1
SIENNA
“It’s here! Sienna!”
My best friend looks up at me sharply. The nail polish she’s been using to paint my toes a bright silver dangles precariously from her fingers, threatening to tip over my cream rug.
“Jessalyn!” I make a grab for it, but she pulls away, waving me off with her eyes wide.
“You don’t think…,” she breathes. “The Hub?”
Excitement unfurls in my belly as my mother bursts in through my bedroom door, waving a gold, official-looking envelope in her hands. Jessalyn squeals, abandoning my half-painted toenails to dance around the room.
“Sienna Michaels! Didn’t you hear me calling you?”
Helena Michaels is a beautiful woman. My father likes to say that she’s the most beautiful omega in Navarre, and it’s hard to disagree, even if he is blinded by his Soul Bond. But despite her infamous beauty, my mother’s voice can hit levels only heard by dogs when she’s pissed… like now.
She plants her hands on her hips, glancing between me and Jessalyn with a frown. “It’s rude to ignore your mother, Sienna.”
“Sorry, mama.” Jumping up, I plant a kiss on her cheek in apology, seizing the opportunity to snag the golden envelope. Turning it over, my chest tightens at the sight of the familiar Omega Hub emblem etched into the thick card, the ‘O’ split open by a curved line on either side at the bottom.
“Holy shit,” I wheeze. Jessalyn crows as my mother lights up all over again.
“Language, Sienna! If Ollena heard you, that invite would disappear faster than I could snap my fingers.” My mother sniffs indignantly.
“Sorry,” I mutter again, still turning the envelope over. Nerves start to twist in my stomach.
I’ve been waiting for this envelope for years. Well, it feels like years, although I only reached my majority three months ago. Omegas aren’t eligible for the Bonding Trials until they turn eighteen.
Right on cue, my mother sniffles, daintily whipping out a handkerchief from her elegant blue dress and dabbing at her cheeks. “I’m sorry,” she hiccups, when Jess and I turn to her. “You’re just growing up too quickly, Sienna.”
Not quickly enough.
“You still have Elise, Mama,” I say, and she nods, although her face crumples a little as she comes to sit next to me on the bed. Her arm wraps around my shoulders, a familiar support, and I lean into her embrace.
“You will be perfect,” she whispers to me. “I know it, sweetheart. I’m so proud of you.”
My throat closes up as I blink back unexpected tears.
Everything is going to change now.
The Bonding Trials are the culmination of everything we omegas work towards. All of us are sent to the Omega Hub for tutoring as soon as we reach thirteen. We’re taught every possible skill that an omega might need in her arsenal to please her future pack. When we’ve been assessed as suitable, we’re matched to packs through the Trials.
I speak four languages, know every possible form of etiquette there is, can identify every type of fork in existence from a good ten meters away. My painting is passable, and my music speaks for itself. Plus, my nesting skills are onpoint.
I’mreadyfor this.
Even if the idea of standing up in front of dozens of the most important people in Navarre to pledge myself to a group of unknown alphas is making me break out in hives.
Taking a deep breath, I slide my finger under the envelope, lifting the flap and pulling out a letter written on thick, cream paper. Jessalyn settles on my other side, my mother and best friend peering over my shoulder as I scan the flowery script.
“Read it aloud,” Mama urges, and I clear my throat.
Dear Sienna,
Congratulations! I am delighted to offer you the opportunity to participate in the Bonding Trials.
You have been matched with the Cohen pack.
