“In your registration pack, you’ll have a keycard to get through the gates.” Sabs tucks a fiery strand of hair behind her ear. “But Margie is usually around.”
She waves at the woman behind the security kiosk, who lowers her window.
“Who’ve we got here?” the woman asks, craning forward to get a better look at me. I can instantly tell she’s a beta. She’s in her fifties with a kind, round face and wispy, white hair that has a pinkish hue. She wears a crystal necklace, giving her a hippy vibe, though I notice a true crime magazine open on her desk and a gun propped up by her chair. She’d be my gram’s new bestie.
“This is Faye,” Sabs replies. “She’s moving into Stella.”
“Welcome to SVU, Faye.” The woman flashes me a warm smile. “I’m Margie. Let me know if there’s anything you need,hon. You’ll feel at home here in no time.” It’s almost as if she senses my nerves.
“Thank you.” I wave. “I’ll see you soon.”
Margie opens the gates, then we hurtle down the main strip. Mansions line up both sides of the street. They’re grand, like mini versions of the White House. While they’re all similar in structure, each has a slightly different nuance and yard, like students have put their own stamps on their homes.
On the lawns outside of each house, there are small signs. We pass one called ‘Persephone House’ with a giant apple orchard and a golden door. They even have a tree swing, and a few omegas sit around playing guitar in the grass. Next, there’s ‘Barbara House’ with a bright-pink door and a blooming rose garden, bursting with red, pink, and white petals.
“Pretty neat, huh?” Sabs asks.
I can only nod.
Omega Village is probably double the size of my hometown. Clover Hollow has less than 100 residents and only has a few shops, one of which is Gram’s quaint tearoom, Blooming Brew. It’s a charming, old building that serves drinks and makes custom tea blends that have healing benefits. I recently set up an online store for the shop after seeing how far omegas travel to buy her wares. Gram’s creations can benefit far more people than the small flock who visit. So far, it’s been a success, making us busier than ever and making it harder for me to leave. I offered to postpone SVU for a year; however, Gram insisted I go, and she’s already looking for someone to help her manage the postal orders.
“Do you remember the personality and scent test you took as part of your admission?” Sabs doesn’t give me the chance to answer before continuing. “Well, the test actually dictates which house you’ll be in. It’s super smart. They room students togetherwith complimentary scents and personalities. Your omega house is like your family. Think of us like a scent sorority.”
“They didn’t say that on the website.”
“Of course not,” Sabs says like it’s obvious. “You don’t want people bending their answers to try to get into the best house.” She winks. “Which is ours. Obviously.”
At the end of the street, the nicest house of all comes into view. It has a big front porch with cozy-looking, swinging hammocks and rocking chairs. It’s the kind of place I could imagine sitting with a glass of lemonade in the summer or wrapped in a big blanket, sipping hot cocoa piled with cream in the winter. Unlike the other houses we passed, there are adorable hanging baskets filled with wildflowers. It has stained glass windows with intricate patterns that surely cast a beautiful, swirling glow inside.
“Woah,” I gasp. “This is… I mean…”
I can’t even find the words. We’ve lived above the teashop in a small, humble apartment my entire life. There was hardly enough space for a double bed in my room, so this feels like another world.
“Welcome to Stella House.” Sabs comes to a stop. “Your new home!”
I hop out of the cart, still gazing open-mouthed at the imposing building.
“What’re you waiting for?” Sabs picks up my bag. She has an athletic, toned figure, easily swinging it over her shoulder like it weighs nothing. I follow behind as she races up the steps to the eggshell-blue door. “Come in!”
As soon as the door swings open, I’m met with the smell of freshly baked apple pie. Instantly, my nerves seem to evaporate.
“Smells amazing, huh?” She inhales deeply. “It’s our own custom mix of scent neutralizer pumped through the air conditioning system. It’s supposed to help balance ourindividual scents to create a odor-neutral environment that we’ll all like. Or something like that. Honestly, I kinda zoned out when they were telling me about it in RA training. Whatever it is, I’m living for it.” She draws in another slow breath. “Something’s new, though. It’s got a hint of something different. Chamomile, maybe?”
“Earl Grey,” I correct her. “Just a pinch, with maybe a dash of peach iced tea.” I recognized it instantly. It’s one of my comfort smells.
“That must be for you.” Her eyes sparkle. “Apparently, it adapts whenever a new omega joins us. Pretty neat, huh?”
I nod, enthralled. “It’s amazing.”
We’re standing in a vast entrance hall, facing a staircase that splits in two. Cushy, cheerful rugs cover the wooden floors, giving it a homey feel.
“Let me give you a tour.” Sabs doesn’t wait for my response, veering to the right.
We step into an enormous living area that has the comfiest looking sofas I’ve ever seen. They’re a dusty-orange color, like fallen leaves, and are so deep that if I leaned fully against the back cushion, my feet wouldn’t reach the floor. The couches huddle around a rustic fireplace, alongside more armchairs that look like a struggle to get out of. Shelves filled with books, candles, and board games line the walls, along with a gigantic television.
“This is the communal space.” Sabs spins, extending her arms. “Our place to hang out and have fun. We have the best movie nights!”
We return to the hallway then take a left into the large kitchen. The sage green cupboards and white granite countertops give the room a quaint cottage feel, yet the sparkling appliances are top of the range. In the corner, a circular dining table looks like the best spot to have breakfast.
