After a while, she leaves to grab something from the storage room. “She is such a bright girl,” Camille mutters. “I wish she could have stayed in school.”
“How old is she?”
“Sixteen,” she replies. “She is orphaned, and the pack only pays for their education until they are sixteen, but she is really talented. Even I could see that much.”
“What’s her forte?” I want to know. Promising young pack members have always been something I looked out for. Due to Cato’s and my own nature, I don’t believe in strength alone. It’s very valuable for a pack to have good strategists, that much I definitely agree with Eric and Vander about.
“Math and IT,” she says. “This child was able to solve any math problem. She even helped all the other omegas with theirhomework and still does. Some of them only managed to finish school because of her.”
I furrow my brows while listening to her, deciding I need to look into Zoé’s abilities more. Walking back to my brother, I notice that Léna has joined us too. The two of them look at something on her phone, laughing. Occasionally, Vander looks up to watch her, always smiling when he does so. I am happy for him that his date ended up being successful, unlike my own. At least one of us brothers had some luck.
“Here are the documents you were asking for,” Eric’s secretary tells me, while she hands me everything she was able to find about Zoé. “You were right. Her marks were always very good, and her teachers always spoke highly of her.”
Unlike Vander and I, she didn’t go to a private school, which is why I never really crossed paths with her. While walking to Eric’s office, I skim through the folder, my eyes flying over every word and storing it in my memory.
Math was truly her forte. She was always far ahead of her peers, but also very athletic. The track team wanted her, but she declined, probably because of her conflicting schedule with her omega duties.
I decide to research more, sending a message to Vander.Can you and Léna do something for me? I need some help.
Sure, I’d love to! What do you need?
One of the omegas from the kitchen staff is a sixteen-year-old girl. Her name is Zoé Blanchet.
Is she in trouble?
Not at all. In fact, I think she might be promising. I’m thinking of supporting furthering her education, but I want to know a bit more about her.
Leave it to Léna and me!Before I can put my phone away, another message comes in.Tonight, it’s Christmas. I know we normally don’t celebrate, but how about today we do?
He is right; Dad never really celebrated with us, but I like the idea of maybe starting a new tradition with my brother.I can try some contacts and make a reservation in a restaurant. Are you up for it? Maybe Léna wants to come, too.
His answer comes two minutes later.Awesome idea. Léna would love to join us.
I nod contently while putting the folder and my phone away. In Eric’s office, I’m greeted by an unexpected person. “Lady Leila!”
“Hello, Arden.” Leila gets up from her chair in front of Eric’s office desk and approaches me to shake my hand. “We didn’t have much time to chat during the winter solstice. As usual, my visions came in the way of enjoying myself.”
“It must be difficult to handle the sudden visions,” I mutter. “But at the same time, your powers are so fascinating.”
“Eric said you would probably see me as a laboratory experiment,” she chuckles.
“Did he really say that?” I ask, feeling shocked. Do I treat people like that?
“Sorry, it was a joke,” she says. “I still have trouble with social cues.”
I feel relieved instantly and spontaneously decide to like her because, just like me, she has this little shortcoming. “It’s okay.” I smile. “Are you waiting for Eric?”
“No, I was waiting for you.” She rummages for something in her bag. “Eric told me to come to you. He said you are leading the research for the missing omegas.”
I blink at her words. I know Eric wants me to help out with this case, but actually leading the research? “Is this a joke, again?”
“No.” She looks up at me curiously. “That’s what he said.”
“She is right.” Eric’s voice pulls me out of my thoughts. He silently opens the door and comes into his office. “I want you to take the lead here. I think we might need your brain for this.”
My heart makes a careful jump. This is an amazing task, an amazing opportunity. I can do some valuable work for the Council, maybe I can help save those poor victims, and for once prove that I am worth something.
“Princess Aurelia, my cousin, is going to arrive tomorrow. She is the future alpha of Silverlake and researching on the same issue. I want you to work with her. If you need anyone else on your team, feel free to add whoever you want. I mean it, whoever you want and how many people you want. Just say the word, and I will hire them. Also, do what needs to be done. Costs don’t matter.” He looks at me. “So, what do you think?”