Dr. Conover pointed at the slip. “I did not give you that, if you’re caught. Do not tell anyone else what I’ve told you. Understood?”
“But other omegas could benefit from this.”
“If too many omegas went on it, people would take notice and it could end foreveryone. I won’t have the people I care about hurt becauseyoublabbed.”
“But it only serves a few when it should serve us all.”
“We cannot overthrow the system overnight. It comes in stages. For now, only a small few use this drug.”
Avery stared at the older alpha, shocked by the man’s obvious disdain for the system that benefitted… him. “Overthrow?”
“I don’t mean by violence. Omegas are no match for alphas physically and there aren’t enough men like me on your side. It needs to be a peaceful change. It won’t happen overnight, so we’re playing the long game here.”
“Why are you doing this?”
“Because I’m an alpha, there’s no way I could believe in omega equality? Is that what you’re thinking?”
Avery was silent. He didn’t want to further offend the professor.
“While I know I’m a rare breed of alpha, Idobelieve omegas have the ability to be more than what they have become. History proves we can be different. Our government has effectively imprisoned omegas, and I’m shocked more males like you don’t try to escape.”
The man’s words were a balm to his soul. “Thank you,” Avery said, wholeheartedly.
“You’re welcome,” the professor said. “But I have high expectations of you, Abraham Norcross.” He chuckled. “If that’s even your name.”
Avery wasn’t ready to give himself completely away. “What kind of expectations?”
“You cannot be mediocre. You have an opportunity here to prove yourself. One day, when the truth is found out, you need to be the best of whatever it is you plan to be. It’s the only way to change minds.”
“I’m only planning to be an accountant. I won’t change the world.”
“But you will. Be the best damned accountant you can be. Learn everything you can. Prove yourself not only capable, but exceptional.”
“Yes, sir.”
Dr. Conover smiled before growling low in his chest. “It’s well past time for you to get the hell out of my office. Before I do something that will embarrass us both.”
Avery rose quickly and tossed his backpack over one shoulder. “Of course.” He lifted the scrap of paper. “Thanks for this as well.”
The alpha nodded. “Don’t come back to my class until you’re on it. Understood?”
“Yes, sir.”
“One last thing. That small tome on the corner of my desk before you… the dark blue one. Take it. Read it. And we’ll discuss it sometime soon after class.”
Avery lifted the book and looked to the man before getting a nod to ensure it was the right one. He tucked it into his backpack before offering a wave and exiting the room.
He stopped in the middle of the hallway, a smile crossing his lips. Looking down at that scrap of paper, he’d possibly found even more freedom. His uncle came to mind… theHeat Repressthat had failed him. Had they known…?
Everything would’ve been different.
Before he left, he reached into his backpack and pulled out the small book.A History of the Omega.
Avery turned to the first page and began to read as he walked down the hallway. By the time he was on the trolley home, he was captivated.
By the following morning, he was ready for change.
Chapter Twenty-Three