Page 185 of Wanted Beta

“I called Catherine,” I start. “It really wasn’t that big of a deal. I was just trapped in a closet for a day. It wasn’t a life or death situation …”

“I’ve seen the posts that boy was making on Facebook. He was a dangerous person. You got lucky that your friend’s mother was able to track you down.”

I’m going to kill Tammy when I see her.

She’s never getting my room now.

I might even go back to that course to keep the room just to spite her.

No, no. I wouldn’t.

I don’t know why I thought of that.

I’m not going back there, no way, no how.

“Well, it’s over now, and his father’s making sure he can’t do anything like it again.”

“You’re right. It is over,” Dad pipes up. “You’re not going back to class. Your mother spoke to the school already and they’ve agreed to let you complete the degree by distance learning. So, you can come back home with us, and get a job in Sapphire Valley like all of your friends did when they graduated high school.”

I can’t think of anything worse. Well, except that closet, if it had gone on for much longer.

Catherine reaches over and takes hold of my hand.

When I look at her, she nods slowly before she looks back at my parents.

“I don’t want to do that,” I admit. “I moved away from Sapphire Valley for a reason.”

I could have applied to college there if I’d wanted to stay.

“And we need you to move back for a reason, now, sweetheart,” Dad says.

He really thinks it’s for the best. I can hear that in his voice.

I shake my head. “I can’t go back. I’ve found what I was meant to do. I’m quitting my course, and I’m setting up a business consultancy.”

My mother screws up her face. “A what? What even is that?”

“It’s a scam, dear,” my father says with a sigh.

“It’s not a scam,” I tell him. “And I’m sorry about the course, but I’ll be too busy to finish it.”

Catherine squeezes my hand, silently telling me to stay strong.

I’ve never been so glad I called someone in my life.

“The city is the place I need to be. I’ve always known that. College, or not. This is my home, and I want to stay near the sister who helped me when I needed it most.”

My parents’ frown at each other.

They don’t get it. They never did, and I’m not sure they ever will.

“Don’t be silly,” my father starts.

I shake my head. “I’m not a little girl anymore. I don’t have to do everything the way my parents expect me to. I’m sorry, but I’m not leaving, and you can’t force me to go.”

I’m not an Omega who needs to be under guardianship, and even if I was, I have mates now.

They’re the ones I trust to protect me. They understand what I need. Hell, they gave me the job of my dreams. They want me to be happy, as well as safe and secure.

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