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“No,” I whispered. “Mireya was trying to convince them that I needed to be sent to a mental institute. When I confronted her about what she’d done, about the scars she’d left, she told me I must have done it to myself. But I didn’t. I didn’t.”

“Then I had to pretend I was better. I had to do it because I had no choice. I apologised to the Harts, to Eleanor. I called her Mum and called the Alphas my fathers. I asked them to forgive me because they thought I’d taken something called suppressants and that it had made me go crazy and given me fake memories.”

Leon’s expression changed. His mouth parted as if to say something, but he stopped himself, while beside him, Darius lowered his gaze for a second.

“You are doing very well, my darling. Continue when you are ready.”

I took a few more breaths, then kept going.

“Mireya got really angry because I told her I’d lied about my memories of my real life in England. I kept insisting that I didn’t remember, that I didn’t know why I would’ve said any of it, and then Eleanor fired Mireya.”

Lucien’s brow creased. “What do you mean by fired?”

“Dismissed. Eleanor dismissed Mireya, and the next thing I knew, Cedric was telling me about you. He said there was a contract and Lady Elowen was supposed to mate the Stormforge Pack. In my world, people married one person. I was shocked when he told me there were five of you. I didn’t understand Packs or bonds or mating. I barely understood being an Omega.”

I looked at Alaric and forced myself to keep going.

“But I was relieved. I wanted out of that house so badly. I knew you thought you were getting Lady Elowen, and I still agreed to come. I told myself I was an Omega now and you needed one. Maybe it wouldn’t matter which Elowen I was if I could be good to you.”

I could barely see him through my tears.

“I can be good to you. I promise I can.”

“Elowen—”

“I’ve been studying.” The words started coming faster, and once they did, I couldn’t seem to stop them. “I’ve been reading the Omega books, the Pack customs and House customs. I’m trying to learn how everything works, and I can learn more. I won’t cause trouble. I can be a good Omega.”

Lucien covered his face with one hand.

“I know I lied to you. I know it was wrong, but I wanted to get away.”

Alaric looked down at me. Caius’s shoulders stiffened, and Leon clasped his hands between his knees.

“I’m sorry. I just wanted to live. I didn’t want to go to that Institute or have Mireya keep hurting me. I saw a way out, and I took it.”

I tried to wipe my face, but the tears wouldn’t stop.

“I deceived the Harts, and I deceived you. I let you mate me believing I was someone else.”

Alaric’s eyes closed for a second. That was all, but Caius looked away towards the windows, his jaw working once before he faced me again, while Leon lowered his head and Darius’s fingers curled slowly against his palm. Lucien stayed behind his hand, and no one moved away from me.

“You deserved to know who you were mating. I should’ve told you before. I should’ve told you the day I arrived, but I was so scared you’d send me back.”

I looked away because I couldn’t face them anymore.

“I care about you more than I thought I would.”

My hand trembled in my lap, but I kept going.

“I like being your Omega. I like waking up in our nest and eating with you. I want this. I want you. Please keep me.”

Alaric’s arms tightened around me. Across from us, Caius looked down for a brief second, Leon pressed his lips together, and Darius straightened as if someone had pulled a cord through his spine. Lucien finally lowered his hand, and the look on his face made my throat close.

I hated that I was begging, but the words were already out, and I couldn’t take them back.

“I know the contract wasn’t for me. I’m not the woman you agreed to marry, but please don’t send me away. I’ll study. I’ll learn. I’ll be good.”

“My heart⁠—”