I swallow back the shame at his words. David has been more of a dad to me than my own damned father.
He talks us through some of the finer points of the Trials, pointing out particular things we need to pay attention to.
“Remember that failing any Trial brings the whole process to an end,” he warns us. “There are no do-overs, but you’ll be able to try again with a different omega.”
“They can choose to withdraw, though, right?” I ask, and David raises an eyebrow.
“You are able to end the Trials at any time. Your omega does not have the same option. She can withdraw only once, with the permission of Ollena Hayward and only if Ollena feels that her safety and wellbeing is being put at risk. Outside of this, she is legally required to see the Trials through. If she does remove herself, she will be banned from participating in the Bonding Trials in the future – thus removing the option of a pack, and therefore children. It’s not a decision that any omega makes lightly. I can’t see that happening here, can you?”
We all exchange loaded glances. If she withdraws, then she’s essentially excluding herself from the possibility of ever having a family of her own.
But if she doesn’t… then we have to Deny her, if we can’t find a way out of this mess.
It won’t get that far. But fuck, the impossible situation we’re in is weighing heavily on my shoulders.
14
SIENNA
My dress swishes around my bare heels as I carefully make my way down the stairs. Jessalyn sniffles as she looks up at me, her eyes red-rimmed.
“You look beautiful, Si,” she whispers as I pass her, and I reach out, grabbing her hand for a quick squeeze before I turn to my family.
My mother smiles softly at me. “You’re perfect, sweetheart.”
Turning to my dad, I bite back my tears as he steps forward, his own eyes damp.
“Oh, Sienna,” he whispers. “Look at you. You’re all grown up now.”
He opens his arms, and I throw myself into them as they carefully close around me. My dad rocks me gently.
“No matter what, sweet girl,” he whispers. “You always have a home here, with people who love you.”
I bite back the reassurance, the knowledge that I’m walking to meet my Soul Bonded.
They’ll find out soon enough.
Stepping back, I dab my eyes with the handkerchief my mother holds out with shaking hands. Steeling my spine, I turn towards the door, pausing only to ruffle Elise’s hair as she scowls at me, her displeasure at being manhandled into a dress clear.
“Look after my room, you,” I murmur to her, tugging on an errant curl that’s escaped from her bun. “It’s all yours now.”
Her lip wobbles as she crashes into my waist, my mother gently admonishing her as I rock her gently from side to side.
Jessalyn clears her throat behind me. “It’s time to go, Michaels family. Before I actually dissolve into a puddle of tears.”
Snorting out a laugh, I take my father’s outstretched arm, blowing out a breath as we turn to the door. Today, all eyes will be on me, and it starts the moment I leave my family home as a resident for the last time.
Dad squeezes my hand gently where it balances against his wrist. “Deep breath, sweetheart. The day will fly by.”
Giving him a grateful smile, I nod towards the doors. “Let’s go.”
Cohen pack… here I come.
The ride to the Omega Hub is a blur. My father’s comforting taps on my wrist act as an anchor, the conversation between my mother and Jess a blur as we fly through the streets of Navarre, people stopping to watch the omega on her way to the Bonding Trials. Ribbons trail behind us, white sashes draped strategically across every angle. Some people cheer, and I even manage a half-hearted smile, although it looks more like a grimace. I think a baby starts to cry.
Need to practice that one before any Council events.
Seven hundred years later (approximately) we pull up outside, mama and Jess fussing with my skirt as I step out, my bare feet warming from the sun on the clean bleached sandstone.
