Chapter 13

Serena’s POV

I found Nathaniel the next morning outside the council wing, exactly where I expected him to be. He was standing near the trophy case, phone in one hand, the usual unreadable expression on his face.

I stopped a a few feet away, holding up the rumpled amended policy sheet I still hadn’t thrown away. His pheromones were cleaner today, I noticed, that dizzying medicinal edge gone.

“We need to talk about this.” I said without greeting.

He briefly glanced at me, before pocketing his phone, and waited, staring at me with that same quiet attention that always made me feel like I was being measured.

“You changed my policy without telling me..” I said. “Why are you putting four Alphas in leadership positions for an Omega Union?”

He blinked. “Doesn't the same apply to the Alpha Union? Four Omegas with equal rights as any other members.”

“This is going to fail, Nathan!” I interrupted. “What Omega would willingly join an Alpha-dominated space?"

“You did…” He said calmly. “Before you, only Alphas ever ran for president. You stepped up, Serena. And you don’t have two heads. If you can, others can.”

“Is that why you're punishing me?” My voice sharpened. “Because I dared to move in places reserved for people like you?”

“I don't know what you're talking about. This isn't punishment. I don't care about your title, Serena. As we both can see, without any support, it’s practically useless.”

The words weren't sharp, but they struck me hard.

He noticed of course, but didn't react. He didn't even have the decency of looking regretful.

“This is important for inclusion…” He went on, keeping his voice even. “A pure Alpha or Omega space will get dismissed as a protest club. With formal diverse representation, it stays funded and on the official record. It survives past your term. And it actually bridges the gap between Alphas and Omegas. You should thanking me.”

What???

Thanking him for what?? The audacity of him.

I swallow down my frustration, took a deep breath and kept my voice leveled. “I understand your logic. I really do. But there’s too much damage that needs to be undone first before anyone can talk about inclusion. Alphas won’t care about Omegas in their spaces because they are considered the lesser of the secondary gender.. But Omegas— Omegas are still recovering from years of discrimination. Of being the inferior gender. Of being told their complaints are just biology or an overreaction. You can’t ask them to open up in a room where the same power structure sits with equal committee rights.”

Nathaniel shrugged. “You didn’t think that with your mixed tournament initiative.”

This boy—

I knew he would bring this up!

I exhaled to calm myself. “That’s not the same thing.” The words came out sharper than I planned. “Sports are done in a public, visible setting. And the mixed tournament puts people on the same field under the same rules of equality everyone can see. This union is supposed to be a private place where Omegas can talk about heat cycles and suppressant failure and hallway harassment without calculating who might vote their concerns down. You’re asking them to open up to the people who have been oppressing them.”

“I’ve never oppressed anyone… Why can’t they open up to me?” He argued flatly.

I groaned and dragged a tired hand down my face. “You’re oppressing me right now.” I mumbled.

Silence.

And for a fraction of a second I thought I saw the corner of his mouth twitch with something almost like amusement. Then it was quickly gone. His face became blank again.

I decided I had imagined it.

“Are you changing your mind about the clause?” I asked, my tone annoyed.

“No.” Came his simple reply. “Your mixing initiative was a good idea without the forced-proximity aspect. That's why it was downvoted.”

“But this is the same thing.” I countered. “You’re putting Alphas inside a space that needs to feel safe for Omegas.”

“It’s not the same, Serena. Sports are necessary— compulsory even. This is not.” He answered bluntly. “Unions are a place of fostering trust. Alphas and Omegas can choose to join any of their respective Unions, and they can choose share or not. They can walk into the union or stay away. That's what makes it voluntary.”

He paused, then added.. “Your Mixed Tournament proposal was a good initiative for inclusion. But it was deeply flawed. All because of the safety risks. But this— this might actually work. Building trust with a small number of people first. Maybe the four becomes five, then ten, then maybe someday, we don’t have an Alpha and Omega union anymore. Maybe we just have a Student union. You have to think beyond today, of what type of legacy you'll leave behind when you hand over your seat— discord… or unity? This the perfect opportunity to bring the secondary gender together here in Northridge. Why are you so against it? If this works— which I believe it will— you'll get all the credit. You get to actually have a real win.”

I wanted to keep arguing. But deep down, I knew he was right. It was just the timing if it all that felt wrong.

I could say that, try to make him see reason, to help him understand. But the certainty in his tone made the fight not really worth the struggle.

He wasn’t going to remove the clause. Pushing harder would only lock him firmer in place. Then maybe it would be ten suggested committee members in another amended policy, and four other hands against me.

I exhaled and let my shoulders drop. “Fine. Do whatever you want.”

Nathaniel gave a short nod, and turned to leave.

“Wait.” I called.

He stopped but didn’t turn around to face me.

“What I asked you… about Jason’s suspension, did you do anything about it?” My voice became softer now, hopeful.

“It’s done.” He said simply, then started walking again. “You owe me one.”

The words drifted back over his shoulder, calm and final. I stood there in the hallway and watched him disappear around the corner.

Then I smiled. A relieved, triumphant smile.

I'd won two small victories— all in one day. Though I had my reservations about the amended Union proposal, it still counted as a victory for me. And then Jason’s record getting swiped clean. He could start over again— much happier, less afraid.

It wasn't everything I wanted yet. But it was a good start.

I started humming in delight and pulled out my phone out to text Katie.

Me: pick out your best dress, dinner on me later. We have things to celebrate.

Her reply came almost immediately with a string of excited emojis.

I slipped the phone back into my pocket and headed toward class, smile never ceasing.