Page 54 of Carmichael's Omega

"So, like, contact three makes sure that two and four don't know each other?" I clarify.

"Precisely," Krissy says. For the first time, I hear the hint of an accent creep into her voice. "And each contact changes your appearance and name, at least a little. They also teach you. I went all over the world, it seemed. At contact four, they taught me to speak with an American accent."

"It's excellent," I interject.

Krissy tosses me a smile, "thanks."

"Is this," I ask hesitantly, "what number is this?"

"Six," she says abruptly. A hint of worry comes into her eyes. "My hair has been changed, and my nose, which was painful. I'm here with a completely false identity. When..." she takes a breath, "soon," she amends, "I have to pick my new name and start going to class. Get out of this House. Make a new life," she says softly.

I sit back and blink. "Wow. My sorority is awesome." I frown, "and all we could think of for revenge on the Alpha-Ups was TP'ing their House?"

Krissy bursts into laughter, "I heard about that," she snickers. "The rubbish bins? Really?"

I pout. "I struggle with littering."

She giggles until she falls sideways on her bed.

I wait, smiling, for her to stop. "So," I ask softly, "what names are you thinking of?"

She sits up. "I don't know," she sighs. "I keep thinking of names of my people, you know? But I can't do that. It's too suspicious. I've thought of picking another, but I don't like anything I've come across."

"What is your favorite name?" I ask.

"Ayize. It means... 'let it happen.' Hope, I mean. And, no, I don't want to be called 'Hope.' I am a warrior." She pats her chest.

I frown; that was going to be my suggestion. "Well," I say slowly, "What if you just find another name with the same meaning? Let's google it!"

Krissy indulges me. I can tell she's not interested. She leaves me in front of her laptop and walks to her door, opening it and very obviously trying to eavesdrop on the conversation across the hall. I don't hear anything coming from Tansy's room, but maybe Krissy can.

I almost miss it. Autocorrect changes the spelling as I tinker around with the name. I go to the next link to hear the pronunciation.Al-i-zay,fills the quiet.

Krissy's head comes around. "That's pretty," she admits. "What does it mean?"

I smile. "Alize means 'joy.' It's better than 'hope.' It's perfect." I bounce in the seat in joy at finding the perfect name of 'Joy.'

Krissy looks hard at me. "You're not an omega," she says quietly. "You are a Blessed One."

"I'm sorry?" I ask, wrinkling my nose.

"One born to be omega, not created from abuse."

"Oh. I guess so? We just call everyone an omega."

Krissy smiles at me. "There's a huge difference, Cassie." Her eyes narrow. "Who is your mate?"

"Carmichael?" I squeak. "He's um... Carmichael."

One of her dark eyebrows lifts in a look that eerily reminds me of Miranda. "He's an alphason?" I offer.

Her eyes narrow, "Of course. Don't worry, Cassidy. It is nearly impossible for a mate to harm a Blessed One. He'll break soon and Claim you properly."

I squirm in my seat. Secretly, it's not Carm I'm worried about. I know his pack is difficult. I don't want him to suffer because he brings home an omega mate. "So, Alize? Do you like it?" I swiftly change the subject.

Krissy nods. "A name from a Blessed One? That is a gift few can say they receive."

She speaks with complete and utter confidence. I envy the faith she has. "Alize," I whisper quietly. Joy. My wolf wags her tail happily.

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