Page 80 of Examining the Bond

“I'm notnotan omega,” I argue, biting my tongue to keep a lid on my temper.

“But you are alpha-presenting. There is no guarantee that the other students would be safe, no matter how many suppressants we put you on.”

“Safe?I’ve been here for over a year and I’ve never caused a single problem.” The words spill out of me as I try to keep my voice from trembling. I refuse to cry in front of these snobbyassholes. “Being an omega is all I’ve ever known, and I can still become one with a bond. Please, Mr. Schwartz…”

Nausea grips me as his eyes fall back to the documents spread before him. He’s kept them all in a nice, neat folder, documenting my disastrous journey from the first day of my rut all the way up to my most recent diagnosis.

Fear slithers up my spine, and I chew my bottom lip nervously.

If they kick me out, maybe I could find a pack willing to adopt me. Ziel said he met a filthy-rich alpha at a club the other day. Maybe I could pitch them a sob story so they claim me. I can graduate from the academy, then break the bond. Assuming I survive it.

I'd rather do it with someone Ziel knows than a random alpha I picked up off the street like I threatened Skylar with. Guilt stabs me in the heart, and my fingers clench on my thighs.

Mr. Schwartz flips to the next page, his lips pursing as he contemplates. Meanwhile, I silently pray to every new god and old that he gives me this chance.

Without the academy, I have nothing.

Maybe Skylar could call them and explain it better than the documents can. The thought is fleeting as it crosses my mind. Just thinking about her has a fresh ache throbbing in my chest.

She’s partly to blame for why I’m in this mess; she could have claimed me, made me an omega, but she refused. But I can’t be angry with her, not really. Her logic was sound; I was the one being irrational.

But if she wanted to help, to ensure I didn’t get thrown out of Woodside, wouldn’t she have at least called? I left my message with the secretary, and she can’t lie and say she lost my number. It’s all over my records at the research center.

No. The reason Skylar hasn’t reached out is clear as day, even though I’ve done my best to not think about it. I fucked up; I said horrible, awful things to her and drove her away.

Why would she help me after all that? Why would she even want to speak to me?

She wouldn’t.

“Fine,” the dean continues. “I believe I understand the situation now.” He clears his throat before meeting me with a hard stare. “There is a winter formal alpha mixer in the Gamma building two weeks from now. You may attend to see if you can find a suitable partner. If you find someone to claim you so youbecomean omega, you can continue at the academy.”

My mouth drops open as I look at him, but I can tell from his expression that he’s actually serious.

“And if I don’t?” I ask.

“Then you will be unenrolled.” His face is as emotionless as his tone.

“You think I'm just going to find random alphas to pack up with?” I glare at him over the top of his tidy desk. “Isn't that what you warn usnotto do?”

“You have extenuating circumstances, dear,” one of the professors in the corner croaks. She’s a tall, willowy woman with a large nose and bushy eyebrows. “We have to think about what’s best for all our students.”

I don’t even bother looking in her direction.

“I know a lot of omegas place stock in the idea of a scent match and a happily ever after, but this is your future we're talking about,” Mr. Schwartz says. “Find yourself a nice, young alpha; there will be plenty attending the mixer. You're a beautiful girl, Riann—I'm sure one of them would be willing to give you their mark.”

It doesn’t matter how high profile the dean is, he's still a beta.

Someone could explain alpha and omega instincts to him a million times, and he still wouldn't get what I mean when I say I want a mate, not just someone who will benefit me short-term. I want a partner, someone who’s going to love me for me, someone who wants me so badly that they’d risk everything to be with me. Not someone to sink their teeth into me like a piece of meat to fix myproblem.

It’s such a fantasy, straight out of a fairytale, and I’d expected Skylar to do it just because I asked.

I bite my lip, chasing the thought of her away. I can’t keep pining over her like I am; whatever blossomed between us clearly withered in the very same hotel room, and there’s nothing I can do about it.

“There's no way I'm doing that. I'm not just letting the first alpha who spots me sink his teeth into me.” I snap my mouth closed, swallowing the rest of my defiant retort.

The dean takes a slow breath.

“There is a limit to our graciousness, Miss Saunders, and you are nearing the end of it. We've let you take time off to visit all these clinics while still being enrolled in the academy, but this can’t continue now that we have a definitive answer.” He levels me with an intimidating stare. “You have one last chance. Resolve the problem of your designation or your time at the Woodside Omega Academy is over.”