ARIA
“No, I think omegas aren’t allowed to have a community.”
Clara frowned, like I had said something deeply wrong. “That’s not how it works here.”
I wanted to scream. Instead, I inhaled sharply. “So you don’t get punished? The higher ranks don’t interfere?”
“We have our own structure. Our own hierarchy.”
I scoffed. “Omegas have a hierarchy?”
“Yes.”
“Where’s the part where you get beaten for existing?”
Clara winced. “That doesn’t happen.”
I stared at her, waiting for her to admit she was lying. But she didn’t. I felt like I was going insane. “So,” I said, “you’re telling me omegas here have rights?”
Clara hesitated before nodding.
I exhaled slowly. “And… you believe that’s normal?”
She gave me that look again. That pitying, soft-eyed look that made the bruises on my skin itch.
