Page 11 of Dream Girl
“She…” Rose sighed. “She pulled me out of high school. Said my omega scent was a distraction to the other students. But if I don’t graduate, I can’t go to a university, and if I don’t do that, I can’t go to medical school. She said that once I have babies, I won’t have time for school or a serious job. We were going to cheer nationals.” She wilted, her scent going sour.
So much to unpack there. Between science and laws, the days of omegas having to stay home were long gone. Not to mention legally, shehadto be in school until she was eighteen.
“I know plenty of omegas with kidsandcareers. If you want to stay home, go for it. But there’s no reason not to work if you’re cautious,” I told her. “Why doesn’t your mom enroll you in an omega school?”
While nowadays most schools handled all designations, some omegas thrived in all-omega environments. These schools usually had competitive academic programs and classes about omega physiology and psychology. Some even facilitated job placements and pack matches.
“We can’t afford it. I…” She chewed on her lower lip. “I’m hoping I’ll get an indulgent alpha who will let me finish school and attend a university. My sister thinks that’s dumb.”
“It’s not dumb at all. But you don’t have to get matched right away. You’resixteen.We can put you on suppressants soyou don’t go into heat, get you scent and pheromone blockers, educate you on everything happening to your body, and outline all of your choices. Most importantly, you can finish school–and attend a university. Plenty of omegas do just that. You know, my packmate has a foundation with scholarships for young omegas at one of the local omega schools. With all those advanced classes you take, I bet your grades would qualify you for it. I’m not sure if they have cheer, but they have some sort of competitive dance team. Do you want me to push it through?” I asked, hating the idea that she’d been pulled out of school.
“Could you really?” Excitement danced in her eyes.
“I can and will.” I disliked seeing omegas’ options taken away from them for non-reasons.
Her head bowed, as her scent continued to have a salty tinge. “My mom would be mad. It’s my duty to get matched as soon as possible.”
More warning bells. Hmm. Why would she want that?
An old practice was where alphas paid the omega’s family a fee. Now, packs gave their omegas money or assets of their own so that they would have security and independence if they needed or wanted it.
“I’m not your mom’s advocate, I’m yours. Think about it. Now, how do you feel? Was there anything that you think might have brought it on?” Sometimes omegas awakened early during traumatic events because they hoped an alpha would save them.
She shook her head. “No, I was at cheer practice; I’m a flyer. I felt fine. The day before I’d even had a physical. Coach got me into the locker room and called my mom. I was surprised, because the prick-test I had in middle school said that I was a beta. My mom says she wasn’t surprised given how small I am.”
The scenario she described was perfectly reasonable because the basic blood test, the prick-test, that most kids had in middle school wasn’t always accurate.
Something still didn’t sit right with me.
“Do you have a significant other?” I asked her, looking for answers. Maybe she was getting romantic with an alpha partner, and her body got overexcited. I saw that a lot.
She shook her head. Okay, not that then.
I asked a few more questions about her life, then I stood. “How about if I get us a snack?”
Rose grinned. “I’d like that, thank you.”
I left, noting that she didn’t ask about her mom.
Claire watched us through the window. I left the room and joined her.
“Have another workup done–and keep her mom away for the time being. I want to make sure she didn’t drug her teenager,” I told Claire.
There were some drugs, both legal and illegal, that could push a beta on the edge of being an omega over–or make an unblossomed omega awaken.
“Really? Shit.” Claire grimaced.
“There’s just too many things that make it feel similar to what happened outside Rock Springs a couple of years ago. We should probably alert some local Centers in case this isn’t isolated,” I added.
“Good catch. That’s why I called you. I am curious why they came all the way here,” Claire added.
“Me, too. Given her school can’t handle her, I recommend that she be sent to Finchley and can start considering matches no sooner thanaftergraduation.” I made notes in her file. Even that was early.
“Brennan just loves you offering scholarships to Finchley,” Claire told me.
My alpha wouldn’t argue with a teenager getting an education–and away from a potentially harmful family. There weren’t many good reasons to match your teenager.
“After my talk with her mom, and speaking with the doctor and the intake counselor, I was getting the idea that Rose should be made a ward of the Center and sent to school so mom doesn’t take her elsewhere, so I agree with your recommendation. Sixteen and they want her to be matched. Not in her dreams.” Claire shook her head.
