Page 111 of Red River

I raised a hand, cutting him off. Igor clamped his mouth shut immediately and glanced at me.

"Van, come here for a sec."

Van jumped up right away and stood in front of me. He looked slim and delicate compared to me—but I knew better. Some things just needed more time.

"Turn around," I instructed. He did so without hesitation.

I placed a hand on his shoulder, slightly pulling back his T-shirt. The boys were all watching with bated breath.

Then, I pressed my fingers against the spot where I could feel Van’s small gland beneath his skin.

"Agh! Ow!" Van yelped, jerking away in surprise and staring at me, wide-eyed, but I just shrugged.

"There’s a little trick to this," I explained. "About six months before the glands start to wake up, they become sensitive for a while. But they only hurt if pressed firmly. Most people don’t even know it works like this. In adults, pressing on the glands no longer causes pain; in fact, they can even be bitten during neck marking."

The boys exchanged uncertain looks, still trying to figure out where I was going with this.

Only Igor frowned. "Wait… so what does it mean if his glands are sensitive?"

"For betas, those glands never develop enough to be sensitive to pain when pressed firmly. If you press on them, they might feel a bit uncomfortable, but they won’t hurt. That’s why Ihad to do it that way—so that you’d feel it, Van. And that proves my point."

Van nodded quickly and grinned. "Okay, I forgive you."

Aiden tilted his head. "But… doesn’t that mean Van could also be an omega?"

"Good thinking. Yes, it means Van could be either an omega or an alpha. We won’t know for sure yet, but in about six months, things will start to become clear."

Igor suddenly burst out laughing. "Seriously?! I never thought about that! An omega! You’re gonna be an omega!" He looked like he wanted to double over laughing, but I shot him a sharp look, shutting him up again.

"Igor, this doesn’t change anything—except that you need to stop calling him a beta," I said firmly. "And for the record… there’s nothing wrong with being a beta. The man who owned this house before me, the money in my bank account? That all came from my uncle—a brilliant scientist and businessman… a beta."

Igor gaped. I leveled a stare at him.

"So, starting now, we’re done with the gender shaming. I don’t want to hear it again."

"I don’t… shame him."

"There will be no criticizing things we have no control over in this house. You didn’t choose to be an alpha, and neither did I. Laughing at things like that is just immature."

Igor studied me for a moment, then slowly nodded.

"You’re right, I’m sorry. It’s just… our father always said betas are just our helpers, that they stay in the background, that they’re not important."

I took a deep breath. Challenging Thomas’s views was another thing I had to work through. And it wasn’t easy ground to stand on. The kids were watching me uncertainly.

"Your father was wrong."

That landed. Igor sucked in a quiet gasp, like he’d just been hit with something heavy.

"I can see from your faces that you don’t like what I’m saying, but it’s the truth. Without betas, our society wouldn’t survive. They keep civilization running—innovation, infrastructure, everything. They’re essential. My uncle made more money than my father and his brother combined, and they were both alphas. It was their beta brother who built a successful career and financial stability. So keep that in mind. Now, with your dad and me out of the picture for a while, Oliver will be the one making your meals, driving you to school, and keeping track of your homework. Tell me again that his role isn’t important."

Igor lowered his head. "You’re right… It’s just… dumb stuff I say sometimes. But honestly, I don’t really believe it."

"That’s fine, Igor. I get it. Parents’ opinions matter a lot, and that’s a good thing. But… it’s also important to keep an open mind and think for yourself. Form your own opinions, reason things out. Especially since, in less than three years, you’ll legally be an adult."

Van had been watching me closely, and then he spoke up.

"Well, I’ll tell you what I think. I want to train too! Whether I’m an alpha or an omega, it doesn’t matter. Ever since you started taking him to training, I wanted to join you two."

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