Page 82 of Wisteria and Cloves
Nicolaus made another note on his tablet. "Her body is remembering how to respond naturally to compatible alphasand betas. The question is whether she's emotionally ready for what those responses mean."
I glanced at Lilianna's sleeping form, remembering the sweet hesitancy of her kiss, the soft gasp she'd made, the way she'd trembled against me, the innocent hunger in her response. It had taken every ounce of my self-control to pull away when all I wanted was to claim her completely.
"Julian," Nicolaus's voice pulled me from my thoughts, his tone carrying a note of warning. "Your scent is broadcasting."
I took a deep breath, forcing my alpha instincts back under control. "Sorry," I murmured, deliberately putting more distance between myself and Lilianna's sleeping form.
"We're all feeling it," Miles said, his green eyes reflecting understanding rather than judgment. "Her transition is affecting us too."
Christopher nodded, his normally cheerful expression unusually serious. "The question is how we help her navigate these changes without overwhelming her or making her feel like we're pushing for more than she's ready to give."
"Communication," I said quietly, my gaze drifting back to Lilianna's peaceful face. "We continue being honest about what's happening while letting her set the pace."
"And we make sure she understands that our reactions to her—the increased attention, the protective instincts—aren't demands for reciprocation," Nicolaus added, his analytical mind working through the dynamics. "She needs to know she can explore these feelings without obligation."
Miles shifted in his chair, his expression thoughtful. "She's never had the luxury of choice before. Every decision about her body, her desires, her future was made for her. We can't let our own wants cloud that freedom."
Christopher's voice carried a gentle firmness. "Which means Saturday needs to be entirely about what she wants. No subtlesteering toward things we'd like to see her in, no projecting our preferences onto her choices."
"Agreed," I said firmly, remembering how her face had lit up at the mere suggestion of choosing her own clothes. "This is about her discovering herself, not pleasing us."
Nicolaus set his tablet aside, his expression unusually contemplative. "We should also prepare for the possibility that she might want to explore connections outside our pack once she's more comfortable with her changing body."
The thought sent a sharp pang through me that I tried to suppress, though from the knowing looks the others gave me, I hadn't entirely succeeded.
"Julian," Miles said gently, "we all want her to choose us, but she needs to know it's truly a choice."
"I know," I admitted, running a hand through my hair. "And I want that for her too. I just..."
"You just kissed her and now you're feeling even more possessive than you were," Christopher finished. "And that's perfectly natural," Christopher finished with understanding. "But we can't let those feelings drive our actions."
I nodded, acknowledging the truth of his words even as my alpha instincts chafed against the restraint. "She deserves better than being claimed before she even knows what she wants."
“If she wants to make some friends out of the pack…didn’t Lucian and his pack find another Omega? A female. Maybe that could be a good step for her.” I asked, glancing over to Nicolaus.
He nodded, “Yes. He took some time off a couple months ago to deal with her heat and claiming…and some family drama he said.”
"The omega's name is Lydia," Nicolaus confirmed, scrolling through his phone. "She's around Lilianna's age, if not a couple years older. From what Lucian mentioned, she had a difficult past as well, though different circumstances."
"That could be perfect," Christopher said, his expression brightening. "Another omega who understands transitions and adjustments, but who's further along in her journey."
Miles nodded thoughtfully. "Female friendship might be exactly what Lilianna needs right now. Someone who understands omega experiences in a way we simply can't, no matter how supportive we try to be.”
"I'll reach out to Lucian," Nicolaus offered, already mentally composing the message. "Perhaps a casual lunch after Lilianna's had more time to adjust. Nothing overwhelming."
I nodded, “That’s a good idea.”
Lilianna stirred slightly in her sleep, her body shifting closer to where I sat. Her movement caused her scent to waft stronger, and I watched as all three of my packmates tensed almost imperceptibly. We were all fighting the same battle—the overwhelming urge to claim and protect, warring with our determination to give her the freedom she'd never had.
"What about her parents?" Christopher asked quietly, voicing the concern that had been hovering at the edges of our conversations. "They'll realize something's changed when they don't hear from her."
"Let them wonder," I said firmly, my voice carrying an edge I rarely allowed when discussing Lilianna's family. "She owes them nothing after what they've done to her."
Nicolaus's expression hardened in agreement. "From a legal standpoint, she's an adult who has chosen to live elsewhere. They have no claim on her or her time."
"But they might try to contact her," Miles pointed out, his protective instincts clearly engaged. "Or worse, show up here demanding explanations."
Christopher's jaw tightened at the thought. "Over my dead body. After what we learned about those suppressants, about themedical neglect..." He trailed off, his usually gentle demeanor showing rare steel.
