Page 59 of Brave New Omega, Part 2

I pace, the papers trembling in my grip. I should have been preparing myself for the Winter Review in less than two weeks. I should be rehearsing my piano piece, or trying on evening gowns. I should be practicing my nesting, or working on my yoga flow for Omegas.

But I was in Aurelia’s office, holding a paper that was either my salvation or my ticket straight to hell.

“I don’t understand,” I say carefully. “You said that my blood panels didn’t have a match over 70%. Nothing statistically significant.”

Aurelia offers a tight-lipped smile. Not unkind but… strained. I’ve learned to read her in the month that we’ve been here. She has pretty obvious tells for anyone who pays attention. Katie would have, but she’s not here. She’s in full bonded-bliss with her pack.

I run a shaky hand through my hair.

“You’re correct, but that’s because not every pack is active in our system.”

I knew this. Being in the system was a privilege –some Packs opted out. Or couldn’t afford to opt in.

“We were asked by one of the older packs – a pack that had… not been seeking an Omega for quite some time. We were asked to specifically run a blood panel with them.”

I look down at the sheets of paper in my hands. I don’t understand all the line graphs –Norah could explain it I’m sure. But the bold print is clear enough.

98% match.

“We had them run twice just to be sure,” she says gently. “That high of a match is… unusual.”

What she doesn't say is for normal Omegas . But Katie’s blood panel had been over 97% match. In spite of herself, Katie was the perfect fit for Pack Murphy. Everything from last week had proven it.

I sit heavily in one of the thick upholstered chairs in front of Aurelia’s desk. I had accepted that my future was now bound up in this new system of Packs, and Alphas, and Omegas. I’d made peace with the fact that my biology would be an even bigger driving factor in who I married –or mated or whatever they called it. I’d cried away my hopes and dreams of finding my person and begun to dream about finding my people . Pack.

But, the Conservatory had promised that I’d have a say in that process. Courting, gifts, spoiling. All of that sounded wonderful. Unlike Katie and Maddie, I wanted to be pampered. Fuck, I wanted to soak up all the love that a Pack could offer –and return it to them tenfold.

But I’d also held tight to the promise that I would get a choice.

98% match.

Not much arguing with that.

“Your heat is also coming in sooner than we initially thought. And after… everything that has transpired, we believe that an extended visit would be good for you. The Pack has a country home on the coast, outside the city. It would be a safe haven for you to get to know them. And to go through your heat without triggering your sisters into heat, or,” she hesitates.

“Without risk of being kidnapped by crazy Betas?” I say, mock sweetness thick on my tongue.

Aurelia sighs. “Layla, I don’t know what it’s like for you and your sisters. But I know several members of this Pack. They will be able not only to take care of you, but to protect you. And their head Alpha,” she hesitates again.

“I believe that he must have seen you at the Bridal Toast and you sparked his interest. Enough to personally request a blood panel. In fact, he wants you to go through their scent-cards to see if they spark a scent-match too. He’s very interested. Even if it doesn't work out, I know he would do everything in his power to protect you. It’s the kind of Alpha he is.”

Protection .

Trust a stranger to that?

I sigh. Did I really have a choice in any of this? The Conservatory could wrap me in ribbons and send me by mail if they wanted. We had no family, no independent income. We were at the mercy of the Conservatory–and the Packs.

“Okay,” I say, clenching the papers in my fist. I take a deep breath in and out, then smooth them out on my knee. “When do I leave?”

THE END.

CAN'T GET ENOUGH?!?

Layla’s story will continue in the Not Your Omega Darling duet, coming in 2025!