Page 64 of Carmichael's Omega

Cassie hands me the first dish. I play with the plate, stirring the pasta salad with the fork without taking a bite. I pretend to be engrossed in the people down at the beach, but the truth is I can't start eating before everyone else. It makes my heart stutter a little with the guilt I feel when someone around me is hungry.

Thankfully, Cassie is quick with feeding everyone. I note the respect everyone shows her, waiting for her to plate the food, then thanking her.

"Gracias, Luna," Rique is the only one to call her luna. Cassie blushes, her eyes downcast. When she sits down next to me, I wrap my arm around her shoulders, knowing that she needs some support.

"Where's your bad boy?" I murmur in her ear.

"Up north to help his cousin," she replied softly.

"So, Mattie, do you have a major chosen?" Rique asks me. His dark eyes rest on my arm around Cassie's shoulder, my lips near her cheek, then travels to my still-full plate of food.

Blushing, I pull my arm away from Cassie and turn my attention to my food. "Ah, I was majoring in pre-med, biomedical engineering, but um..." my fingers twitch with the urgency to wrap around Cassie's hand, so I clench my fork more tightly. "I'm planning to transfer to Caluna next year and-"

Cassie laughs happily. "You made your decision!" She kisses my cheek, then snuggles her head on my shoulder. Relaxing, I take a bite of food, nodding.

"Pre-med?" Rique leans back on his hands and sets his empty plate next to him. He pulls Miranda close to him. His bare foot gently knocks my sneaker. "What will you major in here,Ñoño?" he says teasingly.

I look at him, a little confused. Miranda smacks his chest. "Don't call Mattie a nerd, fool."

"Don't call me a fool," Rique nuzzles her hair. His dark eyes meet mine over Miranda's head. I don't feel insulted, despite being called a 'nerd.' Rique's voice is warm and welcoming.

"He is añoño. It's a good thing. You have lots of nerds in ClearHowl,no?" José says as he grabs more food.

"I guess?"

"Alpha Alex is a genius. His IQ is something like 175," Cassie chimes in.

"That's surprising," Miranda says casually.

Rique stiffens a little, "how?"

"Most genius IQs are human. You wolves are too instinctual. It's not an insult, sweetheart. Your brains are wired differently, that's all. I've never heard of a wolf with an IQ over 180. Alpha Alex is unique."

I curl my shoulders in and focus on my plate. Rique's foot knocks my sneaker again. "What is your IQÑoño?"

I shrug. Cassie giggles and kisses my cheek. "Tell him!" she insists.

"It's over 180,si?" José tosses Miranda a smug smile.

"185," I murmur quietly.

Rique laughs, "So,Ñoño,what will you major in here at Caluna?"

"They have an excellent biochem program," I say quietly.

"Have you thought about where you want to go to medical school?" Miranda asks me.

"Caluna has a medical school. It's on one of their satellite campuses near ClearHowl," Cassie interjects.

"The University of Arizona has a medical school. I think there's one in El Paso, too," Rique's dark eyes search my gaze. I focus back on my food, confused at his suggestions. It's almost like he had this planned as if he already knew that I was a pre-med major. I push away the warmth at his interest. He's not my mate, darn it, and Cassie is the one mated to their alphason. As much as I would love to live near her for another few years, I don't think her mate would appreciate a male omega anywhere near his pack.

Rique knocks my foot again, gently, before filling his plate again. "If you go swimming, make sure you take one of us with you," he changes the subject abruptly. I'm not even sure if he's talking to Cassie or me, but we both nod.

"Come walk with me,Corazon?" Rique murmurs to Miranda.

I envy her ability to stand up coolly with Rique's hands all over her and not blush.

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