Page 39 of Freeing My Alpha

But as I look around, I have visual proof our top Alpha is right; all I see are relieved, unified smiles as we care for one another. Witnessing this community’s healing in action steals my breath.

Is this cafeteria for everyone who lives at the Community Center only? I mindlink Lilian, afraid to break the beautiful vision in front of me.

No, it’s for the entire pack. Every night, we offer free dinners for wolves who can’t afford it. No questions asked.

That’s so wonderful, Luna. And you cook, yourself?

We trade off with any volunteers available. Sometimes we’ll make enough to last a few days. She glides through the kitchen doors, and I follow on her heels. “But towards the end of the month, bills are due in the human world. That’s always when we need more hands.”

I gladly take the apron Lilian hands me. We gather ingredients for five massive pots of stew, lining up an array of meat and vegetables on the steel countertops.

My stomach churns as I dice a large onion, still mulling over my interaction with our refugees. But with one glance at Lilian, my heart aches for her too. I thought I saw some knowing in her eyes as she spoke to the Rogues, but it didn’t sink in as to why until now; she knows firsthand how badly it hurts to have her soul ripped apart from her mate.

But she survived too, and now she helps others through similar pain—just like her son.

“I so admire you, Luna,” I mutter.

Lilian’s rhythmic carrot skinning slows. But as she picks up the pace again, her shoulders soften just enough to warm my heart. I figure she won’t have anything to say in response, but as her soft voice wavers, I stop chopping to listen to her every breath.

“Thank you for comforting that Omega,” she says.

My heart leaps. I clear my throat from threatened tears, unsure if it’s the onion or my wobbling emotions. “Oh, no need to thank me. I’m so relieved I could make a difference for her somehow.”

Lilian hums. “I can relate.”

I adjust my shaky grip on the knife, recalling what Lilian told me when we first met. “I know you’re passionate about supporting those who have lost a mate. And I’m not sure how you feel about this, and maybe it’s not the same because my ex wasn’t my mate, but I never expected to grieve my relationship with him as much as I did. It didn’t matter that he hurt me severely; it was still a huge loss in my life. All those expectations, hopes, and trust in life disappeared along with his abuse, and it didn’t hit me how much I lost until he was truly gone from my life.” My heart hammers wildly as Lilian pauses to glance at me. “I guess I just mean that I could really relate to the Rogues too, in a way. Since I know you can, in your own way.”

After a few silent seconds, Lilian returns her focus to her carrots. She slices them faster than I can comprehend, but her tone remains even. “You’re spot on in describing that grieving process. Those Rogues still experienced a loss, even if that loss was in their best interest.”

The subject is heavy, but my heart inflates with hope; I feel heard.

I hope she does too.

Lilian gives me a passing smile, stowing the vegetables we’ve sliced before sliding the next cutting board to me.

As we get to work slicing raw beef into large chunks, I try not to stare too long at Lilian as she bursts into action. Her fingers move quickly but gracefully, every minor movement even-tempered and purposeful. But I know she’s watching me in her peripherals too, even before she breaks the silence.

“From Omega to Omega, I thought I should warn you that your Alpha is slipping into a bad, bad rut.”

I have to stop slicing, too distracted by the sharp sting in my chest to think about anything else. “W-what?! How do you know?”

“Agitation. Intense desire. Nearing a fourth full moon without impregnating his mate.” She glances at my flat belly, and I flush to my neck. “I'm surprised he hasn't busted in here yet. He has more self-control than I gave him credit for.”

Before I can stop it, my underlying anger simmers into a boil, ruining the sense of safety we established moments prior. “Wait. You think I owe him sex? That it’s my job to calm his sexual urges?”

“No,” she snaps back. “But I think you want to carry his pups. Especially now that you didn't question that major portion of the issue.”

I swallow hard.

I never thought I’d be talking about my sex life with Lilian. She’s basically my mother-in-law.

Lilian pretends not to notice my scent’s stinking embarrassment, slicing the last beef chunks for me before tossing them into each massive pot on the stovetop. I follow her to the sink to wash my hands, hoping she said everything she wanted, but she clears her throat.

“Listen, I— I didn’t have my mom around to talk about these things with either.”

My heart sinks, threatening tears.

Lilian tosses the towel she used to dry her hands, not daring to meet my eyes as she whisks by. “So if you don’t want to look at me as you say it, fine. If you just want me to voice it for you, that’s okay too. Goddess knows I’m used to mothering shy, soft hearts. I won’t judge you for it.”

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