Page 5 of Daisy

"You performed adequately tonight,"Uncle says, and there's satisfaction in his voice that makes me want to shrink into the seat."The Fairburn pack seemed particularly interested. Old money, excellent breeding lines. They'd be a valuable alliance."

I nod because that's what I'm supposed to do,but the words make me feel hollow.

"Your twentieth birthday is in eight weeks," he continues, thumb drumming against his knee. “We won't be holding a traditional Choosing Day ceremony, of course. Those are for common omegas who get thrown into the lottery system with whatever packs can afford to enter." His tone drips with disdain like poison. "You're far too valuable for such... vulgarity.We'll arrange several more private presentations before your birthday. Tonight was just the beginning."

Eight weeks. The number feels heavy.Eight weeks until I'm handed over to strangers who see me as nothing more than a political asset and a womb. Eight weeks until I become like Violet and Rose. Empty-eyed and constantly pregnant, pretending to be grateful for a life I never chose.

The Omega House looms ahead, all white stone and iron gates, beautiful enough to take your breath away if you don't know it's a cage. The guards at the gate nod respectfully as our car passes through. They know who I am, know Uncle owns pieces of their world. Everything here belongs to him in some way.

"Remember what we discussed,"Uncle says as the car stops at the main entrance, his words settling over me like a threat."No word of tonight's attendees to the other girls. The Omega House has rules about speculation and gossip."

"Yes, Uncle."

He doesn't touch me as I get out, doesn't say goodbye. I'm just another piece moved on his political chess board, and now I'm back where I belong until the next time he needs to display me.

Veronica meets me at the door with an overly bright smile that doesn't quite reach her eyes. She's the head house mother, and unlike her usual stern demeanor with the other omegas, she practically glows with false warmth whenever she's around me.

"How did it go tonight, dear?"she asks, her voice sugar-sweet as she practically tears the coat from my shoulders. “You look absolutely radiant.I do hope you made a wonderful impression."Translation: Tell me you performed well so I can take credit.

"It was... educational," I say softly.

"Oh, I'm certain it was!"She clasps her hands together, practically glowing."Your uncle must be so pleased with how beautifully you've developed under my care here." She pauses, studying my face. "I do hope you'll mention to him how attentive I've been to your needs. How I've spared no expense in your preparation."

The implication is clear enough."Of course, Veronica."

"Wonderful, wonderful."She practically bounces on her toes."Now, you must be exhausted after such an important evening. Why don't you retire to your lovely room? I'll have someone bring you some warm milk with honey, only the finest for our most precious omega."

I want to tell her I don't need warm milk, that I need to scream or run.Instead, I nod and head toward the elegant corridor that leads to our wing.

Everything feels unreal.

The Omega House is divided into sections. The elite omegas like me have the east wing. Large suites with silk wallpaper and crystal chandeliers, everything designed to remind us we're valuable property. The beta-born omegas have the west wing, and I see them sometimes during shared meals or in the common areas, though we don't really interact. There are only six of them compared to nine of us.

But tonight, as I walk down the corridor, I hear voices coming from the main common room. Laughing. Real laughter, which is rare enough here to make me pause.

I know I should go to my room.Something draws me toward the sound. Maybe it's the fact that after tonight's horror show, I need to hear something real. Something that isn't rehearsed or performed.

I peek around the corner and freeze.

It's Storm, one of the beta-born omegas, sitting cross-legged on one of the common room couches with what looks likecontraband gum in her mouth. Her wild auburn curls are even messier than usual, and she's laughing at something Frankie, one of the beta guards is saying. He's perched on the edge of the coffee table in front of her, grinning back at her with a warmth that makes my chest ache.

"You're terrible," Storm says,but she's still giggling."Says the girl who convinced me to sneak her gum for the past four years," Frankie shoots back,his cheeks slightly flushed."I could get fired for that,you know."

"But you won't."She says it with complete confidence."Because if Jonathan tried to fire you over gum, I'd fight him myself."Her eyes sparkle."This has nothing to do with how much you like me."

The way she says it makes Frankie blush even deeper.I've never seen a man do that before. I didn't even know guys could blush.

"Storm..."he says, and his voice is softer now, almost wondering.

"What?"she asks innocently, though the smile playing at her lips is anything but innocent."I'm just stating facts. You do like me,don't you, Frankie?"

For a moment, they just look at each other, and there's something electric between them.The way he looks at her, like she's something precious instead of property. Like she matters for who she is, not what she represents.

Watching them makes my chest ache.I know relationships between betas and omegas are forbidden. Against the law. Uncle has made that very clear in his speeches about maintaining proper social order. But watching Storm and Frankie together, seeing the genuine care between them, I can't understand how something that looks so much like love could be illegal.

How can love be forbidden?

And yet I know it is. I know that if Jonathan, one of the alphas who runs the Omega House or any of the other authorities caught them, the consequences would be severe. Especially for Frankie.