“Okay,” I huffed. “What is it?”
He cleared his throat and ran his fingers through his hair.
Did something happen? Did someone else die?
“I want to talk about your future.”
What the hell? My future?
This was all so random, but I knew it couldn’t be for nothing. Not with how he was acting.
“Okayyyyy.” I drew out the word. “I’m listening.”
“You’re twenty-one now.” Like I didn’t know that. “And you aren't getting any younger. Not to mention, you’re an omega. You won't be able to hide that fact forever.”
My blood chilled at the word.
Omega.
The grim truth of my designation always loomed at the back of my mind. My mother had done her best to keep me hidden before she died, but we’d never talked about what would happen farther down the road.
My father wasn’t wrong. Could I theoretically take suppressants for the rest of my life? Yes, but there was a good chance that they would destroy my hormones long-term. Not to mention the cost—suppressants didn’t come cheap.
But we’d never addressed it, always avoided talking about it. Especially after Mom died.
So why now? Why today?
“I know,” I said uncomfortably. “I figured I would at least finish college. I can get a job and look for an apartment?—”
“There’s no need to worry about a job or school for that matter.” He perked up, finally seeming a little excited. “I have everything covered.”
The words should have offered me some kind of relief or comfort, but they didn’t. Not with that unfamiliar glint in his eyes. I stared at him for a long moment, my mind movingas slow as molasses. What did he mean he had everything handled? Did he secure a lifetime supply of suppressants? Did he win the lottery?
“Dad, you’re stressing me out,” I said, trying to sound light-hearted. “What do you mean you have everything covered?”
“Exactly that.” He nodded. “I have everything worked out. I think the best and safest option for you is to embrace your designation and be bonded into a pack. That way, all your bills will be covered, and you’ll be safe. No more suppressants, no more hiding.”
I scrunched my nose.
It was true, I’d never given much thought to long-term plans, but the idea of a pack was unappealing at best. Especially considering what I knew about alphas. They were demanding, controlling, and aggressive. That wasn’t something I ever wanted to deal with, much less multiple alphas at once.
I shifted uneasily in the chair. “Dad, I don’t really want to be bonded into a pack. Especially not now. I’m still young. There’s so much I want to do?—”
My words died when he shook his head. “You think a pack is going to want you when you’re past your breedable years? Ari, think logically for a moment. This isn’t one of your fairytales. We aren’t living in a book. This is real life we’re talking about.”
I chewed the inside of my cheek, fighting off the sting of his words. Again, he wasn’t wrong. Omegas had a role in our society, and if I ever ran out of suppressants, I wouldneedan alpha.
Still, I wasn’t ready to think about it. It was too heavy of a subject for a random Thursday afternoon.
“Fine,” I finally said, eager to get back to my room. “I’ll think about it. Finding a decent pack isn’t easy; it’s not something I can just do overnight.”
A grin broke across his face that had ice zipping up my back. “You don’t have to worry about that either. I’ve already taken care of it for you.”
My stomach dropped through my ass.
“Excuse me?” I gaped at him. “Took care of what?”
“Finding you a pack.” The excitement on his face turned sinister. “The Stone pack made an offer I couldn’t refuse, so I agreed to let them bond you. They should be here in”—he checked the time on his watch—“an hour, so why don’t you make yourself presentable for them?”
