Page 11 of Happy Valentine's Day, Omega
There isn't a magical pot of money set aside to pay for the freedom of their wayward Omega daughter and sister.
Breathing deeply, I squeeze my eyes shut in an attempt to rein in my roaring emotions. I tune out my brothers and refocus on the task at hand.
"How does my debt explainthat?" I point at the necklace sparkling condescendingly from its stupid black box.
I feel the same uneasy feeling creeping up my spine, the cogs of my mind turning as I put the puzzle together.
Clearing his throat, Dad releases my shoulder and steps backwards. "Over the years, I've been approached by a handful of families that felt it would be advantageous for a union to be formed. I always said no. You know I wanted you to be yourself and make your own choices. If you were to join one of these pureblood families, they'd break your free spirit."
I picture the numerous nameless faces of pureblood Omegas I've known in my time at The Omega Academy. They're placid and doll-like, devoid of personality. I've never aspired to be like them.
"Recently, there had been one particular family that was insistent I grant their son the right to court you."
I narrow my eyes at him and place my hand on my cocked hip.
"He came to visit us."
"Who did?"
"The Alpha asking to court you."
I blink. That's… unusual. It almost sounds as ifhewants the union, not his family.
"And we liked him," Jacob declares.
"You liked him. All of you?" I spin to look at my brothers, and only see their nodding agreement.
Well, that didn't happen often.
My brothers may work and live in a tight-knit community, but the Alvez family is known for our explosive disagreements.
"He actually likes you." My youngest brother Joel shrugs as if it's lost on him why anyone would admit to liking me. "Even when you make that scary face when you're angry at someone."
I turn slowly to look directly at Joel, my nostrils flaring.
"Yeah! That's the one. The guy thinks it's cute."
I choke on my saliva.
"He'll be good for you, ladybug." My dad clears his throat. "I've hated the idea of you being alone."
"I wouldn't be alone. I'd have all of you and chess."
Jacob sighs and shakes his head. "Ain't the same thing, Nat. An Omega needs an Alpha, it's a biological fact."
I splutter. I've taken the classes, and I know Jacob's right. Ignoring inconvenient facts is a special talent of mine.
"Yeah, well, you have no right to pick my mate!"
My dad pins me with a 'you-wanna-bet?' expression. "I granted my permission for the Exclusive Courtship to begin. Didn't expect him to get right to it. I thought we'd have time to discuss it over Christmas."
I seethe internally, and I feel the color rising into my cheeks. I grit my teeth in a feral sneer to keep me from yelling and cursing.
"Let's not pretend, Dad," I growl.
Spinning to face my brothers, I look at them with betrayal flashing in my eyes.
"You fucking sold me."
