the first step

After Iris reassured her alpha many times that she wouldn't cancel the mate tie, the two immediately busied themselves preparing for Easton's arrival to the world.

To enter any university, Easton must have all the necessary documents confirming his identity. The problem with that is: Easton doesn't even have a birth certificate. He never took the secondary gender test, so there obviously isn't a certificate proving Easton an omega. Which is a good thing.

Iris and Gabrielle decided to have Easton certified as a Beta-C. Of course with the help of many contacts and previous associations, in less than a few hours Easton had all the necessary documents, including the Beta-C certificate.

"Let's call it a night now, shall we?" Iris tiredly yawned.

"Mhmm..." Gabrielle wasn't paying attention. She could only look at the faxed documents in her hand. Isn't it silly how you need a single piece of paper to prove your existence?

Well it did have its advantages: undocumented people have an easier time staying under the government's radar. (plz no one do this this is only fiction kk?) Fortunately when the Lab took Easton all those years ago, they bribed the staff to wipe all traces of Easton's birth from the hospital records.

Gabrielle gave a slight smile. She can imagine the joy on Easton's face when he receives the documents. The first step (quite literally) into the real world. Tucking the precious papers in a safe spot, Gabrielle retired for the night, snuggling close to a sleeping Iris.

~Morning~

Easton woke up to the sound of rustling papers and a mixture of excited and slightly anxious chattering.

"Who called the family meeting this time?" He said as he groggily sat up and rubbed the tiredness out of his eyes.

"You're going to school!" Alfie was elated. There were many places he wanted to take his older brother. The arcade, the movie theatre, the miniature golf course, the range...

"I'm what?!" Easton immediately jumped out of bed. Unbeknownst to him the card under his pillow fell to the floor as he did. Nobody noticed, but Gabrielle did.

"I can't believe you guys actually agreed!" His honest answer caused bubbles of laughter to erupt.

"Well there are many things you'll need to do." Iris was a bit stressed about this. Could Easton handle it? Maybe he should stay home... No. Her son should not be treated like a locked specimen.

"Like what?" Easton's innocent green eyes blinked. He naively thought that all he needed to do was just show up and everything will be alright.

"We have your identification documents here." Gabrielle handed a manilla folder to Easton. She turned to her mate, her eyes saying: It's not too late to change our mind. But Iris ignored her.

"...aren't I an omega?" Confused Easton looked up. Alfie even rushed over to take a peek.

"You're not Beta-C are you?" Those secondary gender certificates never lie.

"Course not! I get heats remember?" Easton sometimes wished Alfie had just a fifth of Donovan's common sense.

"It's still for your own safety." Iris gently explained.

"What do you mean?" Easton thought the reason why he was allowed to go outside was because he's not in danger anymore.

"Just a precaution sweet pea." Gabrielle cut in. "People are going to ask you questions about where you came from and who you are."

"I came from home and I'm Easton."

Iris sighed. This is what isolation did to her boy.

"No. You're not." Iris sharply said. Before Easton and Alfie could question why she continued. "When people ask you are Alfie's and Donovan's cousin. You've never met your mother and your father died recently from a car crash. That's why you chose to go to school close to family."

"Wha-why?" Easton knows that everything coming out of his omega mother's mouth is a lie. Ironically she is the one who stressed the importance of integrity in the household.

"Listen to your mother." Gabrielle gently said. They all sat down on the bed, Alfie never thought that Easton going outside would be such a serious deal.

"You're going to be living at the university dorms, with all of the other Betas." Iris slowly explained.

"What about my heats?"

"We have a surplus of omega heat suppressants..." Everyone knew that ingesting one too many can eventually lead to infertility. Easton bit his lip. He'd be lying if he said he liked the solution.

"Can't I come home whenever my heat starts?"

Iris and Gabrielle looked at each other. Complicated looks were exchange. Easton knew the answer.

"It'll be suspicious right?" Alfie spoke up. "If you're gone for a week periodically."

Iris and Gabrielle nodded their heads in agreement.

"Don't worry too much about it, you're going to the same school as Donovan." Iris comfortingly placed a pale hand on Easton's knee.

Gabrielle didn't like the thought of that at all, but Donovan can sneak Easton the heat suppressants. No one would question if cousins hung out together.

"Alright. I understand." Easton pursed his lips. He reckoned that his parents would be in trouble for hiding their offspring for eighteen years. His eyes perked up. "When do I start?"

"The next year." Came the fast reply. Easton had two months of preparing to enter the university. Donovan will also be there to take Easton under his wing, although he will be graduating with a Master's degree in chemistry after the next school year is over.

Iris sneakily took a closer peek at the fallen note. Her eyes widened ever so slightly when she saw the black family crest.

How did Easton get a hold of a letter from the Morris clan?