Page 28 of Hunting Their Omega

“Hidden Creek, this is Isolde,” Wynn said. “Before we continue with our celebration, we wanted to give each of you a chance to express yourself. If you have questions, doubts, or concerns, now is the time to voice them.”

Valor went first, raising one lean, golden arm as he stood from his chair. My lieutenant had not hidden his curiosity when he first met Isolde, so his enthusiasm was unsurprising.

“Hello, Isolde. I’m Valor, a First Lieutenant for the Enforcers of our pack,” he said with a grin so charming it made my wolf gnash his teeth. “What color is your wolf? How big is she?”

Bishop’s shoulders relaxed at Valor’s attempt to steer the questions in a lighter direction.

Isolde smiled, and her voice was clear and direct as she said, “Hello, Valor. My wolf is black and much smaller than my mates’ wolves. She’s built for speed.”

My wolf’s ears perked.

We should call our mate out to play, he suggested.

That wasn’t a bad idea. I hated to admit it, but I was dying to see what she looked like.

Another hand shot into the air as Valor sat down, and a young male stood up—a craft worker named Thomas. “Is it true Omegas have weaker senses than most wolves?”

The question wasn’t asked with malice, but Wynn stiffened anyway.

Isolde smiled sweetly at Thomas. “It would be easier to answer if I hadn’t spent most of my life with Omegas. The boarding house was run by Alpha and Beta females, though, and the only difference between us was a slight discrepancy in strength. As for my senses, I don’t think they’re any better or worse than other wolves, but we can figure it out while I’m here.”

The boy nodded and sat with a smirk. Wynn slid a hand to the small of her back, a direct response to the thought of Isolde spending time with the young male. He refused to admit he wanted her, but his wolf certainly did.

It wouldn’t take long for the man to come to the same conclusion.

A kitchen worker named Vivian stood and asked, “What do you expect from our pack?”

And there it was. The first string of questioning that could easily snowball. I met Winnie’s gaze, and she gave me a reassuring wink.

“Nothing,” Isolde said smoothly, tucking a curl behind her ear. “I’ve never lived in a pack before, so I don’t have any expectations. I’m honestly just trying to learn how to be a part of a community like this. I hope you can help me with that.”

Vivian watched her for a moment, then slowly took her seat.

An older male got to his feet, hands clasped behind his back. “I am J’adore.” He inclined his head toward Isolde. “Most of the males want to know what we can do to make Hidden Creek more comfortable for you and future Omegas?”

I glanced toward Isolde, curious to know the answer. I noticed Bishop and Wynn did the same. The bond pulsed as if holding its breath.

Isolde paused. It was the first question to make her contemplate an answer. Something shifted in her eyes, but it vanished before I could determine what it was.

“Just be yourself,” she replied. “Show me who you are, and I’ll do the same.”

It seemed to be enough for J’adore, and he returned to his seat.

My stomach sank as Laris jumped up, tossing her blond hair. She was an Alpha in every sense of the word—sharp-tongued, straightforward, and determined to get her way. My wolf growled in warning, knowing whatever left her poisonous mouth would not bode well for Isolde.

She arrogantly tipped her chin, facing Wynn as much as Isolde. “And where will our place be, Alpha Wynn? The females have concerns about the changes to Hidden Creek. Where will we go? What will we do? Will we be cast aside like the females from other packs, forced into the shadows as invisible labor to make room for your precious Omegas?”

Isolde tensed, and a surge of rage burned through the bond.

Interesting.

“As I said, Laris, Omegas will be like everyone else. There will be no preferential treatment. All pack females are valuable.” Wynn turned to the females behind her. “You’re all irreplaceable. Every one of you has value and is wanted. You will lose nothing, but it will be an adjustment.” He gave the males in the room a sharp look. “It will be an adjustment for all of us. Mistakes are bound to happen, but if we work together, we’ll find our way.”

Laris didn’t sit. Instead, she turned to Isolde, a challenge in her eyes. “And what about you, Isolde? What will you offer our pack besides lying on your back and pushing out pups? Can you do anything else?”

A low warning growl erupted from Wynn. I held out my arm, stopping Bishop from rushing to Isolde’s side. She had to stand on her own two feet if she hoped to gain respect from the women of the pack.

Chapter 11

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