Chapter Three #2
“Perhaps. But they were soon sanctioned by the government, recognised as an independent agency, separate from government control to prevent corruption or political interest seeping into how the ORT functions,” Chase countered.
“They proved that their system worked. They only accept alphas who can control their flare, who have a strong desire to protect omegas, and who can be around vulnerable omegas, sometimes in heat, without risking their safety.”
“And when that system fails?”
“They take care of the problem.”
The hush of the room proved he had everyone’s attention. All omegas respected the ORT, and most alphas dreamed of being worthy enough to join them. The silence was recognition for their work, their strength and forbearance, and sadness at the fact that such an organisation was still needed.
Lucky raised his hand, waiting for Professor Milliner’s permission to speak. “While I still support my argument that Omha’s Tears were fundamental in shaping our modern world, I agree with Chase.”
The professor raised an eyebrow, ignoring the sniggers of the other students. “I’m shocked. You never agree with anyone.”
He sighed, though that was usually true.
“Although we bear the indignity of alpha chaperones, the raging hormones of a heat, and are genetically hardwired to obey any alpha not on Override who dares to force our compliance”—he glanced at Chase, lips twitching with the threat of a smile—“the ORT consist of alphas who are smart and self-aware enough to recognise that the single most prominent threat to omegas is alphas.”
While everyone thought he was just a mouthy, unruly omega, they forgot that all Lucky wanted was for people to be honest. They would rather bury their heads in the sand and pretend alphas weren’t raised with a sense of entitlement that put omegas in the position of chattel from birth.
“I’m not sure whether to thank you for the compliment or apologise for being an alpha,” Chase said, drawing a reluctant smile to Lucky’s lips at the teasing.
“But I will take the win.” Turning away, he looked at Professor Milliner.
“Do I get a trophy, Professor? We need to recognise this occasion,” Chase argued, cheeky and teasing.
“It’s not every day that Lucky Darro admits an alpha is right. ”
The class laughed, but Lucky didn’t mind. Even the professor was trying not to laugh. “Enjoy it. I guarantee it will never happen again.”
* * * *
Chase
“How did it go?” Neko asked, as Chase settled at their table in the quad for a study session. They had a full hour before their next class and they were all scrambling to catch up after the weekend.
“Fine. Just notes on my essay.” He’d been kept after class because his essay needed more references to support his argument, but it wouldn’t take long.
Grant nudged him and opened his laptop. “What happened to you yesterday? Jack said you went down the street and disappeared. Why the hell were you with Jack?”
Chase cracked open a bottle of water. “Bad fucking luck.” He explained how he’d gone to get noodles, that Jack had caught up and he hadn’t been able to shake him.
“I bumped into Lucky Darro. Lincoln was supposed to be his chaperone, but he got distracted.” He laughed bitterly at the irony—if Lincoln had been paying attention, Chase would never have walked off with Lucky.
“That’s where Lucky went?” Neko shot Grant a knowing glance. “I’ve been hearing rumours about how pissed Lincoln was to have ‘lost’ Lucky yesterday. Did you kidnap an omega?”
Chase smiled at the thought. “Gods, he would have loved that. Could you imagine what he’d say?”
Grant waved across the quad. “Let’s ask him.”
Chase’s phone buzzed in his pocket, distracting him before he could look.
After texting his mother about Hana’s behaviour, she’d called his eldest brother, Orson.
He’d been so worried he’d called Chase to hear it from him directly.
He was amazed Orson was texting back so quick, since he was usually rushed off his feet during the week.
Orson was the only one of the four boys who had mated, giving up his right to the family business to focus on his family.
After bonded with a novelist, Farlie, they’d had three children together, resulting in a busy work and family life.
Because of that experience, Orson was the only one Chase could count on for reasonable advice.
Farlie was a historian and routinely rattled on about the unsuitable laws that shackled omega freedoms. Not dissimilar to Lucky, he supposed.
I’ll call Hana today. I don’t want Pip getting caught up in her problems.
Chase was confused.
What problems?
Since it could be hours before Orson replied, he set his phone on the table and took another drink.
Grant tapped his arm to gesture to where Lucky and his friends were approaching. “Want to join us?”
“We have class in an hour and can’t stay long,” Lucky said, shooting Chase a nervous glance.
Grant moved to the end of their bench and patted the space between for Lucky, planting him right next to Chase.
Kain, the campus social butterfly who knew everyone through six degrees of separation, ended up on Grant’s other side.
Caroline and Phoenix flanked Neko across the table, having shared classes together.
Neko and Caroline were already discussing the essay he was working on.
“Chase was telling us how he kidnapped you yesterday,” Grant said, capturing the attention of the table.
Lucky laughed, loud and startled. “If being kidnapped means good food and conversation, kidnap me any time,” he joked, not bothered by Grant’s goading. Lucky leaned his elbow on the table and focused on Chase. “How is Pip?”
He smiled, grateful that he even remembered his name, never mind asked about him. “Okay. My mother had him all afternoon,” he explained, not surprised that everyone ignored them, no longer interested in eavesdropping. “I’ve got my brother checking in with Hana. He’s got kids and knows what to ask.”
Lucky nibbled on his bottom lip. “Pip will be okay. He’s got you.”
When Lucky smiled, Chase had to look away. It shouldn’t hurt to see someone smile.
Lucky
Chase insisted he was only checking references for a completed essay on its second draft, so Lucky refused to feel guilty about monopolising his time, since even Grant chimed in.
Talking about Pip opened him up on a new level.
“He’s more like a little brother or my kid than he is my nephew,” he explained, typing efficiently and effortlessly. “Orson hinted at problems Hana’s going through and I don’t want that affecting Pip. I don’t want him to live a life where his parents are tolerating him, but not loving him.”
Lucky laid his hand on Chase’s arm. “You care and love him. He’s not alone.
” Pip wouldn’t go through whatever was happening without support.
Chase smiled but didn’t say anything, so Lucky attempted to lighten the mood.
“How did you tolerate growing up with Hana? She was a rude bitch yesterday, and she doesn’t even know me. ”
Grant snorted, capturing Chase’s attention, while Grant focused on Lucky. “Sorry, but you’re the only person besides me and Neko who sees that side to her.”
“She doesn’t have a high opinion of omegas, does she?”
“No, she’s an equal opportunities bitch.”
Lucky rolled his eyes, not sure if that was as reassuring as Grant thought. “We still have things on your list to fill out.”
Chase flashed a rare, warm smile as if he’d enjoyed the game as much as Lucky had.
He’d already discovered that Chase preferred fudge to brownies and liked chilli flakes in his noodles.
He wanted to travel to one city in each of the twelve provinces, and he’d been friends with Neko and Grant since he was ten and couldn’t imagine a future without them.
That still left six, unless the concern about Pip was one of his ten secrets.
Chase laid his forearms on the table, around his book.
“Five is a lot, but I do want a big family.” The look he shot Lucky was more intimate than Lucky expected, while his words made Grant choke on his drink and Caroline gasp.
“It helped me grow up and find my independence, discover who I was and what makes me stand out. I had to be strong, stubborn and learn to speak my mind or I faded into the background. I’m not sure I would have had that push without my siblings. ”
“I can see that.”
“Being the second youngest meant my grandparents left me a trust fund,” he admitted with a pleased smile.
“They worried Zack and I would struggle more than the others, with the way my father’s gambling spiralled over the years, so they prepared a nest egg.
I got access to mine when I was twenty-one and bought two apartment blocks in the middle of town.
I’ve been working on doing them up, to eventually rent them out for a steady income. ”
“That’s smart.”
“And more work than I expected,” Chase confessed sheepishly. “I’ve done two apartments and an office space, but I don’t have much time with college and family duties.” The way he sat up and used a posh voice for the last two words made Lucky laugh.
He shook his head, not sure when his perception of Chase had changed. “I can’t imagine you stuffed into a suit. It sounds awful.”
Chase leaned in unnecessarily close. “My father once arranged my mating, one month after I turned of age.” He only gave Lucky time to raise an eyebrow, astonished his father would be so brazen, then he smirked.
“I threatened to leave the family, change my name and move to Fortar if he didn’t cancel. ”
Lucky hid a smile behind his hand. “You can’t even get into Fortar without a local to vouch for you.”
“He didn’t know that.”
“You are devious,” he said, amazed that no one knew this about the infamous Chase Walker. “You’re still three short.”
Chase made a face, probably considering what to confess, then turned with a grin. “One of the apartments is full of boxes of books I’ve collected over the years. I’m as much of a book nut as your papa. I can’t even bear to unpack them, because I haven’t finished the library I plan to build.”
“I have to see that.”
The twinkle in his eyes hinted that Chase was enjoying himself.
“I already mentioned Pip, so…last one. There is no omega on this planet that I love or respect more than my mother,” he said, not looking away even after he spoke those special, quiet words.
“She was forced to let a beta nanny raise my older siblings, but my mother intended for me to be the last and raised me herself. My father is useless at family stuff, which meant she was my only influence growing up. Later, she had medical issues and ended up having Zack, so I took care of her after he was born. I learned so much from her struggle. Most of all, I learned the right way to treat omegas. My father didn’t have the first clue, but when I find my omega, I’ll do it right. ”
Lucky’s breath caught in his throat, making words impossible. He had a feeling that Chase had already far exceeded his goal. In that moment, he saw who Chase was, could be, and would be in the future…and he was beautiful.