26. Seraphina
26
SERAPHINA
T he girl sitting next to me in Omega Senior Seminar had her phone out while we waited for Professor Polly to arrive. She’d been scrolling through ClockTok, and she’d paused to watch Candi Jenkins as she made sandwich bread from scratch for her niece’s lunch. Candi swished around the gleaming kitchen in her sundress, smiling that fake smile at the camera.
“There really is no higher calling for any woman, no matter her designation,” she gushed as she bent over the oven, “than to be the heart of the home. To support our husbands and mates. And, of course, for the luckiest, to give ourselves to raising our children. I’m so fortunate to get to make a healthy, delicious meal for my niece today.” She pulled her bread out of the oven and set it on the counter, and then she sighed, affecting a little frown. “I just wish so many women today hadn’t lost sight of that. Our true value is here, in the domestic sphere.”
I gave the girl next to me a hard side-eye.
She noticed. “Oh, whatever, Seraphina. Just because you think you’re too special to be a proper omega mate and mother doesn’t mean it’s wrong for the rest of us to want that.”
I sighed. “Look, Natalie?—”
“It’s Naomi ,” she snapped.
“—as I’ve said before, I don’t have a problem with any woman choosing that life. I have a major problem with the fact that we, as omegas, aren’t allowed not to choose that life, and I definitely have a problem with a beta woman like Candi Jenkins trying to convince other beta women, who actually do have a choice as to what they want to make of themselves, that they shouldn’t want anything else because their place in this world is limited to serving their husbands and aspiring to motherhood.”
We wouldn’t talk about the real reason for my derision—Candi Jenkins, Hart’s cousin and co-conspirator, was probably up to her fake tits in this omega breeding scheme. My hand twitched for my knife every time she was mentioned.
Not that I knew any more than that. It was Thursday—four days since I’d walked out of the guys’ townhome, their cum still dripping between my thighs as I tried to pretend every step I took didn’t hammer another crack into my heart.
I’d expected they’d be out of touch for a few days. The Sentinel team not only had to start digging through Hart’s briefcase for more information on the institute and its activities, but they also had to do major cleanup in the wake of his death. The chatter around the OFS was that he’d gone missing after spending the weekend at his lake house, and speculation regarding his whereabouts was rampant. I suspected Sentinel was in the process of manufacturing a story regarding his death in a tragic accidental fire that burned down the lake house.
But I didn’t know because Loki, Blaze, and Hawk had been radio silent. Not even a text to check in. Every day I reminded myself that they’d come to my city first and foremost to work, that this case had become about so much more than just a stolen drug, that the stakes were incredibly high?—
That my accidental heat wasn’t a big deal in the grand scheme, and they didn’t owe me anything in the aftermath. It wasn’t as though I’d told them I needed anything from them when I’d pasted a smile on my face and walked out their door.
But every day since, I’d woken up with a stomachache and a deepening sense of loss.
I fucking hated it.
“Don’t listen to her, Naomi,” Bianca cooed from across the conference table. “Seraphina’s destroyed her reputation and dignity so thoroughly that she’s stooped to screwing bikers?—”
Amber coughed from down the table. “Smoking hot bikers.”
“—so she certainly isn’t someone you should take seriously when she talks about choices .” Bianca glared at Amber while the girls next to her snickered, whispering to one another while darting judgmental glances my way. “Besides,” Bianca went on, shifting her smug glare to me, “I have it on good authority that Seraphina may have finally stepped too far over the line. Maybe she’ll get what she deserves—to be freed from this place she hates so much and thrown to the wolves in the government system.”
I’d been bored by her diatribe, but that last little nugget pricked my ears. Alarm crept in slowly, and I squinted at her, wishing I could pry her head open to see what she thought she knew.
Her smug smile faltered. I was Jericho’s daughter, after all, so I came by an unsettling stare honestly. She scoffed, turning back to her friends.
Professor Polly arrived, and I tuned out her lecture as usual. She’d learned not to call on me in this particular class unless she wanted me soiling the ears of my classmates with my unfiltered opinions.
Which meant I spent the entire ninety minutes stewing over Bianca’s words. I’d normally have dismissed them as her usual blustering bullshit—except that Loki, Blaze, and Hawk were not the only Alphas in my life who I’d expected to hear from and hadn’t.
My dads hadn’t called me again. No one had shown up on campus to drag me off for a scathing lecture. I hadn’t been kidnapped off the quad or when I’d left campus a few times to feed Paige her favorite foods and watch her like a hawk. (She’d squawked at me like one, too, insisting she was just fine and that I should stop worrying over her like a twitchy mother hen).
My parents were plotting, and I didn’t know what. It was driving me bonkers.
When I’d called Henri to investigate, he told me that I could tie him down and crush his balls in a vice, and he still wouldn’t tell me what he knew. My dads had scared him shitless, probably, which was a particular talent of theirs. Austin, Seth, and Cam had claimed ignorance. Dylan only said to tell her where she needed to be and when if she needed to fight someone.
At any rate, if Bianca thought there was a chance I was going to be expelled from the OFS—for any number of infractions I could list going back years—my parents would be stupid not to use that as a bargaining chip.
And stupid was something my parents were not.
When class ended, Paige grabbed me by the sleeve of my special-order hot pink St. James & Co. sweatshirt and manhandled me into a quiet corner of the lounge by the stairs.
“You’re spooked,” she said, leaning into my personal space and squinting at my face. “Why are you spooked? When have you cared what Bianca says about you?”
I batted her away. “Quit it. I’m fine.”
She quirked a dark brow. “Oh, are you? Are you fine ? Should I just take you at your word, or should I stalk you around campus and watch you like you’re two seconds away from having a nervous breakdown?”
“Touché, but seriously, it’s nothing. I’m just trying to figure out my dads’ next move, is all.”
“I see.” She linked our arms together and led me down the stairs. “You know, I have a wild idea. You could just… meet this pack? I’m your friend and am always on your side, but I can’t say I’m not worried about you just like your parents are, Seraphina. Are you going to run away after graduation? What if you get caught and forced at some awful pack from who knows where?”
“I would slit as many throats as it takes to stay safe and free, Paige.”
She shivered. “Ugh, fine. You just aren’t allowed to disappear forever. I’d miss you.”
I had a tiny little inkling of hope that, just maybe, it wouldn’t come to that, but I didn’t dare voice it.
I floated along on that thought for exactly one blissful minute before Mrs. Waters, the prickly elderly beta who was the dean’s assistant, stepped in front of us as we reached the bottom of the stairs.
“Miss Bryce,” she said tersely, like it was my fault she’d been sent on this annoying errand. “Dean Bennett requests your presence in Conference Room Two.”
“Why?”
She gave me a withering look. “You’ll have to ask her that. I suggest you move along. She’s aware that you just had your last class of the day and have nowhere else you need to be.”
“Come on, Sera,” Paige said. She began to pull me toward one of the two conference rooms situated off the grand foyer of the Main Hall. These rooms were where the OFS received its high-status guests.
“Not you, Miss Hayes,” Mrs. Waters barked.
“But—”
“This is a private meeting. Run along.”
Paige sighed and reluctantly released my arm, and then she pointed a finger in my face. “Behave, Seraphina. You can’t get expelled. Then I really might have a nervous breakdown. Promise me.”
“Laying it on thick,” I griped. “Fine. I promise.”
I stalked after Mrs. Waters, steeling myself for whatever awaited me in Conference Room Two. Adrenaline surged, and an odd feeling of relief settled over me.
The wait for my parents’ next move had been slow torture. Now, hopefully, the wait was over.
When I stepped into Conference Room Two—a lavish space that contained not only a marble conference table but several couches and an antique buffet—I was not surprised to find my dad, Andrew, sitting next to Dean Bennett at the table. There was an unfamiliar man seated on her other side.
An Alpha, silver hair, neat beard, maybe a few years older than Dad. He studied me, a speculative look on his distinguished face—a distinguished face that was marred by a purpling bruise around his left eye.
Interesting.
Everyone wore a fine suit, including the dean, who did love a jewel-toned pantsuit and a coordinating silk scarf.
I had on an oversized hot-pink sweatshirt over frayed denim shorts and flip-flops, so I was already setting a great tone for this meeting.
Mrs. Waters faded out of the room, closing the door behind her. Dad looked me over, his jaw rigid like it always was when he was very pissed off.
But his honey-brown eyes were sad behind the dark frames of his glasses.
I met his gaze, and I beat back the sorrow that threatened to show itself on my own face. I missed him, too, but this was his fucking fault.
“Seraphina,” the dean said with a tight smile. “Please have a seat.”
I slunk forward and dropped unceremoniously into a chair across from the three of them.
“Hi, Dad,” I said casually, like the anticipation of this next betrayal wasn’t flaying me open.
“Hi, sweetheart.”
“What brings you by this fine institute of higher learning today? Threats? Blackmail?”
He sighed. “This is a situation of your own making, Seraphina.”
I cocked my head. “Is it really, though?”
The silver fox Alpha chuckled. “She is exactly as you’ve said, Andrew.”
I jerked my head in his direction. “Who’s that?” I asked Dad.
“That is Thomas Montgomery. He’s a friend of mine from back in my school days, and his son, Gabriel, is the leader of your future pack.”
Like a velociraptor citing new prey, I slowly turned to look at Mr. Thomas Montgomery. “You’re the one who bought me from my parents like a heifer at the county fair.”
If he was irked at being spoken to in this way by an omega, he didn’t show it. He still only watched me curiously. “It wasn’t a sale so much as a mutual agreement between parents who only want the best for their children,” he said. “I understand your resistance, my dear. I really do. Lord knows I’ve had some… disagreements with my son.” He brushed manicured fingers lightly over the bruising on his face. “But all of this nonsense ends now. It’s for your own good.”
“You sure about that, Mr. Montgomery?” I asked. “Surely I’m so much more trouble than I’m worth. Wouldn’t it be easier to pack up your fancy son and head back home? The North Texas OFS is certainly overrun with eligible maidens, and you don’t have to worry about a single one of them detonating a weapon every time you decide to hold a courting event.”
My dad removed his glasses and pinched his brow. “This is Jericho’s fault. It should be him here dealing with you.”
I chuckled. “Yeah, right.” If Jere wasn’t out doing violence in the name of Bryce Solutions clients, he would be behind a locked door with my mother. They were gross like that.
“To answer your question, Miss Bryce,” Thomas went on, “no, we will not be leaving your lovely city just yet. None of the girls at our local Omega Finishing School were, for reasons that still escape me, a match for my son’s pack. I remain convinced that you are.”
“Mmm, it’s that Bryce name,” I said with a sage nod. “But you’ll see, sir. Many of our own courting packs have been enticed by the same, and yet I was able to send them all running eventually.” I leaned forward, palms flat on the table, and gave him the crazy eyes. “Your son will be no different.”
“That is quite enough,” the dean snapped. “Seraphina, what you’re failing to comprehend is that this pack is your last chance. We’ve had yet another complaint lodged against you from a very respected family whose sons are on our courting roster. That’s well over three strikes for you. From this day forward, you are banned from all courting events at this school.”
I reined in a snort and forced a pout. “Oh, bummer .”
“You’re still not understanding, Seraphina,” Dad said. He sounded… resigned. “If you’re ineligible for courting, you’ll be expelled.”
“ What? ” I snapped.
“While we pride ourselves on the quality of the education our girls receive here,” the dean said, “the courting system is the reason for the existence of this and any other OFS in the country. It has always been, first and foremost, an institution to foster the formation of packs of a certain caliber. If you’re not enrolled in this school to meet your Alphas amongst our carefully curated roster of courting packs, then you do not belong here.”
I sucked in a deep breath. I’d been expecting something like this, and I would not panic. It was true that I hated this fucking place, but I wanted my degree—a thing that most omegas in this country weren’t even afforded an opportunity to pursue.
And right now, I couldn’t leave Paige. She needed me.
I held the dean’s unsympathetic stare. “No. I reject that. I’ve put in my time here. I’ve worked my butt off for our swim team. Despite my most half-assed efforts, I have a B+ GPA. I will not let you kick me out because I defended myself when one of your precious Alphas of a certain caliber put his hands on me at a party.”
Dad and Mr. Montgomery had the decency to pulse a little Alpha dominance at that nugget, their pheromones giving that nonthreatening, protective aura in the way that older, bonded Alphas often did.
The dean was unmoved. “You held a knife to a courting Alpha’s throat and then allowed your friends to engage in a violent confrontation on our grounds. That’s the third time for that particular infraction alone, Miss Bryce.”
I dared an imploring look at Dad. “You’re going to let them expel me for defending myself? For not being able to control what Derrick and his friends do at the all-college parties?”
We’d pretend it was them who beat the shit out of the Brocks, since they were the perpetrators the first two times something like that happened. Bringing up the random bikers who’d been in my company this time would not help my case.
“I’m not, actually.” It was Dad’s turn to give me an imploring look. “As I’ve said so many times since this all began: I love you, and I will never allow you to be thrown into the government’s omega lottery. And make no mistake, Seraphina, that is what would happen if you lost your OFS exemption. Thomas and I came here to negotiate the terms of your remaining enrolled and in good standing at the OFS.”
My stomach dropped. At least we were finally getting to the blackmail portion of the meeting.
“Your mother and my omega have been hard at work this week, throwing together a little party we’ll hold this Saturday,” Thomas said, still watching me like a snake would watch a particularly lively mouse. “With family only, it will be smaller than we’d imagined for our son’s choosing gala, but in this instance, I think a more intimate setting is appropriate.”
I gasped. “What?”
“It’s happening, Seraphina,” Dad said. All softness had disappeared from his face, and his tone was hard. “You will attend your choosing gala, you will meet the younger Montgomery Pack, and you will walk out of that room with an official courting agreement. You will be allowed to remain at the OFS as long as that agreement is in effect. You will have the rest of the school year to get to know Gabriel and his pack, and then, God willing, you will accept their bond before your time runs out.”
I saw red. “Or else, what, Dad? You going to hold me down while this pack bonds me against my will? Violates me? Treats me like a thing instead of a person?”
Now he looked ill. “I would never hurt you, sweetheart. And I would never allow your pack to hurt you either. But you haven’t even attempted to give them a chance, and now they’re your only hope to stay enrolled in this school. You will be there on Saturday, and you will walk out with a courtship. We’ll figure everything else out after that.”
I jumped to my feet, slammed my hands on the table, and pinned Thomas Montgomery with my murderous glare. “And your son is okay with this? Ready to sign his life away to some crazy chick he’s never met?”
“My son has been very much looking forward to meeting you,” he replied smoothly. “We’ve had to have a few discussions about the need to move up the choosing gala, but we’re now all on the same page.”
The dean cleared her throat. “I can confirm, Miss Bryce, that you’ll be required to submit evidence of an official courtship by next Monday in order to avoid expulsion. Thomas’ son and his pack come from extremely prestigious Texas families. Any omega at this school would be jumping for joy to even be considered by them.”
“That tells me all I need to know,” I spat.
This wasn’t happening. I wouldn’t let them win.
I slung my backpack over my shoulder and stormed toward the conference room door.
My dad stood up. “Seraphina?—”
I whirled. “Go to hell, Dad.”
He blew out a breath, his shoulders sagging as he shook his head ruefully.
My rage was an erupting volcano inside me. I slammed the door as I left.
This had gone on long enough. I would show them.
It was time to go get my pack.