Page 92 of For the First Time
Maybe it was petty.Maybe it was cruel.I wasn’t sure if it wasn’t both.But I was going to do everything in my power to stop Adam from being reelected.
For so long I’d gone back and forth, contemplating what I was going to do, what I was willing to do.And what a privilege that was.The ability to step back from a fight, to choose whether the cause was worthy enough for me.
Atlas didn’t choose to be an omega any more than I chose to be a beta any more than Oaks and Everett chose to be alphas.Despite that, we were all being forced to endure the social agendas of elitists who wanted to act a certain way and force other people to do the same.
If I did nothing, then I was complicit in the destruction and abuse of the designations.My own, and of my pack’s.
That had never been the type of person I was.
I’d always conformed to my designation.I’d worshiped omegas and deferred to alphas.I was a good beta.And sure, maybe if the system wasn’t corrupted by bad people, it would have worked.But it was.So it didn’t.
The front door opened, the sound jerking me from my thoughts.I’d brought my crackers out to munch on and I clutched them to my chest like I wasn’t supposed to be eating them.
“What are you doing out here, Babygirl?”Everett was shirtless, just in his boxers that he must have put on to come find me.His voice scared the few crickets and bugs that had thought it was safe.
“Just thinking.”I lifted the sleeve of crackers.“And a little snack.”
“Mind if I join you?”
“No, I’d love it.”
He disappeared back inside for a moment before reappearing with a few bricks of chocolate.“Thought I’d bring my own treat.”Everett came to stand by my side on the porch, looking out at the dirt and parked vehicles like he was a king surveying his kingdom.
Breaking off a piece of chocolate, he silently offered it.Usually, I tried not to eat so much sugar during my late-night cravings.Usually, I didn’t have a future court date.
I took the piece and layered it on my next honeyed cracker, enjoying the two flavors together before offering a cracker to Everett who did the same.
We stood in silence for a long time, just eating our way through the treats.I wasn’t truly hungry, but that hadn’t stopped me from eating half the sleeve myself.
I forced myself to stop.To twist the plastic wrapper and pretend to knot the sleeve shut.
“Have you made a decision?”Everett asked, breaking the silence.
“About what?”
“Lilith.Being a whistleblower for the OC.”
“Oh.”I unraveled the sleeve and took out another cookie.So much for being done for the night.“Yeah, I think so.”
“You don’t sound happy about it.”
“It doesn’t feel right to be excited.I’m fighting for a cause because the traditionalists are literally trying to take away rights of the other designations.”
“True.But you have to celebrate the small victories.Like making a decision on what you want to do.If we put off celebrating until the traditionalists aren’t in power anymore and everything is good...”
He trailed off, although his meaning was clear.I even agreed with it.
For some reason, my next words were, “I’m going to call Rosalie tomorrow.Let her know that I can’t finish planning the event for my sister.”
I hadn’t spoken with my family pack in the last two weeks since they’d hung up on me.That wasn’t even unusual.They only ever called when wanting to discuss whatever event plans were coming up.
I was surprised that my sisters hadn’t reached out to me simply to yell at me for my opinions or to tell me that they didn’t want me planning their anniversary event.Apparently, betas were good enough to plan bonding ceremonies, just not good enough to be a part of them.
I was sad to give up planning my sister’s event.I was good at party planning.I liked it, even.But with my family, it was a thankless position.Worse, it was an expectation.As if being beta meant Ihadto plan the events.
No, I wouldn’t mind planning my own bonding ceremonies, or parties for my friends.Maybe even something for Koda’s graduation.Because I knew they’d appreciate it.It would be like its own gift.Not an obligation.
“I think that’s a good call,” Everett agreed.“You’ll have a lot on your plate coming up.We could even hire a house manager if you want.Help ease the burden around here.”
