Page 58 of For What It's Worth
“So your last name is…”
“Braker,” Aidan said.
“His parents dictate Chancellor Kelly’s actions,” Jenson added.
“Like a puppet,” Enzo said, not even turning around.
“He’s right.” Aidan nodded his head in agreement. “And in my parents’ social circle, it doesn’t look good that I intend to bond to a beta. Dating them was one thing, and my parents already stated their displeasure, but betas in the past have always been temporary.”
“Especially since he refuses to be Chancellor.” Jen threw that little bit of information out like it was a joke, but I couldn’t help but gape at Aidan.
“You’re supposed to Chancellor?”
“No,” Aidan said firmly. “That job shouldn’t be one handed down but given to the best candidate. Education shouldn’t be a business. It’s a learning institution, but my family has the ability to control the curriculum based on whims.”
I stared at Aidan wide-eyed, shocked by the passion but mostly turned on. Even if that fervor wasn’t directed toward me, the confidence from Aidan was sexy. Not that he was ever lacking in that department.
Although, I felt the need to point something out. “Jen works there.”
“It’s only temporary,” Jen said.
“How come? Don’t you want to be a professor? You’re a natural at it.”
Jen chuckled. “I had an in with Aidan. He was able to help me get the job so I could have some experience under my belt. We never planned to stay here for too long.”
There was a lot I could’ve asked about that last bit of information alone. I decided it was best to stay on topic. “Okay. Aidan’s mom is coming out even though she is displeased by the rumors she hears, and I have to decide about taking her ire or risking my secret getting out.”
“Yes.” All three alphas spoke together.
“I don’t want your mom to hate me,” I said to Aidan. “But I want to finish my degree. I won’t risk that.”
Aidan didn’t seem shocked by my admission. “And if my mom found out you’re an omega, she’d definitely make that common knowledge to help boost her own image. So, we keep your designation a secret, even from family.”
Everyone agreed, and then Enzo pulled out a second tray from the oven I hadn’t even seen him put in, let alone make, and I dug into my snack.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Dinner the next two nights was fucking delicious. Saturday night was homemade Tagliatelle Bolognese, and the snack beforehand was bread Enzo called Focaccia, which he hadn’t let the others eat.
Then last night was stuffed artichokes. The other alphas had shoved food at me throughout the day whenever Jen sensed my hunger building. Enzo had to tell them to knock it off when dinner was approaching so I would be hungry enough to eat. I hadn’t minded all the constant attention.
After we’d eaten last night, I’d gone into a food coma, wrapped up in Enzo’s scent—and clothes—but settled on Jen’s lap. Apparently, my bonded alpha had taken the suggestion seriously from Jackson. I felt like I’d gained ten pounds in the last few days, but I wasn’t going to complain.
Leaving it to the last moment, Jenson had finally looked at the missed messages from the academy’s Chancellor after Sunday dinner. Apparently, we had a mandatory meeting already scheduled for Monday. And not just for Jenson. My alpha was instructed to bring his pack and the ‘beta’ student. Needless to say, I was nervous about the meeting. What was the point of being kicked out of the academy still hiding my designation?
Which meant Sunday had been a day of relaxing—for me—and working out logistics for returning to school since my alphas were determined to figure out how to deal with every possible scenario imaginable. Since Jen had classes, and he couldn’t be by my side the whole time, he finally agreed he could handle the separation as long as I had Aidan or Enzo with me.
I hated to think of my mates’ romantic pasts, but since they were familiar with dating betas and keeping their instincts in check, it wasn’t such a strain on them. Although I’d been warned about receiving an overload of affection when we were all together—which I totally supported.
Of course, the plan only worked for the short term. Aidan and Enzo had lives outside of escorting me to classes and sitting in lectures they didn’t understand. Luckily, there were two of them which meant the males could take turns escorting me to classes. Aidan had said he was able to work on some stuff from his laptop while I was in class, and Enzo just told me not to worry about him—which wasn’t helpful at all. But alas, it was the best I got from the burly alpha before the food coma demanded to be obeyed.
There wasn’t much we could plan for considering we had no idea of the reaction we were going to receive. Well, except for the one too damn early in the morning.
We left for our meeting with Chancellor Kelly at the butt crack of dawn, and not even my strong coffee put me in a good mood. I might’ve been awake, but I felt ornery as fuck, which was not going to be helpful in a meeting where tensions were going to run high.
I had made sure to tell all my alphas to remain calm the best they could. Getting kicked out of the school because I snapped at the Chancellor I could’ve handled. Getting kicked out because my alphas got upset and my body perfumed to calm them down was less than ideal. Was I putting the potential blame wrongly? Yes. Was it too early to give a shit? Also, yes.
“Come on, coffee. Do your fucking job,” I mumbled.