Page 49 of Dream Mates (Into The Parallel Omegaverse #2)

Inara went off, but Creed and I just sat there, talking. Conversing with him was easy, and thanks to Wes, I could follow a lot of what he was doing.

“You never told me what exactly you do for Compass BioTek. What’s your PhD in?” he asked.

“Theoretical mathematics. My specialty is string theory, and I work a lot with qubits. I’m doing a project with simulations and quantum computers,” I said.

“With medical applications? You’re doing something with nano-quantum-computers for medicine?” he asked.

I nodded. “They are, not me, though.”

“You mentioned your mom, but what of your dad? I don’t mean to pry but…” He spread his hands. “I’m guessing you're just a few years older than me?”

“Yeah, not why I wanted to say hi .” I shook my head.

Creed nodded. “So, who is he?”

Shit. Of course he’d wonder that.

My heart pounded. “I don’t know and don’t care. That’s not…”

“It’s okay.” His voice went soft again. “Hazards of having a sister like Verity. Though her specialty is plant genetics not people. She works with omega lilies mostly.”

“That sounds fun. She’s probably trying to figure out the probability of us being related?” I could see her making whatever Punnett squares were called here, trying to figure it out.

“Her first question was when you were born, wondering if you were a missing sister or something.” He smiled.

I laughed. “Pretty sure we’re not twins.”

Though this was weird and a little uncomfortable. Was this a mistake?

“Grace, there you are. You are coming to Narif’s presentation, aren’t you?” Margie hustled over to me, shooting me a scolding look.

“Is it that time already?” I checked my phone. Shit. It was.

“Go on, I don’t want you to get in trouble,” Creed said.

“I’ll see you later. This was fun. Come to pizza.” I stood and followed Margie, who was now joined by Tish.

Margie eyed me but didn’t say anything. Inside the presentation hall, I found Spencer and sat next to him.

“How is everything going?” Spencer asked me after Narif’s presentation. We left the ballroom and found a quiet corner and I took a moment to nestle into his arms.

“It’s been interesting. I met an engineering student who applied to one of our programs and is waiting to hear back.” I showed Spencer a picture.

He sucked in a breath. “The resemblance is uncanny.”

“Yeah. This dimension’s me is an alpha dude. Who would have thought? At least this dimension’s version of my mom’s not part of his family, I couldn’t handle that.” For a moment I leaned into him, letting his scent wrap around me.

Spencer held me tightly, planting a kiss on my forehead.

“I know that’s not true. I’m freaking myself out over nothing, like am I creating an incursion or something by talking to him? But Creed is also really nice,” I added.

“Creed?”

“Creed Thorne. Apparently that professor, the one that people keep asking me if he’s my dad, is his dad. What are you doing next?” I asked.

“Another business meeting. One I need to run to. Would you like to come? It won’t be interesting for you, but I’ve missed you.” He gave me a kiss.

“I’ve missed you, too. But I’m taking a bunch of students out for pizza. I met them last night at the Daedalus Society mixer. You can join us after the meeting, I’m sure they’d love to meet you,” I told him.

“You’re leaving the hotel?” He gave me a look. “Take a car, make sure you text me the address. Be safe.”

“I will.” I kissed him. He left and I texted Wes to see how his day was and emailed the fellowship coordinator about Creed.

I ducked into another presentation, then made my way out into the lobby.

“Found a place,” Inara told me. “Can we invite others? I have some friends who weren't here today or last night.”

She was with Creed and a couple of the people from last night.

“Go for it. I just need to know where we’re going,” I replied. “Let’s go have some pizza.”

We’d taken over the entire back patio, which despite the sticky heat, was filled with college and graduate students eating pizza and wings and drinking beer, while talking science.

One of the omegas I’d met yesterday, Russ, came in, waving at us, a young woman with blue hair, an undercut, and a sleeve of tattoos in tow.

“Russ, when you said we were going for pizza you didn’t say it was with the science nerd.” She rolled her eyes, but waved. “Hey, In a .”

“Hey, En id .” Inara grinned. “It’s free pizza and beer.”

“Really, thank Grace,” Russ said. “Actually, Enid, I wanted you to meet Dr. Grace Ellington, from Compass BioTek.”

The small woman eyed me. “Because they need artists to make murals in their lobby?”

“Because she’s like you.” Russ grabbed a slice of pizza and took a bite, as he dragged a chair over.

She turned away, scent filling with hurt. “Oh. Russ, it’s not like omegas meeting each other. I’ve explained this to you.”

Enid grabbed a cup and filled it with beer from one of the pitchers and downed half.

“I’m sorry,” I said softly. “It was my idea. I… I’ve never met another gamma before.”

“Well, now you have,” she snapped. “I’m Enid. My parents were Fundies. So, did you have the omega starved or beaten out of you when you wouldn’t marry who you were told to before you’d even blossomed?”

I met her gaze, my heart wrenching at the pain in her eyes. “Beaten. And it was because I wanted to be with someone she didn’t pick.”

Which was sort of true. She really wanted me to marry one of the church boys from our small town. Why anyone would want to marry them was beyond me.

Apparently here Fundies disavowed packs, believing every alpha deserved their own omega and shouldn’t have to share–even if it meant mating with teenagers.

It wasn’t legal, but it happened.

“Wait, what? I thought gammas were a genetic thing.” Inara’s jaw dropped.

Enid crumpled. “I’m sorry, I…”

“It’s okay. We don’t have to talk about it. I’m sorry, I wasn’t trying to start anything.” I took the pitcher and refilled her glass.

It hadn’t truly hit me that most gammas were going to have backstories even more tragic than mine. The idea that I caused her pain made me feel horrible.

“It’s fine, it’s just… fuck.”

“Sorry, Enid,” Russ squeezed her hand.

Inara frowned. “I don’t understand.”

“And that’s why I don’t do this.” Enid chugged her beer and left for inside.

Inara stood to follow.

Russ shook his head. “Give her a moment. I fucked up.”

“Sometimes a genetic switch is thrown, creating a gamma, but more often it’s circumstance,” Creed said softly. “War, famine, extreme poverty, very violent situations, asshole parents.”

I waited a moment then excused myself. Enid was in the bathroom.

“Are you okay? I’m sorry. It was selfish of me to ask him to bring you.” I asked softly as she fixed her hair in the mirror.

“I don’t mean to be a bitch. It’s been a day, and I shouldn’t take it out on you, but…” Enid sighed. “It’s hard.”

“It is. I spent most of my PhD in therapy.” To have your parents know what you were and then willfully take it from you? How awful.

“You escaped Fundies, too?” She eyed me curiously through the mirror as she redid her lipstick.

“My parents didn’t believe in designations.” It was the truth, just the wrong truth.

“Equalists. Just as bad but without the floral dresses. Russ knows I don’t like being around female omegas–even his science friends. They get all sad when they find out I’m a gamma and I don’t need their bullshit.” She rolled her eyes.

I nodded. “I feel like I don’t act or react the way people expect because I don’t know better. Growing up, I didn’t know there were different designations. Then you add in the bizarro gamma responses…”

“Tell me about it.” A smile cracked her lips. “I threw a bucket of paint on a client who startled me today.”

“I hit a shooter with a chair and gave everyone in the fancy restaurant a heart attack.” I laughed.

“Fuck, that was you? In the green dress? I saw that on social media.” She turned to study me.

“Yep. Interrupted my birthday dinner. How dare they?” I snorted.

Enid stood close to me. She frowned. “Wait, you have an alpha. Alphas? I smell mates.”

“Yeah. I have two mates, and,” my head ducked. “Maybe a third.”

“Oh.” Her look went thoughtful. “And your mate’s pack… they’re okay with you?” Enid shifted uncomfortably. “I always thought… I mean… what alpha…” She looked away. “I didn’t want to be shot up with drugs and mated at thirteen, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t ever want a mate…”

“Mine want me.” My voice went soft as my heart wrenched.

She sighed. “Well, that gives me hope.”

The door opened and Inara popped her head in. “Everyone okay?”

“We’re fine, Ina,” Enid reassured. “I guess we should stop hiding and come back out.”

We rejoined our table.

Russ was talking to Creed. “Are you going back to Natty tonight? Finals are soon?”

“Yeah, next week. There are no classes this week. I’m staying with Ina tonight. I was thinking of bugging my sister tomorrow, since Research Circle’s not far by train,” Creed said.

“Bug your sister? Just one?” Inara laughed as she sat back down. “Not get a home cooked meal or hug your parents? Verity goes to Briar University. Creed’s home is walking distance.”

“Oh, is that where you both went for undergrad?” I asked, having no idea where that was.

Enid sat back down by Russ, and he put an arm around her.

“We went to Marquess, but the campuses are adjoining,” she told me. “Once upon a time, Marquess was for alphas and Briar was for betas. But now they’re both for everyone.”

“And omegas couldn’t go to university at all. So glad that’s not true anymore.” Russ grimaced.

We ate and talked and gradually Enid relaxed. My phone buzzed.

Spencer

Done. May I join your pizza social?

Inara grinned. “Who’s that?”

“Spencer wants to know if he can come by.” I couldn’t help but smile.

“ Please have him come by,” Russ said.

“Is Spencer Thanukos your alpha? I’ve seen the way he’s with you.” Inara’s voice went sing-song.

“He’s my mates’ packmate.” But I grinned. Hard.

I nodded and we laughed. This was nice. They were nice. Maybe I’d make some science friends after all.