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CEDAR: Omega Assembly. Thursday 1pm. Johnston Building, Room 104. Attendance is mandatory. No reply needed.
Ididn’trealizejusthow territorial omegas got until we all filed into the classroom for our next meeting with Omega Reid. Luckily it was a large room because most omegas left several seats between them and the next girl. Every scent in the room was tinged with anxiety. The way mating worked, we weren’t exactly in competition with each other, but try telling that to anyone that was in here.
“Ladies! Let’s get started!” Our flawless advisor gathered our attention. “How’s it going? You’ve survived the first round of dates!” Scattered applause filled the room. “Restrictions on the next round will be a little looser to allow you the freedom to get to know the alphas better, but remember the rules we set forward in the beginning, and try to keep your eyes on the prize. We’re aiming forperfection.”
There was that word again. Perfection. I was quick to admit that Daniel wasn’t perfect for me. But was Grant? I certainly thought so, but he reacted so oddly to seeing me at the Polar Plunge. My pride was still a bit hurt by that. And then there was Will. I had to admit I was softening to him, butperfect? He was far from perfect for me.
“You aren’t required to accept any dates this round that you don’t feel are with your true mate. And don’t be hurt if you don’t receive another request from an alpha you thought was a good match. The bond needs to go both ways, and if one of you isn’t feeling it, it’s not meant to be.”
Would Will give up on asking me out now that the first round was over and I kept turning him down? The thought soured my mood, and my scent, immediately. Apparently I was softening to him more than I initially thought.
“Next on the calendar is the Cocoa Cotillion. You’re all required to attend, but this is a fun one. Everyone is invited, and there won’t be any masks at this one.”
A hand shot up across the room. “Even the betas will be invited?” I could hear the eagerness in her question.
“Ah, no, dear. I meant all alphas and omegas are invited. Staff will be present too, and some of them are betas, so they’ll be there. But I’m guessing that’s not what you meant?” She gave the girl a pitiful glance. This is why I was afraid of dating before the Season.
Omega Reid continued. “Part of the reason for this mid-Season gathering is to see how the omegas and alphas react around each other. If you feel that you’ve found your alpha but you’re spending more of the evening with another alpha, or if he’s focused on another omega, maybe you need to take another look inside. Let this be a test of sorts to help you focus your attention for the second round of dates.” She looked around to see if anyone had any questions and then went on.
“Shortly after Christmas, we’ll hold the final mating ceremony. While we certainly hope that all of our omegas will find their alpha here, you are not required to participate in the ceremony if you’re not completely sure about your decision. If you decide not to, we can discuss your options.
“If you do decide to participate, and the vast majority of you will, here’s how it will go. Similarly to the original reveal ceremony, we’ll call each omega up to the stage one at a time, and you’ll invite your intended alpha to join you. He’ll be instructed to use his bark to unlock your collar. Only your true mate will be able to unlock it. If he barks and it doesn’t unlock, he’s not your mate. It’s that simple.
“If he is your mate and your collar does unlock, you’ll be able to remove it, and your neck will be bare and ready for a bonding bite. We do not allow bonding bites at the ceremony!” She glared around the room to drive home her point. Mating bites were typically given in the heat of the moment, usually a highly sexual one. But someone could get carried away at the ceremony.
“Once the omegas have all been mated, the ceremony will conclude, and everyone will be allowed to go enjoy the evening.” I heard snickers all around the room. We all knew exactly how the new mates wouldenjoythe evening.
“Our time is up, ladies, so you’re free to go. Enjoy the Cotillion!” Omega Reid dismissed us with a wave.
The original threatening aura of the room had dissolved as most of the omegas needed to gossip and panic about the remainder of the Season more than they needed to maintain their space. I just needed to get home.
When I walked in the door, I was hit with a jolt of my own scent, which was very unnerving. Anna ran to greet me with a small bouquet in her arms. A beautiful bouquet of sweet peas.
“Look what got delivered!” she squealed. “They’re sweet peas! That’s your scent!”
“Yes, I can see that.” I reached out and took the small vase from her. “Who are they from?”
“There’s a card!” Her enthusiasm was contagious, and I couldn’t stop the smile that crept onto my face.
“You expect me to believe you didn’t open it?”
“I didn’t!” she declared wide-eyed before giving me a sheepish smile. “But if you were gone ten more minutes, I might have.”
I chuckled as I set the vase down to open the card.
Sweet Pea — I hope you enjoy these flowers. I almost sent you something that smells like me, but the only thing I could think of was a basket of limes or a key lime pie. This seemed more romantic. — Your alpha
“Awwwww.” Anna melted behind me. I guess she had read the card over my shoulder. No such thing as privacy around here. “Your alpha?”
“Grant’s so thoughtful. What a sweet gesture. I’ll have to properly thank him at the Cocoa Cotillion.” I winked at my sister.
“Ew. Stop, no, gross. Who are you?” I laughed as I carried the flowers to my room. If she couldn’t handle my jokes, she didn’t get to enjoy my beautiful flowers.
Chapter Sixteen
CEDAR: Cocoa Cotillion. Saturday 8pm. Briar Lake Prep Student Union. Attendance is mandatory. No reply needed.
“Yougotflowers?Damn,I should’ve sent Kara flowers. She would probably love that.” Tanner was over at my apartment hanging out before we had to leave for the Cocoa Cotillion. He brought a change of clothes and could be dressed and ready to go in mere moments. I was still fretting over what to wear.
