"Amara, sweetheart, it's your mother. Again. I know Lila stopped by yesterday to tell you about the gala. I really think you should come. It would be good for you to get out. Meet some nice Alphas. You can't hide forever, baby. Call me back."
I deleted it without finishing.
You can't hide forever.
Everyone was always saying that including Lila and my mother. Even Mrs. Luna had hinted at it once or twice, though she was gentler about it.
They didn't understand that I wasn't really hiding but it was more like I was surviving. There was a huge difference between the two.
I shoved a book onto the shelf harder than I meant to and winced at the sound.
"Sorry," I whispered to it.
God, I was apologizing to books now.
My phone started to ring again and finally I just gave in and answered. Amelia had a way about her, she could wear you down.
"Hi, Mom."
"Finally!" My mother's voice was bright, cheerful. The kind of cheerful that meant she wanted something. "I was starting to think you were avoiding me."
I was, the thought casually rolled around in my head.
"Just working," I said instead.
She didn't wait for my reply. "Well, I wanted to talk to you about the gala. Lila said she stopped by yesterday."
Some days it seemed as if Lila was my mother's daughter instead of me.
"She mentioned it," I said carefully.
"And?" My mother's voice rose with hope. "Are you going to come?"
I leaned against the shelf, closing my eyes. "Mom, I don't think it's really my scene."
"Amara." Her tone shifted, disappointed but not surprised. "You need to start putting yourself out there. You're twenty-six. Most Omegas your age are already mated."
Most Omegas your age aren't broken. That was what she wanted to say. It was the quiet part not being said, the part I had to swallow down.
"I'm fine where I am," I said after a beat.
"Working in a library? Sweetheart, you deserve more than this. You deserve a good Alpha. A nice home. A family."
In reality this was translating to what my cousin had. Lila, the girl who had the Alpha that should have been mine and the fashion accessories to match.
I bit at my lip before speaking again. "I have to go, Mom. Mrs. Luna needs me."
My mom sighed on the other end. "Amara, wait. Just think about it, okay? The Valentine gala is in two weeks. I already RSVP'd for you."
My stomach dropped. "You what?"
Her tone sounded a little cautious when she spoke again. "I RSVP'd for you. And I bought you a dress. It's beautiful, honey. You're going to love it."
Oh no, I thought.
"Mom, you can't just…"
She gave a huff of finality. "It's already done, sweetheart. I'll bring the dress by this weekend. We can have lunch. Talk about it."
