“You’re just jealous,” he complained, inviting Phoenix and Caroline to head off with them, to use Chase and Grant as chaperones.They’d meet up with Neko in class, though he wasn’t sure where Kain had disappeared to.
“I’m only jealous you got to escape this shithole.”Grant tucked his hand behind his back to give Chase the finger.When he caught up, Grant caught Chase under his free arm, a never-failing source of support.
“I’m sure you’ll find your mate soon,” Lucky said to Grant with open adoration.“Any omega will be lucky to have you.”
Grant was clearly surprised by the praise, but it was true.Chase had always been one of the few people to see Grant’s softer, caring side, but he would be a great alpha to his omega.
“Thanks, Lucky.”
* * * *
Lucky
“In conclusion, as there are laws that bind omegas to a specific behaviour or treatment by others, they are not alone,” Professor Milliner recounted from a lazy perch against his desk.“Betas are considered to be subservient creatures, who don’t have the right to love or live freely, unless they are serving the alpha/omega community.Alphas are expected to be dominant, overbearing and demanding.”
The professor swung his glasses from his loose hold of one arm.“The government?and thus the teaching of our young, dictated by the government?still sees in black and white.There is no room for individuality, creativity, personal growth, or for anyone to step outside of the box they have been placed in by convention.
“Gods forbid each person in this world be unique, because the government will not see you that way.”He paused to chew on the tip of his glasses and stood from his desk.“Remember, society…the government…your parents…even your expectations for yourself…may place you into a box with a specific label.There is nothing in this world that says you can’t rip the label off and write yourself a new fate.”Pausing after the stunning statement that made Lucky’s heart flutter, Professor Milliner concluded with a casual and abrupt, “Now, get out.”
Lucky laughed, realising it was the end of class.Closing his notebook, he grabbed his bag from his chair while Chase slid his books off the table.He slung Lucky’s bag over his shoulder, holding his books to his side in a casual hold, like he’d reacted instinctively.
“Lucky, can you stay behind, please?”
“Yes, sir,” he called, sure the questioning tone meant he could wait if Lucky was in a rush to get to his next class.He had Home Economics next, for two hours, and being minutes late wouldn’t hurt.
A nod from Chase indicated he’d wait at the door.
Lucky headed to the front of the class.“Professor?”
“The rumours are rife on campus, I’m sure, but your papa called to appraise me of the situation with Lincoln Halloway.How are you?”The professor arched an eyebrow that suggested he wasn’t sure what to say.
“He called you?”
Professor Milliner rested against his desk.“I’m the Student Welfare Officer.I arranged for your other lecturers to be aware and made sure that you won’t face any questions about your absence,” he explained, and cocked his head.“He mentioned that you have two mates.”
Lucky licked his lips, not sure whether he wanted to hear his favourite professor’s opinion.“I had…what you’d call an ‘experience’, while on OX.”
Professor Milliner had always been more open-minded than his other lecturers.While Lucky explained having cursed Lincoln, the wounds he’d inflicted without contact and sensing the bond that had been crystal clear, the professor said nothing.
When he was finished, Professor Milliner removed his glasses and raised a finger.He walked around his desk and rummaged through a bookcase, returning with a book.“Read this.Not homework, but as a form of educating yourself.”
“A Comprehensive History of Omha’s Folly?”Lucky had never heard of the book, or anything called Omha’s Folly.
“Omha’s Folly is what our modern government call the…unproven, shall we say…psychic and metaphysical phenomenon sometimes experienced by Omha Seers,” the professor said, with a smile that took Lucky off guard.There were so few Seers in the world that it was unlikely he’d ever meet one.“I believe you’ll recognise the author.”He tapped the cover, and Lucky goggled at the name on the front.
Xavier Darro.
He hardly had the words to comprehend it.His papa had written a book.“Why didn’t I know this existed?”
“Because it was a gift.”Professor Milliner leaned in closer.“Your papa and I were friends, in college.We swore we’d change the world.Then we met our true mates and fate guided us in opposite directions.I found a particular paper he wrote to be inspiring, and it led to me becoming a history teacher.When I became a professor here, your papa printed his paper into a book and gifted a copy to me.”
Lucky marvelled at the slew of revelations.He’d never known that the professor he admired was one of his papa’s college friends, or that his papa had published a book.“Thank you, Professor,” he admitted, holding the book close.“I’ll return it quickly.”
“I appreciate that.”His smile twitched and he opened his mouth to speak, but a shout came from the doorway.“Come in and wait.I won’t be long.”He gestured to an older student who lingered in the doorway.
Lucky frowned, surprised that he didn’t recognise the older omega.Most mature omega students?like those who had come off Heatwave after bonding?usually introduced themselves to younger omegas on campus.
Professor Milliner folded his arms over his chest.“Seph is a second-year student at the college of linguistics and literature.He’s also my bonded mate.He’s come to have my professional opinion on a paper that would interest you.Perhaps, if I can convince him he’s done a splendid job without my help, I could coax him into letting you read it?”
