Page 116 of Generation Omega: Revealed
Gideon doesn’t pause. “You’re judging me because I’m just acelebritywho sometimes wins awards for acting, certainly not worthy of beingfirst alpha. And you’re recklessly judging Ethan for being exactly what we all were the day before yesterday. He’s notbeneathus and, if you say that in front of Tillie again, she’ll knife you and we’ll dispose of your body.”
Gideon allows that threat to land with the thud he intended. “This is about our pack. Our survival depends on forming the strongest bonds we can, and you’re either going to get on board with that or you’re gone. And, just know, I won’t allow the distance between Tillie and an alpha to hurt her again, so your choices are limited here.”
My focus is torn away as Ethan confesses his greatest secret to the omega. Gideon’s body tenses as we both await the verdict.
Thatcher watches us but doesn’t speak. No one says a word, and the sounds of the waves are all that comfort me as I prepare to do what I can to heal his heartbreak. But not even his alpha’s best intentions will be able to undo the damage if the worst happens.
Oh… she does well. She loves him. She accepts him. He’s euphoric—so incredibly relieved. Complete peace lives inside him, and I feel like I’m soaring.
Then the little minx kisses our bondmark, thanking the assassin who came to kill her for saving Ethan.
Good luck not falling head over heels for her, tough guy.
The urge to spank Ethan’s ass takes me by surprise and I’m grateful he can’t hear my thoughts, but even more thankful when he falls asleep wrapped around his soulmate.
Gideon and I both slump forward, the burden lifting so quickly we don’t know how to hold ourselves upright.
“It went well then?” There’s an unmistakable hint of longing in the professor’s voice.
“Yes.” Gideon is weary, and I know just how he feels. “They’re back together, stronger than ever.”
The professor nods and then deliberates for a few seconds. “One of the scrolls from antiquity states:Only the fiercest omegas claim their alphas. Only the worthiest alphas are claimed.” He pauses, searching for words. “You’re not wrong about…anything. I’ve handled all of this terribly. I would promise to improve, but I’m not sure I’m capable. But I’m willing to try, if you’ll let me. That omega bondmark can’t be denied—its meaning is profound. Two days and you earned her trust and a forever bond. Youarefirst alpha, and I will respect that. More than that, I’d like to ask you to guide me.”
The professor grimaces. “I’m a horrendous student, but if you can summon the patience, I want to be part of this pack—worthyof this pack. Will you be my teacher?”
“Yes,” Gideon responds instantly, “but it’s not going to be easy. There are three things you must do to prove that you truly want to be part of this pack, and they are going to cost you dearly.”
“What?”
“First, you need to rely on your pack—notSage McGee. Second, you need to fully accept Ethan as a member of our pack and treat him the way you think an omega should be treated.”
“What do you mean by that?” The professor is already struggling with following orders and takes it out on his mop of hair.
Gideon is unsurprised and a bit more pointed in his explanation. “You don’t get it—Ethan is the most vulnerable member of our pack. We can’t harm Tillie, so the power we hold over her is limited, and none of us could stop her from gutting us if she wanted. Ethan is vulnerable to our barks, our egos, our physical advantages, and our feral alpha natures. He’s the one we need to shield with the greatest amount of care—biology is already ensuring we treat Tillie right. Does that make sense?”
The professor nods tightly. “And third?”
“You need to let go of whatever you’re holding against Kazimir.”
“But…”
“No,” Gideon barks, his patience unraveling. “I don’t care about the past, what he did or what you did. I don’t care about any other omega than the one who’s sleeping in a cabin below us. When we’ve changed the world and our omega is safe and thriving, I promise I’ll get whatever information you need from Kazimir. I’ll play judge, jury, warden, and fight club referee—I’ve actually played all those roles, so I’m all set. But if you want to stay here and be part of this pack, then your focus needs to bethispack, not anything that happened before yesterday. One goal—our survival. If you serve anything or anyone but that, then you are our enemy. Am I clear?”
“Yes, Alpha,” the professor says with deference and then does the most remarkable thing. He bows his head, acknowledging our first alpha’s leadership.
While the professor remains like that, Gideon casts his gaze my way and I do the damnedest thing. I bow my head to my first alpha and it doesn’t even chafe. He’s declared Ethan’s place and worth with such power and grace that I trust him with Ethan, more than myself. I’m not the man Gideon Blake is, but maybe, I too can learn.
“Alpha, I grew up in a fishing village and worked every summer on the sea. Why don’t you let me drive the ship, so that you two can take care of our packmates? You can let me know when the new alphas are nearing—Tillie will know before we do.”
Gideon checks in with me—it ismyyacht—and I’m out of my seat a second later. The professor moves into my chair and ensures he knows our trajectory and how to use the intercom. Normally, I wouldn’t trust anyone—especially him—to pilot the ship, but it’s not like I’ll be sleeping and Ethan’s pain is returning.
“Thank you, Thatcher.”
“Thank you, Alpha.”
Together, Gideon and I walk to the stairs and then down them and through the living area.
Before we reach the second set of steps, Gideon blocks my path. “One thing, Kazimir. Ethan thinks he can’t hear your thoughts because he’s a beta. I think you’re blocking him and that’s part of the reason you look like a ragged mess. Am I wrong?”
