Chapter Forty-Nine

Marcus

It seems like I missed an eventful outing. Baxter checks in with me, Riley, and Red after dinner to fill in the missing details.

As well as his final verdict.

"I think Thorn is right," he says. "This isn't the last we've seen of those vultures. It'll only be a matter of time before someone else rolls along—possibly someone even smarter, and more invasive."

Thorn folds his arms. "If information is going to be leaked, better it be on our terms."

Red gapes. "You want to send that photo out to the press? I thought you bought that bitch's camera to destroy it!"

"That was my first impulse," Baxter admits. "But things have changed. All the evidence suggests this problem isn't going away on its own."

Next to me, Riley leans forward. "Eve, are you okay with this?"

Good question, I think to myself. It's one thing for Thorn to approve this plan, but he's not the only person in that photo. Eve is equally prominent, as is our pup. My inner alpha grumbles at the thought.

Eve shifts on the couch, clearly uncomfortable, but determined. "I'm okay with anything if it means putting this all behind us."

The words elicit a pang of guilt, reminding me that this isn't just about the media circus for Eve. It's about what the media represents—the tribunal, Pack Carson, and everything she had to do to escape them.

"Alright then," I say softly. "I'm in."

Baxter nods. My approval isn't needed here—I know that—but I can tell from his almost-smile that he appreciates it.

Tomorrow morning, Pack Maddox will be famous.

Hopefully for the last time.

***

Riley, Red, and I make a joint vow to stay offline for the next few days. Thankfully I'm rostered for a couple days off work, which saves me from the sharp whispers and lingering stares of my coworkers.

If not for Lucille sitting at the dining table that following night, staring out at us incredulously, I probably wouldn't even know the photo had hit the press.

She thrusts her phone out. "Have you guys seen this?"

There it is. That sweet, candid shot of Thorn and Eve in an aisle at the local market. The headline reads— MADDOX OMEGA HEALTHY AND WELL !

Baxter clears his throat. "I insisted on the caption. Didn't want anyone to take it out of context."

I can't help the laugh that escapes me. Both Riley and Red snort audibly.

Lucille blinks. "Wait. You did this?"

Eve blushes. "It's complicated."

We try to resume eating, sharing looks and chuckles across the table. The tension I've been sensing these last couple days finally ebbs away, like a weight's been lifted off the entire pack.

Only Lucille is still perturbed. "Your pack is weird," she mutters into her mashed potatoes.

***

Things are going so well, I half expect—or at least hope—that I can put my family stuff behind me. But then I'll catch Eve staring wistfully at Lucille's bedroom door, or Riley staring wistfully at her phone like she's debating whether or not to call her parents. She always seems to decide against it.

Boundaries, I can practically hear her chanting to herself.

At least now I know for certain my family pack doesn't want me. So what ? I have an omega in my arms, letting me feed her straight from the mixing bowl. What more could an alpha want?

"Are you sure this okay?" she asks, licking her lips.

"There's no egg in it," I assure her, gathering another spoonful. "Just icing."

"I meant, is there still going to be enough for the cupcakes?"

"Oh, I doubled the recipe. Figured the pup could use some extra sugar."

"Hm." She hums. "Good call."

We both go quiet, me sitting in Eve's ‘kitchen nest', Eve sitting between my legs, the mixing bowl sitting between hers. Now there's a perfect snapshot.

"Sorry for the sudden request, by the way," she says shyly. "I don't know why—I mean, cupcakes of all things. I've only had them a couple times. My pup-brain is making me remember all sorts of weird things."

I nuzzle into her temple. "It's called a ‘craving', princess."

"If you say so."

God, she's cute. I wrap my arms around her tighter, loving the feel of her rounded stomach against my inner arms. Maybe, if I'm lucky, I'll be in just the right spot at just the right time to feel the pup's first kick.

"Alpha," Eve says, "I wanted to ask you something. And you don't have to answer."

I raise my eyebrows. "I'm intrigued."

"Do you—it's just, Red mentioned you might …" she takes a breath. "Have you been in touch with your parents?"

I freeze mid-spoonful. "Sorry, Red mentioned what?"

"He didn't mean to! I think it just slipped out. He told me to forget about it, so I thought maybe you'd bring it up in your own time, but all this stuff with Riley's parents just got me thinking."

"Take a breath, princess. I'm not upset."

She tilts her head up to me. "You're not?"

"Just surprised. I didn't think you knew about that."

She looks back down, fidgeting with the hem of her shirt. "So … there's something to know?"

No, I almost shut her down. Because there's not. Whatever there could have been to know, Belinda cut me off long before we could reach it. My mind reels, caught once again in that loop of frustration, resentment, and shame.

"Alpha," Eve says gently. "It's okay."

I blink hard, suddenly aware of the tears in my eyes. "I'm sorry."

She moves the bowl to the side and turns around, maneuvering around her stomach until she's facing me, straddling my lap. "Alpha," she says again, her eyes locked with mine, "it's okay."

I don't think truer words have ever been spoken—not when my omega, the love of my life, mother of my pup, is sitting on top of me, her hands on my shoulders, her heart bearing into mine.

"I love you," she murmurs, falling against me. "We all love you."

I nod into her neck. She smells of sweetness and salt and citrus and sugar. The smell of my soul mate.

Hers, the only acceptance I'll ever need.