“Of course,” she smiled. “That is half the fun so I hear the courting process is being courted. You go on dates and many omegas appreciate courting gifts as they decide who will best suit them before a final decision is made–”
I tried to imagine it, going on a date with Alpha Issac Anderson. He’d probably take me out to eat, or maybe to a museum since he seemed very interested in the fact that I enjoyed the history and stories during my time working in the library. He’d pay me compliments and likely start the night with flowers…
Like Cal did.
Like Cal, who had been taken away from me.
Like everything had been taken away from me.
I glanced up at her. “You really don’t see it, do you?”
“Excuse me?” Her forehead creased.
“I know you’re new and it’s not the case for everyone, but you got stuck with me.”
“I didn’t get stuck–”
I cut her off. “You got stuck with me, because your boss likely knew that you would do anything to see me off and courted so you’d have a good track record in your new handler position,” I put together. She didn’t correct me. “But there is more of a reason than just that, Jessica. So think.”
“Elena, you must be over-tired. Courting can be very stressful, especially to an omega in your predicament.”
“No.” I mean, yes, I was tired and could use a nap, but that wasn’t the point. I couldn’t stand for her to continue to lie. Not when I had to get real with myself now. I had to come up with a better plan than just, hopefully, be saved.
Because at this point, I didn’t know if my alphas were coming.
Maybe ever.
I swallowed the thickness in my throat that built like the tears behind my eyes. I wouldn't– couldn't let a single drop of water fall onto my cheeks if I was going to hold it together and get at least one person here to take me seriously.
“Just look. Look closely. If you do, you’d realize that I don’t get to have a choice.”
And I didn’t have much time any longer to hope and wait that I would be saved anymore. Not from the Prestford Pack. Certainly never from the mystically sucky Omega Services.
My forehead turned damp with sweat as I shivered.
My heat was going to come sooner rather than later.
Quickly, I turned away from the confused omega handler and headed inside to where Lidya was hopefully waiting for me upstairs.
I needed to make my choices. I needed to make a plan and a routine to get the ball rolling on whatever I had to do to make it through courting and the rest of my life, somehow.
Even now, they were all just a chance at surviving.
Chapter
Sixteen
ELLA
The pressure of impending courting days weighed heavily on me as I watched my fellow omegas buzz with excitement and anticipation after our first courting event.
The prospect of being chosen by an alpha filled them with hope and eagerness, but for me, it sparked a sense of dread and uncertainty.
Being given to Benjamin Davinson now wasn’t just what I knew was going to happen to me, it was a ticking time bomb of my own destruction if I didn’t figure out what I needed to go next.
The plan was still vague, and Lidya was still trying to convince me to be omega sister-bonds even if I could tell it wouldn’t have been her first choice by how she looked enraged at the thought of having to share any of her alphas.
Which I respected.