Calder's hands clench. "I wanted to do more than tell him to leave."
"But you didn't," I point out. "You held back."
"Was that right?" He swallows hard, and I squeeze his hand.
"Not holding back would’ve given him something to use against you. Against us." I look at each of them in turn.
Tyler speaks up. "People are talking. Some of it's unkind." He looks at me directly. "Does it bother you?"
"It bothers me that strangers think they have a say in our choices," I admit. "But I'm not ashamed if that’s what you mean."
Julian's analytical mind is already working. "We're statistically unusual. Three alphas, one omega. It naturally draws attention. But we can control the narrative. Question is: do we want to be seen? Or would we prefer to be private?"
"I don't want to hide," I say firmly. "That means being seen for what we are. But I need to know you're all comfortable with that."
Tyler shrugs and leans back against the workbench, arms folded across his chest. "I'm comfortable. People can think what they want."
Julian nods. "Agreed. Though we should establish boundaries for how we engage with questions."
Calder's quiet longer. Then: "We need a plan for handling challenges like Nat."
“Okay.” I smile. “We work through this together.”
Tyler goes to the dining hall and returns with coffee, chocolate brownies, and chamomile tea for me.
Julian surreptitiously feeds crumbs to Juniper who quickly realizes he’s the weakest link. "A suggestion. We’re visible but not theatrical."
“We could act it up a bit,” Tyler says. “Speed up the process. Clear the air.”
“I think we should continue as we are,” I say. “Give them no ammunition.”
“What about Nat and his cronies?” Calder sips his coffee, eyes still stormy.
“I can handle questions,” I say with a confidence I didn’t feel until the confrontation in the dining hall.
“Unless it becomes threatening.” Tyler holds my gaze. “Then we take over.”
“Agreed,” Calder growls.
“But we don’t override you,” Julian adds.
"So when the next Nat shows up..." Tyler prompts.
"We handle it together," I finish.
"With clear boundaries," Julian adds.
Calder's slight smile appears. "And I don't break his face unless necessary."
The tension breaks into quiet laughter.
Evening herbal lab. I’m working on a scent-extraction project at my usual station when another student approaches. An omega I recognize from consent theory. Claire.
"Can I ask you something? About your... situation?"
Time to test the new strategy.
"Sure." I keep working.
