"That's exactly what I said."
"Like... arranged marriage? In this century? In this economy?"
I shrug, aiming for casual even though my chest feels tight.
"That's what happens when you're a late bloomer, I guess. I didn't fully present as an Omega until I was twenty-one. Three years behind everyone else. My parents have been losing theirminds about it ever since." I stab a piece of penne with more force than necessary. "Their ultimatum was bond by twenty-five, or they pick a pack for me. And since my birthday falls on Valentine's Day, which is in six weeks..."
I trail off, letting them connect the dots.
Sage's face has gone through approximately seventeen emotions in the last thirty seconds.
Horror. Disbelief. Rage. More rage. A concerning amount of rage.
"That'sbarbaric," she hisses. "They can't just auction you off like livestock!"
"They're my parents. Apparently, they can do whatever they want."
"But it's your life! Your body! Your choice!"
"You'd think." I take a bite of pasta, chewing mechanically. "But Omega rights are still a work in progress in my family's worldview. To them, an unbonded Omega at twenty-five is a failure. A problem that needs solving. And since I haven't managed to find a pack on my own..."
Jace sets down his smoothie, his golden eyes soft with sympathy I didn't ask for but appreciate anyway.
"That's messed up, MaeMae. Seriously messed up."
"Tell me about it."
"So you came here to... what? Buy time?"
"Pretty much." I shrug again, a defensive habit I've never been able to shake. "The six-week placement was a convenient excuse. 'Oh, I'm attending this prestigious program, Mother. Can't possibly get bonded while I'm focusing on my education.' They bought it. Barely."
Sage and Jace exchange a loaded look across the table.
The kind of look that says they're having an entire conversation without words.
I remember that look. I used to be on the receiving end of it, back when we were inseparable.
"Okay." Sage leans forward, her elbows on the table. "Change of subject before I track down your parents and give them a piece of my mind. Did they already situate you with a room?"
I let out a laugh that's more bitter than amused.
"Oh, they situated me, alright. I'm so thrilled to be temporarily housed with the three musketeers."
Sage's eyebrows scrunch together.
"The three musketeers?"
"Also known as my bullies from sixth grade."
Her fork clatters to her tray.
"No.Fucking.Way."
Those fuckers are worth the dramatics.
"Yes fucking way."
"You're actually dorming withthosethree? The ones who made your life a living hell? Who had the entire school chanting that horrible nickname?"
