20. Chapter 20

Chapter twenty

Genesis

“ I can’t run this, Gen,” Everett said.

Genesis’s mouth fell open in surprise. She’d spent another month on her story, splitting it into a three-part series with one omega at the center of each and highlighting a different problem facing the omega community. She’d titled it “Disrespected and Unprotected: The Plight of Omegas in Modern Society.”

She’d started with Josephine and how familial greed, misogyny, and medical malpractice resulted in her death, connecting it to copious amounts of research detailing how such factors disproportionately resulted in higher mortality rates for omegas, as well as higher instances of chronic illness, among other health problems. Next, Evelyn’s story illuminated the alarming rates of violence against omegas, while Serenity’s wrapped up the series, tying it all together in her story of being a bartering chip for her fathers, never having proper medical care, and being sold into a trafficking ring. It was powerful stuff, and Genesis knew it.

She lifted her chin, ready to argue, when Everett held up a hand to stop her. “It’s too good for NewsFeed . As your editor, I would love to run it and reap the benefits. But as your friend, I can’t do it in good conscience. This is the kind of work that earns Pulitzers, Gen. You can’t waste it on a rag like ours.”

Everett reached out to connections at larger news outlets, who agreed wholeheartedly with his assessment of the story’s merits. After a bidding war, during which Orlando negotiated a sum with more zeroes than Genesis had ever earned, her series was published prominently via the largest independent news outlet in the country. This was followed by a surreal series of events over the next few months, including television appearances, a book deal, and nominations for awards Genesis had coveted for her entire career.

Pack Rossi was at her side the entire time, cheering her on and sharing her joy. The three-month mark came and went, and their courtship was still going strong. At the six-month mark, Genesis moved into a guest room in the main house, which she never slept in. By month nine, they decided it was time finally to move into the pack bedroom. After that, it wasn’t long before they made things official.

Genesis’s fathers were insistent that her old loft was hers to do with as she pleased. They were right that she could sell it for a substantial amount, considering its prime location and amenities. Secure omega housing was highly coveted and didn’t come cheap, and spots in her building didn’t open up often.

Orlando sold the place for well above market value to a business associate, who also happened to be Serenity Rhodes’ father-in-law. Genesis was delighted to learn that he’d purchased it for his youngest daughter, Lory. It would be the feisty young omega’s first time living on her own, which seemed quite fitting considering it’d served a similar purpose for Genesis. She hoped Lory found as much happiness as she had.

Not long after they’d mated, Genesis and Gabriel combined their creative energies to design a brand-new exhibit for Pack Rossi’s art gallery. It featured Gabriel’s collages accompanied by excerpts from Genesis’s story, as well as several pieces by omega artists from all over the world. There was so much interest in the exhibit that they actually had to sell tickets, earning a tidy profit that they planned to donate to Serenity Rhodes’ charity for trafficking survivors. Not only did the tickets sell out in record time, but quite a few collectors had already placed bids on the artwork, sight unseen.

When Pack Rossi arrived at the gallery, Genesis’s mouth dropped open. The gallery’s director had set up a red carpet at the entrance, and members of the press who hadn’t managed to get tickets stood behind velvet ropes like they were at a Hollywood awards show. Genesis watched through the limo’s dark windows as a number of high-profile guests walked the red carpet, posing for pictures and answering the reporters’ shouted inquiries.

“What the hell?” Genesis asked, turning her stunned face toward her alphas. “Did you know about all of this?”

Orlando’s enigmatic smile, Gabriel’s wide grin, and Luke’s smirk assured her they had.

“You earned it, Buttercup,” Luke drawled, leaning back against his seat with his legs wide in that casually dominant way that still set her on fire. “We didn’t really have a choice given how much buzz there was around opening night.”

Orlando, who sat beside her, took her hand in his, intertwining their fingers and bringing them to his mouth to kiss her knuckles. Genesis shivered, caught by his molten amber gaze. It was like this every day—Pack Rossi captivated her, excited her, drove her wild. She knew without a doubt that she’d waited so long to mate because she was meant to find them, her alphas, at the exact right time. Neither she nor they had been ready before.

“Enjoy this moment, Tesoro. You’ve earned it,” Orlando told her in his velvet voice. “We are so proud of you.”

Genesis’s heart stuttered. She turned to Gabriel, who was watching her with his sweet puppy dog eyes. He took her other hand.

“This is your night too, love,” she told him. “I can’t wait for the world to see your collages. It’s going to be incredible.”

“Well then, what are we waiting for, Carino?” Gabriel gave her the boyish smile that always melted her heart. “Let’s get this party started.”

Camera flashes and a barrage of voices greeted them as Gabriel helped Genesis from the limousine, followed closely by the rest of the pack. It was odd being on the receiving end of the media’s attention, but Genesis had gotten plenty of practice since publishing “Disrespected and Unprotected.” She smiled and posed with her packmates, answering questions about the exhibit, her story, and what they hoped to accomplish with their work.

Eventually, the gallery director appeared to usher them inside. Genesis barely had time to look around before they were led to the main space, positioned in front of Gabriel’s huge collages, and she was handed a microphone. Guests stood in loose clusters, waiting for Genesis’s remarks.

For a moment, she felt like she was outside of her body, taking everything in. She saw a beautiful omega, standing confidently before the centerpiece of the exhibit, surrounded by three distinguished alphas who couldn’t seem to look at anything but her. That woman was lit from the inside with happiness, filled with love and pride, and ready to change the world.

Behind her, the massive, intricate collages revealed the faces of the three omegas at the center of her story, but when you shifted your gaze, each face was made up of smaller tableaux: scenes of heartbreak and horror, fear and fire, suffering and strength. There was power in these stories, and in the stories of all the omega artists featured throughout the exhibit. There was power in the story of the omega holding the microphone, smiling out at the room full of people who’d come to hear it.

Genesis took a deep breath. Gabriel’s hand rested on the small of her back. Orlando and Luke stood behind them, solid and supportive. The pack bond thrummed with love and pride.

“Thank you all for being here this evening for the opening of an exhibit that is near and dear to Pack Rossi’s hearts,” Genesis began, as all other voices in the room fell silent. “As many of you know, two of the omegas featured in the series of articles that inspired this collection held personal connections to our pack. We honor Josephine Valentine and Evelyn Rossi, who will live on in our hearts and our work.”

Genesis paused, letting her gaze travel over the crowd. She nodded at Pack Valentine, who’d flown in from London just for the event, and who now watched her with pride and sadness in their eyes. Near them, her brother Greyson stood with his royal pack, beaming at her with unguarded adoration.

A frantic little wave caught her attention, and Genesis blew a kiss to Noah, who stood with his family near the door—a spot Avery had chosen in case Genesis’s adorable infant niece got fussy and they needed to make a quick exit. Everett and his new boyfriend were nearer to the room’s center, her editor grinning like a fool.

“We’re so grateful to Serenity Rhodes for her partnership—not only the amazing work she’s doing through her charity, but for sharing her story with me, and letting me share it with the world,” Genesis went on. “Thank you for giving voice to the voiceless, Serenity and thank you for your strength and vulnerability. When I met your best friend, Princess Destiny Duvalle, she told me you were a rockstar and she was right. You’re an absolute badass.”

The crowd laughed and clapped as Serenity smiled shyly from where she stood with her pack. Her four alphas clapped the loudest, gazing at her adoringly all the while. Destiny Duvalle whistled and hooted in a very unprincess-like way, and Greyson wrapped his arm around her waist.

Servers appeared with trays of champagne, weaving through the crowd to pass them out. Genesis saw Avery smack Xavier’s hand away as he pretended to reach for one. One of her mates laughed and ruffled the boy’s hair.

Genesis took Gabriel’s hand, smiling at him fondly. “My extremely talented and ridiculously handsome alpha created the art behind us, which I will get out of the way and let you enjoy momentarily. We hope that it makes you think and feel and encourages you to join us in fighting to change the way omegas are treated in our society. We hope that you’ll join us in creating something better, something new.”

The gallery director stepped forward and handed Pack Rossi glasses of champagne. Gabriel lifted his glass, and the rest of the guests mirrored the action. Genesis felt as light as the bubbles in her champagne flute.

“To a new beginning and a bright future,” Gabriel exclaimed.

The guests echoed his proclamation, and everyone toasted their neighbors. Gabriel pulled Genesis into a champagne-sweetened kiss, to a chorus of hoots and catcalls. When he pulled away, Genesis saw tears in his eyes. Luke and Orlando joined them, each alpha taking a kiss of their own.

“To our new beginning,” Orlando murmured.

Luke brushed a hand over her cheek. “To our bright future.”

“To our happily ever after,” Gabriel said.

Genesis smiled, feeling tears on her own cheeks. She knew that all the people she loved most were in that room, sharing her joy, and rooting her on. Her heart was so full she thought it might burst.

“Well, let’s get started,” she replied.

And so, Pack Rossi stepped into their new beginning, embracing their happily ever after.