Page 80 of For All My Effort

“What? Why?” That seemed like the opposite of helping my designation. Except, once the initial shock of his words settled, I realized, he was probably right. I only took classes because I wanted to prove an omega could complete them. Yet my little non-major courses were nothing compared to Koda’s high-level degree. She was doing something impressive, and I could do something equally so, if I chose this new plan.

He shrugged, readjusting his backpack, getting ready to start walking again. I followed his lead, and we continued on.

“You’ve had two major traumatic instances in the last few months. And both of them have changed you. The first made you braver. You forgot all the times you’ve fought and lost. You forgot how long it had been between your protests and you were ready to get back out there. Then your date with Seb happened. It crushed your hope, hearing petty questions from people who wouldn’t have spit on you if you were on fire.”

“Gross.”

“You know what I mean. I need you to want it, either way. Sebastian and Han can help you with doubletalk, so you don’t get manipulated in interviews. And I’m going to help you train.”

“Train for what?”

“To be stronger. Faster. How to balance. I’ve always said I would be around to protect you, and then I wasn’t. If something like that ever happens again, I want you to get away. I was also thinking about getting you a gun.”

That last part had me choking on air.

“Better safe than sorry, rebel. Don’t worry, though. I’ll be taking you to the range, so you’ll be an expert by the time you actually start carrying. Plus, I coated it in pink.”

He was bribing me with a pink gun … and it was working. I could already imagine the blurry face racing after me, before I turned around, whipping out my tiny pink weapon. They’d laugh, and it would be the last thing they’d ever do.

I didn’t ask if it was legal for me to carry a weapon, because I already knew the answer. I also didn’t ask how Jackson managed to procure one for me. Or make it pink.

My hand ran over my head, feeling the pricks from my hair ends. Zeke was the one keeping up with my haircuts since it was growing crazy quickly this short. That also meant dying it a lot, although we were able to reuse containers considering how little dye was actually needed for each touch-up. I had no plans to grow it out yet, especially since my mate was still keeping a shaved heart around my scar.

As my thoughts went back to our conversation, I felt myself on a precipice. To help the other omegas or ensure my pack stayed together. What was I willing to risk? Either way, it felt like a lot.

The trail we were on led us to a gorgeous view of a lake. Despite the whole trail being quiet, there was something extra serene about this area. Maybe it was because we weren’t walking anymore so I wasn’t panting out each breath, disturbing nature with my need to breathe.

Then, disturbing the beautiful peace, was a soft alarm coming from Jackson.

He had a thick watch on his wrist which was making the noise. A quick tap of a button made it stop.

It definitely wasn’t a wake-up alarm considering that it took a few hours to get here and then even more to hike to this spot. Maybe it was for him to actually start work?

“What time is it?” I asked.

“7:00.”

I felt my whole face frown. My lips pulling down, my eyebrows coming together, even the slight scrunch in my nose.

“Omegas can officially leave their home with supervision.”

A growl started in my chest, my annoyance and frustration and anger all perfuming around me in a toxic cloud. I stared out at the still water, trying to distract myself with the calm I had somehow found before.

Off to the side was a little wooden sign. Stomping my way over to it, I read the faded words thanking someone for caring enough to protect this natural water landmark.

The kind words only had me growling more.

Of course someone would have had to put in effort to save this place—because apparently morals meant nothing. Right and wrong simply didn’t exist. You had to work for everything in life. Like saving a plot of water. Stopping omegas from being systemically abused.

“When we get back, let’s call Eve,” I told my mate. “If she’s willing to help, then I’m all in.”

I’d always hated that the other omegas didn’t blatantly fight back. In the beginning, it had come too easy to me. I had nothing to lose and everything to gain. For this next round, I had everything to lose, and everything to gain.

And I wanted everything so bad. I wanted the freedom and my pack. I wanted the social acceptance and the legal change.

I thought about Koda, how all she wanted was to be able to learn like everyone else. I thought about Eve and how everyone had forced her into believing she was somehow less. I thought of old Hannah, who’d been reckless and brave and desperate.

The Omega Compound was threatening us. Adam was attempting to back us into a corner. This was the time to fight back or cower. To play their game or forfeit.

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