Page 80 of Storm
As Frankie and I move around the kitchen, following her directions, I can't help but notice how different Elena is from the betas at the Omega House. There's no cruelty in her voice, no sharp edges in her movements. She moves with easy confidence, chatting with us like we belong there, like we’re more than just something to be managed or tolerated.
"So," she says as she cracks eggs into a bowl, her hands steady and practiced, "what brings you to our home? Alex didn't give me many details, just that there was trouble in the city."
I hesitate, exchanging a glance with Frankie. How much should I tell her? How much does she already know?
"It's a long story," I say finally, deciding on honesty. If she's Fox's mother and has been sheltering him here for years, she's already deeply entwined in the secrets of Pack Kingsley. "But the short version is that I accidentally started a rebellion, and now Jonathan's fathers want to give me to another pack as damage control."
Elena raises an eyebrow, looking impressed rather than shocked. "You must be quite something to have turned those boys' lives upside down."
"She is," Frankie says with a small smile as he hands me a stack of plates. His voice holds a note of pride that makes warmth bloom in my chest.
"I didn't mean to cause so much trouble," I admit, setting the plates on the table. "I was just trying to get back to Rook—my alpha." The word feels strange on my tongue; I've never referred to Rook that way before. He's just always been Rook, my rock, my constant, my home.
"The tall one with the dark hair?" Elena asks, whisking the eggs with practiced efficiency. When I nod, she smiles. "He seems devoted to you. The way he was holding you when you arrived last night... reminded me of how my parents used to look at each other."
"You were watching?" I ask, surprised.
She chuckles. "I’ve been here about five years. I have never seen anyone other than Jonathan, Reed and Alex leave and return. I was curious,” she says with a wink.
Of course. This isn't just a home, it's a safe place for a male omega the world doesn't know exists here. Elena has been safe but isolated here. I would be curious too.
"Thank you," I say. "For having us."
She waves off my thanks. "You are pack now. You pulled Kingsley’s name, that makes you my daughter-in-law. You’re always welcome. This is your home too, Storm. And Frankie. You are very cute and young."
I bite back the urge to correct her—to say I’m not pack, more like reluctant allies thrown together by circumstances. But she called me her daughter-in-law, and that did something to my heart.
I bump Frankie's shoulder playfully as we finish setting the table, and he wraps an arm around my waist in a casual half-hug. I love that he is reaching out to touch me. His scent is warm and comforting, and I lean into him automatically, savoring the warmth.
"You two have been together for a while?" Elena asks, glancing over at us as she slides bacon into a skillet.
"Four years," Frankie answers, because really that’s what it has been. I might not have kissed him four years ago. But I should have. "Since Storm came to the Omega House."
"He was my guard, but kept me sane," I add, resting my head briefly against his shoulder. "Smuggled me gum, played cards with me when no one else would."
"Sounds like a good friend," Elena says with a knowing smile.
I return the smile, grateful for her understanding. "The best."
A low, menacing growl from the doorway shatters our peaceful moment.
Reed stands there, his hair damp from a shower, wearing only a pair of low-hanging sweatpants that expose the sharp cut of his hip bones and the muscled planes of his chest. Ugh, why is he so hot? It should be illegal.
His stormy eyes are fixed on Frankie's arm around my waist, his face a mask of barely controlled rage. His saltwater and cedar scent has turned sharp, filling the kitchen with alpha aggression so potent I can almost taste it.
"Hands off," he growls, stalking into the room with predatory grace.
I step away from Frankie, but not out of submission. Anger flares hot in my chest as I move to stand between Reed and Frankie, shielding the beta from the alpha's wrath. "Back off, Reed. You don't get to dictate who touches me."
Reed's eyes, already dark with anger, flick to me. The intensity in his gaze is startling—there's more than just territorial alpha instinct there. Something deeper, more personal. "You're part of our pack now," he says, his voice dropping to that dangerous low that makes most people tremble. "And betas don't touch pack omegas."
"I'm notyouromega," I snap back, my dark chocolate scent spiking with defiance. "I was forced into your pack against my will, or did you forget that part?"
Reed's eyes darken further, his nostrils flaring as he inhales my angry scent. His pupils dilate, the black nearly swallowing the stormy blue. "You chose us," he growls, taking a step closer until I have to tilt my head back to maintain eye contact. "You pulled our name on Choosing Day."
"As a distraction!" I move closer still, refusing to be intimidated by his height or the heat radiating from his bare chest. I poke him with my finger, pressing it against the solid wall of muscle. "Not because I wanted to be part of your elite alpha boy club."
The kitchen crackles with tension as we face off, our scents clashing in the small space. Elena has moved to the far side of the kitchen, her expression a mixture of concern and fascination. Frankie stands behind me, his scent spiking with anxiety.
