Page 54 of The Safest Place She Knows

The delicatelittle omega smiled at Tamara. “Your sister has mentioned you havea child. I trust you will not be putting your bastard ahead of anychildren you bear for your pack.”

The smug lookon the woman’s face lasted until Lya swung her left hand andconnected with a crack.

Venka gasped,but she remained with Lya. “Mother. You deserve this. Tamara is nother sister; she is her daughter.”

Venka’s motherblotted at the blood at the corner of her mouth. “Well, that wassomething. Do you often strike guests?”

“I am not yourhost. Agreements have been made, but no contracts signed. With mylimb broken, my signature isn’t really legible. My daughter was notsought, but now that she is here, she is precious to me. I willnever hear you speak about her that way again. Are we clear?”

Venka’s motherlooked between Tamara and Lya. “How old are you?”

Tamarashrugged. “Going to be thirteen soon. Mom is going to betwenty-eight. You do the math.”

Lya looked atVenka’s mother. “Mind you, if she hadn’t been so strong andbeautiful and had been a little runt like you, things may have gonedifferently. I only stay with what warms my soul.”

Tamara blinkedback tears.

Venka clearedher throat. “Lya, this is my mother, Olyna.”

The womenbehind the omega were stunned.

“Pleased tomeet you, Olyna. I will take very good care of your daughter, and Iwill defend my own from that point onward.”

Olyna looked ather and swallowed. “I apologize for any disrespect to yourdaughter. It was only my intention to set a boundary.”

“How well didthat work out for you, Olyna?” Lya cocked her head.

“Yes, well. Ithas worked with most omegas my family has had join them.”

“That ends now.Sorry to break your streak.”

The womansmiled, her face swelling. “You are going to be an interestingaddition to the family.”

Venka laughed.“You have no idea.”

Olyna asked,“What did you do to your arm?”

“It was brokenwhen I was fighting off an alpha. What did you do to your face? Oh,right. You got rude.”

Lya swayed, andVenka put an arm around her. “Mother, she needs to rest. Theyrebroke her arm today, and she’s on a ton of painkillers.”

“Why the hellare we standing here?”

“Because youalways meet mates standing up.”

Venka bent andlifted Lya up, walking with her into the snake room where thechaise she had been on before was beckoning. Lya was settled on thechaise and smiled at Olyna.

“Isn’t thisroom amazing?”

Olyna lookedlike she was going to jump out of her skin but rallied. “Newdaughter, you are in terrible condition. Venka will take you to theaunties to get your wardrobe sorted, and you are welcome at mysalon to have your skin, hair, and hands seen to you.”

“Not feet? Ican catch rats with my toes.”

Olyna smiled.“A pedicure seems to be on the agenda.”

Venka stood byand said, “We are taking her to the doctor tomorrow. She needs anew x-ray for her arm to make sure that the fresh break is stilllined up.”

“So, that is acast?”

---