Lauren and Rekha start to answer my question at the same time, and cut off with a giggle. It’s so cute that my chest squeezes with a longing for something similar.
“You go first,” Lauren says, nudging Rekha.
“I always knew. Even before I revealed, I loved the thought of being with an omega. I assumed that meant I’d be an alpha, even though I had all the stereotypical indicators that I’d be an omega—petite, loves soft and pretty things, always wants to cuddle, intuitive and empathetic. Luckily, my family is super progressive and doesn’t give a shit about ‘traditional pack values’.” Rekha says the words with disdainful air quotes.
“Meanwhile, I had no clue I’d be interested in an omega until I met this one.” Lauren says, grinning over at her partner. “My family followed traditional pack roles and composition, and until I went to college, I didn’t think there were other options beyond one omega with an alpha or alphas. It took me ages after I met Rekha to realize that what I felt for her was romantic.”
Rekha chuckles, her dark eyes sparkling with fond amusement. “It’s true. She was totally oblivious. Even when I was outright telling her how beautiful she was while we were having ‘platonic friend’ snuggles in her nest.”
“I figured it out! Eventually.” The pair giggle and share an adoring look.
God, they’re perfect together. I’ve never felt that in sync with someone.
Yes, you have,my omega insists, and I recall a flash of the blissful ease and comfort I felt during my heat when Ambrose stroked my hair while Jackson helped me drink some water.
I shove that aside. That was false intimacy created by heat hormones, not anything real like Lauren and Rekha have.
“It’s funny…” Lauren continues, her voice taking on a slight edge. “My family doesn’t care at all that I’m with a woman. They love to bring up my cousin and his pack as an example of how accepting they are, because it’s all men. But in his pack, there’s only one omega, and the rest are alphas.” She sighs, and Rekha gives her arm a reassuring squeeze. “All they care about is that I should be shacked up with some alphas to help ‘protect me’ and do all the things that aren’t ‘good for an omega’. They also hate that I have a job.”
I grimace, immediately thinking about my sister and her horrible husband. “That’s awful. I’m unfortunately familiar with that mindset, and how destructive it can be.”
Lauren’s brow furrows. “Did you come from a pack like mine?”
I don’t normally talk about it, but they’ve been so open with me that I find myself sharing without reservation. “No, my parents are both betas who are even more oblivious to pack life and dynamics than I am. But my sister married this awful guy who is obsessed with alpha rights. Megan is a beta, and it’s clear he resents that she’s not an omega.”
Rekha scowls. “Ugh, that’s awful. Alphas like that can’t get an omega to touch them because they’re scum. Then they use the fact that they can’t find an omega to fuck them to argue that alphas are being oppressed.”
“Yeah, exactly. I’m pretty sure he makes her take supplements so she’ll be better at pretending to be an omega for him. It’s horrible, but she went full trad omega wife when they got married and won’t listen when the rest of the family attempts to help her see how toxic her husband is.”
I fight back my surge of frustration and worry. I don’t let myself think about Megan very often. Not after I arranged to help her get away from her husband, and offered for her to live with me for as long as she needed, only to have her call me a jealous, lonely bitch. It’s too painful.
“That’s fucked. I’m so sorry,” Lauren says quietly.
We all sit in silence for a few moments, feeling the weight of the topic.
Eventually, I break the quiet. “I wish I were excited to be an omega. It’s not that I don’t like omegas, but I don’t know how you deal with all this…bullshit. Everyone acting like they know what’s best for you. Entire groups of people arguing that you shouldn’t have the same rights as everyone else. That you shouldn’t have bodily autonomy.” I let out a frustrated exhale. “Fuck, it’s bad enough being a woman these days, but being an omega seems even worse.”
“Omegas are the strongest designation,” Lauren says matter-of-factly, sitting up straighter. “We shouldn’t be forced to be this strong, and you’re absolutely right that it’s awful, but for most of us, there’s no alternative. Even those drugs they made to prevent revealing as an omega aren’t reliable.” Her lip curls in distaste. “And that’s a whole other can of worms, because why the fuck do we hate omegas so much that we had to develop a way to keep someone from becoming one?”
“Some people take it for medical or trauma reasons, babe,” Rekha interjects gently.
“Crap, sorry, you’re right. What I’m trying to say is, this is what we are. If we accept the narrative that we’re a problem, they win. Nothing will ever change.” A sharp smile spreads across Lauren’s lips and she crosses her arms over her chest. “I don’t know about you, Camille, but I’m a petty bitch. I chose a job field where there are hardly any omegas. I proudly claim my lesbian relationship with another omega. I refuse to hide, even if I could.”
“This is why I was willing to wait for her to realize she loved me,” Rekha sighs, clearly enamored with her badass partner.
Honestly, I am too. Also, I’m feeling like a total piece of garbage for how cowardly I’m being not wholeheartedly embracing my new designation.
“Oh, no, it’s okay, Camille!” Lauren exclaims, reading my self-hating thoughts as they cross my face. “I’ve had a lifetime to develop my courage. If I were in your shoes, I doubt I’d do anything different.”
Rekha nods. “Same. No judgement here at all. Just know that when you decide to stop hiding it, we’re here for you.”
I swallow down the lump of emotion at her phrasing. Not “if” I’ll stop hiding my new self, but “when”. These smart, experienced omegas know I have no chance of keeping my designation a secret forever. In my gut, I knew that, but it would’ve been nice to live in my fantasy of nothing changing for a little while longer.
“We’re also here for you now, because, damn, you’re complete shit at taking care of yourself,” Lauren says drolly. “You can’t push and push and hope for the best. Especially if you want to have any chance of keeping up the ruse that you’restill a beta. Your omega will reach a breaking point and throw a tantrum until you give her what she needs.”
Her blunt honesty breaks through some of my agitation, and I laugh. “You’re right, you’re right. Though it’d be a whole lot easier if our boss didn’t hate me.”
“Wait, what?” Lauren’s brow crinkles. “He doesn’t hate you. He’s just… stern.”
