Page 39 of Mating the Omega
“Alpha Montana Border, could you please describe to the court what, exactly, an omega is?”
“I already explained that.”
“Just go over it again for me please. I’m curious about what it is that’s different about an omega, compared to other shifters.”
Orvin looked surprised. “Well, they’re pretty easy to bully. You can’t leave them on their own or they get into all sorts of trouble.”
“And other wolves never get into trouble?”
The Montana Border Alpha now looked uncomfortable. I could have clapped with happiness.
Orvin glanced at his lawyer, who looked frustrated, but nodded.
“Well, with other wolves, it’s just hijinks, you know? Like any teenager. Getting up to pranks, testing limits. It’s not the same.”
“Why is it not the same?”
“Well, they just don’t think before they do things, or they go along with everything their friends talk about. They just aren’t bright enough to stay out of trouble.”
Laine turned back to the courtroom, then glanced at the judge. “So, what you’re saying is, omega teenagers get into trouble like regular teenagers, but it’s different for them, because…”
“Because they can’t stand up for themselves!”
Laine barked a laugh.
The judge raised his eyebrows. “May I ask what’s so funny, counsel?”
“Just that I’ve never seen anyone so accustomed to getting his way as the omega in question. Even I—and I pride myself on being a hard-nosed and stubborn man—I’ve found myself changing my plans to accommodate Mr. Jason Mercy Hills’ wishes, against my better judgment. I’m not sure easily bullied is the correct term here.”
“And what would you call the correct term, Counsel?” Wilson asked.
“Your Honor, I’d like to establish the legal standing of the omega first, before we move on to what I believe really happened.”
Orvin’s lawyer stood up. “Your Honor, I don’t see what this has to do with anything—”
Wilson stopped him with a look. “You don’t believe the legal standing of the person in question is pertinent? Well, I do. Sit down.” He turned to Laine. “Continue, but know that I’ll stop you as soon as you start to stray.”
“Of course, Your Honor.” Laine turned back to Orvin. “Alpha Montana Border, please tell us how, exactly one identifies an omega shifter. Is there a mark or some significance in the way they’re born?”
Once more, Orvin’s lawyer interrupted. “Your Honor—”
“Sit down. It’s a reasonable question.” Wilson turned to Laine. “Continue. I’ll admit, I did some reading, but it’s hard to know where fact ends and rumor begins.”
“It’s absolutely fascinating,” Laine told him, before turning back to Orvin. “Alpha, could you answer the question please?”
I watched Orvin squirm on his seat. How could they not have expected this question to come up? Unless they thought that they could scrape by on the cultural parts and not get into the whole thing. Maybe they thought we wouldn’t tell them as much about shifters as we did? I decided Abel was right—the more the humans knew about us, the less strange we’d seem and the less they’d be worried by stuff we did that was different.
The silence stretched, until Orvin gave in. “In girls, it’s hard to tell. Generally you don’t notice until they’re teenagers and they, they…” His voice petered out and his face turned bright red. I had to work to keep the grin off my face.Say it! Say it, you prick!“They come into heat.” He looked as if he wanted the floor to swallow him, having to talk about omega heats. I hid my face in Mac’s chest and snorted a little with laughter.
“So their heats are different?” Oh, Laine. He spoke so coolly, as if they were talking about, I don’t know, different tomato varieties. And Orvin was nearly dying of embarrassment, having to talk about dirty, horny omegas.
“They’re stronger. It’s hard to control them, they want to go out and get a pup, but of course, they’re too young.” With the last words, he seemed on more solid ground, and my amusement faded. He was right about wanting a pup. I stroked my belly again for reassurance, and Little Mac pushed back at me.
“And what about the boys?”
Orvin looked like he was going to choke; I kind of hoped he did.
Mac looked down at me. “What evil thoughts are you thinking?” he whispered.
