Page 1 of The Omega Lesson

Lexi

“As I said to you at your interview, Miss Novak, I’m taking a chance on you. I hope I haven’t made a mistake.”

I thread my fingers together as I return Headmaster Miller’s assessing stare across his imposing mahogany desk. Body language conveys a lot to an alpha, so I’m careful to keep my spine straight, my shoulders back. I might be clenching my hands in my lap, the knuckles white against the navy blue of my skirt, but outwardly I’m the picture of professional calm. Or at least, that’s what I’m hoping to project as I give him a firm nod. “You haven’t. And I appreciate the chance to prove that to you, headmaster.”

“Young teachers can be useful at an academy like ours,” the man behind me says in his raspy voice, making my spine even stiffer. As the Master of Discipline, standing behind my chair and breathing down my neck is typical behaviour for Patrick Drummond. “Still, we have probation for a reason. Your preliminary review is around the corner, isn’t it?”

With more effort than I like to admit, I keep my focus on the man seated in front of me. Everything in the room is large, old, and imposing, including the man who runs the school. But at least Headmaster Miller doesn’t give me the ick vibes I get from the Master of Discipline. “Is that why I’m here? Did you want to discuss my probation?”

Headmaster Miller is a champion yachtsman who looks the part, his thick white brows pulling together over his deeply tanned face. “We’re here to talk about the incident that took place this afternoon with Matthew Cliff.”

I clench my jaw, determined to keep the blush from my face. “Headmaster, I might be young, but I’m an alpha. And I’ve completed all the required training on classroom engagement and discipline. There was absolutely no reason for Mr. Drummond to step in…”

“And yet,” the headmaster interrupts me, “Matthew Cliff ended up wandering about during lessons and Drummond was forced to deal with him. How is that adequate discipline, Miss Novak?”

I’ve prepared for this question all afternoon, and manage to keep my voice low and steady. “I sent Matthew to wait outside the classroom so I could speak to him in private. I’m not sure how he ran into the Master of Discipline, or why Mr. Drummond felt the need to take my student to task…”

“He mouthed off,” Drummond growls behind me. “Two strikes for that, and two for being out of class without a pass. That’s eight strikes he’s earned this year, and we’re only in the first term. A couple more, and it’ll go on his permanent record.”

I turn slowly in my chair, just enough to keep both men in sight. Patrick Drummond is wearing his cadet training uniform, which is just Gestapo enough to make the hairs on the back of my neck tingle. He’s in his mid-fifties, with ropy muscles and a brutal jaw, his eyes a searing blue in his lined face.

“Matthew did nothing wrong,” I say calmly, despite the almost paralysing waves of alpha power coming off him. “And in the future, I’d prefer you checked with me before disciplining my students. While they’re scheduled to be in my class, they’remyresponsibility.”

Drummond’s brow twists with a scowl at my challenging tone, but the headmaster raises a hand. “Miss Novak, I’m aware you have some concerns about corporal punishment, but let me remind you that this is not the place to voice them. Prendiville Academy is built on clear rules, positive reinforcement, and swift discipline. It’s how we’ve always dealt with our students, and why many of their parents choose to send them to us.”

I take a careful breath, knowing better than to spout my liberal views in these hallowed halls. Prendiville is the most elite all-male alpha academy in the state. There are five hundred students here, most of whom board year-round, and in many ways it’s more of a home than the farms and mansions they were born to. The academy takes three things seriously: sport, cadets, and discipline. Grades are important, but most graduates are headed back to powerful packs where their futures are already mapped out. Turning out dominant, hard-as-nails alphas is the school’s real purpose.

“I understand. I’ll be sure to give every student a pass before they leave my classroom in the future.”

There’s not much else I can say. Headmaster Miller isn’t kidding about the warning he gave me at my job interview. He told me no less than a dozen times that I was too young, too inexperienced, and toofemalefor the position. In any other world, I would’ve had a clear case for discrimination, except that hedidhire me. But the fact remains, I’m one of only six females on an academic staff of forty, and the next youngest is nearly twice my age. At twenty-three, and with only six months of practical experience under my belt, I might be an alpha, but I’m still an outsider.

All things I’m determined to overcome, despite the staffroom gossip that says I was only hired because my predecessor went into a rut and had to be dragged off campus. It was the final term of the year, and all the more senior teachers had positions, so I was technically their last resort. But I spent the summer taking extra courses to sharpen my skills, and now my six-month probation is right around the corner, as Drummond so helpfully pointed out. Even though I might feel like a square peg in a round hole sometimes, I’m determined to ace that review and get offered a permanent position.

“Is there anything else we need to discuss, Headmaster?”

“Well, yes, actually.” He ruffles through the papers on his desk, pulling out a stack of small pink slips. They’re phone messages from Maureen, his assistant, who’s worked for him for thirty years, and is as much a part of the furniture as the clock tower I can see from the window. “We got late notice that Matthew Cliff’s family wants a slot tonight. For the parent-teacher conference. Just make sure things are smoothed over, alright?”

I bite my tongue at the glaring injustice of the situation. Drummond punishes their son for a minor infraction, butI’mthe one who has to deal with his irate parents. That’s assuming Matthew told them what happened. But why else would they be coming?

The thought sends a sliver of fear through me.

Because there are important packs, and then there are the Cliffs. You only need to glance at the display cases in this school to realise they’re as much a part of Prendiville as the ivy-covered buildings, rugby pitches, and student cadets marching around with rifles propped on their shoulders.

But they’re bigger than just names on dusty trophies at an elite academy.

The Cliffs basically control the local tourism industry. They own most of the premium fishing licences, charter businesses, and larger tour operations in the state. And then there’s the chain of luxury eco-resorts, including a sparkling new, five-star casino in the city centre. Along with their sheep station buddies, the Lyalls, they’re what passes for royalty in this country.

And now I have to explain how their son was disciplined on my watch.

The meeting is clearly over, so I thank the headmaster for his time and head to the door. Drummond makes no effort to step aside, but I keep my chin up as I stride past. He might have etched his name into the wooden paddle he hangs on his office wall, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to let him bully me.

But the headmaster stops me in the doorway. “Remember, Miss Novak, you represent this academy, both on and off the school grounds. The alumni have certain expectations, and that includes the Cliff family.”

I turn, my mouth suddenly dry. “Of course, Headmaster. I’m fully prepared for the conference and have detailed notes and work samples on each student…”

But he waves off my assurances. “Just make sure you wear a pretty dress tomorrow night.”

I close my mouth with a snap, resentment curling in the pit of my stomach. He’s talking about the Old Boys’ Dinner, where the most influential alumni are getting together to celebrate… well, themselves. It’s part reunion, part awards dinner, but mostly just a chance to network and brag. Academy staff don’t usually attend, but one of my extracurricular commitments is writing articles for the school website. I’m expected to cover all major Prendiville events, so I’ll be there with my notebook in hand. While wearing a pretty dress.

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