Page 8 of Happy Valentine's Day, Omega
"Technically?"
I belatedly remember Cara is from a Beta family. She wasn't forced to take the History of Purity class.
I sink down on my single four-poster bed. The mass of blankets that form my nest have always made me feel secure and safe. I could use a little security right now. I'm coming out of my shock, and the reality of my situation is dawning on me.
Speaking out loud, I recount what I learned in class slowly, the words being pulled from a deep recollection.
"This type of courting is supposed to bind two pureblooded families together for an advantageous match."
I'm ardently regretting not paying more attention to the teacher. I thought it was utterly ridiculous they made pureblood Omegas take the class, so I paid as little attention as possible.
Cara's pretty curls bounce as she nods in understanding and then pouts softly. "That's a shame. I thought it was an incredibly romantic gesture."
I snort and flop backward into my pillow. "What about pureblood culture has ever given off a romantic vibe?"
I pull my favorite pillow into my arms and squeeze it close.
Cara settles at the foot of my bed and picks at the lint of her school uniform, muttering lowly to herself, "I guess I've been reading too many romance novels lately."
We settle into a silence that passes both quickly and slowly.
My mind is racing, and I struggle to cobble together the intentions of my… what is this person to me now?
Should I call him my intended? Courter? Fiancé? Betrothed? I banter the words around, my tongue lolling in my mouth, incapable of voicing them.
Cara breaks the silence with a perplexed tone. "Nat?"
I look at my friend, my attention garnered by the hesitance in her voice.
"If this is a union between two families, wouldn't that mean your family agreed to this?" She trails off, sucking in a breath like she wants to take back the words she expelled.
It's too late; the seed of realization has settled within me.
With a snarl vicious enough to intimidate a lion, I launch off the bed and spit in fury, "My family sold me out!"
7
The ride home is tense.
My eldest brother Jacob took one look at my steely, burning glare and focused on the road instead.
I know I look demented. My face twisted in rage, irritation simmering below the surface.
My family bartered me off like common cattle!
They had better have a damn good excuse for accepting something so degrading as a pureblood exclusive courtship – without even talking to me!
My internal voice rants in a constant swirl of agitation.
I spent most of the night flipping through my History of Purity textbook, researching my plight.
Officially, it's called an 'Exclusive Courtship.'
I seethed as I read one of the key requirements: approval from the Omega's head of family.
It means my father approved this!
The staunch Alpha who vocally supports Omegas' rights.
