Page 28 of The Feisty Omega

“Well, the content was supposed to be concentrated into two weeks,” I reminded him.

The alpha pulled a face. “Nah, man, never was. Don’t know where you got that idea. It was always four weeks.”

“What? What about Christmas?”

“What about it?”

“Why would they run a camp over Christmas? Doesn’t everyone want to go home for Christmas?”

He looked at me, a bleak expression skating across his face. Then he shook his head slowly, “Not everyone has a home to go to, or that they want to go home to. That’s why theydorun this camp over Christmas.”

He turned away, shuffling together his notes into a scruffy pile.

“Wanna come for a beer?” he asked, after a moment.

I paused. I couldn’t believe this. If this was true, it was highly unlikely they’d make an exception and let me leave, or even believe me when I told them my Alpha sold it to me as a two-week course.

Dammit, he’d insisted I take this course.

“Sure,” I said. “But I need to drop by admin first. If there’s any chance they’ll let me go home for Christmas, I need to do it. I… I’ve got someone waiting on me.”

One black eyebrow arced up. “Really? But you’re only 21, right? You can’t be…”

I shook my head, interrupting, “No, not mated. Of course not. But I… already know who my mate will be, if he accepts me. I know it’s early… but I justknow, y’know… I don’t know if we’re fated, or if that’s even a thing, but there’s something…”

My new friend hummed, nodding appreciatively. “That’s real nice, man. Happy for you. But… Christmas – they know you’re here, right?”

“No. Not unless my friends have told him. I was supposed to be back by the time he arrived.” I hesitated. “My Alpha told me this was a two-week program.”

He cocked his head. “A mistake? Alphas don’t usually make that sort of mistake.”

The grinding of my teeth should have been answer enough. “Alpha’s son is interested in my… guy. Or at least, the parents seem to have plans for an arranged marriage, and Alpha’s son is going along with it. Irian only visits our pack once a year, at Christmas.”

“Fuck. You think you’ve been set up?”

I scowled. “Looks that way.Fuck!What a load of bullshit!”

I’d been played. And it wasn’t as if I could defy Alpha anyway. As long as I was part of his pack, I had to defer to him. He couldn’t force Irian to accept Marius, but he could make things difficult for me. Fuck that! I was gonna leave that pack as soon as I practically could.

A low, furious growl voiced my frustration. I was stuck in this place, and Marius was at home with Irian. No doubt trying to win him over.

But then I snickered to myself. Irian was more than capable of keeping Marius in his place, especially since Irian was now aware of his interest. I liked that my omega – I mean, my future omega – had sass.

The thought brightened me and for a moment I smiled, forgetting how upset Irian would be when I wasn’t there. I hoped the guys told him where I was… but even then, he was still going to expect me home on Christmas Eve. Goddess! When I thought of us missing our customary encounter under the tree, my eyes got a little misty. I hurriedly blinked them clear.

I didn’t see I had much choice but to make the best of my situation, just like these other guys did with theirs, but Iwasgoing to try to get out of it.

“I’m Talius,” I said, holding out my hand. Although I’d seen him around, I’d never spoken to this guy until today. He tended to keep to himself, not interacting with the other alphas much, but now we were talking he seemed friendly enough.

“Nerius,” he shook my hand. “Let’s go down to admin now, I’ll come with you and then we can have that beer.”

I gathered my things, and with Nerius at my side, headed towards the admin block. It was quiet in the corridors. Lectures were over for the day and I hoped there’d still be someone around I could speak to.

As we approached, I let slip a hiss of relief to see a dark shadow moving around behind the blinds in the office window. But just as soon, my heart began thudding anxiously behind my ribs.

Nerius nodded towards the bench outside the administrative building. “I’ll wait for you here. Good luck.”

I acknowledged him with a nod, then swallowing hard and drawing myself up to my full height, walked up to the door. My chest expanded with a deep breath and…