Page 80 of Dream Mates
Why did that sound so nice from those little lips?
“Absolutely, m’lady.” I escorted her up the stairs then used my access to get inside. I’d been here enough times to feel comfortable showing her around. Taking hard hats off the stand, we each put one on. Just for safety.
“This was once so beautiful. Even though it would cost more, I think a complete restoration would be perfect if you can swing it. Wait,” she stopped in the foyer. “Why were they kicked out of England?”
“For being extremists. You see…” I grinned, knowing she’d like this detail. “They thought that omegas should haverights.Like the right to be educated, the right to have a voice in choosing their alphas, and,gasp,the right to have a job–or at least money or property of their own.”
Her hand went to her face in mock horror. “Oh, the horror.”
“I know.” I laughed. “England has always been behind in the omega and beta rights department. Even now they’re not quite as progressive as here.”
She paused. “Can only an alpha be king or queen?”
“It depends on the country. Though traditionally, for many years, the answer wasyes.There was once a great war that was fought over succession because the king only had an omega child and no alpha children. She had the knowledge to be queen, just not the designation,” I told her as we entered the great room.
Grace bowed and twirled around the great room like she was at a ball. “What happened?”
“I think people underestimated what alphas would do for an omega, especially then. She rallied an army, won the hearts of the people, got herself a pack of alphas who made up for what she was lacking, and became the most beloved queen their nation had ever seen. Katie and Lexi wouldloveto watch the movie made about her with you.” I wasn’t about to offer because I’d seen it more times than I cared to remember.
“Are only alphas political leaders?” She peered out the window.
“Many political leaders are alphas, but most places no longer have laws prohibiting other designations from running for positions other than the ones specific to them.” I came up behind her. “Nice view, right?”
“Yes. Oooh, look at the chandelier and the ceiling. This would be a lovely room for a party,” she breathed.
“Absolutely.” I led her out of the room.
Her look went pensive. “Wait. When the president’s omega goes into heat does he just dip for a week? Like who runs the country? Does he or she have a pack? Do we have a president?”
Oh, fuck. Not having designations would change a lot of things. For example, why did people even come to this country if it wasn’t for designation freedom?
We wandered into a library, which still had some books and furniture.
“Yes. We have co-presidents for that exact reason. The current ones both have packs, and their omegas coordinate so that they aren’t going into heat at the same time. Your co-president isveryimportant because you have to trust them enough to run everything when you’re away. Same with your vice president, because they’d take over if something happens to both. It works pretty well, though, because it allows them to not just have heats but take vacations and ensure their pack and families aren’t neglected for the sake of the country,” I explained. “Traditionally, one of the presidents is usually a beta, for parity, but it’s not a law. Given this nation was founded on designation freedom, betas have always been able to run for office. After the omega rights act passed, omegas can run as well, but we’ve yet to have an omega president.”
I looked around. The family had only taken what they wished and left the rest. Someone had been going through everythingleft, determining if it should be thrown out, sold, or potentially kept.
“Well, at least if you have co-presidents they can’t use the excuse of not having an omega president because he or she would be irrational around their heat.” She rolled her eyes.
Mmmm, people did say that. Most of it stemmed from a fear of other countries using their alpha barks to sway an omega president. Beta politicians usually worked long and hard to overcome that and had alpha staff members whose jobs were to keep that from happening. Omegas had a harder time of it.
“There are omegas in the other branches of government, not to mention, we have omega judges in all courts, including the Assembly, which is the highest court in the country,” I added. It was a dangerous, but necessary job.
“Omega judges. As there should be. Ooh, a ladder.” Grace climbed up on the wheeled ladder in front of the tall bookshelves. She flung herself out, making the ladder careen across the shelves as she startedsinging.
“Grace.” I rushed over and caught her just as she nearly crashed into the wall. She was laughing. Laughing!
“Don’t do that,” I growled. “Wes will beat my ass if anything happens to you.”
She rolled her eyes as she opened a door and walked into the adjoining study. “Excuse me, but the boys and I are going to retire for a cigar.”
I surveyed the dark paneled room, which smelled faintly of cigars. It most likely was exactly that–the alpha study. “Pretty much.”
“How did you and Jett meet, will you tell me?” she asked.
I paused. Should I? Though if anyone would understand it would be her.
“Oh, is it embarrassing? Jett said it wasn’t his story to tell. Sorry, not trying to pry.” Her head bowed.
