Page 34 of Wisteria and Cloves
He glanced up from his tablet, which he'd been consulting between bites. "Early mornings, usually. Five-thirty to seven-thirty at the university pool. I prefer to get it done before the day begins.”
"Which is why he drinks approximately his body weight in coffee by noon," Miles added with a grin.
I found myself smiling at their easy banter, the way they teased each other with obvious affection. My parents never joked, never engaged in playful conversation. Everything in our household had been serious, purposeful, designed to reinforce proper behavior rather than genuine connection.
"What about your business commitments?" I asked, remembering the tablet Nicolaus had been reviewing. "My father mentioned you all maintain family enterprises alongside your athletic careers."
Julian nodded, leaning back in his chair. "The businesses are important, but we've structured things so they don't interfere with our primary commitments— our sports careers, each other." His eyes found mine across the table. "And now you."
The casual inclusion made my breath catch. I was still adjusting to being considered in their plans, their lives, their future decisions.
"Julian oversees the family's sports management company," Christopher explained, clearly proud. "He represents several top athletes in contract negotiations."
"Miles handles sustainable agriculture development," Nicolaus added, his tone carrying respect. "His family's been pioneering eco-friendly farming techniques for decades."
Miles ducked his head modestly. "It's important work, but hardly glamorous. I spend a lot of time in dirt and spreadsheets."
"Christopher runs a chain of artisanal bakeries," Julian continued, smiling at his packmate's obvious passion. "Though he insists on testing every new recipe himself, which explains the constant parade of baked goods in this house."
Christopher grinned unrepentantly. "Research and development. Very important."
"And Nicolaus?" I asked, curious about the most reserved of the four.
"I'm the managing partner of our family's legal practice," Nicolaus continued, his voice precise and measured. "I specialize in family law, particularly cases involving Omega rights and protections."
The revelation surprised me. "Omega rights? That's... not what I would have expected."
Nicolaus's blue eyes studied me with that analytical gaze. "Most don't. But I've seen too many cases like yours—Omegas treated as commodities rather than individuals with agency. The law is slowly changing, but not quickly enough."
His words made me pause, a fork suspended midway to my mouth. "There are laws protecting Omegas?"
"Some," Nicolaus replied, his tone neutral but his eyes sharpening with interest. "Though they're often unenforced or circumvented through family 'arrangements' like yours. It's a particular interest of mine, closing those loopholes.”
"It's a complicated area," Julian added, watching my reaction carefully. "Traditional families like yours often operate in a gray area—technically legal but ethically questionable."
I set down my fork, suddenly not hungry despite how delicious everything was. "I never knew there were options. Legal protections. My parents always presented our arrangement as the only possible path."
"That's by design," Nicolaus said, his clinical tone softening slightly. "Information is power. By limiting your knowledge of alternatives, they maintained control."
Miles reached for the bread basket, offering it to me again. "But that's over now. You have choices, information, support."
I took another piece of bread more to have something to do with my hands than from hunger. "It's overwhelming sometimes. Realizing how much I didn't know."
"That's perfectly normal," Christopher assured me. "You don't have to absorb everything at once.”
I nodded, the information I have gotten a bit overwhelming and from the looks on their faces, they knew it too. Today was my first day here and I was already overwhelmed. I hoped things worked out but right now things felt a bit too much.
Chapter Twelve
Lilianna
Julian seemed to sense my overwhelm, leaning forward with gentle concern. "We've thrown a lot at you today. Why don't we table the heavy discussions for now?"
"Good idea," Miles agreed, standing to clear the empty bowls. "Lilianna, would you like to see the rest of the house? We’ve given you a tour of your suite, but there's still the gym, library, garden..."
"I'd like that," I said, grateful for the change of subject. The casual domesticity of lunch had been wonderful, but the revelations about Omega rights and legal protections sat heavy in my stomach alongside Christopher's soup.
"I'll clean up here," Christopher offered, already gathering plates. "You three go explore."
