Page 96 of Generation Omega: Claimed
“Actors, influencers, and rock stars do that all the time, and you are a much bigger deal than all of them put together.”
“You do get howcultythat seems, right?” Those are the words I say, but my mind takes me on quite a ride, imagining a castle, my alphas in kilts, a tiara on my head, and everyonebowing before their radiant queen. I won’teveradmit how enjoyable that timeline would be, but that one isn’t mine.
Sage is a little too perceptive. “It’s important that you understand the kind of power you will wield. How your court functions, who your advisors are, how you deal with world leaders, and how you utilize your forces—all of that will be decided by you.”
“My forces? What does that mean? Are you talking about theomegeesor your private army?”
“Both, but they are just the beginning. When things really get going, your alphas will be able to summon troops, send them away, or make them forget your location. That kind of power will bring soldiers to your cause, as true strength always does. But, ultimately, this isn’t about mind control or manipulation—this is about providing people with a cause they can believe in, one they would give anything to see succeed for themselves and the future.”
My general aura transitions to murky. “I just can’t imagine that part yet, how all of this works after my pack is solid. But you’re talking like it’s possible for us to survive, win even. Is that what youtrulybelieve?”
Sage leans forward, resting her arms on the table. “Honestly?”
I nod.
“I didn’t, not at all, when I got on my helicopter with my favorite mercenary and flew here. I might have even expounded on that the entire flight, in case you want a witness.” She releases a breathy chuckle. “I thought I was going to arrive here and meet you, and that you would be a quivering woman who hid behind her alphas, while terrified of them and their power over you.”
Sage studies me as though I’m already a queen, but more than that,herqueen. “I expected you to be lost in this brutal, catastrophic omegaverse storm, not commanding the gales toblow as you defiantly grip the helm of your ship. If I’d had any remaining doubts, your affinity for that feral brute and your defensiveness about your packmates just sealed the deal for me. You’re ready for this, after such a tiny span of time, and I’m ready to dig out my old cheer uniform, buy some glittery pom-poms, and start chanting peppy slogans in your honor.”
She’s shaking her head, like she can’t believe what her eyes are communicating about me. “I’ve researched other omega reveals and seen some things, and I didn’t expect youat all. But I should have known, given your almost successful battle to eject the omegaverse from your life. That took a rare kind of courage and power.” Seeming to understand that my brain is indeed hitting overwhelm, Sage adds, “Let’s get back to where we began, with your question for me. I’m guessing it’s about Sarah.”
I lean against the back of my chair, shocked again that she knew exactly what I wanted to ask her. It’s difficult to look at Sage and speak about her missing sister, but I force myself. “I know this must be awful, and I don’t want to hurt you. But I’ve been mulling why I was chosen, which led me to wondering whether there is an omega type. I only know me and some about the first ever omega, but I thought you might have some ideas about this. As far as you know, are there any similarities between Sarah and me?”
Sage’s expression locks down, like she didn’t expect the direction of my question. “Sorry, it’s not that I don’t want to answer. It’s just I now realize that I hadn’t gotten there yet. All that stuff I said about how different you are from what I expected… it’s Sarah who informed how I view those chosen to be omegas.”
Her hand moves, her finger rubbing against the tabletop as though learning its texture. “I should admit that Ireallydug into your life, searching for who you are and ways I could help, and the truth is, you and Sarah couldn’t be more different. You’rereserved, cautious, and controlled—at least, that’s who you are at your school. Around Ethan, I think you’re more gregarious, but…”
Sage pauses, uncharacteristically unsteady all of a sudden. “Let me turn this around, so you don’t get annoyed with a stranger describing you like you don’t already know yourself. Instead, I’ll tell you about Sarah, who was voted by her sorority as most likely to drown while winning a keg stand challenge.”
She takes a second to observe my obvious surprise. “Oh, yeah, she was the definition of an extrovert andhatedto be at home. Her life was a non-stop party until it wasn’t. Our parents spoiled her as the baby of the family, and I was always there to bail her out of jail after her rowdier adventures. At least, I was always there for her until I wasn’t.”
Sage stills as she continues, like moving makes her loss ache more. “I didn’t pay much attention when she called me, freaking out that something was happening to her. Getting drunk dialed by Sarah at all hours of the night and day wasn’t a rarity. By the time I understood the situation, she was gone, and all of this became my life.”
On instinct, I lean forward and set my hand on Sage’s. “I’m sorry for whatever happened to Sarah. I hope we can find answers about her and the others who disappeared.” I don’t say more than that, and I won’t right now, not with the very real possibility that I’ll end up experiencing the same fate as those who came before me. “So, given all of that, why do you think Sarah was chosen? What about her would have served the omegaverse?”
Sage stares at my hand, as though surprised I’m not burning her or that she’s being touched by the future omega queen. “I wish I could be more helpful, but I’ve never had even the slightest clue why Sarah was picked. And I’ve experienced my share of guilt, because I wouldn’t have chosen her—not as thisgeneration’s omega, not as a pet sitter for my neighbor’s cousin’s cat, not as an employee. Sarah couldn’t be trusted to show up, even when she texted she was almost there. An attractive man sighting waylaid her—in more ways than one—too many times to count. Her version ofcarefreecost everyone around her. Whether she would have outgrown that, we can’t know.”
My words shove their way free. “Maybe her nature is why she was chosen. The world needs reckless—sometimes selfish—joy, and maybe her alphas would have eased her extremes over time. It’s possible.”
“It is.” Sage doesn’t believe that at all. “But, for what it’s worth, if the omegaverse asked for my vote in picking one woman to trust with the future of our world, that woman would be you.”
How quickly she casts aside her sister rankles, but I still ask, “Can you tell me why exactly?”
“Easy—you’re strong, resourceful, and real. I think you’re more of those three things than you know, and I think those things, more than anything else, have the power to change the world. These men adore you. They are loyal to you. And, sure, the omega legacy has ways of compelling compliance, but I’ve read just as much about the history of the omegaverse as Thatcher, and I’m telling you right now, this pack is remarkable. Do you mind if I share a theory?”
“Please do.”
“You’re seeking to understand how you and your pack fit together, but I don’t think that’s something you can know from this spot on your journey. How you fit together is built by being together. Actions and reactions. For example, and at the risk of displeasing you, what Thatcher was on paper is perfect—a walking, talking, breathing omegaverse database with excellent hair.”
“He does have great hair,” I mutter.
“But what if he wasn’t chosen for his expansive knowledge about the omegaverse? What if he’s here because of his flaws—not his strengths—and his role is to challenge your ability to forgive, to find empathy even where it’s not deserved, or for you to teach him how to release the past and embrace the promise you represent? Isn’t that possible?”
I’m shaken by her words and the wisdom behind them, and the whispery text of the expanded prophecy comes to mind.
… welcoming and exacting in equal measure, unfailingly discerning and yet infinitely forgiving…
Something else tickles my memories, my own instincts about Thatcher’s role in our pack. Didn’t I think basically the same thing before Thatcher raced away from our bond? My words return to me.Thatcher’s purpose here isn’t his legendary omegaverse expertise, at least not yet. Thatcher is here because he’s the giant boulder we’re crashing against that will determine whether this pack forms or fails.The sense that everything is happening as it needs to happen provides some very needed solace.
