Omega's Truth - Nora Phoenix Page 0,40

hate how this makes me feel, and part of me resents you for it, but you’re right, Lucan. I would’ve given more weight to Maz’s words…and I’m sorry.”

Lucan raised his chin. “The morning of York’s assassination, when you interrupted us having sex, you asked me to come with you. Not Maz, but me.”

Palani frowned. “Yes, because…” He stopped talking, and then his cheeks became fiercely red. “I automatically assumed it would be you.”

“Sando doesn’t have the gene. I could’ve helped him through his heat. Technically, he didn’t need Maz. But even if he did, that was not your call to make,” Lucan said.

“No, it wasn’t, and I’m sorry.”

Palani looked contrite enough that Maz knew his apology was genuine regret and not merely placating Lucan.

“People follow your lead, Palani. So when you treat people differently based on their status or how you perceive their importance to the pack, others will copy that behavior. And I know everyone says you’re doing such an amazing job and now no one even dares to criticize you after you’ve been sick, but you’re not perfect. You make mistakes as well, but when you close off the route to Lidon or we know appealing to him won’t make a difference because he’s your mate and will always choose your side, where are we supposed to go when you fuck up?”

Lucan’s voice had become stronger as he spoke, and Maz’s admiration for him grew. It took guts to speak up against Palani—though even that statement in itself was proof of the value they all gave to status.

Palani looked stricken as he dragged a hand through his hair. “I…I don’t know. I’ve never looked at it from that angle.”

“I’m not saying you’re not good at what you do,” Lucan said, softer now. “You are. You’re clearly the right man for the job. But you’re fallible, and somewhere in the system, you need to accommodate for that. There needs to be another route when you drop the ball. Once that doesn’t involve your mates.”

“Maybe one that doesn’t involve alphas,” Maz spoke up. “Speaking up to an alpha still goes against deeply ingrained behavior.”

“But I’m not an alpha,” Palani protested. “I’m not saying you’re wrong, but I’m a beta.”

“Yes, but one with the most powerful alpha we’ve ever known behind you. You speak with Lidon’s power and authority, Palani. You’re not just some beta,” Lucan said.

Palani let out a deep sigh. “Yeah. That makes sense. It’s just that…I don’t see myself like that, as someone who has power.”

“But you do. You can’t expect us to treat your decisions as law while at the same time expecting us to approach you as we would any ordinary pack member.”

Palani slowly shook his head. “You know, you’re one of those classic examples of quiet, introverted people saying the most confronting truths when you do speak up.”

“Thank you? I think?” Lucan said.

“It was a big compliment. I’m sorry to see you go to the second pack.”

Lucan glanced at Bray, then back to Palani. “I need a bit more distance from my brother and father, sorry.”

“And my guess is you’re excited about having Sivney as the second-in-command as well.”

“Honestly? Yes. As soon as we asked him, he stepped up and fixed the problem. Well, Sando decided to leave just as we had made the choice to get him out of there without anyone’s permission, but yeah, Sivney made sure Sando’s father was taken care of. But Maz and I talked about joining the other pack before we knew who’d be leading it, so there’s that.”

Palani and Bray shared a look that Maz didn’t understand, but then Bray said, “You’re under no obligation to tell us anything, but we were wondering why Sando’s name wasn’t on that transfer list.”

Maz had to give him credit for his careful wording. Clearly, he was trying to make sure Lucan didn’t feel pressured. But this time, Lucan looked at Maz. “It’s not our decision to make,” Maz said. “Obviously, we’d love for him to come with us, but it’s Sando’s choice. And he’s indicated he needs more time before he can commit to anything…us or a pack.”

Palani and Bray had questions. That much was clear by the expression on their faces, but to their credit, neither of them voiced them. Instead, Palani said to Sando, “Okay, then we’ll await your decision. And you’re welcome in both, just so you know.”

“If…” Sando cleared his throat. “If I went with Maz and Lucan, would I still be allowed to work on my