Page 26 of Chosen Omega

I latch onto his hand as he pulls me around from behind Erik. Skylar keeps his hold on my waist and moves with me. CJ smiles at me before turning back to the room at large, and walking in to meet the Council and his parents. Erik snatches my other hand and walks with us farther into the room. Mandy smiles at me and August and James both move to kiss my head. They tell me that everything will be okay, and to trust them. I nod, but squeeze Hutch and Erik’s hands a bit tighter when we make it to the table. CJ pulls a chair out and Skylar sits down, pulling me onto his lap.

“Everyone,” CJ addresses the council from behind my chair. “This is Rebecca Lancaster, our mate.”

The room freezes as the implications of CJ’s words settle on the room. Mandy is beaming at us and August hands Charles money out of his wallet while rolling his eyes. James chuckles and highfives Hutch. I can feel the guys’ joy swirling in my chest and it helps me to relax a bit more. That is until I look up at the Council members. The smallest woman, the clear Omega in the group, is looking at me with her head tilted. Her short purple hair waves as she moves her head back and forth, examining me. I see her take notice of my mating marks then a big smile spreads out on her face. All of the Alphas exchange a look between them before sitting up in their seats and turning towards us. The oldest looking of the group is the first to break the silence in the room.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you Miss. Lancaster, but if you don’t mind me asking, how is it that a Chosen wolf is the mate of an Alpha Pack? It's a well known fact that Chosen manifest as Betas and Betas can’t mate Alphas.”

Erik growls in his chest, eyes cutting to the Alpha, but one look from Skylar has the sound cutting off. None of the guys are feeling very joyous now, and my anxiety picks up again in the face of their ill moods. Mandy scoffs under her breath and Charles places a hand on her shoulder. Even August and James look a bit pissed by the question, though I don’t understand why everyone is so upset. What he said isn’t wrong. Iama Chosen wolf and Ishouldbe a Beta. I expected this question.

“I’m sorry, Alpha, I didn’t catch your name.” My voice is soft but sure. My head tilts as I stare into his eyes. I know that Abby told me that I shouldn’t do that to Alphas unless I want to challenge them, but this guy looks like an ass and he pissed off my mates.

“Forgive him.” The female Alpha sends a scathing look to the older male then smiles gently at me. “I’m Sandra, this,” she points to the Omega in the group. “Is Tandy. Lance is the gentleman you were just speaking to. Beside him,” She points to the Alpha that looks to be just barely older than I am. “Is Timothy. And Jackson is our last member.” She ends the introduction with the biggest male of the group. He makes James and Erik seem almost normal with his bulging muscles and permanent scowl.

I nod at each member as they are introduced, then smile at Sandra. “It’s so nice to meet you all. I’ve heard so many great things. And to address your poorly executed questions, Alpha Lance,” I cut my gaze back to the older man. He actually looks a bit sheepish and the hostility I feel towards him eases a bit. “I am a Chosen, but when my wolf came to me on Friday, I manifested as an Omega. We aren’t sure why I manifested differently than other Chosen wolves, but Alpha August had a theory that it may have to do with genetics. We’re planning on getting samples tomorrow. I’m even going to attempt to call my parents and see if they will be willing to give some samples as well. Though to be honest,” My face flames and my heart feels heavy at having to reveal my parents' less than enthusiastic response to my recent change. “They didn’t respond well when they were notified that I was made into a wolf, so I’m not confident they will even take my call, much less give us a blood sample.” I shrug my shoulders and sink further into Skylar. He rubs his face in my hair and CJ puts a hand on my shoulder.

“Oh my. I’m so sorry, Miss. Lancaster. I didn’t realize that there was an issue with your parents.” Lance looks genuinely upset about my parents, but I don’t even worry about it anymore.

Sure, it makes me sad that they don’t want anything to do with me now, but I’ve had time to come to terms with it. And, even if I was still upset about it, I would still reach out to them because I need answers. I want to know why I’m different. I wouldn’t change it for the world because that would mean giving up my mates. Even though I haven’t had them long, they already mean so much to me. So, yes, I want to know why I’m an Omega, but I’m happy with my manifestation.

“Yes. That is very unfortunate, but we do need to know why you are an Omega.” Jameson scowls at the room. I don’t take it personally though, he seems to be a bit grumpy. “This could be a pivotal moment in Lycan history. If Humans can become Omegas, then could they be Alphas as well? Knowing what caused you to be an Omega could change the Lycan kind forever. It could be the answer we need to solve the problem of our dying race.”

“She isn’t a fucking Lab Rat Jameson.” Charles growls at the other Alpha, standing from his chair to meet the giant Alpha head on. “She is my daughter, not some experiment for you to toy with!”

“Calm down, Charles.” Tandy stands up and puts herself between the Alphas. “He isn’t suggesting we toy with her or even do anything more than what she herself has already agreed to do.” Mandy stands and wraps her arms around Charles' waist. He immediately calms down and steps back from the other Omega, who turns to face off with Jameson herself. “I get that you don’t often say the thing you mean, or what you say comes out twisted, but that was extremely callous, even for you. Rebecca is a wolf, and Omega, and she deserves more respect than to be treated as if she is only useful for ‘saving our dying race’.” When she repeated his words back to him, she lowered her voice in an attempt to imitate him. He stares at her for a second before nodding his head and turning his attention back to me.

“They are right. I’m sorry Rebecca, if I made you feel like I was only using you. I’m thrilled that you are an Omega and that our dear Nephews have their mate. The Goddess blessed us all by giving them an Omega made in her image. I foresee you doing great things in the future.” He bows at the waist and holds that position.

Skylar squeezes me and when I look up at him, he motions a hand towards the still bowed Jameson. I guess I need to say something. “Thank you Jameson, I appreciate the clarification. Honestly, if I can help the Lycan race in any way, I’d love to do it.”

Chapter Twenty Seven

Normal

“Actually,”Timothyspeaksupfor the first time. “I would love to do some baseline tests, basically a Lycan checkup, just to see if you’re showing any abnormalities as a Chosen Omega.”

“Jesus, Timmy! I just said she isn’t a goddamn experiment!” Charles is red faced again. He is genuinely upset that they want to run tests.

I don’t really see anything wrong with it. I mean, I don’t want them to be too invasive, but I’m sure I could do some physical things and allow them to get a sample of my blood. I’m already giving August some, so it shouldn’t be any different. I think about it more, trying to see what my limits to this testing would be. My mates throw suggestions at me in my mind and I smile everytime I hear one of them in my head.

“They may want to monitor the heat.”

Even in my mind I can hear the growl in Skylar’s words. He isn’t happy about that train of thought and I have to admit that it makes me a lot uncomfortable to think they may ask that of me. So I decided to ask them what they are wanting before I agree to it.

“What tests? What would I have to do?”

Charles cuts his gaze my way and silently asks me if I’m sure. His eyes are blazing with anger, and I feel a swell of emotion. I’ve never had someone step up and defend my well being like he is, and I’m not sure how to express my gratitude to him for doing it. This whole situation is uncomfortable, but having my Mates, and the wolves I’m starting to think of as my Lycan parents, here makes it so much easier.

“It wouldn’t be too much, Rebecca.” Sandra speaks up now. Her icy glare lands on the male alphas behind her and they all look down at the floor. “You’re already doing a blood test, so really, we would take baseline measurements like height and weight. We’d also like to have you do a stress and speed test, maybe a strength test. We’d never ask to see the heat, but maybe, if you're comfortable with it, you could start tracking when your heat starts, how long it lasts, and how often you get it, along with signs and symptoms you experience before and after. Again, that is only if you and your mates are comfortable with that.”

My mates and I all share a look and I can tell the Heat thing is something we will have to talk about before I agree to do it. The rest of it doesn’t sound bad at all. Honestly, it’s not that different from the annual health check I did as a human. And I really do want to help if I can. Abigail explained that with the limited number of Alphas and Omega born and the family connections, the Lycan population is declining more and more every year. She said that eventually, there won’t be enough Omegas, that Alphas will start to go insane without a mate to ground them and not long after that, the Lycan race would stop producing all together. The Lycan born already would live for a long time, because that is in our genetics, but no new Lycan pups would be born and once the existing Lycan pass on, the race will die. Just thinking about this beautiful race being gone forever is enough to bring tears to my eyes.

“If August does the tests, I’m willing to participate. I’ll have to let you know about the Heat thing after I discuss it with my mates though.”

The Council Alphas all nodded, smiling at me as if I just gave them the holy grail. I want to roll my eyes at how excited they all seem, but I'm not sure that will go over well with this bunch. They seem to be the ‘no disrespect will be tolerated’ type. I keep my thoughts to myself, but my mates all snicker and remind me that my thoughts aren’t just my own anymore. A smile creeps across my face knowing they will be there, even in my mind, anytime I need them. Skylar tightens his hold on me and CJ leans down and kisses my head.

“Well, it’s too late to do any of that tonight and you guys,” August gestures to the Council before continuing in his icy tone. I get the distinct impression that August isn’t happy with the Council right now, but it isn’t my business unless he decides to talk to me about it, so I let the thought fizzle away. “are here until Friday. The test will wait until tomorrow.”

The council immediately agrees then Charles heads to the kitchen to pull dinner out of the oven. The table is large enough to fit everyone, but Skylar refuses to let me go to my own seat. CJ makes a huge plate and sits it down in front of us, then Skylar starts to feed me. While I’m chewing, he takes bites for himself. We eat the whole dinner that way while everyone makes small talk. Now that the conversation is no longer on me and my Omega status, the Council wolves are pleasant company. Tandy is full of knowledge about the other Omegas around the world and even tells me about an Omega Retreat she runs once a year. I’m really excited to hear more about it, and Mandy says she loves going every year and looks forward to bringing me with her this year.

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