Page 85 of Your Wild Omega

I chuckle and lock my arm through Zack’s. “I bet you’re right.”

The house towers over us, three stories high in the front, with textured stone bordered by white arches and inset pillars, a dark slate tiled roof and matching dark window frames. Although the building itself exists in squares, the windows feature rounded tops and some of the roof pitches triangulate to let sunlight into the back of the house. Fixtures shaped like lanterns hang on the walls below more modern down lights, and red-leafed trees trimmed into balls line the paved area out front.

It’s quite beautiful, combining modern with an elegant and timeless style. I thought the front was glass windows, but they swing open as we step up onto the raised platform bordered by running water. A tiny tinkling moat, I realize belatedly, making me grin.

“Welcome, welcome!” The slender lady with braided hair falling over one shoulder glides out onto the porch. “I can’t even say how excited I am to meet you, Red.” She beams at me and opens her arms. “May I?”

I nod mutely and let her embrace me, and I get a strange urge to cry as she hugs me close, her omega scent diluted by a soft coconut fragrance. It’s a genuine motherly hug, the kind I’ve never had.

She lets out a deep breath before holding me at arm’s length. “Let me get a good look at you.” Lexi scans me, and tears glint in her eyes as she says, “You are so very beautiful, songbird.” A faint trace of a British accent lilts her words.

“Thank you,” I manage. “But I don’t sing at all.”

She laughs and Rickon worms his way between us to kiss her cheek, accidentally knocking her cute beret loose. “Hi, Aunt Lexi.”

The woman hugs him tight before kissing both of his cheeks. “Hello, darling boy. How do you manage to get more handsome every time I see you?”

“It’s the omega effect,” he declares proudly, stepping back without releasing her hand. “Meet the love of my life, Red Jones. And this is Zackary Jones. But I don’t think he’s the hugging sort.”

“My goodness. The Jones family! I’m so happy for you, love.” She reaches both hands out to Zack. “Would you like a hug too, Zackary?”

The alpha eyes her up and down before swiveling to face me, confusion in his eyes. I wrap my arms around him. “Hug. Like this. Yes or no? It’s your choice.”

“I won’t be offended,” Lexi promises, leaving her arms open.

Zack slowly spreads his hands, mirroring her. “Hug.”

Lexi’s eyes crinkle as her smile deepens. I can see Callisto in her face, the hooded eyes and square hairline. Her locks contain a tinge of red, which I think is dyed, and her irises are much lighter brown than his, but she must have been an exquisite omega in her youth, because the traces are all still there. When she turns, sunlight sparkles on a dash of gold eyeshadow alongher upper lids. Maybe she’s the original inspiration for Rickon’s love for color.

Zack bends down stiffly to accept her hug, acting like she might break if he closes his grip. The sight makes my heart flutter, even more so as a soft murmur of wonder flows through our bond. She’s probably the first non-pack person who’s ever been affectionate with him.

Lexi steps back and dabs a finger under her eyes, mopping up traces of tears. “When Rickon said he’d met his omega, I just got so warm inside. And here you are, with another alpha to boot.” She inhales, hands clutched to her chest, looking happy and serene like a church saint statue.

I never knew my mother, but I could settle for someone as welcoming and vibrant as this woman. I exchange a glance with Rickon, smiling.

“Oh.” Lexi gasps softly, the moment of wonder fragmenting. “Where are my manners, keeping you on the front step?” She twirls and moves inside. “Come in, come in. Meet Simon.” She points to a tall alpha just inside the doorway with honey-brown hair. “And Lector.”

I gathered the two guys are brothers from Rickon’s chats, though he never mentioned that Lector was a beta. I shake both their hands, and Rickon introduces Agent Pierce.

Lexi offers me her hand. “May I escort you?”

“Sure.”

She leads me deeper into the house, and I feel like a grand lady with my hand clasped in hers. “I’m unsure what you like to eat, so I ordered a bit of a spread. I hope it’s not too much.” She glances over her shoulder and chuckles. “Luckily we have a few men with alpha appetites here, plus one more coming.”

Lexi opens a double door, letting out a cloud of delicious food scents. I hesitate in the doorway, but she tugs me forward.

“Is this a movie set?” I murmur, turning full circle to take in the room.

A glimmering chandelier hangs over a long table set with layers of plates. The table, chairs, and side bench all match in cream wood and the chairs are covered in the kind of embroidered fabric I’d expect royalty to wear. A row of rectangular flower boxes lines up along the table center, interspersed with tall silver candles that have clearly never been lit before.

And the food.

To borrow one of Rickon’s phrases: bloody oath. The sideboard which runs the whole length of the room bursts with food dishes, the vibrant colors and stacked arrangements contrasting with gold foil artwork on the wall behind. Lobster on ice, boards of sliced meat with a dozen types of cheese, and one of those sets of trays with flames burning underneath to keep everything hot.

And the cherry on top is a lady in a uniform setting out tongs and fancy serving spoons, looking like she’s ready to cater to our every whim.

“Aunt Lexi, you didn’t need to,” Rickon chides gently.

---