Chapter 31

Chapter Thirty-One

CERENITY

Six months later

I'm sitting in group at The Omega's Haven next to my mother, holding her hand as we listen to people's stories. Every week, we come together, though she doesn't share. I think it helps her understand she did nothing wrong all of those years ago.

Olivia Quinn was the victim in all of this, and getting stronger every day.

The bonds my fathers forced on her broke the day my pack and I killed them. She says she woke up in her room filled with terror and worry about me. They were whispering about all the things they would do.

Bastards. May they never rest and the devil stabs anal probes up their asses in Hell.

Mama's brows furrow at something and I force myself to take a deep breath. She's very sensitive to the energy in a room, though she no longer hears voices. Aisling smiles as she ends the group with a positive affirmation, allowing the women who are staying here to go back to their rooms.

There's a house manager who plays games with the kids who stay in her care during the group session, ensuring the omegas can stay present.

Aisling and Wren have done an incredible job pulling together this safe place for omegas, with the non-shelter areas of the building serving as outreach for the community. The omegas who come to group, but aren't staying at the shelter say goodbye as they leave, and my mom squeezes my hand before she walks over to talk to someone.

Every day gets a little easier, though it was a fight to get Dr. Brunes to release Mama from care. There's something really fucked about that facility, and we had to get a judge to order her release.

Now, Mama lives in a cute little cottage behind our house, not wanting to live alone, but too skittish of alphas to live in the main house.

My lips twitch as I think about how sweet Tommy and Jasper are to my mama, especially when I know how good they are at disposing of people who are a danger to us. My mother doesn't know any of that, but agrees they are good to me.

"Every week looks like it gets easier," Wren says softly, startling me out of my thoughts.

Looking up, I see Wren and Aisling are in front of me, eyes sparkling because they surprised me.

"It is," I agree with a nod as I stand. "I love this group, and everything appears to be coming together well."

"It is, even though sometimes it means taking one for the team," Aisling grumbles. "Hollis is setting up dates for me through her dating service, so we can see how we can make it work for women at the shelter interested in dating safely."

The idea of any of these women finding a date at a bar makes me shudder. No thanks. There's few other options, though, and I'm glad Hollis is going to be able to help.

"It can't be that bad," I tease her.

"I have no desire to get packed up," Aisling says with a sigh. "I'll go on the dates, go through the process, and then report back. Hopefully to pastries and wine."

Grinning, I nod. "I can get behind that," I agree. Flynn has joined our gab sessions, and I adore him. He still doesn't enjoy people, deciding he would rather fuel The Omega's Haven weekly groups than attend them, so he sends food with Wren.

My phone buzzes, and I check it to find it's from Auggie.

Auggie: Hey, Sweetheart. Letting you know I'm here for whenever you're ready to leave.

I'm a passenger princess when it suits me, and he drives me to The Omega's Haven whenever I come down here. It's not in the best area, unfortunately, since it needs to be close to the bus system, but the building itself is beautiful.

Mama also feels safer when Augustine drives us. She adores him, despite his designation. Little by little, she's coming out of her shell, and told me earlier this week she wanted to start looking at jobs.

Not because she needs to work, but because it'll keep her busy.

"Augustine is here," I tell Wren with a smile. "He's out front."

"Good," Wren says. "He can keep Everest company while they wait."

While there is a private security company that monitors the cameras for The Omega's Haven, Aisling and Wren don't want men with weapons on the premises. There hasn't been an issue since they opened officially five months ago, and the security company has been working well for them.

"Everything has been going so well," Aisling muses as she looks around at the omegas who are mingling and chatting with each other. "Yet, every time I think that, a little voice tells me there's so much more we should be doing. Particularly, getting some mental health support for those who want it."

It's been hard to find a therapist that understands trauma, but we've found a good interim person who has been working with Mama on video sessions. Aisling is on the hunt to employ a therapist for the Haven, and I think also to help her. She hasn't been able to connect with anyone.

Also, after seeing how fucked up the system can become in the mental health program at Weeping Willow Institue, I think I'm leary of putting so much power in someone's hands.

I would love to see a therapist, but my trust is shredded after what I saw.

"You just need to take it one step at a time," I remind her. "The Omega's Haven is going to take time to build. It's only been seven or eight months since the charity event at my club, and now there's a safe place for omegas. This is incredible."

"I know," Aisling says with a nod. "I just remember what it was like when I was homeless, and we're just one location, you know? It's hard knowing it's going to take time. I'm talking with some people who heard about The Omega's Haven. They live in New York City, and want to do what we are there as well."

"One step at a time, this is all making a difference," Wren says gently.

Saying goodbye, we hug each other, and I catch Mama's eye.

"The time always seems to go by so quickly while we're here," she says with a small smile as she comes up to me.

"That's a good thing, Miss Quinn," Aisling says. "It was mentioned to me that Joanna wants to start a knitting circle. Some of the omegas said they'd love to join, but they don't know how to knit."

Mama taught me how to knit all of my blankets. Even though life was uncertain, knitting helped me with my anxiety and some of hers. Hiding a smile, I listen as Aisling talks Mama into teaching others how to do the same.

I fucking love these girls. They have a way of helping you even if you're not sure what you need.

As I walk out of the building to greet Augustine with a smile, I can feel another broken piece of my soul mending itself.

Rome wasn't made in a day, and neither will I be.

JASPER

Three years later

Tiny rubs her little baby bump with a small smile as we sit outside by the fire pit. It's November, and just a few weeks shy of Thanksgiving. She wanted us to have time to enjoy being a pack before having kids, and a part of me is happy that we did.

We're all really close now, and Tiny jokes about how we gang up on her during her heats. She won't eat or drink unless we refuse her knots. Bad cop, good cop works well for us. Gabriel sweet talks her while we withhold.

"Is she moving?" I ask, kissing her forehead as she leans into me.

Augustine watches her carefully before slowly taking a sip of his beer. He's been worried about her in her first pregnancy the way we all are. It's new, so we are all very attentive even though we're excited.

Cerenity is about seventeen weeks pregnant. We just found out yesterday that she's having a girl.

"She's super active today," Tiny says with a grin. "I can't wait until Amelia is doing full barrel rolls in there."

Augustine pales at the thought. The poor guy is in for a rough pregnancy. Tommy has been really relaxed on the outside, surprisingly. Dropping to his knees, he kisses her stomach.

"Be a good girl for your mama. Though, I have a feeling she won't listen to a word I say and she's going to be as stubborn as you are, Bluebell," Tommy teases her.

Rolling her eyes, she shrugs. "You knew what you were signing on for," she says. "Frying pan and all."

Snorting, Gabriel shakes his head. "They're never going to live that one down," he says.

"Cerenity is the sweetest," Miss Quinn says, surprising us. "If you needed a frying pan to the head, you probably deserved it."

She usually keeps to herself, but I'm glad she's come over to visit from her little house.

"You're absolutely right," I agree, hiding a smile. "The fire is nice this afternoon. Stay for s'mores?"

"I came over to let Cere know I have an interview tomorrow, but I'd love to stay for a bit," she says. "I also was a little worried you were all outside, but you can't tell it's cold with the fire."

Smirking, Tommy stands as he brings over a chair for her. She's been coming over more I noticed since we found out Cerenity was pregnant. I don't mind it one bit. We're loving the mothering and reminders of what our girl may need.

"Not at all," I tell her. "Just in case, we have blankets for snuggles."

Miss Quinn notices the blankets as she glances and grins. She's gorgeous when she smiles, and looks so much like Tiny.

"What's the job for, Mama?" Cerenity asks.

Her mom has worked a myriad of jobs over the last three years to figure out what she likes. When she was in university years ago, she took communication classes. Now, she's working in top administrative jobs to support others in that field.

Cerenity asked if she wanted to go back to school, but I think that may be a sore subject.

Miss Quinn may decide to one day. Her life has to be on her timeline without anyone pressuring her.

"There's a new company opening its doors in Minneapolis," Miss Quinn explains. "A large portion of what they do is philanthropic work, so I applied for an administrative assistant position."

"Have we checked this company out yet?" Tommy rumbles, brow raised.

Miss Quinn rolls her eyes, finally used to how protective we are. It took her a long time to get used to us, and while she doesn't jump as much at the shadows, she still insists she enjoys the view of the lake from her little house.

"Yes, you have. Well, Augustine did with Pack Mohan," she says. "They seem to be doing what they say, and the job is aligned with what I want to do."

"I think instead of s'mores, we need milkshakes for this," I tease her. "We celebrate big shit with fun drinks."

"I can't even say it's too cold for milkshakes," Miss Quinn says with a laugh. "Cere and I used to get them during snowstorms. We didn't care."

Tiny nods as she remembers. I'm glad she has some good memories with her mom.

"The guys have been perfecting their milkshake making," she adds. "I've been craving them at insane times of the night."

"I figured it was easier to learn than to hope something was open at three in the morning," Tommy confesses. "It doesn't mean I wouldn't get up for it, but what if she wants a brownie milkshake and no one is open that offers it?!"

His horrified expression makes me snicker, though he's not wrong.

"All it takes is one tear, and I'm personally done for," I say. "I cannot handle Tiny's tears. So we've all been learning different recipes for different cravings."

"Depending on the craving, we rotate who gets up," Gabriel explains.

Miss Quinn glows with happiness as she watches us banter and laugh.

"This is what a pack should look like," she says softly. "I'm so happy you found each other. Even if it took a frying pan or two."

Of course Tiny told her mama about some of how we met.

"It's not my fault," Cerenity squeals. "Mama came to girls' night and there was tequila."

Yep, that'll get all of her secrets.

Miss Quinn shrugs with a hidden smile. "I wanted to know how you all met," she says. "So who is on milkshake duty today?"

"For s'mores milkshakes? I am," I say, standing. "Don't gossip too much without me."

I never thought I'd be here, surrounded by my pack and new family, but I'm so glad I am.