Talons

Chapter 118: The Children

Colton's POV

Mandy Mind-linked me that my mate was extremely upset, so I quickly went to the omega daycare she was visiting.

The first thing that stood out to me was how sad she looked and the second was, how bare the place was.

As bad as it sounds, I don't think I have ever visited the omega childcare center. My father practices rankism, and for a long time I believed that full wolves and omegas should remain separate.

That was of course until I met Mandy. She was absolutely adamant on changing my mindset, and after pointing out that most of the people who cared for me were omegas, I knew she was right.

Some of the nicest people I have ever met were wolfless, and I don't know how I couldn't see that before it was quite literally thrown into my face.

Sadly, not all ugly habits can be cured with a conversation because I obviously didn't take the situation within our pack seriously enough to investigate how our omegas were living. However, my mate did.

She was so depressed by whatever she saw that not even going back to the daycare could take her mind off it.

Still, my mate is a miracle worker. She somehow got a hold of a plastic tarp and, judging based on its rich darkness and fresh scent, damp potting soil.

The children around her were laughing and playing, but she still wore a pity-filled expression and I know what she's thinking.

Children shouldn't have to play with dirt to entertain themselves. The facility should have things they can enjoy: sand pits, slides, toys, crayons, paints, all the normal things expected in any sort of school.

"Rhea?" I say my mate's name as a question because right now, I'm not sure how she's going to respond to me.

"Alpha, I would like to get your permission to renovate and upgrade this daycare." I didn't miss my added title and the sarcasm in my mate's tone when she said the word daycare.

The building was actually a temporary classroom that my father received from a friend on the werewolf council.

It had once been used in guide training, but it was in bad shape and had been replaced. Instead of throwing it away my father 'offered' to take the structure off council hands, and they accepted.

I was barely a toddler back then, but I know the story because our omega babysitter used to tell us about how happy they were to receive it at the time.

Unfortunately, now that I'm looking at it, I don't know what the fuss was about. If the dull, dingy, and clearly in need of repair, temporary classroom is something our omegas celebrate; I don't even want to know how bad they're living conditions are.

"You don't have to use formalities with me. You are the future Luna of this pack, and this is something we can discuss over a meal."

The women in charge of taking care of the children don't look happy with my mate right now, and I'm sure it has something to do with the fact that she put a pile of dirt in their classroom.

I added the part about her being my Luna because I subtly wanted to warn them to erase the scowls on their faces.

In response to my suggestion, my mate nods, but she doesn't immediately start to leave.

"Five more minutes children," she says in an extremely soothing tone, and a series of 'awes' echoes throughout the tiny voices in the room. "Remember our deal: if you don't follow the rules…"

"You don't get to play!" Some of the older children finish the sentence and my mate claps for them.

It's no wonder she was a tutor in college. Like a true luna, she's good at speaking to people. I just wish some of the confidence she displayed with others would also be displayed with me, her fated mate and alpha.

True to her word, after five minutes, my mate and the daycare workers get to work washing the hands of the children and sitting them down with another adult, who is making sure they don't get into the mud again.

I watch my mate giggle as a small boy splashes her with muddy water and although it's silly, I find myself letting out a growl.

I hadn't even known it escaped my lips until my mate's face looked panicked, while all the women around us laughed at my expense.

After washing up the children, my mate is covered in dirt, but she is so pretty that it doesn't even matter to me. She helps the women take out the tarp and clean up the remaining mess before turning back to Mandy.

Rhea's POV

By the time I'm done playing and cleaning, I notice that my cousins once happy expression now looks sad.

I'm not sure if it's because she's only just realized how dead the facility is or something else, but when she tells me that she has to leave, I understand that her reaction was because I would be alone with Colton.

"I said we would talk over a meal," the man says, and my eyes go wide as I realize that he meant it literally.

"I-I- I'M not ve-very hungry." My stomach growls loudly after those words and it's then that I realize true betrayal can only be experienced when one's body acts against its own interest.

I look around to see all the women in the room laughing at me and I can feel my face turn red in embarrassment.

"I-I-I'M covered in dirt."

"You can go back and change." Colton stares at me expecting a response, but just as I open my mouth, I’m cut off.

"We can show you the way Lu- I mean B." Janet and Crystal both grab one of my hands and pull me away.

I'm a little relieved that I won't have to walk side by side with Colton but at the same time I was planning to fake an injury so that I wouldn't have to go.

If I do that now, Janet and Crystal may be blamed, and then Tyson would have no one to look after him.

I've watched the interaction between the siblings, and they dote on their little brother; baby him even. Whoever has intimidated him into silence, isn't one of them and my main suspect is now Colton.

When we get back to the Packhouse, Crystal goes to run my bath, while Janet starts digging through the closet. I don’t know how the girls were raised, but they seem to enjoy what they are doing, so I don’t stop them.

Only Tyson and I look miserable, and it dawns on me that the boy probably feels left out among his very feminine sisters.

“If you want, I can be your brother.” The little boy actually rolls his eyes at me, and I let out a chuckle. He opens his mouth, but then shakes his head as if whatever he was going to say wasn’t important, and I don’t like that. “You can always talk to me about anything. Whenever you are ready, I’m here to listen.” Tyson nods, and I have now added another project to my agenda.

I don’t like it when children can’t express themselves because I know firsthand that it leads to insecurities as adults that are hard to overcome. I was able to do it because I had support from Raven, back-up from Robin, and even Jamie played a role.

I don’t want to leave this pack without making sure that the children who Colt has unofficially charged with watching me are on the right path. It will be hard, but as omegas within an oppressive pack, they must persevere to survive.

"You can always take them with you,” Sylvia says, and excitement courses through me at the thought, but then I rain on my own parade by reminding myself that I’m a rogue. “and a luna; we can start our own pack.”

I’m once again excited at the thought of having children of my own, and I start planning all the things I will do with and for them. Sylvia and I were so engrossed in our conversation about making sure we adopt a brother for Tyson, that I didn’t even hear Crystal calling for me.

By the time I look up, the girl's arms are folded across her chest, she’s wearing the cutest pout and my mind has officially been made.

Technically, what I would be doing is kidnap, but I don’t think the Iron pack would mourn the loss of three omega orphans. The only problem I may run into is their unexplainable attachment to Colton.

“Sorry Crystal, I was just talking about something important with my wolf.”

“More important than your mate?” the little girl questions, and I’m left speechless.

"Are you sure we want daughters? We could just take Tyson only." I hush Sylvia, who chuckles at the fact that she knows I actually considered her words, but I don’t want to separate the siblings.

I climb into the shower and become startled when Janet enters the restroom asking if I needed help.

“I’m not a queen Janet. I’ve been showering by myself for a long time.” The girl chuckles as she realizes how ridiculous her offer was, but I don’t hear her leave, so I pull back the curtain and peek out. The girl is picking at her fingers, and she is clearly mulling over something.

“Tell me, what’s bothering you?”

“Yes Lu- I mean, B. I just want to know if what Crystal said is true. Will we really be assigned to you?” I’m relieved the girl didn’t ask about pups, so I’m able to confirm her sister’s story, and we both laugh at the ‘told you,’ that comes from outside the door.

I round up my shower, and cringe at the selection of clothing laid out for me to try.

“Janet, this is… Where am I going?”

Some of the things were left behind when Holly brought her collection into my room, and in my opinion, they can give the wrong impression.

“You don’t like them?” Janet gives me the biggest puppy dog eyes and I find myself apologizing, telling her that I’m not very girly, and she should pick the best combination. She nods vigorously, and I gasp at her selection. “Perfect,” I force myself to say, and the girl hands me the clothes while ushering me into the walk-in closet to change.

"We won’t survive them, Sylvia says. Let’s just stick with Tyson only."

“That’s mean.” I reply, and I swear I saw my wolf shrug.

“Suit yourself, but don’t complain when they paint your house pink.”