Page 14 of Omega's Fire

I google Leo’s name while I wait and find a live feed of his protest in the university square. Even as he denounces me, he is beautiful. Like most omegas, he is pretty with a delicate turn to his features, but he is more than just pretty. There is a fire in him that seems to give him almost a golden glow.

I am so in love with him already. Not even a day, and I am smitten. I suppose one day he is going to tease me about how the great Nash Thorndike has it bad for an omega rights activist. And I’ll jokingly remind him that he didn’t even turn up to our wedding.

It’s hard now, but later it will be perfect.

The feed cuts off at around 9.45 and my stomach tightens in disappointment. I loved watching him.

I occupy myself with looking up and reading his old opinion pieces online, including the ones that aren’t very flattering of me. His conclusions are all wrong, of course, but there’s a sharp mind behind it.

I check my watch—9:58. Leo’s absence is a sure thing, yet I find myself straining to hear footsteps in the hallway.

Get it together, Thorndike. He’s not coming.

Instead of sitting, I move to the window, looking out at the Bureau grounds below. Small groups of people move between buildings. There are the officials in suits but I also spot a paired Alpha-omega couple freshly bonded and radiating that distinctive energy that comes from perfect chemistry. They’re looking at each other like nothing else exists in the world. That’s what I want for Leo and myself.

“Dr. Thorndike.”

I turn to find Sun at my elbow, tablet extended. “It’s been an hour. I need to officially record this as a rejection ceremony.”

The time has passed both excruciatingly slowly and in the blink of an eye.

“Thanks, Sun. Go ahead,” I say, my voice steady despite the hollow feeling in my chest. Some primal part of me was hoping he was going to turn up.

“Director Rowe has requested your presence in her office before you leave.” His tone carries a hint of sympathy. “Her assistant says it’s important.”

Of course it is. The Bureau won’t allow such a public rejection to go unanswered. Especially not when it involves me and Leo Torres of all people.

“Thanks,” I say, gathering my briefcase. “I’ll go now.”

I leave the empty ceremonial suite without looking back. Leo and I will be back here before long anyway. I know it.

Director Rowe doesn’t bother with pleasantries when I enter her office, merely gesturing to the chair opposite her desk.

“I suppose we knew Torres might prove resistant,” she says straight away.

I settle into the offered chair and give her a shrug. “I don’t suppose either of us are surprised.”

She fixes me with a measured stare. “Perhaps you should have given it a few more days to schedule the ceremony.”

I shrug. “Perhaps. He needed the opportunity to say no. Best to get that out the way quickly.”

“The question now,” Director Rowe continues, “is how to proceed. I know you love a challenge but I like things to run smoothly and this is far from smooth,” she pauses, studying me carefully, “I think it may be worth going straight to the cohabitation program”

I keep my expression neutral, though my pulse quickens slightly. “I thought that was still in trial phase, isn’t it?”

“Yes, but showing promising results. Every single resistant omega showed significant bonding indicators after the two-week period. “ Director Rowe’s voice remains clinical and unattached. “We’ve prepared one of the North Lake cottages already”

Of course they have. The Bureau excels at contingency planning.

What surprises me is my own reaction. Two weeks. Alone. Together. I can’t think of anything I want more. Maybe it’s more traditional to have the honeymoonafterthe wedding, but there’s no reason not to do it this way.

She slides the tablet across the desk, displaying an authorization form requiring my signature. I don’t hesitate. I pick up the stylus and sign the form.

Director Rowe nods, satisfaction evident in her posture as she reclaims the tablet. She checks her watch. “The cottage is ready now. I suggest you proceed there immediately to settle in before Mr. Torres arrives.”

“When will that be?”

“A security team will escort him tomorrow morning,” she clarifies. “Given who he is, we anticipate some... reluctance.”

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