42. Zoe
Zoe
It takes Warren over fifteen minutes, but eventually he gets Dominic to shift out of his sabertooth form and back into his human one. He throws on his robe and leans against the table as Professor Trisha rounds the desk.
"Warren did something interesting that Dominic's tiger did not respond to. Did anyone notice what it was?"
Our exam happens during our study group time, so the other groups don't get ideas from each other on how to calm their Alphas. Next quarter, we'll be calming down Alphas that are not our Aides, but this time, it's Dominic.
To say I'm dreading it is an understatement.
"He showed his neck and palms," Merrick says. "Theoretically, that show of submission should have worked, and did when Alec tried it, but not for Warren."
Our professor nods. "I noticed that, too. Does anyone have any ideas why that could be?"
Naoise raises his hand. "Because the beast didn't want his submission?"
"And why wouldn't he?"
Silence falls over all of us. I have no idea why he wouldn't want Warren's submission. While it can be a dangerous way to calm down raging Alphas, it's supposed to be one of the quickest ways to do it.
"Because I didn't want it." Dominic's harsh tone draws my attention. "My beast didn't, I mean. It wasn't enough."
"And that is the core of this class, team.
Alphas respond to different Betas in different ways.
What works for one will not always work for another, and some Betas will never be able to calm down some Alphas.
I believe, even though there hasn't been a study into it, that it is something akin to how Omegas feel when they are compelled to bond a Beta.
" She lifts herself up to sit on the top of the desk.
"It's not uncommon for an Alpha to have a relationship with a Beta that speaks to their beast. The only concern is that an Alpha will get their Omega, who does not respond to the Beta, leading to conflict within the pack. "
Trisha claps her hands together. "Alright, on to our final student. Zoe?"
There is no doubt in my mind that Dominic will refuse to shift back and earn me a failing grade for this. It's just the kind of vindictive thing he'd do.
We haven't seen each other since our nap in the forest. Not that I've gone looking for him, but he hasn't tried to find me, either.
The Blessed are very comfortable with nudity.
When Dominic first stripped down to shift when we got here, I nearly choked on my drool.
I knew that if he didn't, he'd tear through his clothes, but I guess I didn't think about the fact that he'd be naked in front of our teacher and entire class.
Jeanette giggled and whispered something to Alec, and I felt a jealousy I did not want to acknowledge churn in my gut.
I need to get this over with so I can rest, because I still feel like shit. If anything, I've only gotten worse. Cliff confirmed that I am feverish this morning at breakfast, but I don't have the option of skipping this final.
The beautiful tan and dark brown coat of his sabertooth form looks so soft that I want to run my fingers through it, but that's not what this is about. I haven't even left my seat before the tiger is growling menacingly.
Like we've been instructed, I round the table with my knees bent, bringing myself to the same height as the beast. The tiger's jaw is wide, open at almost a ninety-degree angle, as if to bite my head off in one go.
Gods, those teeth are terrifying.
Before I get within touching distance, the beast closes his mouth and lowers himself to the floor, as he did when I was in my dragon form. I can hear the confused murmurs of my classmates behind me. He didn't do this with any of them.
As I reach out to touch the beast while making soothing sounds, he rolls over, showing his belly in the ultimate sign of submission.
"Oh." Professor Trisha's soft utterance betrays just how odd this interaction is.
This is because we're scent-matched. I remember that in her first lecture, she said that a scent matched to an Omega can soothe a feral Alpha with a single touch. Dominic was not truly feral, so it didn't even take that.
Dominic's sabertooth form ripples until he is a naked Alpha lying on the floor in front of me. I avert my eyes as he scrambles up and puts on his robe.
"Interesting outcome," is all the professor says. "I'll have your grades to you next week." Dominic is the first out of the room, and before I can grab my things, Professor Trisha grabs my arm. "Hold back a minute, will you please?"
A minute or two later, we're alone in the room, and she closes the door. I hear the snick of a lock before she crosses the room and sits beside me at my table.
"Dominic's beast had an interesting reaction to your presence. I've only seen that happen once before, and it wasn't at the institute. I was in Raeldell at the Renewal Gala."
The Renewal Gala, where the council reaffirms the Archon for another year, is a big deal, not that the council would ever remove the Archon from his role. It's all for show.
Trisha twirls a piece of hair between her fingers.
"I was out of my depth there. I had no business being invited to it, but my family is a pack with a scent-matched Omega, so we were invited to a lot of things.
" She stretches her long, stocking-clad legs out and sighs, leaning her head back and closing her eyes as she reminisces.
"It was a beautiful event, but someone bumped into my Omega father or something, and my Alpha mother lost her shit.
He was fine, but he cut his hand on a piece of broken champagne flute as he fell, and then my mom was a grizzly bear in a ballroom.
I was mortified because all of the attention was on us. "
"A pissed-off bear during a banquet would be jarring."
She smiles, but doesn't look at me, her eyes still resting closed. "It was. Anyway, my father walked to her and held out his hand, showing her that the bleeding had stopped, and her body melted. Her beast gave up control without question once he was beside her."
She knows.
She knows.
Oh shit, what am I going to do? My friends and Dominic, knowing is one thing, but a professor? This is not good. An argument is on my tongue, but I don't get to speak it.
"I don't need to know anything, Zoe. You don't have to explain yourself to me.
But there are some people who will ask you to, okay?
People who probably won't have your best interest at heart.
" She opens one eye and peeks at me. "So keep your circle small.
I won't pretend to know all of the details of your situation, but I know you have to have a good reason for what you're doing.
If something happens and you need help, you come to me, okay? "
I gulp down my nerves, but my voice still shakes. "Okay. Thank you." I gather my bag and make my way to the door, leaving Trisha still stretched out with her eyes closed. When I go to open the door, her voice stops me.
"Whatever you do, don't let Hayes find out."