Page 57 of Puck My Life

“You’ve been in love with them forever, haven’t you, Vae? And they have never even looked your way. You’re just a poor girl with no career, no family, no history, no heritage, and you’re clinging to the family that isn’t yours.”

“They are mine-”

“No, Vae. No. You can pretend that, but when you stop sabotaging their happiness, you’ll realise they will never be happy until they have an omega, one who is their perfect match.”

“And you think that’s you?”

“I know it is. I can give them everything they need. Vae, I’m not afraid of cameras like you are, like the absurdity of dating a celebrity when you can’t even deal with the press is just trash. I fit into their world. I make them better.”

“You are vile.”

“I’m hurt, Vae, I’m trying to help you because I love them so much, and you’re throwing it back in my face. Well, here’s a piece of advice from one omega to a beta. Give up. They are not yours; you don’t have what it takes to hold alphas like them.”

I tremble.

“They will never want you. Never desire you. Vae, face it, you’re nothing but their little sister. Walk away, you look pathetic.”

She smiles, but it’s a pity smile and tainted with victory.

I stand there, staring at nothing, reeling from the verbal blows she’s hit me with.

Is she right? All my doubts resurface. The pain and fear sinks deep. Just a friend? Will I love them forever? Will they ever see me?

I creep out of the toilet and look around for Raynor. The crowd is growing, but they are all gone. Indy, Raynor, Deacon, and Mal. All of them. I go up to the bar and wait for Kevin, blinking hard so I don’t cry.

“Hey, did you see where the guy I was with went?” I try for cheerful, but it falls flat.

He follows my finger to the table I’m pointing at.

“Oh, yeah, he said to tell you he needed to take the pack home. He would ring you.”

“Oh.”

I turn away. What do I do? What can I do? I just get to go home I guess.

I work my way through Slapshots and out to my car, then I drive back to my hotel. Alone.

He doesn’t call.

But then, I didn’t think he would.

Vae

PAST

It’s been almost a year since we started college and three weeks since Maria put that seed of doubt in my mind, and they are just having the best time. The problem is that when I need them, even if I don’t tell them, they are there, rescuing me from a pushy date, arriving with an umbrella when it’s raining. Bringing me chocolate when I want to cry.

They are acting as if everything is normal.

Like I’m a sister.

They don’t even get why I’m being like this.

I’m going to tell them.

It will ruin everything, but if I tell them, then I can leave and start a new life. I’ve already arranged a transfer to another school. I’ve got a friend I can stay with, too.

They are sitting on the couch for once with no omega or beta between them.