50. Lily

Chapter 50

Lily

I 'm in my element, surrounded by buckets of flowers, reels of ribbon, and strings of twinkling fairy lights. The Summer Fair has snuck up on me, and now it is just hours away, and there's still so much to do.

"Sam, can you hang that garland a little higher?" I call out, gesturing to the floral arrangement draped across the entrance. "It needs to be the first thing people see when they walk up to the fair."

Sam nods, his firefighter's physique coming in handy at times like these. I appreciate the view as his tight tee rides up, revealing a strip of toned abs as he stretches up on his tiptoes to adjust the garland over the tunnel made from willow branches, which Jack created and is absolutely gorgeous. We are taking it back to the farmhouse after this to use at my shop.

"Eyes on the flowers, Lily," Jack teases as he passes by with an armful of centrepieces. I stick my tongue out at him playfully, feeling a rush of affection for my alphas.

The small park is slowly transforming into a magical woodland scene, befitting our ‘Midsummer Night's Dream' theme. Delicate fairy lights twinkle among lush greenery, while vibrant wildflowers add splashes of colour throughout the space. It's coming together beautifully, but my perfectionist nature won't let me relax just yet.

"Jack, how are those table settings coming along?" I ask, turning to where he's arranging small posies on each table.

"Almost done, princess," he replies with a grin. "Though I think I might be developing hay fever from all these flowers."

I laugh, shaking my head fondly. "You'll survive, I'm sure, and if not, I have tablets in my handbag."

"You're a queen!" he exclaims with a laugh, but I know he's joking. A gardener with hay fever is like an airline pilot with motion sickness. Not the best job match.

As I turn back to my work, I catch sight of Max talking to a distinguished-looking older man near the gazebo. My brow furrows in confusion. I don't recognise him, but Max seems deeply engrossed in their conversation.

Before I can dwell on it too much, Jack appears at my side. "Everything okay, princess?"

I nod, but my eyes are still on Max and the stranger. "Who's that man Max is talking to?"

Jack follows my gaze, his expression softening into a smile. "Ah, that's Clive. Max's stepdad."

My eyebrows shoot up in surprise. "Oh, okay." I relax a bit, but then I get nervous as they turn towards us and Max waves. I have yet to meet Max's family. Sam's I'm familiar with already, and Jack's… well, it's best to leave that subject alone after what he told me.

Taking a deep breath, I fix a smile on my face.

"Lily," Max says warmly when they reach me, wrapping an arm around my waist. "I'd like you to meet Clive, my stepdad."

Clive extends a hand, his grip firm and reassuring. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Lily. I've heard so much about you."

"All good things, I hope," I reply with a nervous laugh.

Clive's eyes twinkle with amusement. "Oh, more than good. I don't think I've ever heard Max speak so highly of anyone."

Max blushes slightly, and I feel a rush of warmth for my prime alpha. "Lily," he says, his tone turning serious, "Clive has some news about the Omega Trials."

My heart skips a beat, and I feel my body tense involuntarily. Max's arm tightens around me, a silent reassurance.

Clive nods, his expression grave but not worried. "It's quite the coincidence that Max came to me about this. I've been working on this case for months now, quietly gathering evidence. I have more than enough to shut down the Trials for good."

I feel like the ground has dropped out from beneath me. "What?" I whisper, hardly daring to believe it.

"They've been working outside the law for years, and now we have proof. The leaders have already been taken into custody."

Tears spring to my eyes as the implications of his words sink in. No more Trials. No more living in fear. No more omegas being sold and abused.

"I... I don't know what to say," I stammer, overwhelmed by emotion.

Max pulls me closer, pressing a kiss to my temple. "You don't have to say anything, Lily. It's over."

"Not quite, but damn close," Clive corrects him, being cautious. "But I can assure you, now that this has come to light, my entire team is working night and day to get this horrific group wiped off the face of the earth."

Staring into soulful dark eyes, I trust this man with my life. He is a good man, you can see it, and I have a surge of gratitude for this man I've just met. "Thank you," I say emotionally. "Thank you so much."

Clive smiles warmly. "There is no need to thank me. It was the right thing to do." He pauses, his expression turning serious again. "There is one more thing, though. Your testimony could be invaluable in ensuring these people never harm another omega again."

I feel a flicker of fear at the thought of facing my past so directly, but it's quickly overshadowed by determination and the need to keep omegas like Emily safe. "I'll do it," I say firmly. "Whatever it takes to stop them for good."

Max takes my hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. The look he gives me is filled with such love and pride that it nearly takes my breath away.

"You're incredible, you know that?" he murmurs.

I gulp back the anxiety and panic attack that is seconds away. "I'm just doing what's right."

Clive nods and clears his throat, a knowing smile on his face. "Well, I'll leave you two to it. There's a fair to prepare for, after all."

As he walks away, I turn to Max, still processing everything that's just happened. "I can't believe it's really over," I say softly.

Max pulls me into a tight embrace. "Believe it, love. You're safe now."

I lean into him, allowing myself a moment to simply bask in the safety and comfort of his arms. But there's still work to be done, and I can't afford to get distracted now. "I should tell Emily."

"After the fair. There is still work to do."

"Okay," I say, pulling back and wiping my eyes. "Back to work. These flowers won't arrange themselves."

Max chuckles, pressing a quick kiss to my lips before releasing me. "Yes, boss."

As the opening time for the fair approaches, I find myself running around making last-minute adjustments, ensuring everything is perfect.

"Lily," Sam calls out, amusement clear in his voice. "You need to relax. Everything looks amazing."

I pause in my frantic flower-fluffing to look around, and I have to admit, it does look pretty spectacular. The soft glow of the fairy lights creates a magical atmosphere, while the floral arrangements add bursts of colour and fragrance throughout the space.

"You're right," I concede with a small smile. "I just want everything to be perfect."

"It is perfect," Jack assures me, coming up to wrap an arm around my shoulders. "Just like you."

I squeeze him tightly, feeling some of the tension leave my body. "Thank you. All of you. I couldn't have done this without you."

"That's what a pack is for," Max says, joining us. "Now, are you ready to enjoy this fair you've worked so hard on?"

I nod, taking a deep breath. "Yes, I think I am."

As people start to arrive, I'm overwhelmed by the positive reactions. Everywhere I look, I see smiling faces and hear exclamations of delight. It's more than I could have hoped for, and the fair is soon in full swing with a whirlwind of activity and joy. Children run around with fairy wings and flower crowns, their laughter mixing with the soft strains of music playing in the background. At one corner, there's a face-painting station where a line of excited kids wait their turn to be transformed into magical creatures, a bouncy castle at the other side of the small park and food stalls aplenty.

I spot Mrs Higgins at the bake sale table, proudly displaying her famous apple pies. She catches my eye and gives me a warm smile and a thumbs-up. It fills me with a sense of belonging, of being part of this community in a way I never thought possible.

Jack and Sam are handling the ring toss game, their competitive banter drawing a crowd. I laugh as I watch Sam dramatically accuse Jack of cheating, much to the amusement of the onlookers.

Max and I are by the bookstall, deep in conversation with some of the locals. His eyes are alight with excitement, and I make a mental note to ask him about it later. Seeing him talk about writing and stories makes my heart swell with pride.

I'm just about to head over to the drinks stand when I spot an elegant woman making her way towards us. There's something familiar about her, though I'm sure I've never met her before.

"Max, darling!" she calls out. I freeze as Max turns, a genuine smile spreading across his face.

"Mum! I'm so glad you could make it. Hopefully without a folder?"

"No folder!" She laughs and pulls him into a warm embrace before turning her shrewd attention to me. "Lily," she says, her voice warm and welcoming. "I'm Cherie. It's so wonderful to finally meet you."

I'm taken aback by her friendliness, given Max's previous comments about his mother's reservations. "It's lovely to meet you too, Cherie."

"I am so happy that Max and the boys finally found an omega to settle down with! I've been pestering him, I know, but I knew the perfect omega was out there, and I didn't want him to miss the opportunity."

"Miss the opportunity?" I murmur.

She gives me that smile again and glances at Max before she pulls me into a hug. As she does, I'm hit by a familiar scent. Cherries.

My eyes widen, and my mouth drops open.

Cherie pulls back, giving me a mischievous wink.

And just like that, I know everything I need to know.