Page 43 of The Safest Place She Knows

“Right.”

Oren put hisarm around her, and they headed toward the excited tweenchattering. Iris sent a message to Tonlya, but she got a reply.Lya is asleep right now. Her recovery has begun. That notewas definitely not from Tonlya.

Denel looked athis phone. “Tamara says that her mom is down for a nap. They had torebreak her arm in hospital.”

Iris winced.“Oh, damn. Wait. Mom?”

“That’s what itsays.”

Bennet lookedup from his phone. “She says they are working things out. But hermom was in Alphas versus Betas, the mechanic edition.”

Brexel nodded.“Yes, that has been discussed in the car. They kept trying to showme the videos that dropped today.” He grimaced. “As I drove.Apparently, your friend is a bit of a daredevil.”

Iris smiled.“It is probably just the editing, boss.”

He turned hisphone toward her with Tonlya mid-air in a jump over a chasm. “I donot believe this was editing. Poor Noh.”

Oren shook hishead. “Poor Allor. He is going to be watching over her.”

Brexel smiled.“You think so?”

Ymer cocked hishead slightly. “I believe that Noh and Tonlya have a lot in common,surprisingly.”

Iris asked,“What about Venka?”

Brexel nodded.“She gets to be a mentor to a young female alpha, which I believewas not a luxury she was offered as a child.”

“Well, I thinkshe’s going to get more than that. Tonlya is bi.”

Brexel smiled.“So, she’s a good fit for Noh’s group.”

Iris shrugged.“If Venka isn’t a jerk, then yes.”

Ymer said,“Venka is a lawyer, but she has a good heart. She grew up in afamily rife with alphas and worshipping their omegas, so caretakingwill not be lacking.”

“Good, becauseafter seeing Tonlya, I think that caretaking is essential.” Sheshuddered. “I have never seen her like that.”

Oren rubbed herback. “She’s in good hands.”

Brexel asked,“So, Ymer, we can have the boys’ birthday party here?”

Ymer nodded.“Of course. That was the point. The pool guy arrives this afternoonto do a check and get it filling.”

Denel gasped.“A pool party?”

Brexel nodded.“A pool party. We will start the day with paintball and work herefor the pool party.”

Iris smiled atthe boys’ excitement. “I will wait here and coordinate things.”

Oren’s handtightened on her waist. “Oh, no. You are coming with us.”

Bennet smiled.“Can Tamara come?”

“Of course.”Brexel smiled.

“Can her momcome?”

“If their packagrees. She’s pretty badly hurt, bud.” He ruffled his son’s hair.“Now, go and choose rooms. We will transfer your stuff in, andeverybody can sleep here... tonight?”

---