Professor Wolf - J.L. Wilder Page 0,2

focus on their learning without having to worry about anybody else.”

“Is there anywhere else we can’t go?” another boy asked.

“Not on our campus,” said Victoria. “Although you can’t enter another student’s room without their permission, of course, and all the academic buildings are locked after midnight. But there aren’t any places that are off-limits.”

“On our campus?” a girl asked. “What do you mean?”

Victoria hesitated. “Come to the window,” she said. “You can see it from here.”

The group of betas left their seats and clustered around the western-facing window.

“There,” Victoria said. “On the other side of the highway, just beyond that row of pines. See the building?”

They nodded.

“That’s Omega University,” Victoria said.

Cait felt a chill crawl over her.

“That’s where all the omegas go,” someone commented.

“That’s right,” Victoria said. “And none of us are allowed to visit their campus. Not us, and not the alphas either. There are organized social events when the two schools come together, and you’ll be able to socialize with them, befriend them if you like, on those occasions.”

“Befriend omegas,” one of the boys spat. “That’s a joke.”

“It’s not a joke,” Victoria said, her voice suddenly stern. “Omegas are a vital part of any pack. They may not play the same role you do, but the roles they play are very important.”

“Yeah, fucking,” said the boy. “That’s all omegas are really good for.”

“Now, pay attention,” Victoria said. “This is important. You’re not to have sexual relationships with anyone at Omega U. That’s forbidden by the administration. The alphas may date the omegas, if they want, but we betas can’t. Make sure you understand that because it’s crucial.”

“What happens if we do?” a boy asked.

“Expulsion, generally,” Victoria said. “I know of one or two exemptions that have been made. But if you’re considering breaking this rule, let me advise you to go to the administration and seek permission first.”

There was grumbling around the room.

“Knock it off,” Victoria said. “The betas have it pretty good. We can date each other, and we’re permitted to date the alphas, too. We have nothing to complain about.”

Isn’t that the truth, Cait thought, staring out the window at Omega U. To her, it looked like a prison, and the tall pines shielding it from view were the bars. These betas have no idea how lucky they are. If I were truly one of them, if I really belonged here, I wouldn’t be able to find a single thing to complain about.

“If you have any questions,” Victoria said, “you can always come to me. I live in Dormitory One, room 101. Now, I suggest you spend the rest of the evening studying your handbooks, familiarizing yourselves with the layout of the campus, and getting to know your new roommates. Classes begin in the morning. Welcome to Shifter University.”

Cait wandered out of Claw Hall and out onto the campus lawn. She made her way to the western side of the building and stood in front of the window they’d all looked through together, gazing across the road at Omega University.

That’s where I should be, she thought. That’s where I belong.

She couldn’t ever allow anyone at Shifter U to find out that she was an omega. If they would send you away for dating an omega, they would certainly kick you out for being one.

Coming there had been a long shot. She had always known that. She had known how little chance there was that she would get away with it.

But everything about the venture had been a long shot. Cait’s father had wanted her to marry, and it was only her pleas that she be allowed to attend Omega University that had forestalled that plan. Then she had managed to enroll in Shifter U instead, dodging the indoctrination that all the omegas across the road were facing.

Now I just have to get through the next four years without being found out, she thought. If I can do that, if I can graduate from Shifter U and earn the approval of the Council, then I can strike out on my own. My father won’t be able to control me anymore. I won’t have to marry. I’ll do something I want to do. Something I choose for myself.

Getting through four years without being caught sounded impossible.

But then, she had already made it through the orientation meeting.

So I know I have what it takes.

She squinted at the school across the road, trying to catch a glimpse of the omegas who lived and studied there, but she couldn’t see a