Page 41 of Lost in the Fog

He glowed slightly and chuckled. “You have a lot of gowns.”

“Yes, well, they are needed for all the events I am constantly attending. There are two fundraisers in town per week. I have to keep the clothing fresh or folks get gossipy.”

“You look lovely in everything you wear. What do you do after you wear them?”

“I donate them to charities that supply dresses to ladies who can’t afford clothing for graduations and weddings.”

“That is thoughtful.”

“I talked to the organizers, and it apparently is a boost to some women who just want to fit in for one day. They want to feel pretty for one day. Since my beta body is a nice generic size, a lot of women have enjoyed the gowns.”

“There were more?”

“Oh, yeah.” She laughed. “The JN Foundation uses them for their galas so that their clients can feel part of society during their awards. Your company is a rather hefty donor, by the way. If you are in town, you are welcome to come with me. Do you dance?”

“Yes, ma’am, I do.”

“Excellent. I like it.” She looked at him. “Thanks for inviting Dad over. I am getting the feeling that this is going to act as a hand-off for him. He needs to start backing off and living for himself again.”

“A new wife?”

“A relationship, if nothing else. He needs to start living.”

“You are using that word a lot. Living.”

“If it hadn’t been for the equipment running through me, I would have been dead. My living was done without a body. That is how I met my friends.”

“So, since you stabilized, you threw yourself into activity?”

“Absolutely. Before the incident, I was my dad’s hostess. It was a role that was easy to fall into when I was able to get on my feet again. Familiar activities gave me a grounding for the new rhythm of my life. I started to get files from your office, and I got to work on them as well. Now, here I am.”

“Does your father know you are an Elite omega?”

“Nope. Do you want me to tell him tonight?”

“It might be nice for him to know that you are stronger now and he doesn’t need to worry.”

“I am more concerned that he will think it’s a body snatcher or something.”

“Ah. I see. Well, I will be here to assure him that it is you.”

She checked the time and then said, “Where are my clothes?”

“Why?”

“If I am going to change shape, I need bigger clothes or, at least, looser ones.”

Ornolf chuckled. “Please come with me.”

He took her by the hand and led her through the house, showing her the living room, the staircase, and the upper floor, including the library and study.

“How are the dark Elite finding houses like this?”

He laughed. “As the exotic alphas began to emerge, the locals began to scatter. My kind has been moving into the gap in the real estate market.”

“Ah. Got it. So, you haven’t been encouraging it?”

“Of course we have. Old manor and pack houses are few and far between. Of course, there are new builds as well. All around ten years old.”

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