Page 32 of The Omega Archives: Part Three

“It’s ok. You know, you need to eat something.”

“Not hungry.” I was the opposite of hungry. I touched my spoon going into my oatmeal and let it drop back into the bowl, letting my eyes zone out for another moment. It was almost like finally getting the sleep I wasn’t managing at night.

“It’s a sort of withdrawal.”

“What is?”

“What’s happening to you? You haven’t been eating properly or sleeping.”

“I…” For some reason, I wanted to argue, but I couldn’t. It was all true.

“It happens sometimes. Omegas, after all, are pack creatures.” She shook her head. “Alphacreatures. They likehaving someone to lean on and when something steady is taken away.”

The omega becomes useless.

In some cases, they even became rabid. Feral.

I was starting to understand that through all my classes here. My body was just starting to catch up now.

“It is usually with scent-matched pairs,” she explained with a small wince. “At least, that is what they say if people still believe in them.”

“You do?”

The corner of her pink lips turned up. “Of course. I found mine. I was trying to tell you that today is one of the days I get to go onto the Prestford campus for my art classes. I’m going to try to figure out some more information for you. My alpha, Adam, is picking me up. We have to be able to see your alphas.”

I nodded absentmindedly, my mind still preoccupied with Benjaminand the emptiness that seemed to consume me. Lidya's words about scent-matched pairs lingered in my thoughts, a reminder of what I had lost. The reminder of Cal and the way he smelled like marshmallows and Marko smelled like the perfect sweet orange to blend with Liam’s caramel and Demetri’s rich chocolate.

My mouth watered just at the thought of them all.

My heart hurt, burned as if someone was dragging a jagged blade right through the center.

As Lidya chatted about her plans for the day, I forced myself to focus, pushing aside the ache in my chest. It was frustrating how easily my emotions could spiral out of control, and how one person could hold so much power over me.

But I refused to let Benjamin continue to dictate my life. I… I had to. Even if I didn’t know what else to do.

I could handle anything. Ihadhandledeverything. Determined, I pushed away from the table, surprising Lidya mid-sentence.

She startled. “Ella?”

“I’m coming with you,” I said.

“What?”

“I’m coming with you and Adam to find my alphas. I’ll sneak out and figure out what is going on and if I need to… I can go then.”

“No,” she said softly. She also looked a little like I was crazy at even suggesting this.

“I am,” I insisted.

“No. You’re not.” She insisted, more forcefully this time as if she could out-determine me. Wasn’t going to happen. “Ella. Think this through and listen to me. It isn’t a good idea and you know it. You’ll get in more trouble here.”

“So?”

“And soon enough this will be sorted. Without you being put on dorm arrest until courting or whatever they have planned for you now that Benjamin is here. If they don’t expel you and…”

“And what?”

“Likely put you in the care of whoever is paying for your education.”

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