Page 116 of Knot a Thief

“We all love Ava.” I glance at my daughter. I don’t want to make it all about her, but I have to. “And I want what’s best for Lily, and that’s her mommy.”

“Mommy,” Lily says, and there’s hope in her eyes again.

“She’ll be back soon.” Seb nods slowly, his eyes flickering between me and Lily. “She surprised me. I never thought she wanted kids. But—” He stares at Lily again. “She changed her.”

My heart blooms, hearing that is more than I ever hoped for.

Seb kneels down to Lily’s level. “Would you like an ice-cream?”

“Yes, please.”

He smiles and holds out his hand. “Come below deck,” he offers. “I’ll make some coffee, and get Lily an ice-cream and we can talk.”

I take a seat next to Lily in the salon.

Seb pauses, seeming to gather his courage. “Is there ..." He swallows. "Is there a place within your pack for a beta?”

There’s vulnerability in Seb’s eyes as the question hangs in the air. I get it. It’s the fear of rejection going to war with optimism.

“Seb,” I start, my voice kinder than I expected, “there’s a place for everyone who wants what’s best for the pack. And I think you want that.”

He nods emphatically. “I do. I really do.”

“Then yes, there’s absolutely a place for you,” I assure him. “Your love for Ava is real. And I can already see how much you’ll care for Lily and that means our future children. You have a lot of strengths that will make our pack strong.”

Seb’s shoulders relax slightly, relief clear in his expression. “But how would it work? Practically speaking?”

I smile, appreciating his pragmatism. “We’ll figure it out together. We need to involve Ava in that conversation. And I accept it won’t always be easy, but if we’re all committed to making it work, and being honest, I believe we can create a beautiful and unique pack.”

“And Ava?” Seb asks, his voice barely above a whisper. “She’d be okay with this?”

“I think,” I say carefully, “that Ava loves all of us in different ways. And I believe she’d be happiest if she didn’t have to choose.”

Seb nods slowly, processing this. “Okay,” he says finally. “Okay. I’m willing to give it a try if you are. What about Max?”

“He wants Ava and his child. He knows Ava is a stubborn omega. Believe it or not, he also loves that about her.” I extend my hand to him, and after a moment’s hesitation, he takes it. “Should I make a call to Max? I have a feeling he followed Ava to the US.”

Seb smiles. “If you could. It would settle my nerves.”

As if on cue, Lily tugs at both our hands. “Am I still getting an ice-cream?” she asks, her eyes wide with hope.

Seb and I exchange a look, both of us laugh, realizing how long she’d waited.

“Of course, come with me,” Seb says, taking her hand and leading her away while I make a call.

There’s no answer from Max, so I leave a message.

I eavesdrop on the conversation about the flavors of ice cream Seb has in his freezer.

Lily comes back with a big smile and an ice-cream as I tell Seb everything I discussed with Max before we left the island.

Half an hour later, my phone chimes.

“Hey, how are you?” I ask Max. “Was your trip successful?”

“If successful means I have Ava on my private jet and we’re currently flying to Italy, then yes.”

"Good." I smile at Seb and say, “And Seb’s on board. For everything,"

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