro was still in college and a Beta. He was also big into fashion as I was, and so we had hit it off immediately when I met him ten months ago. We hugged and he raved about my dress. A small elderly woman joined us in the foyer, and I drew in a small gasp. This could only be Ozzi’s grandmother.
Jason was the first to go over. “Yaya, you’re looking spectacular today!”
Yaya was wearing one of my handmade Christmas sweaters. One of the wackier partying reindeer ones. I wanted to squeal with delight, but I couldn’t tell if she was mocking me by doing so or not.
“You’re such a sweetheart, Jason.” Yaya hugged him back and kissed his cheek.
Then she not so gently pushed him out of the way and came toward me.
She didn’t smile. She gave me a slow up and down look and lifted her chin.
“Eínai mia Afrodíti. Paidiá, kalytera na tis féreste san na eínai i theá pou eínai.”
Oh God. What did she say? I tried to keep smiling.
Ozzi went over to hug her and kissed her cheek. “Fysiká, Yaya.”
He was grinning. That was good, right? I could barely breathe.
Yaya suddenly smiled, bright and warm, and opened her arms. “Come here, ómorfo korítsi. Let me hug you. Tell me my boys are worshipping you as you deserve.”
I wrapped the little woman up in a hug and she squeezed tight. “It’s so wonderful to meet you, Mrs. Vakalis. That sweater looks beautiful on you.”
“You will call me Yaya. You’re Ozias’ mate and now my granddaughter.” This made me beam. The guys said Yaya would be happy to meet me, but this was even better than I could have ever imagined. “This sweater is my favorite. So warm and soft, and it represents the real me.”
I burst out laughing, loving this woman all the more.
Yaya patted my hip. “You’re a little boney in parts. Ozias, are you feeding her enough? You need to take care of your mate properly. Feed her more moussaka.”
“I do, Yaya. I cook every day.” Ozzi didn’t look chastised, but glowed with a radiant smile that lit up his face.
“Except on days when we get butter burgers.” Jason chuckled. “Our girl can pack in burgers like none other!”
“Jason,” I blushed and bit back another laugh.
“Moussaka is what you need.” Yaya told me and patted my cheek. “I’m happy to finally meet you, Lyla. My son and his wife are stubborn fools. Please keep that in mind when you meet them.” With that, she turned and gestured to Ozzi’s brother. “Mauro, voíthisé me na gyríso sto salóni.”
Jason and Ozzi each took one of my hands and we followed his grandmother and brother through the house. It was the biggest place I’d ever been in. There were decals on the walls that had to be real gold.
Ozzi leaned in and whispered, “Yaya called you Aphrodite, and said we better be treating you like the goddess you are.”
Heat flushed my face and my chin lifted higher. Yup, I adored that woman. “I hope you told her you worship daily.”
We wound through a labyrinth of rooms to arrive at a lush burgundy salon accented with golds and silvers. Ozzi’s sister Angeliki rose and rushed over to greet us along with her fiance, Kostas. They were to be married this spring in Greece, and it would be my first trip overseas.
The two other people in the room were already standing.
Ozzi’s parents didn’t speak with him for months after he told them he would no longer do as they wished.
It tormented him, but after his siblings met me and we got along, it eased his hurt.
Angel insisted we be at her wedding in April, and this is why I guessed we were invited to New Year’s Day dinner.
They were trying to keep the drama in their own house rather than ruin Angel and Kostas’ big day.
Jason was the first to try to break the tension in the room. “Happy New Year’s, everyone. It’s so good to see you again.” He went over and offered his hand first to the eldest member of the family who wore a white button-up shirt that appeared crisper than the air outside. “Pappous, how are you?”
The man shook Jason’s hand and gave him a tight smile. “Good, good. Nice to see you, Jason. Looks like you’ve added some muscle this year.”
Jason flexed for him and grinned. “Been doing lots of work around the house. Added two new rooms and did the work myself.” Pappous nodded approvingly, and Jason moved on to Ozzi’s father. “Mr. Vakalis. Thank you for having us in your home.”
Geez. If Jason was like that with someone, then they really had to be uptight! I squeezed Ozzi’s hand and tried to send him a telepathic SOS. I couldn’t run, though. Ozzi needed this. Whether it be closure or making amends, one way or another, it would be decided today.
What worried me the most was that Ozzi’s mom wasn’t here. Did she decide she wanted nothing to do with me at the last minute?
“Jason. Good to see you.” Mr. Vakalis shook his hand. There was no real warmth between them, and all the father’s attention was on Ozzi and I.
That was our cue. Ozzi stepped forward with me. “Patera, Pappous, may I introduce my mate, Lyla Berg. Lyla, this is my grandfather, Georgios, and my father, Antonis.”
My stomach quivered as I smiled. “It’s so lovely to meet you.”
Georgios moved first and there was no handshake for me. He gently wrapped me in a hug. “No, ómorfo korítsi. It is lovely for me to finally meet you. You’ve made our Ozias so happy, and we can ask for no greater gift.”