Page 6 of Omega Tricked

Chapter Three

Dylan

“We’re going to start off with something easy that should help chase away the panic I see on some of your faces.” A few people laughed as Tom, the omega running the cooking class, smiled at us. “Also, I see we have a few new faces today. Would you like to introduce yourselves?”

I froze as the class turned to stare at me. Sweat broke out on my upper lip as I struggled to think of what to say about myself. I hadn’t expected to have to talk and had no interest in sharing anything about myself with this group of strangers. Before I could speak, a deep voice behind me spoke first.

“Well, I guess there isn’t much to tell. My name is Lex. I’m in Yellow Springs on business but figured I’ve always loved cooking, so why not take a class?”

I turned to find a stunningly good-looking alpha in the seat behind me. He must have come in after me because there was no way I wouldn’t have noticed him. Our eyes met, and a shiver of awareness passed through me. Startled, I turned back around so my back was to him. I hadn’t felt any kind of physical reaction toward any alpha in years. I didn’t like that it was happening now. It was unsettling and made me feel like quitting the class immediately.

“Have you ever taken a cooking class before?” Tom asked, smiling at Lex.

“Nope. But I cook for myself a lot. I’m not a big fan of fast food, and I actually enjoy cooking.”

Tom nodded, looking pleased. “Excellent.” His gaze fell on me. “And what about you? Do you enjoy cooking?”

I squirmed in my seat, feeling annoyed that the teacher was making us introduce ourselves. What was the point? I didn’t plan on being besties with any of these people. “I don’t cook much,” I said quietly.

“That must be nice,” a female omega said with a snicker. “I have to do all the cooking at my house. My alpha probably doesn’t even know what a grater looks like.”

Everybody laughed, and I started to relax a bit, but then Tom focused on me again.

“I don’t think you said your name.” Tom looked at me expectantly.

I swallowed. “Dylan.”

“Do you live here in town, Dylan? Or are you just visiting on business like Lex?”

I grimaced. “I live at the compound.”

There was a bit of murmuring from the class. Everyone in town knew about the compound, but what we did there was a mystery to most people. The compound did sometimes hire people from town, but they were sworn to secrecy and had to sign an NDA. Solar eclipse omegas were a closely guarded secret. The Ancients didn’t want the general population knowing about us, and that was fine by me. The last thing I wanted was to try and explain to people that I could get pregnant just like a female omega.

“Well, welcome,” Tom said, his gaze curious now. “We don’t get many students from the compound.”

I held his gaze in silence and was relieved when another student piped up.

“What are we going to cook today?” she asked cheerfully.

Tom seemed to shake himself. “Uh… pasta puttanesca. It’s simple but very flavorful.”

Everyone seemed to be pleased with his choice, and I was just happy the attention was off me. Tom explained that we’d break into groups of three to cook. He gave a big spiel on safety using the stoves and knives but quickly reassured us that his speech was mostly just for liability reasons.

Since I’d missed the first class, I didn’t know anyone. When everyone began to break off into groups, I felt like I was in grammar school all over again. It was odd to be twenty-two years old but reduced to the awkwardness of childhood simply because of splitting into groups.

Someone tapped my shoulder, and when I turned, there was an omega about my age standing there. His expression was friendly and his green eyes bright. “Want to be in our group?” He gestured to the alpha named Lex, who stood beside him. “I always take the newbs under my wing.”

I frowned, not thrilled about the idea of being in a group with an alpha. What was this guy Lex even doing here? Alphas didn’t need to cook; that was their omega’s job. “Um…”

The omega stuck out his hand. “I’m Tucker by the way. Sorry, I should have introduced myself.”

I shook Tucker’s hand, unsure of how to respond. I warily eyed Lex again, feeling uneasy. Lex seemed to notice, and he frowned but didn’t say anything. Once again, I was struck by how attractive he was, and my pulse raised as our eyes met.

“I don’t bite,” Lex said softly.

“That’s what they all say,” I muttered.

Tucker laughed. “Come on, it’ll be fun. I know my stuff, and there isn’t anyone else for you to team up with anyway.”