"Ms. Rose?"
I blink, realizing she's been trying to get my attention for probably longer than is socially acceptable.
Smooth. Very smooth.
Nothing says 'functioning adult' like zoning out while staring at your childhood bullies.
"Sorry." I force a smile. "Long day."
Her expression softens slightly.
"I can imagine. Allow me to officially welcome you to Valenridge University for the Gifted."
Valenridge University for the Gifted.
Even the name sounds prestigious. Old money.
The place where legacies are built, and futures are forged.
Especially for us Omegas, and I guess Alphas who have to try and act less feral here than in the real world where they can do whatever they wish.
"Valenridge was established fifteen years ago as the premier institution for Alphas and Omegas pursuing excellence in athletics and the arts," Miss Phillip continues, slipping into what is clearly a well-rehearsed speech. "Our founder, Victoria Valenridge, believed that the traditional separation of designations in higher education was limiting the potential of both. Here, we encourage integration, collaboration, and mutual respect between all designations."
Mutual respect. Ha. Tell that to Vanessa ‘Viper’ Voss and her slushie-wielding minions.
"We have state-of-the-art facilities for hockey, figure skating, dance, music, and visual arts. Our academic programs are rigorous but flexible, designed to accommodate training schedules. And our pack integration housing program," she gestures toward the golden door behind her, "is designed to help students experience healthy pack dynamics in a supervised environment."
"Pack integration housing," I repeat flatly. "With three Alphas."
"Yes." Miss Phillip's lips press together. "About that. I'm glad you met your roommates earlier."
I let out a groan that could rival Rafe's earlier performance.
"No one informed me that I had to have three Alphas as roommates. I was told I'd have roommates. Plural. No one mentioned they'd be..." I gesture vaguely at the wall of muscle behind me. "Them."
Miss Phillip's frown deepens, carving lines of genuine concern into her otherwise composed face.
"You weren't informed? Someone had to have checked off the box in your form before submission. The Alpha-Omega integration housing requires explicit consent from all parties."
I blink, trying to think back to the application process.
The endless forms.
The checkboxes that blurred together after the third hour of digital paperwork. I'm usually meticulous about these things, but I was also running on three hours of sleep and the desperate hope that this program would save me from my parents' arranged bonding plans.
Was there a final page? Did I miss it?
"I'm sure there wasn't anything there about Alpha roommates," I say slowly. "I would have remembered that."
Miss Phillip sighs, the sound heavy with administrative exhaustion.
"You must have gotten one of the mishap applications. There was a batch that went out missing the final page agreement. IT assured me they'd fixed the issue, but clearly..." She pinches the bridge of her nose in a gesture I'm becoming intimately familiar with. "This is the third time this semester."
"What does that mean?" Rafe cuts in, stepping forward with the confidence of someone who's never been ignored in his life.
Miss Phillip gives him a side-eye so sharp it could draw blood.
"It means," she says coolly, "that this doesn't concern you, Mr. Calder. Go hover somewhere else."
