Page 13 of The Omega Archives: Part Three

ELLA

Icouldn’t help but look around at everything as we made our way to the pristine dining hall.

The academy I imagined was a luxury for those who had the money to provide an education beyond managing a household like we were back in the 19th century, but I never expected such a statement. It was better than the photos of some Ivy League schools I’d seen.

I could only imagine what the library looked like. The small thrill of even passing by a wide door made me a little excited. Though, of course, I shouldn’t be.

I didn’t want to be here.

Not only that, but so far all of the omegas we passed– and they were all omegas I somehow was still stunned to think at this school– looked at me like I didn’t belong. They weren’t wrong.

Maybe there was more to this game than I thought there was. Maybe I couldn’t just keep my head down. Most importantly because of one blatantly obvious thing.

“Lidya. I haven’t…” I whispered.

She glanced back at me as if nothing was wrong. “What?”

“I haven’t ever been around omegas before,” I admitted.

“What?” She paused with me, stopping just before the cafeteria. “That makes no sense. Never? I mean, I know that you went to some lengths to hide the fact that you weren’t one– very impressive now that I know by the way.”

I shrugged.

“You’re kidding though. Then how did you even know that you were an omega or what to do?”

That was kind of the problem, wasn’t it? I didn’t.

“Your mom?”

I shook my head.

“Aunts? Uncles? Anyone?”

The only omegas I’ve been around before were her and the Davinson omegas which after I was inducted into the household, they were told to ignore me most of the time until I learned my place.

I never did.

But I did learn a few things back then, and for the first time, I searched my mind where I stuck those memories far away, trying to remember every piece of information I could and coming up emptier than expected. Because whenever I saw the Davinson’s or Ben’s eyes…

I shivered.

Lidya’s eyes widened as she processed my revelation. “You were completely isolated from other omegas your whole life?”

I nodded, feeling a mix of shame and defiance bubbling inside me. It wasn’t something I liked to dwell on, but being here at the academy made me realize how unprepared I was for this world of hierarchy and rules.

“Well, that explains a lot,” Lidya muttered under her breath, her brows furrowed.

As we entered the bustling cafeteria, the chattering voices quieted, and all eyes turned to us. I could feel the weight of theirgazes, assessing, judging. I straightened my back, determined not to let their scrutiny shake me.

Lidya led me to a table where a few other omegas were already seated. They eyed me warily as I took a seat next to Lidya.

“Everyone, this is Ella,” Lidya announced, her voice loud and clear. “She’s new.”

“New?” Someone snorted.

Lidya whacked them with the back of her hand before looking at me. “We’ll be right back.”

Only, when we got to the front of the cafeteria where the food was, wasn’t much better.

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