Page 38 of For the First Time
In that, there was a kindness.They knew I couldn’t change my designation, and they didn’t try.
Still, I was lonely.Or I had been before pack Wilder came into my life.I knew my sisters saw my family pack at least once a week.They did morning brunches and weekend gatherings, heck, they just spoke on the phone about drama or something cute they saw passing a store.Me?I was used to sitting alone in booths where little girls pitied me and gave their toys as offerings to my loneliness.
“How would they feel if you told them that you were in a pack?”Atlas asked.
I huffed a half-laugh.“They’d be ecstatic.”
“Really?”
“Oh, yeah.Being in a pack is the highest honor for betas.They’d probably fawn all over you, Atlas.”
His brows pulled together, obviously confused.
My parents were strange.“They believe in packs.In the structure of them and how they should surround and protect an omega.Theyalsothink how a pack is made up should be the pack’s choice.And they think that the protection of the omega should be entrusted to the pack, not be forced by laws.”
It was a strange balance of supportive and not.Progressive with traditionalist values.Unfortunately, I didn’t agree with most of their political views, not that my parents were ever offended.They chalked it up to my being a beta.That I just couldn’t fundamentally understand the need alphas had to protect omegas.Didn’t understand the hormonal drive during an omegas’ heat.
“So, this whole situation with Adam and the OC?”Oaks asked.
It was a harmless question, a simple one.But the thought of what my family would think or say if they found out had me blanching.Even the hint that I’d abused omegas, or the system that helped omegas, and I didn’t doubt my family would cut me out.Omegas were precious.To be revered.Any indication that I’d done otherwise...
My family fully trusted the OC.I wasn’t sure what their opinion was on Representative Adam, and I could admit it was because I was scared of the answer.I also knew, without asking, that they wouldn’t have been fans of Hannah’s omega-independence claims.I could hear their arguments in my head.Omegas needed protections, needed alphas.Where were her alphas when she was attacked?
They wouldn’t have blamed her.No, because omegas were stubborn, passionate creatures that didn’t understand dangers because they were always protected.They would’ve blamed her alphas, her pack.
It was a weird line that the traditionalists held.Omegas had enough intelligence to run a pack, to care for the children.Just not enough intelligence to hold down a job or be aware of the dangers from omega traffickers.And despite the fact that alphas had to take time off for their omega’s heat, somehow, omegas couldn’t work because of their heat.It literally made no sense.
Those were the kinds of laws Hannah was trying to change.Koda, too, although more quietly.Those were the laws that I wanted to help create.That Adam wanted to help destroy.
“If my parents learned that I was being investigated for misconduct or neglect of omegas from my time at the OC...”I shrugged.“They probably wouldn’t call themselves my parents anymore.”
“Even if the reason you’re being accused is because you were protecting an omega?”Oaks asked.
“They don’t see the OC as harmful.They wouldn’t believe there was ever a need to protect an omega.In some ways, it’s beautiful the trust they have in the system.A system they should be able to trust considering Mom Elizabet and both my sisters went to the OC.I can see why they’d rather stick their heads in the sand than face the fact that people they love have been abused.”
“Can you?”Atlas asked.
“I don’t agree, obviously.But if it was easy to stand up to abusers, to liars and fearmongers, then those people wouldn’t exist to start with.It’s why I respect Hannah and Koda so much.Because of how brave they are.”
Atlas stepped forward, grabbing the bowl from my hands and holding it out for one of the alphas to take.Then he was cupping the back of my neck with both hands, his thumbs coming up under my jaw to tilt my head up to meet his gaze.“I admire how brave you are, pet.”Atlas refused to let me look away, making me endure the full brunt of his praise.
“Thank you,” I whispered.It was as loud as I could get the words to come out.
Personally, I didn’t see my actions as brave.I’d done what I’m pretty sure anyone in my position would’ve done.As much as I respected what the OC did, I wasn’t blind to the fact that the institution could be abused.Honestly, it was probably easier than people expected.The OC was protected by its purest intention to help omegas.With that, people felt like questioning the OC meant questioning the protections of omegas.In truth, it was that exact questioning that ensured safety.Nothing was infallible.Especially something as important as protecting people.
When Atlas backed up, Everett took his place.“Are you sure you have the time to plan an event?”
“Of course.”It was mostly calls anyway, which were easy enough to handle while I did my work around the house.“I have a whole notebook full of checklists and vendors and little trinket ideas that I can just modify for the theme.Easy peasy.”
He seemed to consider my words, before completely changing the topic.“Have you heard from any of the lawyers?”
“No.”
The only responses I’d gotten so far were the automatic ones stating that the lawyers had received my initial request for a sit-down and would reach out to me for a time.None had.If this was how slow the legal system moved, I was starting to think it would be years before anything actually came of the investigation.
That idea had my stomach rolling.Years of waiting.Of wondering whether or not I would be barred from working with omegas in the future.Or whether I would be barred from being in a pack.I wasn’t sure whether that was possible or not, which was exactly why I wanted to see a lawyer.Or a legal assistant.Or just someone who had the knowledge to help.
“I think I might have found someone.”Everett grabbed my hand and dragged me back to the dining room, setting my bowl in front of me and motioning for me to start eating before he continued.“A patient came in today with a semi-emergency.Her dog saved her from an alpha attack, and he had hurt his front leg in doing so.Anyway, I squeezed her in and when she joked about helping me with anything I mentioned needing a lawyer.She said her best friend was in a pack with a really good lawyer.She gave me his email.”
