Chapter Twenty Three

I sit back quietly and watch my mum go around the room for the 4th, inspecting everything there is to inspect.

"Come on, mum. I really don't think there are any bugs". She nods to my words in affirmation but doesn't stop peering anxiously into anything that even remotely looks like it could contain a bug. I sigh softly and look away. At the far end of the room is Edna, positioned quietly, her eyes fixed on our interaction. This is how she's been since my family arrived, laid back so well she can easily be forgotten. But I know her mind and eyes are as alert as they come. I don't tell my mum that if anything is spying on her, it's probably the omega who hasn't left my side since she came.

Trish had led them to their respective rooms, playing the warm and hospitable host I know she actually is. At some point, my mum, who's usually inclined to be more reserved and observant at a first interaction had even gotten comfortable enough to share a few jokes with her. And it was at that point