Fuck.
I definitely do not want to be grouped in withLaurant,of all people. But it seems we’re both acting the same way.
How do I fix this?
Nyxeris
“Istill can’t believe this.”
Zephyr leans in close to a painting hanging on the wall in a repurposed classroom, depicting the most horrific treatment of Omegas. My brain won’t fully process it. I keep looking, blinking, and the image remains almost hazed, fuzzy.
“I’m not alone,” he breathes.
My gaze snaps to this beautiful young man’s profile, watching as a tear slips from his eye.
Using our already joined hands, I tug him a bit closer and kiss the teardrop when it settles on his chiseled jaw, drawing the salty wetness between my lips.
His rounded lilac eyes stare down at me a beat before he lets out a forced laugh.
His discomfort settles in my chest as mine.
Although he’s an Omega, so much of the way he acts is like an Alpha. I’ve never seen anything like it; never met anyone like my Zeph.
We’ve spent weeks together, only leaving one another’s sides when absolutely necessary.
I know that being together brings him a semblance of peace, as it does me. Our bond has grown just by spending time together.
There are moments that I know what he’s going to do before he does it, or can almost hear what he’s thinking.
When I didn’t know anything about pack bonds, the thought of such closeness would have frightened me. But now, it’s like I’ve never been without this bond. Never been without Zephyr.
I don’t know what he’s been through, but I will stand by him when he’s ready to tell me, no matter what.
And something tells me that he’s going to need me more than ever when he shares his story.
Our Beta instructor, Professor Hadley, approaches us with wary concern.
He’d been one of our history professors for as long as I can remember. Like his partner, Gayle Jónsdóttir, the academy’s Omega nurse, he sided with the rebellion. Neither of them are Cursed, and instead of distrust or disdain, this fact gained them both respect, along with anyone else who did the same.
They all went through a lot of vetting, and they readily submitted to tests of loyalty. From what I’ve heard, those tests involved Cursed who can read minds, like Colt.
Those Betas who failed were never seen again.
When this new Global History class began, Professor Hadley had addressed us all.
“I know that I am not one of you, but I stand with you,” he’d said.
Rumor had it that he’d taken out a few GBE soldiers himself.
“Are you two handling this alright?” Hadley whispers in the near-total silence of the room, concern growing in his gaze.
“I’m not sure,” I confess, stealing a look at Zeph, whose gaze is still trained on the enormous painting in front of us I’m having trouble focusing on.
Hadley hums in understanding. “When I learned of the truth, I threw up.” He frowns. “My being a Beta is nothing compared to being Cursed, especially as an Omega, but learning that my ancestors are responsible for so much horror…” His head shakes and he looks down at his feet before turning his gaze back up at us. “I am here for you, if you need to talk, or if you have any questions.”
“Thank you,” I whisper, and he nods before moving on to the next group.
When I turn back to the painting, something shifts inside me. That haze lifts, and I can actually see it now, in great detail. The horror, the torture, the gore.
