Page 57 of The Safest Place She Knows

Tamara grinned.“She’s not wrong. Mom once went to school and hung a bully upsidedown on the swing set for stealing my lunch. He wasn’t injured, buthe pissed himself.”

Venka chuckled,seeing Lya’s stamp in Tamara’s features.

“Well, Mom. Youcould have greeted another grandchild, but you have blown it.Aunties, I will bring Lya to the shop tomorrow if you are stillwilling. If not, we will find somewhere else to get herclothing.”

Tamara smiled.“She likes leather and denim.”

The auntieswinced. “Bring her by as soon as you can, Venka. Just callfirst.”

Tamara lookedat the aunties. “My mom’s birthday is coming up soon. How muchwould a nice dress be?”

The auntieslooked at each other, and one shrugged, “Seven hundred if it isplain.”

Tamara bit herlip. “I think I have that much.”

Venka smiled.“Maybe get her some jewellery?”

“She saysjewellery is for the untalented and useless.”

Venka had tohold in laughter. Her mother loved her jewellery.

Olyna winced.“Perhaps some boots. She seems like she would like boots instead ofshoes.”

Tamara smiled.“I think you are right.”

Venka chuckled.“Now that the curse is over, I have the mate I have chosen, not theone that the curse has chosen for me. I think that she will be afascinating addition to the family. She might not be what you hadenvisioned for me, but I am delighted with her presence and my newden. Even seeing her asleep on her other alpha doesn’t cause pangs.She is more than an omega. She’s a life companion who will chargeforward with us. Not behind us.”

Tamara smiled.“Good thing. If she ends up behind you, she will just go over.”

Venka laughedand discussed sizes with her aunts and mother. Tamara confirmed theshoe size and the maximum heel that Lya would wear. The young alphahad so much of her mother that it was hilarious. There wasaggression, sarcasm, and matter-of-fact delivery of theinformation. Tamara was going to become a very fun alpha if shefollowed her mother’s attitude and Venka’s guidance.

She smiledsadly. She had hoped to provide her mother with a growngranddaughter, but Olyna wasn’t going for it.

Olyna pausedand looked at Venka. “Why are you sad, baby?”

“No longer yourbaby, but I had hoped that Tamara would be gaining a family. Itseems your unconditional welcome only applies to a very specifictype of omega. It is disappointing to see your preferences soblatantly. Where is my little sibling, by the way?”

“With herfather. He’s wearing her in a carrier.” Olyna frowned. “What do youmean?”

Tamara crossedher arms. “She means that if Mom were a little person, she wouldhave had a better chance of gaining your favour, and me byextension. Venka, don’t worry about me. I have never had cousins,aunts, or uncles. I don’t think they are required.”

Venka smiled.“Large families are fun.”

“Small familiescan be trusted. If they follow Madame Olyna’s lead, I think trustwill be in short supply. And I have friends. I make friends easilyin school and at events. Denel and Bennet will help me at the newschool. They are excited for Monday.”

Olyna blinked.“Why am I getting everything so wrong?”

Tamara sighedand looked at her, putting a hand on her shoulder. “The world ischanging. Status doesn’t matter as much as integrity. A compliantbeta has more social standing in many circles than a bitchy, brattyomega. Plus, alphas are becoming greedy. We want someone for us,not the pack, not the den, not the flock. We want someone forus.”

Olyna blinked.“And the betas fill that need.”

Venka nodded.“In your sons’ and grandsons’ eyes, a devoted beta is worth morethan a fantasy omega. Just ask Sabin. My tall, strong omega is moreto my taste than any smaller male or female. Oh, and she has thesight. Just thought I would throw that out there.” She smirked.

Olyna’s eyeswent wide as the aunts ushered her out of the house.

Tamara lookedat Venka, “What’s the sight?”

“Has yourmother ever acted on instinct with information she couldn’thave?”

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