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My brief hope disappeared.
“Although his work involves considerably more than that.”
“You might ask him about it, Elowen,” Nora said. “His work would give you something to discuss. Alphas do enjoy speaking about their work.”
“Some do,” Eleanor corrected gently, “but I believe Nora is right. I know his career may seem intimidating to a young Omega. Information can be every bit as powerful as an army, after all.” She glanced at Lucien’s image, then back at me. “But whatever he may be to others, to you he will always be your mate.”
That was strangely reassuring, and I looked back at Lucien. I could work with that. I continued down his profile until another line caught my attention.
MOTHER: BETA — MAREN FROSTMERE
A Beta mother. Right. Betas could have Alpha children; we’d already covered that. Look at me remembering things. My little burst of pride lasted until I reached another section.
KNOWN FAULTS: SECRETIVE · OVERLY SUSPICIOUS · FIXATES ON UNRESOLVED MATTERS
I was planning to walk into this man’s home pretending I belonged in his world, and he was overly suspicious? Then my eyes moved to the next fault.
FIXATES ON UNRESOLVED MATTERS.
Wait. I looked back at Lucien’s pale, unsettling eyes. Actually…
“A collection of leaves?” Ivy’s voice pulled me out of my thoughts. “He collects leaves?”
“He has a rather well-known and highly sought-after collection,” Eleanor said. “Very few people have been permitted to see it. I’ve been told he’s exceptionally proud of it.”
I smiled, and Ivy caught me. “Elowen, surely there must be some limit to what you consider cute.”
“Says who?”
“I draw the line at a collection of leaves.”
I laughed. “I like it. I wonder how he preserves them. Leaves fall apart eventually, don’t they?”
“Mother, please,” Ivy said. “Let’s move on before she decides the intelligence director is adorable as well.”
I was still laughing when Eleanor changed the image and another face appeared.
LEON STORMFORGE
He had thick chestnut curls, slightly unruly around his forehead, warm amber-gold eyes and golden-tanned skin. His face was broad and handsome, with a strong jaw, full lips and faint creases at the corners of his eyes. A tiny lift at one corner of his mouth made him look as though he were about to smile, as if someone had said something amusing just before the image was taken and he was trying hard not to react. I found myself smiling back.
“This one looks rather approachable,” Nora said.
“This one?” I looked at her. “His name is Leon, Nora.”
“Leon looks rather approachable,” Nora corrected, exaggerating his name just enough to make me laugh.
“He is rather charming,” Eleanor said, bringing up his full information beside the image.
LEON ROWAN STORMFORGE
AGE: 35
DESIGNATION: ALPHA
BIRTH PACK: IRONHART PACK
CAREER: STEWARD OF PACK STORMFORGE — TREASURY · ESTATES · INVESTMENTS · COMMERCIAL HOLDINGS
