Page 8 of Fallen Omega

“Yes.” I’m gripping my cell so tight it’s a wonder it doesn’t break.

“First, I’m sorry for the loss of your father,” she says, and that old longing I’ve hidden deep inside me, the one that always wanted a friend, rears up.

It’s the worst moment.

This woman isn’t my friend and isn’t looking to be friends. She’s just using her phone voice.

“You see the best in people, Liz,” Dad used to say, “but you have to hide it down deep. It’s both one of your best and worst attributes.”

I’m lonely. My life means one of loneliness. That’s all.

I wait.

“But according to our records, your father was the one exiled, not you.” Her voice drops. “Actually, we didn’t know about you until last night. You have a match now, in Hover Valley.”

“I don’t want to move two states away.” I swallow. “And I don’t want—he’s old. Don’t I get to pick?”

“Hon, you can’t be in the world without a chaperone at your age, unclaimed, when you’re an omega. And this isn’t my decision. It comes from the top. Be here at two on Monday. Actually, make sure your afternoon’s cleared because after we register you, there’s an orientation, some exams?—”

“Exams?”

“Medical.” She says this soothingly, as if medical exams make it better. “If you’re in heat, call the special number provided in the envelope. We’ll reschedule, see if you need to be moved. There are a lot of things in place to protect and help you.”

There’s a thin card in the envelope that is stuck to the bottom corner. I pull it out, only half listening now as she talks.

I’m still a mess, heart pounding, fear hot and sharp, but I can’t do anything and what she’s saying is just the wholeCouncil propaganda spiel. The real things of importance are that they know about me, and I’m not exiled.

I’ve heard rumors of digital chipping with some omegas, but I don’t know if that’s true. That’s just what Dad had said he’d heard but he didn’t tell me his thoughts on it, only to be careful.

But what Susan said about the help, that sounds like making sure they have all the information about me so I’m completely on their records. And…I don’t want to be.

She pauses, and I say, “I thought…I thought there were alphas I could, when I wanted, choose from.”

“You don’t want the wrong man, Hon. Craig is a good pick. Experienced. And you’ve been put down for a Council sanctioned match,” she says. “Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t do a thing. Now…”

She keeps talking and I just stare at the card. I’ve never been to Hover Valley. I don’t even know about the packs there. But it’s not huge, and he’s so old, so mean looking. And he looks like he’d slobber on me.

I don’t want my first kiss to be with him.

Hell, I don’t want my first, middle, or lastanythingto be with that man.

I put the card with the number down and listen to her finish.

“So, you understand, right? If you can’t make it because of your heat, call that number.” Her voice drops. “Don’t try and run, Hon. The Council will find you.”

My hand coils hard. “I wouldn’t.” But now, that's a shining option to consider.

Hiding is a problem all its own for an omega.

“Good. So take care, bring all the documents you have, and be ready for the interviews and the exams, got me?”

I need to be calm, play the game. “Okay, I’ll do all that. Thanks, Susan.”

When we hang up, I bury my face in my hands, and shudder out a breath.

My phone buzzes and it’s work. My second job.

“Liz?” The gruff voice of Gambon rumbles against my ear. “Sorry, kid. This might come as a shock but we gotta let you go.”

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