Page 128 of Dream Mates
“Really, thank Grace,” Russ said. “Actually, Enid, I wanted you to meet Dr. Grace Ellington, from Compass BioTek.”
The small woman eyed me. “Because they need artists to make murals in their lobby?”
“Because she’s like you.” Russ grabbed a slice of pizza and took a bite, as he dragged a chair over.
She turned away, scent filling with hurt. “Oh. Russ, it’s not like omegas meeting each other. I’ve explained this to you.”
Enid grabbed a cup and filled it with beer from one of the pitchers and downed half.
“I’m sorry,” I said softly. “It was my idea. I… I’ve never met another gamma before.”
“Well, now you have,” she snapped. “I’m Enid. My parents were Fundies. So, did you have the omega starved or beaten out of you when you wouldn’t marry who you were told to before you’d even blossomed?”
I met her gaze, my heart wrenching at the pain in her eyes. “Beaten. And it was becauseI wanted to be with someone she didn’t pick.”
Which was sort of true. She really wanted me to marry one of the church boys from our small town. Why anyone would want to marry them was beyond me.
Apparently here Fundies disavowed packs, believing every alpha deserved their own omega and shouldn’t have to share–even if it meant mating with teenagers.
It wasn’t legal, but it happened.
“Wait, what? I thought gammas were a genetic thing.” Inara’s jaw dropped.
Enid crumpled. “I’m sorry, I…”
“It’s okay. We don’t have to talk about it. I’m sorry, I wasn’t trying to start anything.” I took the pitcher and refilled her glass.
It hadn’t truly hit me that most gammas were going to have backstories even more tragic than mine. The idea that I caused her pain made me feel horrible.
“It’s fine, it’s just… fuck.”
“Sorry, Enid,” Russ squeezed her hand.
Inara frowned. “I don’t understand.”
“And that’s why I don’t do this.” Enid chugged her beer and left for inside.
Inara stood to follow.
Russ shook his head. “Give her a moment. I fucked up.”
“Sometimes a genetic switch is thrown, creating a gamma, but more often it’s circumstance,” Creed said softly. “War, famine, extreme poverty, very violent situations, asshole parents.”
I waited a moment then excused myself. Enid was in the bathroom.
“Are you okay? I’m sorry. It was selfish of me to ask him to bring you.” I asked softly as she fixed her hair in the mirror.
“I don’t mean to be a bitch. It’s been a day, and I shouldn’t take it out on you, but…” Enid sighed. “It’s hard.”
“It is. I spent most of my PhD in therapy.” To have your parentsknowwhat you were and then willfully take it from you? How awful.
“You escaped Fundies, too?” She eyed me curiously through the mirror as she redid her lipstick.
“My parents didn’t believe in designations.” It was the truth, just the wrong truth.
“Equalists. Just as bad but without the floral dresses. Russ knows I don’t like being around female omegas–even his science friends. They get all sad when they find out I’m a gamma and I don’t need their bullshit.” She rolled her eyes.
I nodded. “I feel like I don’t act or react the way people expect because I don’t know better. Growing up, I didn’t know there were different designations. Then you add in the bizarro gamma responses…”
