Tansy lets out a soft breath, like she’s been holding it for a while.
Then she reaches across the table.
The movement is slow, almost tentative, like she’s not entirely sure she should touch me. Her fingers brush my arm, light but steady, and my chest flutters at the small contact.
“It’s not personal,” she says quietly. “I’m not rejectingyou, or your pack, because of Cass’s injury.” She looks deep into my eyes. “I…I need to go home.”
I tilt my head. “H-home?” I ask before I can stop myself. “Where, where is home?”
Tansy draws her hand back, folding it neatly in her lap again. “Danvers,” she says. “The academy.”
My mind goes blank, empty and buzzing at the same time.
“I’ve never been to an omega academy before,” I say simply to fill the unbearable silence. “My mom did work in the kitchens at Havenfield for a bit when I was a kid.” I wipe at my face and freeze when I feel the dampness there. I didn’t even realize I was crying. “Is Danvers nice?”
Tansy’s expression softens even more, sympathy pulling at her mouth as she looks at me. “It’s really nice.”
I nod too fast, forcing my shoulders back like I can pull myself together if I try hard enough. “Yeah,” I say, voice rough but steadying. “Tell me about it?” I cling to the change in subject. “What’s it like there?”
Tansy gives me a sad, understanding smile, the kind that says she knows exactly why I’m asking and isn’t going to call me out on it.
“The main building is pretty old,” she says with the sweetest smile. “Ivy grows up the face of it, and the stone paths are always warm in the afternoons. There’s a library with huge windows that face the courtyard, and the sunlight comes in just right in the evenings.” Her gaze drifts, like she can see it right now.
“What kind of classes did you take?” I ask, trying to keep the conversation going. Like if she talks about Danvers long enough, maybe she’ll change her mind and decide to stay.
So stupid.
“Art history,” she says, relaxing as she talks. “I also take a lot of studio classes. Drawing. Sculpture.” A faint, almost shy smile flickers across her face as she adds, “Ballet, too. Every morning. My mother says I don’t have the body type for it, but my teacher says I’m a natural.”
My eyes flicker over her upper body before I can stop myself. She’s curvy, sure—but there’s strength there, too. Tansy isn’t some delicate, wispy thing, but she looks strong with those long, toned legs.
If this omega dances half as gracefully as she eats, then she’d be the most amazing ballerina in the world.
“Danvers has gardens too,” Tansy says as her gaze drifts out the window. “They have roses and tulips. Even a cluster of willow trees.” Her eyes stay fixed on the far corner of the yard as she goes on. “It’s so big they hold parties there in the spring.” Her smile suddenly slips, like she’s remembered something sad. “They’re formal meet-and-greets for omegas to meet prospective packs.” She swallows hard as worry lines press deep between her brows. “I’ve always avoided them.”
Then she goes quiet, gaze still fixed on the window, all the warmth gone.
The Kitchen
Tansy
My mother'swords at the boutique ring in my ears,“Don’t be surprised if the administrators start forcing you to attend the pack meet-and-greets.”
“The old omegas were placed with a pack whether they liked it or not.”
“This is what happens when an omega wastes her prime years.”
I can’t help but wonder what my future at Danvers would even look like if I were there right now.
Would they force me to accept the first pack that showed interest?
Do they already have someone picked out for me?
What would happen if I refused?
I know my parents wouldn’t do a damn thing to stop it, and neither would anyone else. I’d be on my own, fighting off an entire institution determined to mate me off.
A light touch brushes my hand, and I flinch before I can stop myself. Beck quickly pulls his hand back, clearly not expecting that reaction from me.
