Chapter 52 The Institute #2
Seeing Ro with her bunny. Locke and Kol are happy giving gifts. Oscar is so content with everyone together, I can’t help but think about my idea. It feels like everything started because I wanted to make things right.
For everyone.
I’ve had this idea rolling around in my head since everything happened with the Whitehorses.
Their horrible treatment of their beta daughter.
Their disrespect towards me. And then, having no choice but to enroll at the Institute.
That was shit. That was unfair. That was not ok, how I was pigeonholed into seeing only the packs the Institute was willing to show me.
I was filled with righteous indignation.
I liked that feeling…
Kol and Mads start slipping away from the group.
“Come on, Mads, let me show you the aquarium in your bedroom,” Kol says, taking his hand. There’s an implication there that other things will happen in that bedroom.
Before they leave, I say aloud, and my voice doesn’t falter at all, “I have something important to tell everyone. I’ll tell you all at dinner…”
“Why don’t you just tell us now?” Mads asks quickly, and I hesitate.
“Yeah, tell us now,” Locke adds.
“Why dinner?” Oscar asks sincerely.
A little overwhelmed by their questions, I just stand there, nervously.
“You should tell us now, Cadi,” Ro says in a very gentle voice. I can tell how nervous I’ve made everyone.
I swallow and then stand up straight, looking at my pack in the garden.
“I guess I can tell you now. It’s kind of new. Or, not that new. I’ve been thinking about it, but…”
“Cadi,” Oscar stops my rambling with a concerted tone. Mads gives me a bright smile. I look at Kol for strength. His kind and earnest face relaxes me. My alpha. My man. I put my hand on my stomach.
“Ever since I found out I was pregnant, I’ve been thinking about the kind of world I want to bring my daughter into.
The whole reason I enrolled at the Alpha-Omega Placement Institute was to find someone good to have a baby with.
Someone who wouldn’t judge someone based on their designation.
He would meet my needs. Who would match my energy.
I found him. Actually, all of you. But when I was at the Institute, I realized how corrupt and unfair things really are for omegas.
And alphas. For all of us. You told me how you guys were treated at the Institute.
And how much money you paid, and it still wasn’t enough.
I’m a Nightingale, and I was still pigeonholed, boxed in, and not listened to.
Can you imagine if I were anyone else? Those contracts they make you sign are horrendous.
You give away so many rights. Not every omega has a lawyer… ”
I’m getting worked up, and Kol knows this, so he comes up to me and puts his arm around me. Calming me.
I didn’t realize I started crying, too. I wipe the tear off my cheek quickly. Then take a deep breath. I turn to him.
“Kol, is the Faircastle mansion still for sale?”
He looks confused but answers.
“Yes.”
“You said it’s pretty impractical for a house, but what about a private placement institute? One where we listen to people. Give them resources. Find real placements. On an even playing field.”
Silence meets me.
“Oscar, you said that the hospitals around here told you they wouldn’t hire you without being bonded to an omega.
And that was despite you being an omega expert.
I saw the pictures, and I read the reviews from the clinic you were at.
You are a great doctor. What if we started our own institute, and you met with the omegas?
Did medical research. I don’t know…provided care. ”
“You want to start your own Alpha-Omega Placement Institute.” Oscar’s eyes dart about like he’s thinking.
I nod.
“We do more than pack placement. We provide guidance on heats. We protect alphas and omegas that need help. Like the shelter…but more.”
I’d rather do it while helping omegas like me have options. Omegas like Ro find safety.
“With all your help. We could call it the Soto House.”
“Soto House,” he repeats.
“Acadia,” Kol says my full name, like he’s switched to a more formal tone. “This is a fantastic idea. We could get donors. We would market ourselves as a fair placement organization. I will renovate the house to accommodate all your needs. An Omega CEO. I can picture it now.”
I blush.
“CEO?”
“Of course. Mads and I will help you with everything. Oscar, this is exactly what we’ve been wanting to do. Something together. Fuck that hospital. Fuck the Institute.”
“I’m still going to hair school,” Ro says, and then we give each other knowing smiles. “But I’ll help out anyway I can.”
“Thank you.” She smiles at me and lets her rabbit. Pleased.
“And I’ll be a house alpha. Making sure everyone has clean clothes and is fed,” Locke says. He’s so damned charming.
“You all really want to do this?”
“Yes. Definitely.”
Oscar leaves suddenly, muttering something about a whiteboard. Kol gets on his phone and starts making phone calls about the Faircastle Mansion. Mads approaches me and pulls me into a hug.
“This is incredible. What the hell, Cadi? You are the coolest person I know!” He kisses me like he is in awe. “Can you and I do this together? I went to business school. I’ll help you every step of the way.”
I squeeze him tight.
“I’ll need all the help I can get.”
“We will start drafting some business plans.”
“Let’s give the Alpha-Omega Placement Institute a run for their money.”
“Oh, we will. We’ve got you.”
“I want them to no longer be the only choice.”
“I know.”
“I want to give people options.”
“We will.”
“I want to help omegas. I want to accept betas, too.”
“That’s a great idea.”
“I’m going to call my family. I want them to pull all their endorsement of the Institute. And then back me. Do you think that’s too much?”
“Cadi. They’re your family. I’m sure they’d be upset if you didn’t come to them first.”
He pulls back and looks me in the eyes.
“People have been waiting for this. They need this.”
“I am so nervous. I’ve organized events before. I volunteered. My family gave the omega housing money, and I helped them budget it. But this is huge.”
“You’re ready.”
“I’m ready.”
He leans in and kisses my tears off my cheeks.
This is going to be amazing.