“Last year you were trying to figure out how to live on your own and dealing with your entire support structure dissolving,” Grace said softly. “It’s understandable that you had a few rocky semesters.”
“Yeah, but programs aren’t taking that into consideration. I still have some programs I’m waiting on. I’m also working on a spreadsheet of all the programs in the area that I can still apply for. NYC State applications don’t close until tomorrow night and they use the common application, so I already sent that one in. It’s not the most glamorous program, but it’s a decent one. Your school is still open, but I don’t think I can get in there,” I admitted.
“You can still try,” Verity urged. “They like innovation and they’re so much more relaxed than Briar and Marquess.”
“If worse comes to worst, I guess I’d take a year or two off and try to get an entry-level job in my field here? I haven’t started looking to see if there even is anything.” I ended up grabbing a slice of bacon just to have something to do.
“Those all seem like really good options. I’m proud of you for already doing all of that and it’s okay to not get into programs. I didn’t get into a lot of programs, either,” Verity replied. “You were probably planning on just staying at Briar or Marquess, which might be hard to make work, but if that’s where you really want to go maybe you can figure it out.”
I shook my head. “It’s not the same without you and Dad.”
Dad taught at Briar. Mom taught next door at Marquess. They were sibling schools. Back in the day, Marquess had been for alphas, Briar for betas. Now everyone could go to either, including omegas.
“One thing to think about is what happens if Carlos gets traded,”Verity added. “How will him being far from you affect him? I don’t know how it works for kappas. Also, you have to consider your omega and how being away from you–and Carlos–affects her as well.”
“Oh, right. And I have to think of Fiona being away from Saoirse, who’s a delta. They’re also bonded. They’ve been girlfriends for a while. Wow, those are all really good things to consider.” I ran my hand through my hair. “We have an appointment with the Omega Center on the second.”
“Good.” Grace nodded.
I sighed. “What do I even contribute?”
“Contributions don’t have to be money. Think of what other things you can bring to the pack. You’re good at cooking. You’re good at cleaning. You know how to do all sorts of household chores. You can fix basic things. And when you’re motivated, you do succeed,” Verity told me.
“True. Though there is that thing calledtime. If I’m commuting to Research Circle, doing research, and studying, possibly working, and doing chores? It’s a lot,” I started.
“And something to figure out. If I can pay you for your research, you don’t have to work.” Grace looked at her phone. “Evan wants to know if you have filed the bonding yet to make it official and if you have a mating agreement?”
“No and no. Carlos was going to ask his lawyer to draw up mating agreements. She’s also looking over the contract with Fiona’s dads,” I replied, grateful I had pack mates that even had the lawyers on retainer. “We’ll file the bonding.” I didn’t know how to do that. Maybe the Center could help me?
“Honestly, I’m impressed,” Mercy added. “You seem to have a good handle on things. It’s just your conscience that might be holding you back–so get some therapy. We’re here. We want to help you succeed and if things end up not working, it won’t be because you didn’t try. It won’t be because you’re a fuckup. It’llbe because sometimes things just don’t work out, but it’s not necessarily anyone’s fault.”
Verity nodded. “That is absolutely true.”
“Thank you.” I felt much better.
We finished up breakfast and cleaned up.
Grace gave me a hug. “I’ll help you with whatever you need. Just let me know. Should I pay your rent that’s due tomorrow?”
“Please?” Yeah, I didn’t have enough in my account for that.
“Okay, I’ll send it directly.”
“Thank you. Um, is Lucky real? Because I see him when I’m high.” My voice grew quiet. “He’s a black cat with blue eyes and a collar. I saw him before Hopey described him. Hopey can see him, because she’s a baby. I can see him when I’m high, because he’s not corporeal in this world. Oooh, did you steal him from the Agents in Glasses?”
Okay, the Agents in Glasses was a movie, but I was pretty sure Compass BioTek worked with the real government equivalent. I’d seen one at her place, once. He had the most epic car.
“What?” Grace sucked in a breath.
“Forget it.” I shook my head.
“No. Wait, Hope said he was black with blue eyes, but she never mentioned a collar.” Grace’s look went pensive.
“He’s real,” I breathed.
“Maybe…” Her frown deepened. “I never actually thought Eugene could be Lucky. But Hope did start seeing her imaginary cat friend after he went missing. It makes sense that he might not be corporeal here. After all, so much is out there we don’t know of or understand.”
Oh shit. “True. But who’s Eugene?”
