Page 5 of Happy Valentine's Day, Omega
However, the unwanted gossip it will spark among my classmatesisdangerous. If they think I'm illegally being courted by an Alpha without the academy's permission, it will make my life difficult. I mean, more than usual.
With a twinge of disappointment, my shoulders drop in resignation. The pretty bow will have to go.
I purse my lips as I pull the ends and undo the complex knot. I take a moment to look at the ribbon and admire the richness of the color.
I vow not to mention or show the ribbon to anyone, feeling oddly possessive of my secret gift.
I push it into the depths of my uniform pocket, wrapping it around my hand as I walk to and from classrooms, a secret smile tugging at my lips.
I like having a small, inconsequential secret that's only mine.
I pretend I don't see a pattern emerging. The unexplained items appearing in my bookbag. I like the warm, fuzzy feeling they give me. Questioning where they came from can only bring me trouble.
4
Christmas time rolls around, and I finish packing my bags for the two-week break back home.
My eldest brother will collect me in the morning and take me back to our family's home. We're from a small town, and it's where my brothers still live. My father's house isn't huge, but we fit in there for Christmas Day – although it's becoming a bit of a squeeze.
My brothers aren't wealthy enough to petition for an Omega, but most of them have found love with Betas and other Alphas. Each year, there's another new face added to our brood. I have a lonely existence at the academy, and I'm looking forward to seeing everyone.
I'm lucky to have so many Alphas in my family who protect me when I visit on holidays. Many Omegas aren't permitted to leave the academy without being escorted by a handler.
It's tradition that on the last night of term, all of the Omegas pile into the dormitory common room for the exchange of secretSanta gifts. I saved my government-issued Omega allowance for two months to afford a soft nesting blanket for my recipient: a first-year Omega with a permanent wide-eyed stare.
Despite the proximity to so many Omegas, the room is pleasantly festive. A verbal fight will break out at some point, so many pheromones in one room encouraging territorial behavior. For now, it's peaceful.
I settle into a couch at the back of the room, my legs crossed, observing as the presents are dug out from under the heavily decorated tree.
In amongst the frivolity of my fellow Omegas, I can't help my fingers from inching down into the depth of my skirt pocket and gently stroking the puckered golden thread along the edge of my silken ribbon. The mystery of its appearance remains, and I can't break the strange hold it has on me. Whenever I touch it, I feel calm and secure.
"Hey, Natalia, this was still under the tree for you," says Cara, snapping me out of my thoughts.
The cherub-faced Omega holding out a slim, flat present is my best friend. She's my opposite in every possible way. Eternally positive, fashion focused, and eager to mate.
"Uh, really?" I utter in confusion.
I'd opened the present from my secret Santa. It was a basket of soap. I rolled my eyes and passed it off to a young Omega who was delighted to receive the body products.
Every year it's the same thing. Soap.
'Cause, apparently, I'm a mess that needs cleaning up.
Petty bitches are tiresome.
That should've been it. We each get one gift so not to inspire jealousy and fighting.
I accept the gift.
The package has crisply folded glossy silver wrapping paper. A glittering silver twine wraps around the box, tied off with a loopy bow with a very familiar, distinct knot.
I suck my lower lip as I turn the offending item over in my hands, listening to the light clinking of metal moving from within. On instinct, I don't shake the box; it sounds delicate, and it gives me a sense of foreboding.
"Well, what are you waiting for, Nat? Open it!" Cara giggles and nudges my shoulder again with enthusiasm. When I glance up, I realize a group of my classmates are watching me with predatory glints in their eyes.
They know I've already received my secret Santa gift.
This is against the rules.
