28. Bailey-Rose #2
Gareth rushed forward to catch his mother, and Lysse hurried over with a chair. Deanna sank onto the chair, and tears streamed down her cheeks. Reaching out, she took my hand and held it tightly like she was worried I would disappear.
“You, my dear girl, have a gift,” Deanna said once she’d composed herself.
She pulled me to stand in front of her, holding my hands and locking her gaze to mine.
“Promise me you will never stop painting. The world needs to see the world through your eyes, Bailey-Rose, and the only way that can happen is if you show it to us. Words cannot express my gratitude for seeing this memory brought to life. I will treasure it always and no matter what, it will be hung in a place where everyone can see it.”
Deanna and I clung to each other for a moment before she shooed me away. “Don’t let a weepy old woman steal the show. Today is about celebrating you and your Alphas, so go, enjoy yourself.”
I kissed Deanna on the cheek before heading over to the drinks table.
As I poured myself a glass of raspberry lemonade, I spotted my mother and Eli talking off to the side.
The stunned expression on his face had me concerned.
Heading over, I noticed Eli was looking at something, and when I got closer, I realized it was a photograph.
“Eli, what’s wrong?” I questioned, resting a hand on his forearm. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
Without saying a word, he handed me the photo of four smiling men.
Three were older, attractive, and gave off Alpha energy the way they cuddled around the man in the middle.
The fourth was slender, had a youthful-looking face, and wore thigh-high socks, short shorts, and a baggy sweater that fell off one shoulder.
While not all Omegas were easy to pick out, this man screamed Omega to the max.
He also struck me as someone I wanted to meet, and his unique sense of fashion reminded me a little of Zelly.
“I don’t understand. Should I know who these people are?” I asked, looking between Eli and my mother.
Eli rubbed his brow, something he typically did when he was upset or overwhelmed. “According to our mother… these men are my pack.”
“What?” I squeaked. “I don’t understand?”
“Join the club,” Eli muttered.
“Look, you can say that I’m a meddler all you like, but I knew it was wrong of the Scent Matchers to keep you from joining the program.
What does it matter if your father had the genetic mutation, you don’t.
So, I used my skills and influence a few years back to find out if you have a pack.
There was no news until a year ago when these men found their scent-bonded Omega, Fawn.
The pack developed around the Omega, and these men didn’t know each other before then,” Mother explained.
“This is your pack, the people you belong with. Stop hiding in your office now that you can’t hide behind your sister.
It’s time for you to get a life, my son. ”
“Mother,” Eli snapped, cutting her off. “How the hell do you expect me to make that happen? This pack has been living life together for a year. They’re bonded, for fuck’s sake.”
“Watch your tone,” Mother shot back. “I understand this is shocking, and you don’t take surprises well, but get over it.
Trust me, Eli, none of that matters because you were always meant to be part of this pack.
You witnessed firsthand how powerful the connection is between an Alpha and their scent-bonded Omega.
It will be no different for you when you meet Fawn. ”
I could fully appreciate the anger that comes with a surprise like this, especially when you’ve believed all your life it would never happen. Yet I couldn’t help but feel joy for my brother who deserved this and so much more.
“Eli, Mother is right. Just meet them. Give them the chance to know they’ve been missing a piece of the puzzle this whole time.
There is nothing more I could wish for in life than to see you as happy as I am.
All we’re asking is don’t slam the door on the idea just because it’s scary.
What’s the worst that could happen?” I challenged, offering him back the photograph.
Letting out a heavy sigh, Eli took the image and studied it. “All right, you guys win like always, but I can’t tackle this issue until I’ve found a new assistant. Too many things are falling through the cracks. I can’t risk failing at my job and a new relationship.”
“Taken care of,” Mother said, waving off Eli’s concerns. “Your new assistant is starting next week. This way, you have time to adjust to the idea of having a pack so when she starts, you’ll be able to switch focus.
“I’m sorry, Mother, are you saying you hired an executive assistant for me?” Eli demanded, his brows furrowed.
Mother shrugged. “Why not? I own the company. Why can’t I hire staff when there’s a need? Oh, and you can’t fire her. She’s relocating her entire life to Windermere on the company's dime. Her contract with us is for two years minimum.”
My jaw dropped. “Mother?”
“Oh, don’t you start. Now that I’ve got my youngest bonded and out of the house, it’s time I get my boys settled with families of their own,” Mother reasoned. “Speaking of which, darling, shouldn’t you be getting back to your party? These guests are here for you.”
Giving us both cheek kisses, Mother headed off back to the party, but I wanted to make sure Eli was going to be okay.
“Little B,” he whispered, lifting his gaze from the photograph. “I have a pack.”
Grinning, I threw my arms around him. “It’s going to be amazing, big bro. Trust me, I know a thing or two about dreams coming true.”
The End