Page 61

FIFTY-ONE

Rory taps a knuckle against the door. She smiles wide at me before taking a look around my room.

My belongings are scattered across the space.

The way in which I decided to pack is definitely questionable, but I can’t even be bothered by the chaotic mess because of the happiness I feel. It’s like nothing can pull me down.

Instead of remarking on the mess, a happy sheen builds in Rory’s eyes. “I’m really going to miss you.”

“Aw, Cranny.” I stop what I’m doing and make my way to her. “I won’t be very far. It’s not like I’m moving across the country.”

She fake pouts. “I know. I don’t know why I’m having this reaction. I’m so happy for you, and this has nothing to do with me. I’m just feeling… unsettled.”

“That’s a normal omega response to have, Rory.” I quirk an eyebrow at her. “It’s okay to feel how you feel even if it doesn’t make sense. Our hormones do that to us sometimes.”

Rory tilts her head at me, wiping a tear from the corner of her eye. “Is that something you learned in therapy?”

I shrug slightly. “Amongst other things. Sometimes we don’t have to figure out or fix the thing that caused the emotion, we just have to feel it in the moment and let it pass.”

I watch my best friend process what I said, which is probably what I looked like the first time I heard it. It can be strange, feeling like a victim to your own biology. I know Rory feels this way more than most omegas. “May I say something even though it may sound hypocritical?”

Rory gives me a curious look but then nods. “Of course.”

“Please promise me you’ll cater to your omega more. Give into more of her needs. We’ve both been ignoring ours for so long… but trust me, it feels so much better to let them live. It’s like… welcoming home a piece of yourself that you didn’t realize you’d been neglecting.”

A dose of emotion pokes through my words, causing my lower lip to tremble slightly. “Sorry,” I apologize, realizing I had said that not only for her, but for myself.

“Stacia.” Rory gives my shoulder an affectionate squeeze, “I promise I’ll try, only because I’ve seen what it’s done for you and your happiness. I’m not even sure I have the same omega needs as other omegas. I’ve certainly never felt them.”

“There’s that Sagittarian stubbornness I know and love.”

That has her laughing before she pulls me into a hug. It’s one of mutual adoration, and it has me feeling extremely grateful for a friend as amazing as her. Even if she never discovers her own omega needs, I’ll be here for her every step of the way.

She was there for me when I wasn’t even there for myself, and that’s a debt I’m not sure I can ever repay. But damn, I’ll certainly fucking try.

“We’ll still have our girls’ nights, right?”

I clasp her hand in mine. “Of course. We can even have them more often. And Opal can join them now since she’ll be taking over my lease.”

Opal was very excited for me to finally take the next move with my pack, but she was also excited to learn that a spot in an off-campus house would become available for her to take. Especially one with a roommate she already knows.

She’s been a breath of fresh air these past few months.

She understands her authentic self more than anyone I’ve ever met, and it’s been an absolute delight to watch her embrace it.

She’s timid, but sarcastic. She’s a homebody, and very proud of it.

One afternoon while we were hanging out, she described herself as a “goblin hermit.”

“I’m so glad I don’t have to live with a stranger,” Rory says with a relieved sigh. “Also, she has the most impressive mug collection I’ve ever fucking seen. They’re all either pastel or shaped like a cartoon character. I’m jealous. I hope she lets me use them when she moves in.”

“I’m sure she will,” I laugh, going back to packing. “She’ll give you a lot less trouble than I did, that’s for sure.”

“Stop that.” She flicks me in the head, making me laugh. “You were going through stuff. It was an honor to help you.”

“Just let me help you, too, when the time comes.”

She scoffs. “You can help me read lines, because I’ll have that Shakespeare class, remember?”

“Oh gosh, how could I forget? You don’t even like anything historical, but god forbid there’s a genre you haven’t mastered yet.” She gives me an exasperated look, which causes me to erupt into laughter.

“How dare you point that out.” She joins in my amusement. “It’ll be fun. If I can pull off a historical role, then my contemporary ones will be that much easier. It’s as simple as that.”

“You don’t have to convince me. I’m glad you have something you’re so passionate about, Cranny.”

There’s a moment of comfortable silence. I’m in the middle of putting my extension cords away in the same box as my candles when Rory speaks up again.

“Stacia… I know you’re excited about moving in with them and bonding, but I have to ask… are you scared?”

I hear what she’s not directly asking. It’s a bit of an unspoken thing for most omegas.

We’re built for it, yes, but we all experience it at different ages.

If an omega doesn’t bond with anyone at all, they never experience it.

Still, I feel both exuberance and anxiousness crawl through me at the thought of it.

My very first heat.

“I’m terrified,” I admit, meeting her eyes. “I trust my mates completely, so it’s not about that. It’s about… ironically, how mindless I’ll be. That lack of control scares me. I’m guessing it’s something that scares you too.”

She gives me a solemn nod. “But I also can’t imagine trusting anyone enough to help me through something like that. It’s really beautiful that you have it.”

Her expression is pinched. I’m sure most newly-presented omegas discuss their inevitable heats with their friends, but Rory and I have been running from our designation for so long.

It’s only ever been something we’ve talked about in code.

Just another scary thing that loomed over us because of what we were.

Something we couldn’t choose or control.

“I think I’m worried my brain will associate my heat with being dissociated and that once it’s over, I’ll convince myself that I’ve regressed.

” I shrug. “It’s something I’ll bring up in therapy before we lock ourselves away, but I’m curious how it will feel.

Or if I’ll feel anything at all. I’m also worried that I’ll give them a hard time about taking care of me.

Atlas will probably panic if I refuse to eat. ” The thought makes me giggle.

“That’s a lot to think about.” Rory smiles with me. “I bet it’ll be amazing, and not nearly as scary as we’re imagining. I’m here for you, if you want to talk about it afterwards.”

“Well, I’d hope so. You’re my best friend. And as you stated a long time ago, we don’t have privacy anymore. You’re required to know everything that happens.”

She rolls her eyes at me. “Don’t hold that against me.”

Rory tries to help me sort through the chaos when we hear a truck pull up outside. “That must be your pack with the U-Haul.”

I try and fail miserably not to beam at the words. We grab a few boxes that are already full and sealed. When I get to the door, however, it’s Opal on the other side.

“Holy shit! You came after all,” Rory exclaims behind me. Our new ginger friend gives us a sassy grin before grabbing the box from my hands.

“I wanted to see you off. I feel like it’s proper, seeing the recipient of my future room hauling off her belongings. It’s very… symbolic, I think. And anxiety-inducing, because I’ll be the one hauling items next.”

Rory and I try to hide our amusement and fail miserably.

Opal’s expression changes into something vulnerable. “And I also, maybe… just wanted to be here. For support.”

My heart melts at the uncertainty in her features. I look at my two friends and feel all the platonic butterflies.

“Oh, you,” I say vaguely. I also don’t know how to be vulnerable in casual settings. We’re working on it in therapy.

“Did you drive here, Opal? I didn’t know you drove,” Rory cuts in.

Opal shakes her head timidly. “No. My friend dropped me off.”

Rory narrows her eyes. “The same horrible friend that set you up on that blind date?”

Her expression is instantly guilty. She shrugs casually and waves it off. “It’s all good now. She feels bad about that.”

I can feel a protective anger start up in Rory, so I step in between them and give Opal my own stern look. “Just let us know if she gives you any more trouble. You’re our friend now, too.”

The sentiment makes her smile and almost fumble the box in her hands. Before we can continue the conversation, I hear tires against asphalt.

“Now, that must be my pack. Or maybe Sam.” I’m certainly not expecting anyone else.

“Sam?” Opal asks.

“He’s the president of Alpha Xi,” Rory answers. “I thought you met him at the fundraiser?”

The confusion makes itself known with a scrunch of her eyebrows. “What’s he look like?”

“Blond hair. Blue eyes. Smells like green apples.” I think of more descriptors, “He was dressed casually that day, but he’s normally dressed really nice. Loves charity work. Has a sarcastic streak if you know him, according to my mates.”

“Hm.” Opal looks like she’s thinking really hard. “I was so overwhelmed while we were there, all the scaly creatures.”

She uses her fingers to mimic pinchers, which causes me to snort.

“We should get moving or this will take all day.” Rory continues speaking through the side of her mouth. “Opal, you should see the state of Stacia’s room.”

I scoff loudly at her. “And here I thought you ignored the mess to be polite. What the fuck?”

We all crack a laugh as we head to the door. It’s not until we’re opening it that we hear it… these familiar screeching voices.

“We’re here to see our daughter .”

“Who are you ?”

Oh shit . My parents.