Page 154 of Mercy & Her Devils

Millie’s room is at the end of the same corridor, which also leads to the room that I now share with all of my men.

It’s an epic quest to encourage her to sleep every night.

Do they give out medals for getting three year olds to sleep?

They should.

“You gave in and told her the story again,” Lark whispers.

“And you gave in and allowed her a second glass of milk.” I nudge him with my shoulder.

We both chuckle.

“Do you think we should try a reward system?” I suggest.

Lark arches his brow. “You mean bribe?”

“Isn’t that a classic parenting trick? Look, Thomas and I raised ourselves, so I’m no expert. But if we offered your daughter something like a dragon sticker every time that she goes to sleep and doesn’t get out of bed…”

Lark stops walking and turns to me. “She’s our daughter, and she doesn’t need rewards. She has us. She loves you, Mercy. Can’t you tell? She adopted you back in that cell. She only wants to spend time with you because… She lost us, and now, we’re back together. It’ll get better, and she’ll become more independent again. She’s brave.”

My eyes are bright with tears.

Our daughter.

“Our daughter is brave like her dad then,” I whisper.

Lark cups my cheek. “Like her entire pack. She has amazing role models. She couldn’t be luckier because this pack has adopted her. Unlike most little Omegas, she’s being offered the chance to grow up with a pack who’s letting her learn anything she wants. Act how she wants. And most importantly, be who she wants. I never had that. It’s what all of us would die for. Literally. She can dream now. Hope. The work that we’re doing with the resistance is revolutionary. Although change is never fast, maybe one day it’ll mean that our daughter can…”

“Become President?”

“Or an astronaut, chef, singer, CEO, soldier, or mom…but it’s her choice.”

My heart swells at the vision he’s painting.

I can see it now: The three dynamics choosing their roles, an Alpha stay-at-home dad with Betas in the spotlight because of their talent and Omegas in positions of power but only if they choose to be.

Already, Omegas have achieved more rights, alongside a switch in public opinion, in the last three years than in the last thirty.

The Omega Society and Omega resistance are transforming America.

“Come on.” I tug Lark toward our bedroom. “We’ve left the others at least half an hour longer than promised. And Kai swore to have a treat for us.”

Lark’s eyes sparkle. “What’s the bet that Toni’s in a needy mess?”

“High, but then, you’ll want to reward him, since he’s the one who set up your contact with Cygnus.”

Lark’s expression becomes serious, but I feel his burst of intense gratitude through the bond. “I’m going to show our pup why it’s worth his while to be good sometimes. It was overwhelming to finally be able to talk to my brother-in-law. For a long time, he was my only friend. He was also the only one who was kind to Millie and me. I’m happy to hear that he’s also deeply in love with his Blades pack and safe. They’re liberal, letting him work in the business side of this training academy for ice hockey players and figure skaters. They’ve even offered scholarships for Omegas.”

I stare at him. “They’re allowing Omega figure skaters?”

Lark glances at me. “See? We’re not the only rebels.”

To our surprise, we discover that the oak bedroom door is shut.

Lark furrows his brow. “Toni has no concept of decency or privacy. When Millie’s asleep, he strolls around naked whenever he can. Do you think…?”

A laugh bubbles out of me. “I think that this treat is going to be fun, and our guys are setting the scene. Do you want to go along with this?”

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