“How?”
“Surrogates.More to the point, if a female alpha has a beta or omega linked toher, there is a possibility of the alpha donating eggs to try andget her an heir.” Lya pouted. “My ice cream is melting.”
Tamara blinked.“Eat, Mom. You got way too skinny.”
Allor walked upto Tamara and extended his hand. “Phone.”
Allor andTamara sat at one end of the table, Venka typed at the other, andNoh came over to help her get the ice cream in.
When Lya gotbrain freeze, he leaned in and kissed her, stroking the roof of hermouth with his tongue. It warmed her up in many ways. She lickedher lips when he leaned back.
Noh smiled andasked, “Why did you change your name?”
“Because it waspretty. I didn’t deserve pretty after what happened. The name wasused to haul my mother to court and force me for medical checks. Itwas used to threaten me, berate me, and punish me.” She sighed.“Tonlya was my joke, ton reversed is not, and Lya was what everyonecalled me.”
“So, you werenot Lya and not Lemara.”
“Correct. Theyshouldn’t let teens make those choices, but I did, and now, I amLya until I get bored of this one. Then, it changes again.”
Tamara suddenlyhad a thought and left the room. Lya finished her ice cream whenTamara came back with a huge photo album.
“This is myfirst ten years.”
Lya looked ather and smiled. “Mom was so good about that.”
Tamara bit herlip. “When can we show you guys?”
Venka smiledand kept her focus. “Just a minute. Lya, what name do you want onthe contract?”
“My legal nameis still Lemara. I never had enough money to get it changed.” Sheshrugged. “I just don’t like it.”
Noh asked, “Didyou want to change it?”
“No point. Thisis the last document where my signature means anything.”
The alphasstared at her, and Allor looked up from the phone he was workingwith.
Tamara frowned.“What do you mean?”
“Once I signthat agreement, I am protected, but I am also no longer anindependent person. I am the omega of the den. By whatever namethey choose for it. I don’t mind, but there are practicalities forme to keep in mind. I can no longer sign any contract without atleast one of my den mates with signing authority with me. Creditcards, debit cards, identification, all have to reference theothers that I am attached to. Tamara, when the paperwork is signed,you are a child of the den. I am still your mom, but I am notlegally allowed to enrol you, withdraw you from school for a cheatday, or take you to a doctor’s appointment without one of them withus.”
Allor winced.“I was getting to that when she went to get the album.”
Tamaraswallowed. “And if Grandma was alive?”
“She would bemy guardian, and she would sign me over. The end result would bethe same.” Lya smiled. “It would always be the same, but I justwanted to make sure it was out in the open so that no one,including myself, would be butt hurt when these issues arise andbite me in the ass.”
Tamara pausedand said, “What does Ford do?”
“He gets analpha to sign with him.”
She smiled.“Then, suck it up, buttercup, and sign what’s in front of you whenit is.”
Lya walked overand hugged her. “There you are. I missed you.”
“I’m sorry Ihave been grouchy. It’s a lot. You aren’t my sister; you are mymom.”
“Yeah, I know.Makes all those times you yelled that I wasn’t your mom kind offunny in retrospect.”