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“I - Well, things may be better in some ways, but I’m miserable now!” His eyes were kind as he listened.
“Alright. Being an omega isn’t for you?” I thought about it.
“It isn’t bad - it’s just that the pack I love, they rejected me.” I hunched over at the admission, tears running down my cheeks as I tried to keep it together.
“I’m so sorry. That’s rare here, but it does happen. I’m a beta, but I grew up in this world. I always felt I didn’t belong. My research led me to another place - your world. I found more success and belonging there in a place where designations didn’t exist. But for many people, I think they fit in better here. And you wouldn’t have been able to get here unless you truly wanted to go somewhere you belonged.” I glared up at him through my tears.
“Bullshit! Tell me how you did it.” He sighed and straightened his patched pea coat. He really did look like a professor.
“The campsite is an area with weak boundaries between worlds. It has to do with the magnetic field in both realms. If you go there with the intent of crossing over, you’ll end up crossing over. Oh, but you need metal on you. A ring, a necklace, or some such.”
“Or a coin.” I thought back to the coin he gave me.
“Yes, holding a coin will work too. If you go back to the woods you might be able to cross back. As long as you put the intention in your mind. I’m sorry I sent you here if it was that bad for you. Are you sure going back is what you really want?” I considered it. I wasn’t sure of anything now.
“I might need to.” He put his hands in his pockets and looked at me.
“Go back to the same area of the woods. Bring metal and think of where you want to go. I might even run into you, I’m heading back there soon.” I looked at him in surprise. “I just stopped back here to check on some things. But I prefer your world, not this one. I never found a pack here.” He had just given me the key to return. I nodded as he walked off, whistling as he ambled through a walkway on the campus. What an oddball.
I shook off my nerves and walked the rest of the way to the Omega House. I had an answer to my problems, even if the answer was running away.
Chapter 34
Piper
I pushed through the front doors of the Omega House. So much had happened in the last day. I wandered through the hallways until I was in my own room, silencing my phone. Aiden, Declan, and Dominic had all tried to call me, but I wasn’t in any condition to want to speak to them. I was too embarrassed. And too devastated. I really had fallen for them, even started to have feelings for Dominic. He had been horrible to me, yes - but he also came to my rescue, fought off a pack of alphas for me, and treated me so gently during my heat. But all of that was my fault too. I shouldn’t have gone out so close to my heat. I was powerless in this world. I needed to get back to my own.
I heard knocking at my door, but there was no way I was going to answer it. “Piper! It’s Callie. I just want to check on you.” I laid down on my bed and pulled a blanket over myself.
“Go away. I don’t want to talk about it.” Her knocking continued.
“I want to respect your feelings, but because of your circumstances, the doctor wants to check on you. We trust that Pack Archer took care of you, but we need you to tell us if anything went wrong.” I sighed and rolled over. Of course they would want to poke and prod at me. More control over me in this world. I figured they would get their way eventually so I yelled through the blanket.
“If I do the check up will you all just leave me alone?” The knocking stopped. I almost felt guilty, since they had been trying to help me.
“Yes Piper, if that’s what you want. We just need to make sure you’re healthy and we’ll let you be.”
An hour later Dr. Calloway had arrived to give me a post-heat physical. “Well, the suppressants did the job. Your omega traits developed just in time for your heat, and the first one is always the worst. From here on out you’ll know what to expect.” She patted my knee as I sulked on the bed. Her eyes were sympathetic. “Of course, it can also be a highly emotional experience. Would you like to talk it through with someone?” I shook my head, clutching a pillow to my stomach. I never wanted to bring it up again. Dr. Calloway glanced at Callie, who had been watching me with concern. “Callie says you have refused all calls from Pack Archer. Did something happen that we need to know about? Mainly, we want to make sure you were treated well.” I shook my head.
“No. They were wonderful. It just wasn’t the emotional match I thought it was. It hurts to think about it.” I buried my face in the pillow while the doctor rubbed my back.
“I’m sorry to hear that. Well, once you are feeling better, your caseworker can assist you in searching for another pack to court you. Trust me, there is no shortage of packs who would love an omega like you.” My stomach turned at the thought of having to look for another pack. I didn’t want anyone else. The scents of other alphas never lived up to the pack that rejected me. But I had other plans. I had to get back to my own world.
Once they had left me alone to my own devices, I set to planning. I knew if I had arrived here one way, I could get back the same way. Thinking back to that night so many months ago, I revisited every moment prior to me arriving here. I had been frustrated with my life, wanting to be anywhere else. I had been overworked, tired, and mad at my boyfriend. I went camping with the intent to escape. After a strange run-in with a professor, I had fallen asleep and awoke in this world. Was it time to go back?
Leaping from the bed, I ran to the closet where I had stashed the few belongings that I had with me when I first woke up from going camping. Tearing through my sleeping bag and backpack, I pulled out everything until I found it - the coin that the strange professor had given me that fateful night. According to him, if I went back to that same spot I could get back home.
Something in my gut hurt at the thought of leaving. My life here wasn’t bad - I was able to do things I never had time or money for in the past. People treated me like I was special and worth something. I was making friends. I even had a deeper connection with not just one, but multiple men that I had never experienced before. But it was that same feeling that tore at my heart. The thought of living here and not being with them was excruciating. My biology was telling me I belonged with them, and I couldn’t control it. Maybe if I was able to go back to where I wasn’t an omega, I could get rid of this ache in my heart. Shoving the coin into my pocket, I went to search for Bella to say my goodbyes.
Chapter 35
Piper
“What do you mean you’re leaving?” Bella’s wail could be heard down the hall. I slapped my hand over her mouth.
“Shhhh! Keep it down. As far as anyone’s concerned, I went for a walk downtown.” I knew that since my heat was over the chances of perfuming again anytime soon were slim to none. I should be able to go out with descenter and be just fine, especially with my beta appearance. But as overprotective as people were here, I didn’t want them to know I was going to go camping alone.
“Why? Why won’t you just hear them out?” Bella had been the only one I had told about my amazing first heat - that had subsequently sent me spiraling when I remembered begging for a bite and being denied. “Seriously, they are a pack anyone would die for! I’m sure they want you - a bite is a big thing to ask for during a heat. They probably just want to make sure you really want it. It’s very respectful of them if you look at it that way.” My cheeks burned at the memory. Maybe she had a point. Either way, it didn't erase what Dominic had said. I couldn't split up their pack knowing there was someone else he loved. When I mentioned that, she waved away my concerns. “Another thing you should clear up with that alpha! You said he called you his mate during the heat - do you know what that means? He thinks you’re his true match! There’s no other reason an alpha in a heat rut would say such a thing. It’s so rare Piper, you can’t let it go without a conversation!” She had explained fated mates to me when I told her the story. It did make sense in a way - their scents were absolutely irresistible to me. I hadn’t even thought of another pack since I had been seeing them, and they were perfect for me in every way. Even Dominic had grown on me - our date was fun up until he ruined it. I supposed I at least owed them a call in the event I never saw them again. Just thinking that sent a wave of despair through me, but it was for the best. Their pack was forever - I was just a girl they helped through her heat.
