Page 60 of Bullied Forced Omega
Mostly, we’re silent, and the awkwardness levels are extremely high.
“Great pizza,” Miles grins, glancing at Jace and then me.
“Good choice of toppings,” Jeremy adds, clearly grasping at absolutely anything to talk about.
The absurdity of this tension makes me giggle, and I shake my head. I’m the hostess. I need to at least try to improve this situation.
“How are things going at the pack house, Jeremy? I haven’t been around there much lately with new training programs I’m doing at the lab,” I ask cheerfully.
Jeremy perks up.
“Oh, it’s going great. Better than it has in a long time, actually,” he nods, taking another bite of pizza.
“Better? Why, what’s happening?” Jace asks, confused by his father’s uplifting tone.
Jeremy looks at his son in confusion, then chuckles. He knots his brows as though the answer is obvious. “You are happening, Jace,” he laughs.
Miles raises his brows and pulls his mouth down at the corners; his expression silently shows surprise and intense curiosity for whatever is about to happen. I think my face looks identical.
Eagerly interested.
“Me?” Jace snorts, “How?”
Jeremy laughs again. “Son, you’re making big changes in the pack. Obviously, you’re aware of the fact that it would impact things on every level?”
“Yes, uh, I know that. I just…”
“I’m proud of you,” Jeremy says casually. His words were as calm as if he were commenting on the weather.
“Pr…”
Jace can’t even find his voice. He’s staring at his father in shock.
Jeremy looks up at Jace and then glances at my face and Miles. We’re all staring at him as though he’s just given away a state secret.
Jeremy’s eyes go wide, and he stumbles over his thoughts for a second.Does he realize this is the first time he’s ever said anything like that to his son?
Jeremy scoffs, “Um, I mean, look…” he sighs, scrunching his nose as a sign of his emotional discomfort. “Yes, I’m proud of you, Jace. I’m sorry I didn’t say it before. I’m a stubborn old man, you know. Have always been stubborn. That’s never going to change. But here’s the thing. You came back from Black Ops, and you got to work right away. You made changes in this pack that others wouldn’tdareto even try because of the old ways and how people can be so set in stone.
"Sure, I was shocked at first. It was unheard of for Omegas to become hunters. To let them train and all that. But in all my years, in all my life, I have never seen the pack functioning as smoothly as it is right now. Those women areproud. They are proud to be a bigger part of things, and now we have more hands to attend to the work. Things are running better than they ever have…and… I’m proud of the man you’ve become.”
For a moment, the dinner table is absolutely silent.
My heart is beating so hard I imagine everyone can hear it.
Jace’s face slowly breaks into a smile, and he lets out a breath of relief.
“Thanks, Dad. That means a lot to me,” he says. He speaks as though his heart is flooded with emotion, but he’s keeping himself in control. Managing them.
Jeremy smiles and nods once in acknowledgment. No emotional outburst, no over-the-top drama. Just two men who have somehow managed to ease away years of distance between them in the space of a few minutes and one conversation.
I grin, picking up another slice of pizza and trying to hide how happy I am because now I’m the one ready to let my emotions get the better of me.
Miles glances at me and winks.
“I’m glad to hear that the changes aren’t being met with as much animosity as I was expecting. I thought everyone would be pushing against them,” Jace remarks.
“No, they’re being received well, Lexus and I are very impressed and really…the results speak for themselves. But Jace, noteveryoneis happy about it. I don’t think I have to mention which elder is speaking against you, but along with him, there are a few pack members who are bitter. Just watch your back. Some people take longer to adjust to change than others.”
