Page 147 of Carmichael's Omega

I take a deep breath to control the anger and the tears. Lily, probably sensing that I'm a little off-kilter, eases out of my arms and heads towards the bathroom where the alpha is showering. She goes into the room, then leaves and walks past it to another room, and disappears. Shereturns with a damp washcloth and a robe, handing them both to me. I thank her softly, and she offers me a quick smile before walking to the fridge.

The two pups remain standing next to me while she pulls out some steaks and turns the stove on with a crank of a dial. As she starts to cook, I clean myself up as best I can while studying her two little daughters carefully. It's hard to tell how old they are. Despite their heritage, their skin is pale, untouched by sunlight, and nothing like Carmichael's dusky skin tone. Their eyes seem too dilated for the light in the kitchen. I wonder if the two skylights in this room are the only natural light they get in this attic? They are skinny. Not in a scary way, just without any real muscle tone, but even healthy pups can be skin and bones. I wish Mattie were here because he would be able to tell me more about their health. Then again, I'm glad Mattie isn't here.

They've never seen another wolf other than the alpha, their mama, and each other. It's clear by how they stare at me, fascinated.

Lily puts a glass of orange juice on the table and pats the chair as if to say 'sit.' I do, and the two little females follow me. Now that I'm shorter, they both reach out tentatively and start to stroke my hair. It's not anything like their dark, brunette heads. Goddess, I must seem like some sort of dream to them. Do they feel as surreal as I do?

I hold still. The females are like scared little rabbits. I think if I move too quickly, they'll startle away. "I'm your sister-by-mating," I say softly. "Your oldest brother, Carmichael, is my mate. Do you know what a mate is?"

Both little females nod, smiling. "Um... my brother... I have a twin, Mattie, and he is mated to Carmichael, too."

Lily drops a plate with a clatter. All four of us flinch. She freezes, then quickly cleans up the spilled vegetables without looking my way once. I straighten my spine. "Both of us," I say a little too loudly, "are mated to Carmichael. Do you... do you know who Carmichael is?"

They nod again. "He's a good mate," I tell them, "and he'll... he'll love you both very much."

Juana and Rosalia look at each other, then at their mama, who is steadfastly ignoring us, then back at me. They are so quiet. What must it be like, to never havenoise?

I start to babble, telling them about Carmichael and the bar, his motorcycle, Mattie, and some of the other wolves. They listen, looking fascinated. I open my mouth and talk about Teague, Blu, and Mina, when the bathroom door opens abruptly, and the alpha emerges, a towel wrapped around his waist.

"Papa?" Juana starts to follow him down the hallway, but the alpha turns and stops her at the door to what I'm assuming is Lily's bedroom... his bedroom? Goddess, he has a whole second family... or part of his first... up here.

"Go wash your hands and sit. I'll get dressed and be right out," the alpha says gently, brushing his hand over her head affectionately.

He makes me want to hurl up my orange juice all over the table, but Lily will be the one to clean it, so I refrain.

We are all quiet while until the alpha returns and sits at the head of the table. Lily places the plates in front of us, shooing me away when I try to help. She goes to sit next to the alpha, and he smiles at her, his eyes lightening.

He kisses her on the mouth. My gaze darts to the pups, who are acting as if this is an everyday occurrence. Except for me, of course. I'm the different one here.

We all start to eat in the suffocating silence. I pick at my food; despite the stern looks, the alpha tosses my way. You're a poophead, I swear at him silently.

"Lily, this little omega is fiesty," the alpha murmurs suddenly into the silence. "Tell me,chiquita, who your family is?"

My peas stop moving in circles on the plate. When I don't answer, the alpha clears his throat and keeps talking, "I've heard of twin omegas,sí? From ClearHowl."

I look up and meet his sharp gaze. He examines my face, then nods as if in agreement with his own conclusion. "The so-called Beta, Teague Grim, what is he to you?"

My shoulders curl inward, and without even thinking, I flash fang at him. My wolf and I freeze, staring at the alpha with regret for the two little pups who are about to see their father rip my throat out.

The alpha chuckles darkly. "Who are you to him, then, little one?"

"He's my brother-by-mating," I whisper, but I think the alpha already knew that.

"¿Sí?And your parents? A mother? A father?"

"Dead," I say bluntly. "My father when I was a pup, my mom when I was eleven."

"And the Beta," the alpha says in a soft, dangerous voice, "who is he to you,mamita?"

I take a deep breath, "like a father."

"Sí," the alpha confirms. He tips his glass of cold beer back and closes his eyes briefly as he swallows. I watch his jugular, his adam's apple moving up and down with a bloody longing. He opens his eyes and places the beer down on the table. "I want him to finish this,sí?Nomi hijo. Not Carmichael. I don't want that on my son's soul."

At first, I don't understand, but Lily does. She stands abruptly and rushes down the hallway to the bedroom, shutting the door firmly behind her. The alpha is slower to leave. He stares me down first, waiting for the color to drain from my face as his meaning slowly sinks in. He searches my eyes as tears fill them before nodding and walking after his mate.

The pups look at me. "What's wrong?" Juana asks me. I just shake my head, as mute as their mama. I can't be the one to tell them how alphas work, how this is going to end.

I clear the frog from my throat and stand. "Are you finished? I'll clean up, and we can go to bed."

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