Page 48 of Dream Mates (Into The Parallel Omegaverse #2)

Chapter Thirty

Grace

“ Y our presentation was amazing,” I told a teenager, after the high school portion of the student presentations.

“I’m Grace, from Compass BioTek. Applications for our high school summer intern program close soon.

While we’re far, and I know summer’s almost here, I hope that you’ll consider applying.

We have a partnership with Rockland Technical Institute for housing. ” I gave her my card and a brochure.

“Compass BioTek?” She gave me a curious look. “Thank you.”

I found a few more students and encouraged them to apply, as well as gave out brochures to some teachers.

Then I sat and listened to the college and graduate student presentations, some of whom I’d met last night at the Daedalus Society reception.

I took a few notes as I wondered if any of them would be our nineteen-year-old with a penchant for arson.

Though by now most students had plans for summer.

Inara’s presentation went well. Though all the presentations were short and there wasn’t a lot of time for questions.

Afterwards, I went over to her. “You did great.”

“You came.” Her face lit up.

“Of course I did.”

A guy joined us and swept her off her feet. “Inara. That was fantastic. Aren’t you glad you applied? I knew you could do it.”

“Creed!” She laughed as he spun her around. “Put me down.”

My heart thumped. I didn’t see his face. He was slim, but very tall. Brennan tall. Though he was a bit of a beanpole. A scent like peaches, but sweeter, with a dash of cinnamon tickled my nose. As did the scent of alpha.

He was an alpha.

“Creed, I want you to meet Dr. Ellington. She works for Compass BioTek,” Inara said as he put her down. “This is my friend Creed Thorne. He’s the engineering student at Natty I was telling you about yesterday.”

“Hi. It’s nice to meet you, Dr. Ellington. I’m Creed Thorne. I’m about to graduate from Engineering school at National University of Science and Technology in electromechanical engineering. What do you do at Compass BioTek?” Creed turned and froze.

As did I. While he looked like me in the picture, in person it was like looking in a mirror and seeing me without makeup through a social media filter that was meant to make you look like a guy but really only added some chin fuzz.

“Wow, the resemblance in person is even stronger,” Inara breathed as we just stood there, staring at each other.

“Can everyone please clear the room so we can get set up for the next session?” someone announced. “Lunch is grab and go in the main ballroom.”

“We should go out to the lobby. You can find us a seat, and I’ll share my lunch with you.” Inara took Creed’s arm.

Creed continued to stare at me, as he allowed Inara to drag him out of the room. She pushed him into a chair in the lobby.

“Save the couch for us, we’ll be back with food.” Inara grabbed my hand, and we headed into the ballroom.

“Wow, we look a lot alike,” I said softly, as we got in the food line.

“Creed’s a good guy. He’d be an asset. Smart. Loyal. Hardworking. Great big brother,” she stated.

We grabbed our food, and I grabbed an extra box lunch. “Just getting one for my colleague,” I brushed off, striding out like I knew what I was doing.

Inara giggled. “They just let you take an extra, that’s brilliant.”

We went back to Creed who was frowning at his phone.

“Here you go.” I handed him the extra.

“Thank you. You look a lot like my little sister,” he said softly. “Perhaps we’re cousins.”

“Maybe?” Not in this dimension. “You have sisters? I always wanted sisters.”

“She does look like a blonde, short-haired version of Mercy,” Inara said.

He pulled up a picture of a tiny girl with blonde pigtails. “I was thinking more like a grown-up version of Hope.”

A pang shot through my heart, because the little girl looked an awful lot like little me. My dad always braided my hair like that. Though her hair looked curly and her nose was different.

“Awww. You have a lot of siblings?” I asked as we ate.

“Tons,” Inara answered for him. “All brilliant. Just like all his parents. He’s from a pack full of scientists–not just everyone’s favorite chemistry professor.”

Creed paused. “You know my father?”

I shook my head. “No. People just keep asking if he’s my dad.”

He thought for a moment and nodded. “I could see that. You’re in Daedelus Society, right? He’s very well known there.”

“Yes.” Oh dear. If Creed was this universe’s me, was this professor guy some version of my biological father?

My heart raced and I felt my phone buzz. I checked it.

Evan

Are you okay? I felt that all the way over here.

Me

I think I just met this universe’s me. It’s weird.

“Dr. Ellington, are you all right?” Creed’s voice grew soft.

“Just one of my mates texting me,” I replied. “Everything’s fine.”

Creed told me about his work and studies as he polished off his food. It sounded impressive.

“How do you like Compass BioTek? I’m really hoping to work there through their fellowship program,” he said.

“I just started, but so far I like working there a lot.”

A woman came over to me, the teacher of one of the students I’d invited to apply. “Excuse me,” she said, “can any high school student apply for the internship program, or only the ones you invite?”

“Anyone can.” I handed her my card and a brochure. “Please, encourage your students to apply. It’s going to be a really good program. If they’re busy this summer, please, keep us in mind for next year.”

“Thank you.” She left.

Creed took one of my brochures and looked at it.

“You know her entire class will be applying now and putting your name down,” Inara said.

“It’s part of why I’m here.” I shrugged. “They’re doing some really great things. This high school internship program is just one of them–it’s brand new.”

“If my parents weren’t so anti-Compass BioTek I’d get Mercy and Dare to apply.

They’re in high school. Mercy is really good at math.

She could do well if she applied herself, but she’d rather play skate smash.

She’s in some ultra-competitive travel league and wants to go pro.

” He shrugged, like sports weren’t important.

“Yeah, an internship like this could be what she needs to like school,” Inara agreed.

“Your parents don’t like Compass BioTek? Will they be okay if you get the job?” I asked. “And I mean this as someone who was kicked out of the family for getting a PhD in math instead of teaching kindergarten.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. I hope that my parents can see the opportunities it offers, even if they don’t like the company,” Creed told me.

“Why don’t they?” I inquired, curious. “It seems like safe and affordable health procedures would be a likable thing.”

I’d done some research before taking the job and couldn’t find anything objectionable.

“It’s more because Spencer Thanukos is a businessman, not a scientist, and at the end of the day, they think he’s about profit, not humanity, which they are against.”

“Oh, I see. My mom hated that I was good at math.” So, this dimension’s almost-me was from a pack of science hippies? I did see parallels.

“She’s good now though, right? I mean a PhD, a good job that you like, and a stable pack? That would be everything I could ever want for my child.” Inara looked anxious.

“No. She died before I graduated. I don’t talk to my brothers.”

“I’m sorry.” Inara squeezed my knee.

“It’s okay, now, thanks. This is dumb, but can I see a picture of your family, Creed? Curious if all your siblings look like you.” I took a sip of soda.

“Most of them do,” Inara said.

Creed pulled up a picture on his phone. There was a stack of kids, most of them looking similar to Creed, though not as similar as Creed and I looked.

But I was studying the parents. Three guys.

One was a smaller guy who bore a very close resemblance to Creed but looked most like the teenage girl. Three women…

I exhaled as I confirmed that none of them looked anything like my mother.

Yeah, this is not this dimension’s you. This is not your parallel family. This is not a multiverse. You know that, so just calm down.

“Dr. Ellington, are you all right? Do you want me to walk you to your room? Perhaps find one of your packmates?” Creed offered.

My phone buzzed again.

Evan

I need pictures.

“I’m fine. Thank you. Stayed out too late last night,” I brushed off. Which was true.

Dr. Mariano stopped and waved. “Grace, are we still on for tomorrow? We’re leaving here bright and early, does that work for you? I’ll text you the details.”

“Perfect. I’ll get my own ride back though,” I replied. Spencer would be in the area, too. I’d just call a car and meet up with him after I was done.

“See you tomorrow.” With another wave she left.

“Going on a field trip tomorrow,” I added to Creed and Inara.

Creed cocked his head as she left. “Grace. Your name’s Grace?”

Inara giggled. “Fits right in with your family’s naming scheme. Dr. Ellington, do your brothers have virtue names, too?”

“Nope.” My brothers had biblical names. Religion did exist here, but it wasn’t as big of a thing. Even holidays like Christmas were more secular than religious.

“Ugh, I have to go soon and help with the afternoon sessions. But first I need a picture of you two.” Inara checked her phone.

“As long as you send it to me,” I said.

Inara took a picture of Creed and me. After she sent it to me, I texted it to Evan… and Riley.

Riley

Who in the fuckity fuck is that?

Me

Interdimensional me, I guess?

“Sending it to your mates?” Creed grinned. “I might have sent it to my sister Verity.”

Evan

Oh shit. Dude you?

Me

Alpha dude me.

“I’ve got to go. Hey, my friends want to know if we’re really having pizza tonight?” Inara said.

“Sure. Pick a place, invite your friends, and anyone you think should be there. We’ll call it a Compass BioTek student mixer, and I’ll pick up the tab.” Why not feed the students? Free pizza had meant a world of difference some weeks.