Chapter 4 The reality of their lives

One year later

A year has passed and Selene together with Sandra and Amelia were sent to Europe to the training center for two years. It was basically like a boarding school for omegas, they were moving at the end of summer to start their training in September. Selene just turned eighteen the past winter so she was going to be twenty when she came back Tristan would be 22

All three omegas were nervous because this was the first time they'd been separated from their pack for such a long period of time but it was also a good training for their future moving to the capital to live with their mates. They were excited though, they never really got a chance to visit foreign country except for Japan, so moving to Europe was like a dream come true, especially when they found out the center was in Italy.

Selene had not stopped thinking about Tristan but she knew there was still years to wait because the alpha had to finish his studies first. He just got out of high school so it would take time for him to go to college to study business to take over the packs' companies and his parents didn't want him to get distracted being with his future omega mate.

The three omegas got used to the centre pretty quickly, it was easy since they were together. It was quite a luxurious institution, meaning they didn't have to be cramped in one small room and share showers with others the three of them actually had a small apartment. That was another training for their future family life, it taught them to take care of the household by themselves without parents or maids.

Selene was taking her studies very seriously, wanting to become the perfect omega for Tristan . All omegas sought approval and praises, they were all naturally family oriented, being the pillars of the household and packs and Selene was determined to be the best mate Tristan could ever ask for.

They were currently in a childcare class where they were being taught how to take care of babies. Most omegas didn't have problems with it since they were usually helping with the pups in their packs.

"I've been texting with Evan," Sandra confessed in a whisper to her two friends, careful for the teacher not to hear them. They were currently changing diapers on training dolls.

"What? How did you get his number?" Amelia whisper-yelled at the older with wide eyes.

"Actually it was him who reached out to me, I'd never," Sandra explained. She had to keep this a secret, it wasn't allowed for future mates to communicate without their parents' consent.

"I have no idea where he got my number but it's been a couple of days," Sandra continued, biting her lip to prevent himself from smiling: "He is really sweet, I was so surprised."

Most of the alphas weren't really sweet. Not that all of them would be assholes but they were usually entitled, looking down at the omegas due to their lower ranks, often treating them harshly or coldly. Even the couples that loved each other – like Selene's parents – had their ups and downs, it was always clear that the alpha had the upper hand and the last word, omegas were not allowed to talk back and they could get involved in important family or pack matters only with

their alpha's consent. Selene Knew her parents' relationship was pretty much happy, even though they were put together by their parents as well, but she has experienced a couple of times when her father erupted and punished her mother. Physical punishments were not unheard of in their community, it was actually very common and omegas were used to it since childhood.

"Maybe you got really lucky, maybe Evan is one of those nice alphas," Selene Smiled. There were alphas, especially of younger generations, that were kicking against the stereotypes and violence, treating everyone equally and not based on their ranks. Their country was still pretty behind in this sense but it was slowly moving.

"Maybe the Nightshade pack is different, they seem very progressive," Amelia nodded and then added: "It would be nice if our alphas were good to us, I don't mind obeying and all that but I don't like punishments."

The other two hummed in agreement.

"Anyway, what have you been talking about?" Selene wondered , going back to the topic about Sandra and Evan.

"Nothing specific, we've been talking about random things, getting to know each other," the oldest mumbled because the teacher just passed them: "He seems very educated and mature for his age, he is younger than me, only twenty one but it doesn't seem like it."

"I bet he is very smart, he is in college, right? He and Luke will surely help Tristan with the pack and the businesses one day," Selene hummed.

"Isabella, what are you doing?" the teacher's voice interrupted their little conversation, all of them jumped.

They turned around, seeing the teacher standing beside one of their classmates. The girl was looking down, the diapers on the doll were all creased.

"How can you mess this up, this is the most basic skill! Are you even an omega? Look at the mess, how are you going to take care of pups one day?" the teacher continued harshly, embarrassing Isabella in front of the whole class.

"I hate her," Amelia mumbled. They had a couple of teachers but this one was the most feared one, often screaming at them and also using physical punishments.

The teacher walked over to her desk, the whole class was silent, not daring to make a sound.

"Hands," the teacher looked at the poor girl when she came back, holding a cane. Isabella flinched but obeyed, slowly putting her shaky hands in front of her. The teacher swung the cane and hit her over her fingers, one, two, three times. The girl closed her eyes in pain and bit her lip, knowing to take the punishment silently.

"Go back to work," the teacher looked around the class and no one hesitated, quickly getting back to their tasks.