Page 10 of Happy Valentine's Day, Omega
"I should've told you."
"Kept what from me, Dad?!" My voice hitches up another octave.
Tears of frustration prickle at the back of my eyes, but Natalia Alvez doesn't cry. I'm as tough as any of my brothers, and I refuse to bethatsobbing Omega.
I clench my fist rhythmically.
Jacob steps forward from the mass of my brothers, his hands raised like he's approaching a wild animal.
He sighs, licks his lips and crosses his arms. "Listen, Nat. Your situation at the academy has changed."
I blink at him.
"They've let us know your, er, education with them is ending and they're unwilling to facilitate a courtship period for you to find a mate."
A snort erupts from me. 'Unwilling to facilitate.'
I won?
I beat the indomitable, controlling Omega Academy at their own game. They've admitted defeat!
Before I can shout in victory, Jacob continues speaking.
"Without the fees they'd receive from Alphas for your courtship, they're demanding the cost of your education repaid by your family."
My joy fizzles and dies.
Repaid? I've never heard of such a thing.
I suppose they've never had an Omega flunk out either.
I cross my arms, holding myself for comfort.
Panic settles in.
Omegas aren't cheap. The fee to apply for courtship with an Omega alone makes my eyes water. I can only imagine how much the academy rakes in for each courtship period.
Are they demanding the equivalent amount?
Surely not. It's too much. My family will never afford it.
"Why– why didn't you tell me?" I gasp. "I could've… I dunno, done something different if I knew."
Is it a lie? I don't know. It's never occurred to me to behave a certain way for the benefit of others.
"No, ladybug." Dad's large hand wraps around my biceps and squeezes reassuringly. "That's not what we wanted. We love you the way you are."
Jacob nudges me and adds, "Even if you're officially the worst Omega to ever attend The Omega Academy."
He shoots me a playful wink, and I huff a laugh.
My dad still looks mournful. "Ladybug, it wasn't something we wanted to burden you with."
I narrow my eyes as my father outlines our family's financial situation.
Unlike me, who was legally required to enroll, my brothers didn't attend the academy.
They're employed by my father's construction company. It's enough to pay the bills and support the ever-growing family, but they don't make big bucks.
