Chapter 24 Veda
twenty-four
Veda
“Idon’t want to make decisions for you,” Anne starts with a grimace. “But there’s so much that needs to be done now. And the township won’t wait much longer.”
I shovel bacon into my mouth and nod.
I don’t particularly like anyone making decisions for me, but someone needs to take the wheel in the situation, and I’m too caught up in the Omega stuff to really understand what I should do next.
The things going through my mind are not about the town or the lack of Omegas everywhere. I’m thinking about Grandpa and if he knows about any of this. I’m wondering if all this means that my daughter is one, too.
When I entered the kitchen this morning, no one brought up the nightmare last night. The whole night felt like a dream. Major planted a cup of coffee in front of me, and his hard gaze showed me all the certainty I needed.
This man is going to bring my daughter back.
I’m not sure why I trust him so much, but I’m learning that Major is as hard as he is just. He has something about him. Something solid that makes me believe that as long as I’m under his care, I’ll be safe.
“I met with Jacinta last night after you went to bed, and we agreed the best thing is to hold a town meeting and tell them the news.”
I’m ripped away from my thoughts, and I stop eating. “Hold a town meeting? Isn’t that too much?”
“It’s the right thing to do,” she guarantees.
Right or not, it’s intimidating to say the least. My eyes find Major and Derrick.
They haven’t said anything throughout their mother's speech, and I need to know what they think.
Unfortunately, their lips are sealed, and I rest my back into the chair, feeling a little overwhelmed with the whole situation.
“They’ll inevitably ask to inform the unmated packs to come back and meet you, so I think it's best to hold a mating ceremony.”
“What?”
“Mom.” Derrick shakes his head, but his mom slices him a look that steals the words from his mouth.
“I really think this is the best way,” Anne continues. “You don't want to be overwhelmed when packs start coming out of the woodwork to introduce themselves. This way, they can all come at once and try to scent-match in a controlled environment.”
My head swims. “Can we walk through the scent-matching again?”
Anne waves my concern away. “You don't need to worry. It happens naturally, but Alphas are Alphas, and they will try showing off.”
“They want you to feel happy if a scent-match happens,” one of the dads explains. I don’t really know their names. “So you're gonna be spending time with them, they are going to try to woo you.”
I’m not sure if I like the idea of a bunch of strangers trying to woo me.
My gaze is back to Derrick, still craving for his input, but his face is closed off, jaw taut, and knuckles white as he holds on to the counter behind him.
He looks so deliciously masculine like this, my mind drifts off to the time by the stream.
I shouldn’t be thinking about it, but Derrick’s cock is imprinted under my eyelids.
This time, I don’t need them to tell me I’m perfuming.
I recognize my own fragrance in the air. Before, I didn’t think much of it. I wasn’t even connecting that it came from me, but now it’s so obvious, I feel stupid for never noticing.
Derrick’s eyes flick quickly to mine, and he finds me watching him. He smirks slowly, and I’m so embarrassed I yelp and look away.
Massaging my temple, I will tell myself to stop being embarrassed.
“Can everyone—” I clear my throat. “Smell me all the time?”
“No.” She shakes her head. “Just Alphas. Alphas have a sensitive nose. Omegas pick up on emotional reactions, so most of us understand the situation even if our nose is crap. If you ask me, that’s a far more important skill.”
I nod, a little relieved.
“Besides, no one can scent you as good as your scent-match pack, Veda,” Major says, and my stomach flips when I look at him. “You don’t need to worry.”
“And how can I tell that I have not—”
This is embarrassing beyond belief, but everyone here seems very certain that I have not scent-matched with the three cowboys. And why is that? If anyone asks me, I feel like we are checking every item on the list. Can scent me? Check. Makes me horny even when I shouldn’t? Check.
Anne shakes her head. “Scent-matching is powerful. It means your scent is literally intertwining with them and becoming one. It becomes unbearable to the Omega to be without her Alphas. That need kicks off a heat, and as soon as she’s knotted, everything changes.
They are now one. Your scent is still very yours. Right?”
Every Alpha in the vicinity nods, and Anne turns to me with pity in her eyes. “Sorry.”
“No, no. I mean, it doesn’t…”
I trail off and finish my breakfast quickly. Still averting my eyes, I jump to grab my things, ready to get out of town as soon as this meeting ends.
The town hall is the biggest building in the township.
It looks grand from the outside, with tall windows and stained glass.
But from the inside, it’s rather practical, only lined with a few long benches and a small stage at the front.
By the time we arrive, every single seat is taken, and suddenly, the simple structure looks oppressive when every eye turns to look at me.
My steps falter, and I step back, accidentally hitting a chest.
“Keep going. You’re okay.”
Major’s voice makes me shiver, but they carry enough strength to push me forward again.
I’m not happy that I’m going to be the center of everyone’s attention.
I’d much prefer to be at the sidelines giving everyone a cheerful wave when they mention “the new Omega.” Thankfully, Anne and Jacinta flank me the minute we step on stage, as the men make a formation a step behind.
“Thank you, everyone, for clearing your schedule and coming here today,” Jacinta starts. She seems like the most efficient of all of us, so I’m relieved when she takes the spot right and center behind the lectern.
“We built this township together, more than just the labor of the parents of our parents. We make the community better every day. I know Veda’s arrival stirred gossip yesterday, and I know some of you felt that you deserved more than what we gave you.
But this is a very sensitive situation that we have never dealt with before.
We needed time, and I hope you give us grace. ”
She takes a fortifying breath. I notice her knuckles go white over the wood of the lectern, but her voice is steady as she says, “As you all must have suspected, the boys met Veda at the ranch. And Veda is an Omega.”
Cheers erupt from every corner of the town hall. Boots thumping over the wooden floors shake the structure. I didn’t expect that. Everyone gets out of their seats, clapping, cheering, and hugging each other. My lips part in awe, and it finally hits me what they mean when they call me a miracle.
To them, I truly am.
It takes a few minutes for the celebration to die down, and even when it does, the energy in the room is different.
There’s so much love and hope, my heart hammers in excitement, which makes no sense.
I wasn’t excited before I got here, but maybe Anne is right. Maybe I can feel a room more than most.
“We don't have all the information now,” Jacinta continues once the cheers die down. “Veda never met her mother, but her mother is originally from Brazil. As many know, there have been some rumors that South America still has a good population of Omegas.”
The crowd nods, accepting her words though they don’t mean much now. As far as I know, Grandpa could be lying, and my mother is not even from South America.
“Our priority is to make contact with townships across the country and the world and obtain as much information as we can. Veda here might be just the start. There might be more lost Omegas everywhere.”
More cheers erupt.
I’m not sure if I like to be called lost exactly.
I was born in Dallas, literally two hours from here.
That doesn’t seem so lost to me. But I don’t say anything because their hopes resting on my shoulders is uncomfortable, but I might be able to endure if I’m just a symbol of their cause. It’s not really about me, right?
It’s about all the lost Omegas. I just happened to be the first one here.
“Besides that, I believe we all agree that the packs from this township have the right to come and meet Veda.” The words are barely out of her mouth, and everyone is losing their damn minds. On their feet, they hug yet again, and I even spot a woman crying.
Okay, so maybe this is a little about me.
“Okay, okay.” Jacinta quiets the crowd with a raise of her hands. “Veda needs time to adjust, and the packs need time coming back home. The mating celebration will take place in a month from now. No Alpha without a pack will compete.”
Compete? I turn around and look straight at Major.
I wasn’t told anyone was competing for me. That sounds insane. My mouth opens to start a protest, but Major shakes his head quickly, mouthing that it will be explained later.
I accept, but my frown is now in place. Grandpa’s voice blares inside my brain, reminding me that I’m really no prize. I flinch and look back at the front, letting Jacinta lay the rules.
Apparently, by the time she was ready to scent-match, there were not many Omegas, and it became tradition to hold a mating celebration much like this one and invite packs from the neighborhood townships.
As they lay out the details, I stand there, dissociating and pretending it isn’t me who is about to be married off to a pack of strangers.
The minute Jacinta stops talking, Major, Derrick, and Jesse come to my side, creating a protective bubble of tall, muscled cowboys. I relax for the first time since we arrived. I’m ready to return to the ranch and unwind until it’s time for this whole thing.
Major’s hand is hot in the small of my back as he guides me out of the building. It grounds me, and my anxiety flies away as we leave the small stage area.
“Where is Veda staying until the mating?” someone asks. I don’t see who, but we all stop in our tracks.
“Veda will be returning to Wilde Ranch,” Anne replies to a man at the side. He’s tall like every other Alpha, a black cowboy hat so far onto his head that I can barely see his eyes.
“How’s that fair?” He scoffs. “By the time she comes back, she might be mated.”
“Veda is not going to scent-match with us,” Major answers firmly. “I can guarantee you that.”
He drags me out of the town hall, and thankfully, no one sees the disappointment written all over my face.