The Omega Queen

Twelve

Erin stirred as the plane prepared to land. Alexander gently smiled, helping her sit up and return her seat to its upright position. He kissed her hand. The gesture still made her cheeks warm, but she liked it, and it made her wolf sigh in contentment.

Her stomach dropped with the plane, making her uneasy until it finally touched down. Erin let out a slow breath before unbuckling her seatbelt. She stood and Alexander escorted her to the door while Nathan gathered their luggage, handing her own suitcase to Alexander to carry.

An SUV was waiting for them with two others for their escorts. Alexander helped her into one before stowing her suitcase in the back as Nathan joined them. Erin settled in the back seat, watching everyone load the luggage under the beta’s watchful eye. Alexander sat beside her, holding her hand.

It seemed he was only calm when he was touching her. She certainly didn’t mind. Her skin tingled at his touch, and it wasn’t unpleasant at all. Her wolf also seemed to derive comfort from it.

Eir stretched out in her mind. For once, her wolf didn’t seem on edge or wary. Even under Laverne’s protection, they had lived in an almost constant state of fear that they would one day be found by their pursuers. But their mate found them first.

Nathan slid into the driver’s seat and fell in behind one of the escort vehicles. The third vehicle followed them. All were identical and, with tinted windows, it was impossible to know the occupants of each. Neither Alexander nor Nathan seemed alarmed by the arrangement, so she concluded it was normal for them. Even so, she found it fascinating.

Their escorts were all wolves and had bowed in respect to Alexander when he passed them, but none seemed to mark her presence except for an occasional curious glance. Was it because she was only an omega? As far as she could tell, Alexander hadn’t spoken to any of them, so until he marked her no one would know who she was to him or the pack. Was he staying quiet on purpose?

“I messaged my mother,” Alexander suddenly spoke. “She can’t wait to meet you.”

Erin blinked. His mother was happy to meet her? That was good, right? It had been so long since she felt the comfort of a mother’s embrace. She wasn’t sure if Laverne counted, although the exu certainly gave good hugs.

“She’s going to love you, pomme,” Alexander assured her.

Erin took a deep breath and nodded. She supposed she would find out soon enough.

* * *

The drive was longer than she expected. They left the human cities far behind and were swallowed up into the deep forests. Erin studied the lonely scenery with a mixture of apprehension and curiosity. It was nothing like where she grew up, which was a lonely place far from humans too.

It felt strange not to be able to see the horizon. The air was much colder and crisp. Trees stood tall, straight and dark. The sky seemed so much lower and looming. She wondered if she would get used to this kind of environment. This was her home now, so she would have to.

Nathan slowed as they approached the pack’s borders. Across the road was a gate and guardhouse, marking the main entrance, and served as a deterrent to those wishing to intrude. The current guards bowed at the sight of them and quickly allowed them to pass through.

Neither Nathan nor Alexander showed any sign that they had crossed the border even though they must have been inundated with pack members welcoming them or giving reports. Erin was a little envious. She remembered the sense of belonging, the safety. Would her new pack welcome her?

The trees parted, opening into a wide clearing with several buildings arranged like a small village. Erin knew the largest structure had to be the packhouse, which looked something like a ski lodge, only much larger. Nathan didn’t pull up to it; however, he drove on until he reached another building.

This one was noticeably larger than other homes, but much smaller than the packhouse. It had the air of a stately, respectable manor with a large yard behind a stone fence though the gate stood open. The escort vehicles continued on as Nathan parked in front of the door and Alexander climbed out, offering Erin his hand.

She hugged her cardigan close as the chill in the air made her shiver. Erin gazed at the manicured grounds and carefully tended flowerbeds. It was clear someone put in a lot of time and effort. They were certainly very different from the gardens her own pack tended, which were mostly for cultivating herbs.

“Do you like the garden?” Alexander asked as her attention wandered.

Turning back to him, she nodded. There were so many new smells and plants she had not seen before. She hoped it would be all right for her to explore and wondered what the rules would be.

“Good. My mother has quite the green thumb,” Alexander smiled. “I’m sure she’ll love to answer any questions you have.”

Erin grinned and nodded in agreement. She hoped his mother would like her, and she was eager to feel a pack’s connection again. Eir stirred with the same longing. It had been so long since they were with their own kind. There was a gaping hole in their soul where their own pack had been.

“Alex?”

They looked at the house as an older female stepped out. She wore slacks and a light sweater. Her brown hair was twisted in a clip and neatly pinned. She had a rather sharp, prim nose and chin that gave her a severe expression even though her eyes were warm and gentle. Barely paying attention to the two males, her gaze settled on Erin and immediately became glassy with tears.

“Is this her?” she asked in a hushed voice.

“Yes,” Alexander gently placed a hand on Erin’s lower back and brought her a step forward. “This is my mate, Erin. Erin, this is my mother, Cahira.”

Erin gave her a nervous smile. She suddenly wished she had something more formal to wear. Her attire was far too casual to be meeting the former Luna of such a large pack.

“Oh sweetie, can I hug you?” Cahira asked.

Erin blinked and nodded. Immediately, Cahira stepped forward and pulled her into a gentle embrace. Erin stood, frozen, before lifting her hands to hug her new mother-in-law. Cahira’s embrace tightened.

‘She smells nice,’ Eir sighed.

Erin agreed. The former Luna smelled warm and inviting, like butter and wheat. It made her feel welcome and safe, like when her mother baked and the entire house ended up smelling like bread.

Cahira eventually released her and took a step back to truly assess her daughter-in-law. Alexander had called ahead to warn her of their new guest. She had been thrilled to know he had finally found his mate but was disturbed to hear Erin’s entire pack had been wiped out, and she had been living as a rogue. It shouldn’t have been possible, and certainly it shouldn’t be forgotten.

Cahira agreed that she, too, had no recollection of such an event. Certainly, it should have made waves throughout the werewolf world. Gazing into Erin’s eyes she could feel the weight of sorrow she still carried. The loss of her pack clung to her. It broke Cahira’s heart. Even her wolf whimpered.

“You are so beautiful,” Cahira said. “I am so glad you are here. Come in, come in. This is your home now.”

She ushered Erin inside and settled her on the sofa. Erin studied the interior with the same careful eye as she had outside. The manor was stately with dark colors that were somehow warm and not somber. It was inviting and comfortable while still maintaining an austere atmosphere.

“Can I get you something to drink?” Cahira asked.

Erin signed her answer before recalling her audience. Her face warmed as she dug for her notebook. She quickly wrote an answer, feeling embarrassed.

“Water?” Cahira confirmed. “All right. I’ll be right back.”

Erin watched her go, feeling awkward. She wasn’t used to people fetching things for her. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw Alexander and Nathan bringing in the luggage, including her own. It didn’t seem as if they had witnessed the exchange.

“Here, we go,” Cahira returned with a tall glass of water, chilled with chiseled ice cubes in the shape of citrus slices.

She also brought a tray of meat, cheese and crackers which she set on the coffee table before sitting next to Erin. Offering her the glass, Cahira smiled as Erin sipped the water tasting faintly of citrus. Her wolf anxiously paced, wanting to make the newcomer feel welcome.

Erin offered a smile before touching her chin in the sign for thank you. Her eyes widened, realizing she had done it again. Immediately, her face warmed with embarrassment. She had to remember she wasn’t with people who would understand her.

“Oh! I know that one!” Cahira smiled. “That’s thank you, right? Of course! You are so welcome, ma puce.”[1]

Erin blinked.

“Alex told me you use ASL to communicate,” Cahira explained. “I’ve been watching videos on YouTube. But you’ll teach me, won’t you?”

Erin smiled and nodded. She hadn’t expected them to be so accommodating. Perhaps this wasn’t going to be as bad as she feared. She hadn’t met the rest of the pack yet, but maybe it was okay to hope.