Page 64 of Hunting Their Omega

“My Bishop must be having the time of his life with you,” she said, smiling.

“I’d like to think so.”

“I haven’t seen that boy fired up about much since my niece was alive.” Her words were wistful as she methodically sank one seedling after the other into the dirt.

Unsure how to respond, I nodded my head.

“Those boys of yours are far better than the men before them.” She paused. “I felt it, you know.”

“Felt what?”

“The change. The shift in the stars when the Goddess breathed life into Wynn, Bishop, and Alaric. This generation was born with a dark inheritance, but they washed their fathers’ sins from their skin. Their ability to remain untainted by the fires that forged them saved Hidden Creek. They are a blessing from the Goddess.”

A secretive smile came over her face as she worked.

“I’m not sure they see it that way,” I whispered.

“No, they wouldn’t. But change does not come without sacrifice. The day the Alpha ordered the execution of all our Omegas, we suffered a great loss. But that was also the day Bishop, Wynn, and Alaric found their path.” She placed her hands in the dirt and hoisted herself up. “You see, dear,” she said, holding my gaze. “Our pack has seen its fair share of changes. Back in my day, it was all about fear and power. But now? Compassion guides this pack. We are dedicated to protecting those who cannot protect themselves, and the pack is stronger for it. Stronger than ever.”

“How so?”

She paused, her gray-white hair dancing in the breeze. “Now, no one stands alone. The younger generation—your mates included—bring fresh ideas and new ways of thinking. The pack is embracing diversity and encouraging innovation. It’s a breath of fresh air, my dear.”

I nodded. The pack preserved the essence of their heritage while embracing change and forging a new path where everyone could thrive—even Omegas like me.

No one looked at me differently or expected less than they would of any other member. There were days in Hidden Creek when I felt like my rank didn’t even matter.

Aunt Eileen leaned in, her eyes twinkling. “And your mates . . . they’re remarkable leaders. Those boys are focused and determined, with hearts as big as the moon. I know they’ll make great fathers one day.”

Heat flooded my cheeks, and Aunt Eileen laughed.

“Come now, no need to be shy about it,” she said with a mirthful smile. “The whole pack has already heard how pleased you are with your mates. My great grandnephew will no doubt have an impressive set of lungs.”

I was too stunned to speak. If the floor opened up and swallowed me whole at that moment, I would have gladly gone into the abyss. My response only made Aunt Eileen laugh harder.

The afternoon sun cast a golden hue over the garden as we continued our work, chatting amiably about everything from family anecdotes to the potential harvest, and it was dusk before I knew it.

After we finished our tasks, Aunt Eileen enveloped me in a warm hug, her eyes twinkling with affection. “You’re a fine addition to our pack, Isolde. Remember, change is inevitable, but it’s how we adapt that defines us.”

I smiled, touched by the older woman’s words. As I bid Aunt Eileen farewell, a voice carried across the garden.

“Isolde, are you still here?”

I rounded the corner of Aunt Eileen’s house and found Laris waiting nearby. We’d worked together a few times over the week, and while she hadn’t been warm or friendly, she was respectful.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“Some of the males from the carpentry are looking for you. They wanted you to see the progress on Harrison’s new lodging.”

Harrison was an Elder who had his house wrecked in a storm. “Sure. Where are they?” I asked.

“On the east side of the lake, putting the final panels together so they can assemble it easier.”

Why would they build Harrison’s home that far from town? “Are you sure?” I asked.

Laris shrugged, chin tipping up in haughty superiority. “I’m just relaying the message. Don’t go if you don’t want to.”

She turned on her heel and stalked away, and I headed toward the eastern border with a sigh.

---