Page 168

I’ve come a long way since the scared omega they found in one of their train cars, terrified of any and all alphas.

The big wooden door opens, revealing a tall alpha with tanned skin, dark hair, and these piercing green eyes. His suit is impeccably pressed.

“Hello Mrs. Ward,” he nods.

The omega part of my brain preens at being called by the pack’s last name. Well, my last name too, now that the bond is official.

I sense the guys’ amusement at my satisfaction and I fight the urge to react.

“Hello Councilman Graylock,” I nod in return.

“Please, call me Killian.” He extends his arm, gesturing me into his office.

I wave goodbye to my bonded mates before following him inside.

“Are you settling in well?” he asks, his eyes drifting towards the bite marks on my shoulder.

“Yes, very well. Thank you for working with me.”

“Your experience was an unfortunate one. One that’s brought to light many unfortunate aspects of our current system. Your testimony in the upcoming trial and knowledge are invaluable. I really should be the one thanking you,” he says, sitting back behind his desk and lacing his hands together. “Are you nervous for it?”

I take a deep breath, nodding. “I’d be lying if I said I weren’t, considering the… history I have with ex-councilman Leclair, but considering how important my testimony is, I would never imagine not being a part of it.”

Councilman Graylock gives a solemn nod.

“So, what brings you to myoffice?”

“I wanted to propose some reforms to the laws around omegas,” I say, pulling out a folder outlining my proposals. “This covers my recommendations in more detail, but I really do believe there’s a negative stigma that needs to be addressed when it comes to being an unregistered omega. There’s an awful lot of regulation for everything when becoming registered.”

“There definitely is,” Killian nods.

“After some of my first experiences being taken away from the Ward pack and being forced to go through the selection process because I didn’t have any family backing, that regulation runs the risk of hurting omegas rather than helping them.”

His lips pull into a tense smile at my mention of the selection process. That night was when Officer Stone first introduced me to the rest of his pack, including Killian Graylock, one of the councilmen leading the push against the corruption that was revealed after Niall’s—or I guess technically, Nikolai Leclair’s—arrest.

Killian reaches for the folder I’ve slid across the tablet to him and starts flipping through the pages.

“Walk me through some of your proposals.”

I take a breath before diving into all the reforms I think should be made.

I leave the meeting with a big smile on my face. My four mates instantly stand from the bench they’ve been waiting on.

“How did it go?” Kane asks.

“Good, by the feel of it,” Madden chuckles, referring to the buzzing sort of happiness that’s definitely making its way through the bond right now.

“It went wonderfully!” I say, smiling brightly up at the four of them. “We ran a little late, though, he was really interested in a lot of my plans and suggestions.”

“No worries, Moonlight,” Chase says. “I ran back and picked up the food we’re bringing over to my sister’s house while you were in your meeting. They’re in the car now.”

“Thank you! You’re awesome.” The five of us start heading out of the building and to our car.

“No need to thank me, the last thing I’d want to do is pull up to my sister’s house after her giving birth empty-handed. She’d probably throw a dirty diaper at my head.”

“Charlotte wouldn’t do that,” I laugh. Actually, on second thought, she might. “She wouldn’t do that if I were standing in front of you.”

“Are you offering yourself up as a human shield against my sister?” Chase teases, helping me climb into the car.