Chapter Fourteen

The next week was all about finding a new normal. Jackson was officially working from home now, making himself my designated security. Both Seb and Zeke were still at their normal jobs, although I’d learned that Zeke had a little security camera on his desk that was connected to Jackson’s phone. Seb’s job apparently had enough security that Jackson wasn’t too worried.

According to the television, the only thing that the public could agree on was the demand for change.

Alphas wanted more protection for their omegas. They wanted betas gone because they claimed the other designation didn’t have the right instincts to care for their mates. On top of that, the extreme loudmouths agreed with that disgusting representative, Adam Whatever, that omegas should be forced to take mates after a certain age. For their protection, of course.

I was really starting to hate that word. Protection. It was becoming synonymous for weak. It meant that alphas were shifting the responsibility, the blame, to omegas for not being as strong as them rather than holding other alphas responsible for their actions.

According to them, alpha instincts were too strong to ignore. Those protective urges demanded the alpha to protect their mate and pack but to also claim an unmated omega if they scented one.

It was amazing how the same logic meant to boost their designation, defiled mine.

According to them, I was also too emotional. That meant I had to be locked away. Rather than being rescued by princes, omegas were being locked away by them.

Alpha instincts forced them into a rut the same way mine pulled me into a heat, both of us unable to partake in society during that time. Yet, I was the one too unstable to work and alphas weren’t. The logic wasn’t logical.

The worst part was my mates agreed with me. So even when I went on a raging speech about how illogical these asshole alphas were, they just nodded their heads agreeing. I didn’t change any minds as I paced in the living room with my eloquent words thrown at the TV.

I had no idea where the alphas opposing these ridiculous extremists were—except in hiding. My alphas suggested they were keeping quiet, scared that their omegas would be taken from them, or even targeted to prove a point. Of course, there were also the few rare alphas who didn’t want omegas because of the ‘emotional manipulation’ so they probably weren’t bothering speaking up either.

The issue with a loud minority was that it made it seem like their idea was more popular than it was. That meant people like representative Adam had a better chance of convincing his colleagues to vote with him since his extreme ideas were parading around like they were socially accepted.

What I could say for the zealous alphas, at least, was that they were in agreement about the kind of change they wanted. The protesting betas were having a different problem.

Some betas were simply protesting against the alphas’ demands to kick them out of packs and society. They argued that betas served a purpose in packs, to help comfort an omega during the day, to be a nonhormonal fuck for the alpha outside of a heat, to be a level of stability in a home.

These betas wanted to be part of packs. They claimed that there were three designations for a reason, and a perfect pack would have at least one of each member.

Then there were the other betas. In some ways, they agreed with the alphas. These betas didn’t want to be a substitute for omegas. They argued that the hormones of the other designations didn’t affect them, so they should have their own part of society where they could live without having to bend to the whims of the more emotional members.

No one was agreeing with each other, not between the designations or even in them. Yet, through all of this, omegas still weren’t shouting out our own opinions. At least, not publicly. I had done plenty of shouting.

I spent the last week pouring myself into my online classes—when I wasn’t yelling at the TV. I had a point to prove, and I was going to do it by graduating. I still had to wait to choose a major, and I was claiming that as the reason I was undecided about which one to pick. Koda spoke the truth when she pointed out I’d never be able to work in whatever degree I picked. But that wasn’t my fault.

Alphas claimed we didn’t want to work while also saying we weren’t allowed to. Am I destined for a job? Maybe not. But there were omegas out there like Rosy, who so obviously had a passion and wanted to be immersed in it.

I was at the point of even bringing my laptop into my nest so I could look at my classes as soon as I woke up. Sure, I took a few sex breaks throughout the day, and my mates ensured I ate.

It was late into the night, leading into the weekend so all my mates were up and relaxing while I was still on my laptop. Every time someone moved, my gaze flicked up to them, like when Jackson started a fire, or when Han got up for a book, and even when Seb simply got up to stretch his body.

I had finally finished reviewing everything and now I was to the point of actually completing assignments. My stress was perfuming around me as I looked through the quiz, again, determined that my first real grade would be a good one.

I was stalling, I knew that.

With my laptop on the kitchen island, I had the perfect view of all my mates, sitting on the couch, feigning watching TV as they took turns glancing back at me, wanting to comfort me yet giving me the space I asked for to do my quiz.

When Seb stood up from the couch, I was already shaking my head. “Let me just look it over one more time, and then I’ll be done.”

“Princess, you finished this quiz almost half an hour ago. It’s one grade. I promise, whether you do bad or good, it won’t make too much of a difference.”

I ran my hand over my head, only slightly wishing I had hair long enough to pull on. “I have to do well. I need good grades if I’m going to graduate.”

“Look at your grades before. They were all good. You’ve never taken these classes for granted. You need to trust yourself. And more importantly, this was supposed to be an opportunity for you. Not a punishment. Don’t stress yourself out.”

Seb continued to walk around the island as he spoke, coming closer, and pulling me into a hug so that my gaze was forced away from the screen. I heard my laptop make a small clicking sound that had me gasping.

“Did you just—”

“Look at that. A perfect score. Congrats, princess.”

Seb’s words got the rest of my alphas jumping up, celebrating and distracting me from the espionage of submitting my quiz literally behind my back.

“Time for a break now, rebel,” Jackson said, pulling me back to the living room and setting me on his lap.

“Just for a little,” I agreed.

“You don’t want to burn yourself out,” Seb said, coming to sit next to Jackson, pulling my feet onto his lap and starting to rub them. “Trust me. I did years of schooling. A little bit everyday keeps you consistent and makes sure you don’t get mindless on accident.”

I groaned when I felt the deep pressure against my foot’s arch.

A blanket was laid over me, the slight scratchy texture of the sarape on my cheek was perfect. The weave meant tiny holes so I wouldn’t overheat which was why I usually hated the extra soft, fluffy blankets.

“I just feel like…” I trailed off for a moment, trying to find the right words. “I guess I’m worried that something will happen, and I won’t be able to take the classes anymore. I want to get them done before I’m kicked out.”

“You won’t,” Seb said. “I know it’s hard to fully understand since all you know is being an omega, but betas are simply allowed to attend college. Your student account is set. Hannah Baumgartner exists, regardless of what happens to you as an omega.”

“But what if it’s the schools that change? You saw that protest the other day on the news. Betas are getting tired of being treated as less than alphas and omegas. And they’re so infuriated about it that they want to have their own parts of the city. Their own schools and malls and places of work and neighborhoods.”

“Even if it did happen, it would take years. You have time, princess. I promise.”

I snuggled deeper against Jackson. His chest was vibrating gently, not enough to make any noise, but strong enough to make all my muscles relax. The three of us were silent for a while, even the TV had been muted, the only sounds from the crackling fire.

“Where are Han and Zeke?” I wanted all my mates to come cuddle with me.

“Getting dinner.”

I wished they’d said a temporary goodbye, but I didn’t think much about it. For the next few minutes, the three of us just relaxed together. It was a temporary solace that I was basking in.

When Han and Zeke came home, smelling of arousal and delicious food, our lighthearted mood continued into the night.

Even into the weekend.

We kept the TV off, mostly stayed off our phones—both Jackson and Seb struggled with that portion—and had a lazy, safe weekend.

As we were getting ready for bed, my mates grumbling about needing to get back to the ‘real world’ the next day, the doorbell went off. I had been in the bathroom with Jackson, just finishing brushing my teeth as my alpha was doing the same.

My curiosity had me quickly rinsing my mouth, ignoring the shouts from Jackson telling me to wait, but I couldn’t. Strangers at the house, especially in a neighborhood like ours, weren’t solicitors. And I lived for drama.

Zeke beat me down the stairs, and rather than continuing with me to the door, he wrapped his arms around me and kept me off to the side, letting Jackson pass us by, smirking the whole time. “Nice try, rebel.”

“Who is it?” I asked.

Han and Seb made their way down the stairs too, yet none of my alphas had an answer for me.

I watched Jackson check who it was, his mood immediately plummeting, his scent blooming with frustration.

“Take Hannah upstairs.”

Zeke didn’t ask questions, just started walking, his arm around my stomach automatically taking me with him.

“No, wait, who is it?” I did my best to claw at the walls and corner to keep Zeke from being able to make any progress.

“Reporter,” Jackson said, making the other alphas stiffen.

“How did they get our address?” Seb asked.

Han shook his head like he understood Seb’s unspoken question. “The OC wouldn’t put an omega in danger like that. Especially one that, for all intents and purposes, is obeying their rules.”

Did that mean Seb thought the person outside was here to ask about me? Would I be able to tell my side of the story?

The excitement and nerves mixed together in my body. I knew I shouldn’t, but I wanted to talk to someone about what had truly happened to me. My mates worried about what speaking out would mean for our pack, but some decisions were bigger than just the five of us. Right?

Or maybe acting as the type of pack that the asshole alphas were trying to destroy was its own act of defiance. Was that enough? To live in secret and keep our voice hidden behind voting and money passing hands?

My internal debate distracted me from trying to stop Zeke as he pulled me up the stairs. To my surprise, and delight, he stopped high enough up that no one would be able to see us, but we could still hear. Didn’t stop him from covering my mouth with his hand and keeping his arm banded tightly around my stomach. It was a compromise I was willing to accept.

Paying attention to the discussion downstairs I heard Seb say, “Let me handle this. I have the best experience with the media.”

“You’ll also be the most recognizable,” Han said. “Jackson should do it. Especially since he’s first alpha.”

I was getting nervous that the person at the door would leave. If the reason they were there was because of me, I wanted to be a part of the conversation.

Finally, Jackson opened the door, greeting whoever was there gruffly.

I was just barely able to hear the person outside, asking Jackson if they heard about some supposed fight between two alpha packs nearby. When he said no, they continued to give him information, claiming it happened just a few houses down, that an omega was involved.

“Do you have an omega?” the reporter asked. “How would you feel about a dominance battle over them? Should they be allowed?”

Jackson didn’t answer, simply shutting the door in the person’s face. A few minutes later, he said, “All clear. Hannah, come on down here.”

Zeke chuckled against my ear before he whispered, “good luck.”

I slowly made my way back down the stairs. Both Han and Seb were trying, and failing, to hide their smirks as Jackson glared at me.

“I didn’t actually open the door,” I reminded him, immediately stating my case.

“Because you know you shouldn’t or because Zeke caught you in time?”

I stuck up my nose. “Does it matter?”

Jackson sighed, opening his arms. My body didn’t even hesitate, running the few steps toward him and jumping into his grasp. “I need to keep you safe, rebel.”

With my legs still around him, I leaned back slightly so I could meet his gaze. “What about the other omegas who need to be safe? If that reporter had been here for me, maybe I could have told my side of the story. Omegas need someone to stand up for them.”

“I agree. But some random reporter was not the best option for that. You have no idea if they would’ve cut your segment, using your words out of context. Or maybe they were simply a test from the OC to see if you’d talk if given the chance.”

“You think they’d do that?”

“I wouldn’t put anything past them right now. They’re a business, first and foremost. And you’re a direct threat to their profits.”

Jackson was right—as usual, I was learning. Some random reporter wasn’t the solution for designation rights. If I wanted to play the political game, I had to do it right, not just whenever the mood hit that I needed to do something.

I kissed him. First his forehead and then dropping little kisses down his nose until I met his mouth. “You’re right.”

Jackson groaned. “Sexiest words you could ever say, rebel.”

The other alphas laughed as I pulled back and pretended to glare at him.

Rather than set me down, Jackson carried me upstairs to the nest. I did my best to block out the internal voice in my head that was saying I wasn’t doing enough for my designation. Telling me that simply living in defiance wasn’t helping anyone. It was harder than it should have been to ignore that voice—and I knew that it wouldn’t be the last time I heard from it.