10. Oliver

Chapter 10

Oliver

G ryphon taps the steering wheel irritably beside me, and I have half a mind to reach across and snap his fingers.

Man, he is getting on my every last nerve lately. But now that we're closer to Mila, I don't feel so anxious.

We're parked across the street from the institution where I trained for years, and I curl my fists when I remember everything I had to endure.

At the time, I was the only male Omega, so I got all kinds of shit.

Women can be so cruel.

And now Mila has to endure the same shit.

Over my dead body.

Mila is mine , and I will get her out of that prison if it kills me.

Gryphon exhales, regarding me warily. "Oliver, this is a mistake. They could be watching us right now."

I couldn't give two shits whether Lily's men are watching us right now. I have half a mind to stick my middle finger out the window to let them know my exact feelings towards them and their oh-so-mighty superior.

Lily doesn't scare me. And it's time Gryphon found some balls too and stood up to her.

However, I have noticed a little change in his scent since he arrived back from her office. His roasted marshmallows and campfire is no longer laced with fear and sweat.

His scent is stronger now, and it nearly overwhelms me as we wait in the Jeep.

He wants to go inside with me, but I have to do this alone.

I have an old score to settle with this place.

No Alphas allowed, anyway. That is the general rule.

Only Betas and Omegas from this point onward.

All those young, viable Omegas would be too tempting for any Alpha.

"It will be fine, Gryphon. Don't get your boxers in a twist."

He tenses when I insult his boxers, and finally, I look across at him.

Things haven't been the same between us since Mila came into our lives. We haven't been as intimate.

I've punched him several times.

My arm is still healing, and I'll have to keep wearing my sling for some time now.

Getting shot is nothing like they depict in the movies. For one, there is way more blood. Two, it takes a while to heal, and now all those action movies seem ridiculous when I think about the way the heroes remove the bullets themselves and carry on fighting.

That bullet almost hit an artery, and I'm lucky to be alive.

It was Mila's quick thinking that saved my life. She used the tulle from the dress that I got for her as a tourniquet, and I owe it to her.

I will get her a new dress.

Lo and behold… Gryphon is actually smiling at me, and it's so good to see him grinning again.

"Finally," I mutter. "You haven't laughed in a while."

Gryphon shrugs. "It's just good to hear you cracking jokes at my expense again."

I raise a brow, and I think I have been a little too hard on him lately.

He just hasn't made the most amicable choices these days.

"I'm going in there, Gryphon."

He sighs, knowing he's losing this battle. "I know. Like I have a choice in the matter, anyway."

I stiffen, and I have no idea what he is about to confess next. Is he about to apologize for being a major asshole these last few weeks?

Really, it's Mila he needs to make it up to.

When we get her out of that building.

I reach across, grabbing the back of his head. Then I lean forward and kiss him on the lips, even nipping his mouth a little. Gryphon rumbles when I press my forehead against his, and that's how we stay.

"Fuck, Ollie…"

"I know."

That was our first kiss in weeks.

Finally, I pull away, opening the door.

"Be careful, Ollie. Don't do anything stupid. If you see her…"

It's like he can see right through me. I was hoping to catch a glimpse of her, just to see if she was okay. Hopefully, if I get a chance, I can talk to her and apologize for abandoning her.

Barret stopped by her old man's house. It was up for sale, and a dark prickle shot up and down the side of my ribs.

It seems my worst fears came to light.

"I won't, Gryphon. Don't do anything stupid either."

And with that, I depart, leaving him to wait in the car.

Time to take a trip down memory lane.

***

Nothing has changed.

The same hedges and creepy topiary animals greet me across campus.

Omegas are planting bulbs in gardens, and a group are practising meditation by the willow tree.

Some are fencing, and that's new. I remember advocating strongly for the Omegas at this school to learn at least some fighting techniques, but they probably treat fencing more like a dance here.

Omegas are treated like living pieces of art. They are told how to move their arms, and even how to walk and talk.

To my pleasant surprise, there are a few male Omegas. They congregate at one table, but I spy one male hanging around a large party of women, and the sight of them hurts my eyes.

What's with all the pastels?

The large group of Omegas points at me, and it looks like I've been recognized.

I'm quite well known. I was the first male Omega at this school after all.

Therefore, I'm one of its most famous alumni.

Time to throw on the shades.

Unfortunately, it seems to have the opposite effect of what I was aiming for, and now that gaggle of mean Omegas squeals in delight.

Not interested.

There's only one Omega I want, and she's hiding somewhere in this school.

Was I surprised that Mila was an Omega all along?

Only a little.

Honestly, I guess I sort of always knew. I just disregarded it because she was registered as a Beta, and how did she manage to pull it off for so long?

She truly is admirable.

I know finding her won't be easy. After all, Jeremy told us she goes by Daisy now.

I find the office at last inside an ivy-coated building.

My time at this school wasn't all that unpleasant. I did get along with its headmistress, Charlotte.

She always listened to my concerns about the curriculum at this school, and she agreed that Omegas should be given the option to learn some self-defence.

However, most Omegas would rather learn hair and makeup, and to each of their own.

Maybe today I can make sure it becomes mandatory.

She has nothing but a warm smile for me when I arrive at her office. "Ah, Oliver. It's so good to see you again. How have you been?"

I may be in a bad mood these days, but I loosen up when I'm reunited with Headmistress Charlotte.

She really was a great advisor.

I'm distracted through our reunion, as I can't stop glancing out the window behind her.

"I heard what happened after the Beta Trials. You must be so thrilled that they're finally over."

Yep. Over the moon.

But I still want Mila back in my life.

"Whatever did happen to that Mila Stone? She was your Beta, right?"

My fists curl. I know Charlotte means well, but I would rather keep talk of Mila to a minimum.

She seems to pick up on my mood, deciding to discuss something else instead, and I bring up my stance on self-dense classes becoming mandatory.

"I'm sorry, Oliver, but it's up to the board in the end. They get the final say."

Of course, they do. Because they're all Alphas and Betas. They want to keep Omegas submissive.

Can't let us have too much independence now.

Sometimes, I wonder if the government feeds us lies.

Do Omegas really die during a heat?

Sure, it feels like I am dying whenever I am begging for one of my Alphas' knots, but I guess I was just too chicken to test out my theory.

No Omega in their right mind would deny their Alpha's knot anyway, especially if they're bonded. Once a bond is formed, an Omega's heat becomes stronger. More intense.

I'm about to argue my case when I spy a familiar figure making her way across campus, and my heart pounds.

Mila.

She stops beside a tree, opening up a book, and I knew it.

She's a loner here.

And that is why I have to set her free.

Mila is going to be mine.