Page 100 of Daughter of Garnet

My father won't let someone be more powerful than him. He worried I would be, so he made sure to cow me my entire childhood.

As much as it infuriates my tiger, I've had to keep her away. I can't risk growing close to the beautiful Omega for fear of placing her in my father's sights.

Every time I've snapped at her, every nasty word has chipped away at what was left of my bitter heart.

But she is so sweet that I worry my words weren't enough. Hopefully, treating her as little more than furniture will convince her that, no matter what, we cannot be together.

The train pulls into the station, and my father is waiting for me on the platform.

He could have arranged private transportation for me, but he insists that I be seen as one of the people, not someone taking advantage of his station in life. He says it's important so I can convince the Primes and subprimes to vote for me and take the role when he is ready to retire.

"My boy." His voice is deep and resonates with the weight that comes with knowing how beneath you everyone else is. "I'm so glad you can be here today."

"Of course, Father. I wouldn't dream of missing it."

Today there's a special-interest meeting of the council that he'd like me to attend. I've sat in on a few before, but this one, my father was particularly insistent on.

At the council headquarters, he stops and introduces me to people whom I have known my whole life.

"Rebecca, you remember my son, Dominic, right?"

"Good to see you again, Ryder! Have you met Dominic?"

"Patrick, I wanted to introduce you to my son, Dominic. He's Blessed with a sabertooth form."

I'm exhausted before we even reach the meeting chamber.

All the Primes and subprimes have already gathered, as have the Arcanist and high priests. The only leader missing is the Hierophant, but he's a known hermit, and my father hates him. I've never seen him outside of the one chapel service I attend a year for the Summer Solstice.

With fifteen people in the room, including my father and me, it's crowded, but there is a seat for everyone around the table. Of course, Father sits at the head.

He clears his throat to call the meeting to order. "Thank you all for coming in on such short notice. I hope you don't mind that I brought my son, Dominic, to listen in?"

They never do. They're all his lapdogs. Why would they go against him?

"Our Omega situation is growing dire. With none Blessed this year, we are facing the unfortunate truth that a population of Alphas will go feral, having never known the pleasure of an Omega's company."

It's telling that there isn't a single Omega in this room, and the only Betas are the subprimes.

"As you may know, I pulled all of the Omegas from the Institute, with approval from the Director, of course, to place them into a conscription program designed to keep our Alpha population as healthy as possible."

The Beta subprime from Pyxis raises his hand. "What does that program look like?"

The subprimes are supposed to be seen, not heard. It's a position meant to make the populace think they can have a say in our government one day, but none of them would dare vote against their Prime.

My father hates it when they interrupt him, but he won't say that out loud. He's too strategic for that.

"All Omegas will be required to complete five years after Blessing as a community asset. They will be assigned to an Alpha or packs on a rotating basis for those most in need of the stability an Omega would provide."

"Packs?" the subprime interrupts again. "Multiple packs sharing an Omega?"

Father barely hides his disdain for the Beta. "Yes. The goal is for each Omega to be available to a different pack or a single high-risk Alpha every day of the week."

My stomach churns.

He's speaking in very precise terms. I've learned to read between the lines of what he's saying over the course of my life.

These Omegas will be worked to the bone, used by someone new every evening, with no choice in the matter.