Chapter Thirty Seven.

Saturday has rolled around, and I feel a sense of peace and nostalgia as I take down the fairy lights in my room. Morgan is beside me, humming along to the pop song blasting through the speakers as she packs up my countless books.

“Where are you going to put all of these?” she asks, glancing at the towering stacks.

I shrug, a smile playing on my lips. “I don’t know, but I’m sure I’ll muscle them in somewhere,” I reply, my mind drifting elsewhere.

I’ve been feeling a lot more at peace since I’ve had more conversations with the guys about my future. We worked out that I’ll be paying one hundred dollars a week—or four hundred a month—to Theo, at my own insistence. If it were up to Theo, he’d have Micah and me living off him without paying a cent.

When I expressed this to Morgan, she rolled her eyes so hard I thought they might fall out. I chuckle at the memory, but it sobers me as I recall the rest of that conversation. Apparently, one strong reason Morgan is pursuing her degree in bioengineering is that, as a Beta, she’s felt the brunt of this messed-up system more than I ever realized.

A pang of sadness hits me as I look over at my perfect, beautiful badass best friend. In true Morgan fashion, something fucked up happened to her, and she took the reins of her own life, even when it came to her very biological makeup. If anyone’s going to change the world, it’s her.

She turns to me and smiles, and I can’t help but smile back. In this moment of camaraderie, I feel grateful for her support and the strength she brings into my life. As we continue packing, I remind myself that we’re both carving our own paths, and no matter the challenges ahead, we’ll face them together.

~~~~

The guys arrive around four o'clock that afternoon, just as my room is all packed up. Micah picks up a box to take down to the car, his eyebrows raised in disbelief. “God, what’s in these?” he asks, struggling slightly with the weight.

“Books,” Callum, Morgan, and I reply in unison, and laughter fills the room.

“Of course,” Micah chuckles, shaking his head as he carries the box out. The atmosphere is efficient and pleasant, and we quickly finalize our plans for dinner. Morgan takes charge, ordering Chinese food and opening a bottle of wine to celebrate the occasion.

After the food and wine flow freely, Callum, the sober one among us, takes the wheel, driving my things back to the pack house. Micah and I, the drunkest of the group, giggle our way inside, collapsing onto the couch as the others help Callum move my belongings upstairs.

“Hey!” I call after them, tripping over my own feet as I attempt to run after them, leaving Micah in a fit of giggles behind me. “Where are you taking—oh!”

I find myself in a room I’ve never seen before. It’s beautifully decorated, featuring a large, circular bed draped in white covers and a big bay window with gauzy curtains that flutter gently in the breeze. A walk-in robe sits in one corner, and a desk with a brand-new laptop rests on top.

“SURPRISE!” shouts Micah from behind me, making me jump and laugh.

“Do you like it?” comes Elias’s voice from my left. His eyes are warm, and his face soft with the effects of the alcohol.

I nod, feeling a lump form in my throat. “It’s… mine? Yeah?” I whisper, disbelief sweeping over me.

They all nod enthusiastically, but I turn to the Alpha responsible for this beautiful space. “Thank you,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper.

Theo smiles back at me, his gaze steady and reassuring. “Always.”

"I still want to sleep in Micahs nest though" I frown. Every one Laughs.

"Always" Micah says mockingly waggling his eye brows at me. I laugh and hug him tight.

~~~~

Work is the touch of normalcy I’ve been craving this past week. Clara is a breath of fresh air, her lively spirit contagious, and the routine gives me the drive I need. I feel like I’m on top of the world, making tips left and right.

“You are glowing, girl! That must be some seriously good dick,” Clara snorts, and I flush at her words, playfully hitting her arm as I pass by. But nothing can dampen the pep in my step.

Just then, the door swings open, and I’m hit with the scent of rain on concrete—refreshing yet musty. I turn to see an Alpha I’ve never encountered before. He’s tall, with dark brown hair and ice-cold blue eyes that seem to scan the room with a sharp intensity. Dressed in a tailored suit, he exudes an air of authority as he heads straight for Clara at the counter.

I gulp, feeling a mix of curiosity and apprehension. I don’t want to leave Clara alone with this imposing figure, so I hastily make myself busy behind her, arranging glasses and wiping down the counter, trying to appear nonchalant.

“Can I help you?” Clara asks, her tone professional but laced with intrigue.

The Alpha turns his gaze toward her, and I can see the momentary surprise flicker across his features. “I’m looking for someone,” he replies, his voice deep and smooth, yet commanding.

My heart races as I continue to eavesdrop, my curiosity piqued. Who is this Alpha, and who is he looking for?

Clara raises an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. “Who are you looking for?”

He hesitates for a moment, his icy blue eyes scanning the room again before focusing back on Clara. “I need to speak with Ivy Whitehall.” he states, and the weight of his words sends a jolt through me.

I turn toward him, heart pounding. “Me?” I ask, surprised.

“Yes,” he confirms, his gaze unwavering. “Can we talk?”

The intensity of his stare makes my skin tingle, and I can feel Clara’s curiosity buzzing in the air. “Um, sure,” I reply, trying to sound composed as I step out from behind the counter.

Clara watches us closely, her expression a mix of concern and curiosity. “I’ll be right here if you need me,” she assures, her eyes darting between us.

As I follow the Alpha to a quieter corner of the Cafe, I can’t shake the feeling that this encounter is significant. “What do you want?” I ask, my voice steady, though my heart races.

He studies me for a moment, and I can feel the weight of his presence. "I am from the Southern Omega academy, local to this area. I am here about your unregistered Omega status."

I blink at him, confusion etching my features. “Unregistered Omega status? What do you mean?”

He leans in closer, his icy blue eyes piercing through the pale light of the cafe. “It’s come to our attention that you haven’t completed your Omega Academy training, and as a result, you’re not officially recognized within the community. This can have serious implications for your future.”

A wave of anxiety washes over me, and I instinctively glance back at Clara, who watches us with concern. “But I thought—” I stammer, trying to piece together my thoughts. “I thought I could find my own path, that I didn’t have to go back.”

The Alpha’s expression softens slightly, but there’s still an urgency in his voice. “I understand that. Many Omegas do find their way without following the traditional route, but it’s important to have official recognition, especially when it comes to pack dynamics and protections. You need to be registered.”

I swallow hard, feeling the weight of his words. The prospect of returning to the academy feels like a step backward, a reminder of everything I’ve tried to leave behind. “But I’m part of the pack now, I am marked" i gesture to the moon shaped scare on my neck "Isn’t that enough?”

“It is, but the laws governing Omegas are strict,” he replies, his tone firm yet understanding. “Without proper registration, you could face challenges that could jeopardize your safety"

I take a deep breath, trying to process everything. The room feels like it’s closing in on me. I’ve finally found a place where I belong, and now it feels threatened. “What happens if I don’t go back?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

The Alpha meets my gaze, his expression serious. “You may not have access to certain rights and protections that other Omegas do. It could also affect your relationship with your pack, especially if challenges arise from outside forces.”

A knot of fear tightens in my stomach. I want to stand my ground, but the reality of the situation is sinking in. “So what do I do?”

He leans closer, lowering his voice. “We can help you navigate this. If you’re willing to go back to the academy, we can ensure you receive the support you need. It’s not as daunting as it seems "

I nod slowly, feeling the weight of his words. The thought of returning to that environment is daunting. “I’ll think about it,” I reply, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside.

“Good,” he says, a hint of relief in his tone.

As I get up to leave, I catch Clara’s eye again. She raises an eyebrow, concern written across her face, but I offer her a small smile, trying to reassure her.

The Alpha watches me for a moment longer before stepping back out the door, the jingle of the bell giving a false sense of Joy. I was feeling significantly less peppy.