Page 53 of Puck & Her Blades

Shit, I should have known that was triggering.

Only some Omegas were lucky enough to have been raised with the freedoms that I had.

It was why I’d started my blog. Why I was trying to be an example to show that Omegas should be allowed to compete in sports.

“I’m sorry,” I said, gently. “I meant it as a compliment.”

“My sister doesn’t,” Cygnus whispered. “Dad doesn’t.” Hurriedly, he looked away. “I better get back to my lesson plan. How about I bring up some images of the reproductive system?”

Before I could stop him, he snatched the laptop and turned it to face himself.

“Wait,” I called out. “Don’t…”

“What? Been looking at naughty sites, have you?” Cygnus teased. “Trying to find some omega on omega action for us to test out on OmegaHub? Don’t worry, I’m not shocked easily…”

Then his mouth fell open, as instead of the kinky sites that he’d expected to see on the screen, Pucked Off Snow Bunny was revealed and my latest post:

The ice doesn’t sing out Omega, Beta, or Alpha.

The ice doesn’t judge.

The ice simply allows you to fly.

On the ice, you’re free.

Ice Omega, Picked Off Snow Bunny Blog

Cygnus scanned it quickly with an intent expression.

I cringed, scooting back from him.

The book fell to the floor from where it’d been balanced between us.

When Cygnus glanced back at me, his expression was shuttered. “So, you follow this site too, huh? I thought that the blogger must have been caught and sent to the Institute or something. But look, a new post only this morning.”

“Would you look at that.”

He tilted his head, and his hair fell over his eyes. “We could dance around each other for the next couple of hours, or I could just come out and say it. I’m smart. We both know that I’ve worked out that the snow bunny is you. I like this Ice Omega post. It’s really moving. I mean, you’re welcome to bluster and deny it, if that makes you feel better. On the other hand, we could get straight to my offer to help you. Just think of everything that I could find out as the coach’s son and pass onto you.”

No fucking way.

I pushed myself up onto my knees, grabbing Cygnus by the hair. His eyes widened, as I dragged him, until our faces were almost touching.

“Are you fucking with me?” I bared my teeth. “I’m already marked as a Rej. When I started this blog, I didn’t know what I was risking. Now, I do. I’ve been inside the Institute. You haven’t, and I’ll do anything — fucking anything — to make sure that you never experience that.”

Cygnus’ eyes flashed. “I’m not made of glass. I don’t need to be sheltered.”

He didn’t understand. How could he?

He was precious to me.

He had a pack, a home, a life.

Everything that I’d had and lost.

I couldn’t let him risk it.

I tightened my hold on his hair. “If you’re marked as a Reject and sent to the Institute, then you’ll die. Your health wouldn’t survive what they do inside there. You’re the wealthy, loved son of a billionaire. You don’t understand the fear and shame of being a Rej. You’re the perfect and treasured—”

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