Lucky scoffed.An alpha had no right to make that statement, especially when it was wrong in so many ways that Lucky could have written an essay on it.
Professor Milliner raised an eyebrow.“Explain.”
“We’ve given them so many opportunities.They can go anywhere and do anything they want with an alpha chaperone.We gave them freedom.”
Though Milliner didn’t challenge her, he cast an eye around the room.“Lucky, you look ready to combust.”
Charity was lucky he hadn’t kicked the back of her seat for spouting that pro-alpha shit.He didn’t know what was worse—that she said it or that she believed it.“Frankly, I find that view disgusting.Alphas are why weneeda constant chaperone.It’s one of the most backwards laws to still exist.”
Professor Milliner stopped him before he could keep going.“Thank you for providing a counterpoint.For the record, I agree, but we’re getting off topic.Let’s all keep in mind thatpersonal opinionsare not a valid argument.I want you to support your decision withrealdata, with legitimate benefits that existnowbecause of what happenedthen.Grant, what do you have?”
Grant, two seats to the left of Lucky, cleared his throat and lowered his hand.“The Three Keys.It’s a dual argument, along with Introductory College.”
Professor Milliner hummed with interest and perched on the edge of his desk.“Go ahead.”
“Introductory College follows on from high school, with a gap year between the two.During the gap year, omegas begin taking Heatwave, a drug specifically developed to lessen the production and intensity of slick, and makes them less susceptible to flare.Alphas use this gap year to start Override, a drug that tempers our flare and make it less effective against omegas.”
Professor Milliner nodded.“Give us a quick description of flare and slick.What are they and why do they need to be tamed?”
Lucky laughed at how shocked Grant looked and raised his hand.“Maybe I could do that?”Because he had a feeling where Grant’s argument was leading, he’d save him the embarrassment of discussing something most alphas found unseemly.
Grant muttered, “Thank Azrah.”
Professor Milliner gave Lucky approval to take over.
“Slick is a natural biological secretion only found in omegas, a sweet, strongly scented fluid produced by the sexual organs.While some narrow-minded alphas believe it only appears during arousal, omegas can produce slick for various non-sexual reasons, such as when overwhelmed by emotional love from their true mate.”
Professor Milliner looked pleased, giving him the wave to keep going.
“Flare is the alpha counterpoint, a natural rush of hormones that can comfort and calm a distressed omega.It can also be used by unscrupulous alphas to influence omegas, forcing them to comply with a direct order, even if that order goes against their nature.Those with strong flare make exceptional figures of authority and emergency workers.”
“Excellent.”Professor Milliner shifted his attention to Grant.“Continue.I’m intrigued where you’re going with this.”
He looked startled by the praise.“The Three Keys are Override, Heatwave and Keep Safe.This drug is used by pregnant omegas or those who have just given birth, to delay a heat for three months.Before Introductory College, omega education ended with high school, because heats set in and it was no longer safe.These drugs make integrated teaching possible.Modern students can learn in the same environment, not only learning more about one another,fromone another, but Introductory College is responsible for eighty percent of alphas and omegas finding their true mates.”
Lucky nodded, impressed with how he’d presented his argument.He was right—true mates were the Gods-given soulmate every alpha and omega hoped to find.Before Introductory College, it would take arrangements by family or years of exploring the world to find their true mate.Now, most found theirs in college or in the workplace.
“Excellent argument,” Professor Milliner approved.“I’m sure you’ve got a few, Lucky, but give us one.”
“Omha’s Tears.”
“Interesting.Explain Omha’s Tears.”
Lucky clasped his hands on the table so he wouldn’t fidget.“Omha’s Tears is a natural phenomenon that occurred around a hundred and fifty years ago.Previously, hundreds of omegas around the world diedevery yearfrom the complications and consequences of over-breeding.”He ignored the quiet mumbling, because he wasn’t done.“The Goddess Omha?the first omega to hold power, beside the alpha God Azrah?sent two years of vengeance upon the world, sometimes called the Goddess’s Grief.Rain fell for three months without end, causing floods, then famine and drought, the result of which is commonly described as Omha’s Tears.
“Omegas once reached maturity as young as fourteen.Within a few years of Omha’s Tears, omegas didn’t reach maturity until the age of sixteen,” he explained, still stunned that no one had found the true cause of the delay.“For the last fifty years, omegas have reached maturity and experienced their first heat at the age of twenty-one.Every time maturity age increased, the number of alpha children being born increased.Popular theory is that we were biologically preparing for war, but that seems unlikely.There is no denying that this modern age now has twice as many alphas to every omega.Alphas still reach maturity at the same age as always?eighteen?so we can prove the omega age of maturity hasn’t impacted them.
“Yet, we find ourselves in an economic crisis.There aren’t enough omegas for this influx of alphas to claim and mate with.The government were forced to pump money into creating laws and furthering scientific research and medical advancements to find a solution.That led us to the Three Keys, to Introductory College, and to a world that accepts that omegas are the centre of the modern world.If we go haywire, then so does everyone and everything else.”
Professor Milliner clasped his hands and stood from his desk.“Interesting argument.Let’s hear more,” he decided, pointing out people who had raised their hands.
Lucky listened to the few minor arguments of specific laws and treaties with other provinces, but he wasn’t convinced.They didn’t show the reverberating impact that resonated through to the modern world.
“Chase, give us the last one.”
Lucky glanced over at Chase, who had always been pro-omega.
“While I’m pretty convinced by Lucky’s argument,” Chase said, blue eyes sparkling with mischief when he caught Lucky’s eye, “there is one thing that has had a bigger impact on omegas than even Omha’s Tears.The ORT.”
