Page 40 of Abel's Omega
Patrice smiled and moved her bag from the chair next to her onto the floor. “Mac mentioned you’d likely be in. Well, Jason told Mac to mention it, I’m sure. Come sit by me.”
Grateful for this small sign of acceptance, I took my bag back from Elise and dropped it on the floor next to the chair. “Thank you. Are you related to Mac?”
“Cousins,” said one of the other women. “Me too, but on his mother’s side. Where are you from?” The questions were intrusive, but it was a friendly curiosity, so I did my best to answer them.
“I was born in Buffalo Gap, but I was mated in Jackson-Jellystone.” I sat in the chair and settled Noah on my lap. He was becoming increasingly frustrated and I cast a quick glance around the room to make sure it would be okay to just lift the hem of my T-shirt and let him suck. It seemed to be a trend, so I quickly tipped Noah into the crook of my arm and set him in place as nonchalantly as possible. Rules for regular shifters weren’t always the same as the ones for omegas. I kept my ear open for any rumbles of outrage.
“Does he get enough to eat?” one of the women asked.
“Yes,” I said, puzzled. “Why wouldn’t he?”
“Well, you don’t have much up top.” She motioned at her own well-developed chest and the baby happily nursing away.
I looked down in surprise. “I guess I never thought of it. He’s happy and growing, and he’s not hungry enough to have much interest in solid food yet. Except to use it for shampoo.” The women laughed and one more knot of tension in my shoulders smoothed out.
“So, are you here visiting, or is your mate doing business with Mercy Hills?”
“My mate passed away. I’m visiting.”
“Becca says you’re here long term.” This from a dark-haired woman at the other end of the room.
“I’m not sure how long I’m staying…”
“Oh, don’t worry. Once the alphas get a sight of you, they’ll be camping on Abel’s doorstep begging him to keep you.”
I avoided responding by looking down at Noah, pretending to adjust something while he nursed blissfully away.
Patrice came to my rescue. “I don’t think he’s all that interested in a mate right now. It hasn’t been that long, am I right, Bax?”
“Six months,” I said. “But you’re right, I do need to look for one. The life we’re living right now isn’t fit for the pups. I’m just not ready.” My voice trailed off on those last words and I hid behind my overlong hair while I fought the tears that thought caused.
Silence reigned for a few moments, then the dark-haired woman said, “They giving you shit, hon?”
“What do you think?” said a woman with mousy brown hair and stunning hazel eyes that reminded me of Abel’s. “Look at him. Of course they’re giving him shit. They’ve probably been trying to shove someone into his bed since before his mate was cold.”
It wasn’t quite that bad, but they’d hit the nail on the head.
The hazel-eyed woman came to crouch in front of me. “I’m Sharon. And if you need a place to hide, I’ve room.”
“Me, too,” said the dark-haired woman. “I’m Zelina.”
“And me.” Patrice patted my knee. “If you’re not happy there, you don’t need to worry.”
“There’s more,” Patrice said, and began to fill them in on my background despite my protests. “Nonsense,” she told me. “Mac asked me to watch out for you and make sure you were settling in, and I made him tell me the whole story. There’s not a single acceptable thing in what they’re planning to do to you, right ladies?” The other women nodded, and Patrice continued. “And for damn sure we aren’t going to let them take you or your babies if that’s their plan. We Mercy Hills shifters stick together.”
“But I’m not Mercy Hills—” I jumped in shock. Mac’s other cousin had just sprinkled me with what smelled like mint tea.
“Now you are. We’ve just adopted you.” She grinned and went back to her seat. “I’m Elspeth. Welcome to the family.”
I gazed around the room, baffled, but with a growing excitement. They seemed serious. I looked to Patrice to confirm what I thought I’d heard. She patted my knee again.
“Whatever you need. Some alphas practically demand a good kick in the balls.”
I settled back in my chair, overwhelmed by the sudden acceptance I’d found. I’d gone from friendless and alone to having what felt like a whole pack to side with me. “Thank you,” was all I could manage in my jumble of emotions, but I think they understood what I meant.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
I’d only been in Mercy Hills for a week, and I never wanted to leave. This was what a pack should be, everyone working together, and everyone working way harder than I’d seen in Buffalo Gap or even in Jackson-Jellystone.
