Page 56 of For the First Time
“Eve?Are you still there?”Bartholomew asked.
“Yes.Yes, I’m here.”Alone.Unsure what to do.But here.
“I think we should go public.Social pressure on this topic just might protect you from the type of vitriol that Adam is going to spew.I have no doubt that he’s going to try and streamline all betas behind you and paint your designation as dangerous to packs.”
I knew what he meant.Betas tended to be seen as without a designation and because of that, we were somehow different than alphas and omegas.Alphas were one option and omegas the other.We weren’t either.It was a fairly big argument between alphas and betas considering the former had more governmental power, but the latter had a larger populace.
In fact, more and more betas were leaving cities, forming their own micro-communities.One of the reasons that the designation elitists were gaining so much traction was because betas had been socially excluded from the core of nature that was supposed to bring everyone together.As a consequence, betas weren’t involving themselves in the issues of other designations.They weren’t voting on alpha and omega regulations, didn’t encourage funding for designation related works, and they were content to have a third and separate life.
But that was impossible.We were all people, all interconnected.Matters that seemed to not directly affect them, indirectly did.
Betas voted against zoning for pack housing.Which meant packs were buying smaller homes and reconstructing them to fit their needs.That meant less homes for betas.So betas continued to vote against housing for packs.It was a cycle.
You can’t ignore people just because you didn’t identify with them.Separate was never equal.It just let weeds grow in the space between.
“I need to speak with my pack,” I finally admitted.“I can’t make this decision by myself.”
“Of course.Call me when you have an answer.”
Bartholomew hung up without any informal goodbye, and I hated that I felt relief.The male was just trying to help me.I couldn’t hate it every time he called.
I wanted to write down a list of pros and cons for each option, but I also needed to finish making the lunch before my mates arrived.They had limited time to eat, especially Atlas who merely came home to grab the food before returning to Pink Lady.So I kept the notebook and pen out, pretending like I didn’t glance at it every few moments as I worked on prepping dinner.
I only allowed myself one question, or one note, as I worked.
What would my family think?
I pulled out the salami, pepperoni, and ham for the three-themed sandwich I was planning for their lunch.
What would Hannah think?
Three types of meats needed three types of cheese.The pack actually had a marble cheese slicer which was convenient.
What would I do if I wasn’t worried about the pack?
Three veggies—tomatoes, lettuce, and onions.
What would Atlas say if he knew my hesitation was to protect him?
Three bonus toppings.Banana peppers, olives, and a mixed dressing.
Would I even trust the OC with my children?
Grabbing a toothpick, I forced the sandwiches to stay together and then rolled them in parchment.
Is this even a fight I should take up?
I carefully cut the thick pickles into star shapes and then started slicing them.
If I don’t stand up for omegas, and they’re being shoved down by alphas, does that make me complicit in their suppression?
I brought out both a pitcher of water with lemon and apple juice as I set the table.
Can I live with myself if I do nothing?
****
Oaks was the firstone home for lunch, which wasn’t a surprise.Of all my packmates, Oaks had the most consistent schedule.“Darlin?Where have you run off to?”
