Page 37 of The Omega Archives: Part Three

But it still felt like the one thing I thought from the very start of all this mess.

Dangerous.

Lucas's hand tightened on my arm, his touch grounding me in the moment. “Then where do you belong?”

The question lingered, heavy with unspoken implications while everyone else was there too. Yet still, staring into Lucas’ gorgeous eyes, I took the time to wonder, feeling as if I was falling into him further every extra second I did.

Where did I belong?

The answer seemed more elusive than ever, but in that moment, standing beside Lucas with the weight of our shared secrets hanging over us, I felt a sense of belonging I hadn't expected.

“I'm not sure anymore,” I confessed, meeting his gaze with newfound determination. “I thought I did. I mean, I still kind of do, but I’m not supposed to be here at this school going into courting for an alpha or sold off?—”

“Sold off?”

“But I know it's not here,” I finished my thought, not commenting on his question.

For all I knew he would turn me in for even uttering such omega blasphemy.

Lucas's eyes widened at my words, a mixture of shock and concern flashing across his features.

I held my breath, waiting for his reaction, unsure of how he would respond to my slip of tongue. His hand fell away from my arm, and for a moment, I feared the worst.

But then, to my surprise, Lucas leaned closer, closing the distance between us with a determined look in his eyes.

I looked around, though no one in the classroom was still paying any attention to us.

Honestly, out of everyone we had been the least of the professors’ problems with making sure no alphas or omegas got any ideas being so close to one another so close to courting next week.

I mean, what did they expect when they closed the omegas off from the world for so long and alphas away from them? All there was unease sexual tension and the thick aroma of omega perfume leaking out here and there, no matter how trained most of the omegas here were at handling it.

I on the other hand, couldn’t help it when I caught a hint of whipped cream and berries which…

Was from me.

I leaned back away from Lucas again, glancing at him, though he didn’t make any comment of it.

Still, his pupils had widened.

I took a deep breath, tasting his sweet syrupy scent on my tongue again, heat starting on the back of my neck.

"You're not going to be sold off," he stated firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument. "I won't let that happen."

His words caught me off guard, sending a jolt of disbelief through me. Could I dare to believe him? Was it possible that someone from this world of strict hierarchy and tradition could stand up against it for me?

Before I could voice my thoughts, Lucas continued, his voice softer yet resolute. "You belong where you choose to be. No one has the right to force you into a fate you don't want.”

Many would disagree with that and my eyebrow raise likely said enough.

“Anyway, I’m sure you’ll have tons of alphas breathing down your neck to have you next week,” chuckled Lucas, a hint of something sharp in his eyes as he said it.

Less humor, more…envy.

“Please,” I scoffed. “Look around. No one even talks to me, let alone likes me here.”

“I like you.” The corner of his lips curled shyly.

“Then maybe you’re not very smart,” I teased.

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