Omega Lost

**Elena**

The path we're on is long and empty on all sides as far as I can see, but about a mile in I start to see houses of all kinds of sizes spaced over the land with trees scattered around them. Some of the houses looked tiny while others looked normal size.

"Those are some of the pack houses. The larger ones are for families and the smaller ones are for couples. Singles live in the main pack house." Sebastian explains.

His fingers are threaded through mine and he's holding my hand as if he's worried I'll run off. I guess that is a legitimate concern since I was on the run when I met him.

We drive for at least another mile before the trees break and a giant hotel-looking structure appears at the end of the road. It still looks like a normal house but it was long and had a deck wrapped around the whole thing. We didn't stop there and instead turned off onto another path. As we passed the big house I saw several sets of stairs on the outside leading up to individual doors.

"Some of the rooms can be accessed from the outside and then we have more on the inside. There is a communal eating hall, entertainment rooms, and meeting rooms as well." Sebastian explains.

"WOW. How do you pay for all of this?" It slips out before I can catch myself. "I'm sorry I shouldn't have asked that."

"Don't apologize. You will help me lead this pack one day and have every right to know the ins and outs of everything." Sebastian gives my hand a reassuring squeeze and I relax a little. "Everyone works some sort of job, and we have resources on our land that we sell. Also, there are my other businesses as well. We have a communal fund that everyone contributes to for basic things like water, heat, gas, and stuff like that. Mostly everyone has their own personal income but those who don't are taken care of."

"So if someone doesn't have a job they don't get kicked out?" I ask.

He shakes his head. "No. We are a community and that means we look after everyone who lives here."

That's pretty amazing.

"Is there a school here for the kids?" I ask thinking of Eli.

He's young and won't need to go to school yet, but if we stay then eventually he'll need to go.

"We have a school and daycare for the smaller children here. Since their shifting is unpredictable at that age they need to remain here. Once they're old and can handle the shift we send them to a school close by. The administration knows about us so they are aware of what to expect. So we send the middle school and high school age kids off pack lands for that. Also if they wish to go to college they will travel off for that as well." Sebastian explains.

"How do they pay for that?"

"Their parents will put money aside just like all other parents do, and we offer part-time and summer jobs at our different companies. The pack also has a fund set aside to help as well. We don't want our young ones going out into the world with a ton of debt." He goes on.

"That's amazing," I say feeling as if a weight has been lifted off me.

A thought runs through my mind for a split second before I dash it away. What if I could take some classes? I've always liked academic learning and there is so much I don't know about the world outside of the Omega School. I'd love to learn more, but Omegas don't do that.

"You could take classes as well Elena," Aria says suddenly.

I quickly shake my head. "No, I couldn't."

"Why?" She asks.

"Omegas don't go to college." I point out.

How does she not know that?

"Yes, they do. All of the Omegas in our pack go to regular school and college. There is no reason why you can't do some online classes or something. Do you know what you might like to learn?"

I consider that for a moment. It's not something I've ever thought about before since it wasn't an option for me. Remembering things was easy for me since my mind took a snapshot of every page or paper I see or read. That means I could study anything really. But...

"I always liked math," I say with a shrug.

She makes a face. "I suck at math, but it can come in handy for all sorts of things. Business, economics, chemistry, and other science or medical fields too.

Science...I could try to figure out what was going on under the Omega School since I have a snapshot in my mind ready to go. The image of everything in that room is branded in my head for life, so why not try to make sense of it all? Maybe if I knew what was going on I could explain it.

"Business and science would be interesting," I say more to myself.

"Both? That's a lot. Normally people study one subject." Aria says. "It would be a lot of work. A lot to remember too."

"I remember everything I see," I say causally.

Sebastian and her look at me like I'm an alien. "What?" I ask them nervously.

"You have a photographic memory?" Aria asks.

"I guess you could call it that." I had never really known what to call it.

"You could study literally anything then!" She sounds excited.

"Once we have you settled we can take a look at some classes for you to take." Sebastian offers making me smile up at him.

A sense of giddy excitement bubbles up in my stomach. The urge to throw myself at him and kiss him is intense but we already kissed enough in front of Aria. He says it's normal but this is new and I'm not sure how much I want people to see. "Oh! Can you drop me off at the clinic?" Aria asks the man driving us.

"Sure thing."

"You're not coming with us?" I ask feeling suddenly nervous.

She's so easy to be around that not having her with me has me feeling anxious.

"Sorry but I had a few appointments set up for today, but you can call me any time and I'll come see you. Or you can come by the clinic as well." She gives me a sympathetic smile and a hug when we stop outside of a building that must be the clinic.

With a quick goodbye, she's out of the car and jogging toward the front door. Eli was sleeping when she handed him to me and didn't wake at all when she handed him over to me. I'm a little worried about that but she didn't seem worried so I guess it's okay. Like she said I can always call if I need something.

The rest of the ride is quiet. Sebastian had wrapped an arm around my shoulder and scrolled through something on his phone while I watched the world outside my window. The land they had is big and I don't think I've seen all of it on this little drive. We finally slowed down and I took through the front window of the car to see a large house sitting between two large trees. I can't help but smile when I see a tire tied to one of them like a swing.

Eli is too small now but I can see him playing on it once he's older. A whole life with the three of us flashes through my mind at the sight of only the outside of the house. Sebastian climbs out taking Eli from me and holding a hand out to help me out. When my feet hit the ground my legs feel a little shaky. This is a lot. I'm not sure what to say or do. Before I can find the words to tell Sebastian how incredible this place is the door opens and a small group of people pile out. An older woman, two younger girls, and a young boy file out and head in our direction with huge smiles on their faces.

Sebastian's hand rests on my lower back when he leans down and whispers in my ear.

"This is my family. I'm sorry for the welcome commits but they were excited to meet you guys." He whispers just as the group reaches us.

The older woman's smile is bright and welcoming. "Elena right?" I nod. "I am so happy to meet you."

She pulls me into a hug and cups my face with her hands. "You're beautiful."

My eyes burn a little from the way she is looking at me...like I'm special.

"Thank you," I whisper the best I can with how tight my throat feels.

"Welcome to the family." She says before pulling me into another hug.

The tears threatening to fall a moment ago run over my cheeks and I melt into her arms.

A family. I had a family.