Page 103 of Daughter of Garnet

"Fuck, we're not getting in there." I change our direction, and now Viv is the one trailing behind. "Let's find Cliff. He'll know what to do."

We're running against the crowd, like salmon swimming upstream, as we try to find Cliff in the chaos as everyone leaves their classes and makes their way to the chapel.

"Ilota, a little help here. They're going to make me touch the stones again."

She doesn't answer.

What the fuck am I supposed to do? Will I be able to keep my dragon under wraps? I'm not that confident I can. It's a wager where the stakes are my life.

We nearly crash into Cliff, who looks just as harried as I feel. He grabs me by the cheeks and starts peppering me with kisses, like he was worried he'd never see me again.

"What are we going to do?" Viv asks. Her back is to us, as we're shoved against a wall, protecting us from the crowds jostling around. "We can't let her do this."

"I can hide. What are they going to do if they call my name and I'm not there?"

"They'll wait for you." My Beta clutches my cheeks. "I think they know about you."

I hadn't allowed myself to think about that possibility, but I know he's right. Someone knows something, and that's why they're here.

Did Warren tell someone?

Am I going to die because I denied the advances of the boy I grew up with?

I can feel the panic starting to crawl up my throat, and my breathing grows labored.

"I'm not ready to die," I whimper. "I just got you. Things are shit with Ray, but they could get better. I haven't bonded with Cameron. I've never met his beast." Fearful tears are falling down my cheeks, and I don't bother trying to wipe them away. They'll be replaced immediately. "And Dominic. He's the fucking worst. But I still had some hope, that maybe⁠—"

"Zoe!" My name, shouted across the hall, cuts me off. I look up and see Dominic running toward me. He skids to a stop in front of me, chest heaving, eyes wild. "Zoe. We have to bond. Right now."

CHAPTER 49

Cliff

My worst nightmare is coming true, and I am powerless to stop it.

I don't resent being a Beta most of the time, but I wish right now that one of the Gods had Blessed me with a beast capable of protecting my mate from all dangers.

Instead, I'm clueless about what we can do to protect Zoe.

"Zoe!" I turn to see Dominic running toward us, shouting my mate's name like he deserves to taste it on his lips. "Zoe. We have to bond. Right now."

I move in front of her, keeping him from getting any closer. "What are you talking about, Dominic?" I try to communicate just how much I hate this bastard as I spit his name, but I don't know if I manage. The amount of animosity I hold for him far exceeds three syllables.

"My father is going to find out what you are. He'll take you. I can't let him do to you what's being done to the other Omegas."

The sincerity in Dominic's voice almost fools me, then I remember he used my girl as a footstool, and I turn off any part of me that could ever trust him.

Zoe leans around my shoulder to look at the Alpha. "The community Omega thing?"

"How do you know about that?"

"Not important," I snap. "Why are you here?"

He casts a cursory glance at me and writes me off as not a threat.

Fucking Alphas.

Some are good people, but most are like Dominic. They underestimate Betas at every turn and see us as below them.