Page 17 of Daughter of Garnet

“Oh.”

“Yeah. I figured, since he told me to stay away from you, that you two were together.”

It takes me a moment to process his statement, but when I do, the small hurt I felt is replaced by anger. “He told you to stay away from me?” And yet he brought someone home? Who does he think he is to be making decisions like that for me? I can see whoever I want.

We’re outside our building now, but neither of us is making moves to go inside.

“Maybe I misunderstood him. I wanted you to know, in case you two didn’t have an open relationship. I thought, since he asked me to avoid you, that he didn’t want you to know…” His words trail off for a moment, and he runs his hand through his hair. “Polyamory requires communication and consent, and I didn’t like the idea that he may be sneaking around that. Sorry if I overstepped.”

“Do you wanna come to my room and study?”

Maybe I should try to process how I’m feeling about this whole thing, but I don’t want to. I don’t want to examine the fact that I feel more betrayed by Warren asking Cliff to stay away than I do about him bringing someone back to his room to fuck.

Cliff nods and enters the building without a word. He leads me up the stairs, and as I follow him, I can’t help but admire the sight of his thick thighs, clad in a pair of black linen pants that stretch across his firm, rounded behind. He’s got a thick waist, big arms, and broad shoulders, making him shaped more like an Alpha than a Beta. He’s deliciously masculine, with a square jaw and a beard that is the perfect length and meticulously manicured.

When we get to my room, and he steps aside so I can unlock the door, I have to duck my head so he doesn’t see how flushed my cheeks are from checking him out.

After we get settled, me on my bed and him at my desk, I realize he has nothing to study, and yet he came back with me anyway.

It’s fine, I'm not feeling like studying anymore.

“Do you know what kind of job you want once you get done with school?”

He rests his elbow on the desk and props his chin up with his hand. “My parents own a bakery, so I’m gonna work with them and balance the books, track inventory, that kind of thing.”

“None of the baking, then?”

“Absolutely not. I still haven’t heard the end of the time I burnt the cake for my sister’s birthday.” Though he’s talking about being chastised and teased, a sweet smile is on his face. It's obvious that there is no shortage of affection for those he left at home.

“You have a sister? What’s she like?”

“Spoiled rotten. She’s fifteen, and has convinced herself she’s going to be an Omega.” He kicks his shoes off so casually, like he’s done it a thousand times before, that the little bit of tension I was carrying from having him in my space dissipates. “No matter how many times I’ve explained to her that there is no way to predict who the Gods will Bless, she won’t hear it.”

We never spoke much about the God’s Blessings in my home. Both of my parents are Betas, and since it’s the most common designation, I never even considered being anything else. The few times it came up, Mom was quick to remind me I had no control over it.

When we studied designations in primary school, we did so through rose-tinted glasses. Alphas were strong protectors, there for us when we needed assistance. Omegas were beautiful and delicate, and essential for the Alpha's well-being. Without an Omega, they’d tell us, Alphas were unable to reproduce, their mental health was terrible, and their beasts could get sick. Omegas were made out to be like angels, swooping in to save our Alphas so they could keep society running.

And then there’s the Betas—the backbone of our realm.

If I have to hear that phrase again, I’m going to pull my hair out.

“I doubt being an Omega is all it’s cracked up to be.”

He holds his hands up in agreement. “I tried to tell her that, but she thinks it sounds like the best designation. Since I came here, I’ve been vocal to her when I write home that she should not wish for that life.”

“Is it that bad? I have yet to see one of the Omegas.”

“That’s just it. No one sees them except at the presentation. What kind of life is that? Are they even allowed to shift? I know they have smaller creatures, but they still deserve to fly, swim, and run.”

My insides grow tight at his words. “Are the Alphas allowed to shift?”

“As much as they want. Maybe the Omegas get to go out and do it sometimes, but I doubt it's enough. Who decided that they're safer living in a bubble? The whole thing leaves a bad taste in my mouth.”

My mouth feels almost sticky at the revelation, and it’s hard to form the words I want to say. Eventually, I pull my legs to my chest and rest my chin on my knees. “Mine too.”

CHAPTER 10

Zoe