Page 59 of Daughter of Garnet

This cannot be good.

"Does he do this often?" I lean into Viv, hoping no one else hears me.

"How would I know? I'm a first year, too!"

The Archon clears his throat and adjusts his dark green tie. "Welcome to the Institute. I hope you all are settling in well. I like to come and meet each new class during their first few months." He looks around the room with a critical eye. "I heard there are no Omegas in your class."

Professor Hayes winces as if the lack of Omegas is his fault. "It has been known to happen."

"Mmm, yes, but it is a shame every time it happens." While his tone is friendly, the Archon's eyes are empty as he continues surveying us. "But it does make your job easier, doesn't it, Nikolaus?" He doesn't wait for our flustered professor to answer. "I want to speak to you all about your roles in our society, and how important your time here is."

Ray shuffles in his seat, and his peppery scent smacks me in the face. It's never been this strong before, and I have to hold my breath to keep from panting.

"Alphas, here is where you will find your pack, hopefully meet your Omega, and train for the most important jobs within our society. Without you, all of the luxuries our provinces are afforded wouldn't exist. Our temples would fall into shambles, and our people would be left unprotected."

What are we being protected from? Our military is centralized. Who are they planning on fighting?

He looks around the room, arms spread wide, every bit the politician. "And I do not underestimate the power of a Beta. You run our farms, our factories. Your work is essential to keeping the machine running, and we thank you for it."

There is a solid beat where he stares down several people sitting around the room. It feels like his eyes linger on me a bit too long, but I think I'm imagining it, knowing what I do about him. "And our Omegas. They provide comfort and stability to our Alphas, and are our most vulnerable, but they are the heart of Kestia and the reason we work so hard to keep our realm safe. My biggest dream for our realm is that every Alpha one day has the luxury of an Omega."

Calling another person a luxury doesn't sit right with me. It gives the impression that the Archon sees Omegas as commodities.

He prattles on about politics and the roles our Primes and subprimes play in government. I'm sure it's interesting, and I know I'll have to take a government course someday, but I can't pay attention to what he's saying. His proximity makes me nervous. Maybe it's the conversation I had with Cliff coloring things, but every word feels sinister somehow.

"He thinks highly of himself," Ray whispers in my ear, startling me. "Loves to hear himself talk, huh?"

I look at the Alpha out of the corner of my eye. "Uh huh."

"I don't agree with the whole 'Alphas are the top of the food chain' thing. All designations are important."

"Cool?"

He crosses his leg over his knee and bumps me with his toe. I can't tell if it was on purpose. "I don't agree with the whole idea they teach us about Omegas being coddled. Omegas can be tougher than we think."

The handsome Alpha's face curves into a sweet smile that makes my heart flutter as I remember the feel of his lips on mine. That feels like forever ago now. He seems so different now.

This Ray, the one who showed me his Argentavis and is sitting next to me in class, chatting like we're friends, is vastly different from the one who called me a liar at the bonfire and then bruised me with a kiss in the woods.

Is this him trying to turn things around? He did apologize and admit he was wrong about the perfume thing. Maybe he wants to be friends, or at least friendly, for Viv's sake.

The Archon wraps up his speech and relinquishes the floor back to Professor Hayes, who uses his speech as a jumping-off point to dive into some of the roles only scent-matched Alphas can hold.

"Hey, Zoe." Ray grabs my attention as I'm packing up after the lecture. "Would you want to grab coffee with me?"

"Coffee? With you?"

He ruffles his hair and ducks his head, cheeks tinged pink. "Yeah. Do you have a class right now?"

Viv pokes her head around my shoulder. "She does. With me. Are you asking my friend on a date right in front of me?"

Ray clears his throat and takes a few steps back. "It's just coffee."

"She's my friend, Ray. You're not going to try to date her and be an ass and ruin our friendship. Not like with Bianca." Viv slings her bag over her shoulder and pushes me on my lower back, forcing me to walk toward her brother.

He stumbles for a moment and walks backward out of the row.

"That wasn't my fault, and you know it. I'm not going to be an ass to her. It's coffee, Viv. People can get coffee."