Moments after Alpha Josh left, I found myself exploring the gigantic building. Peeking into each door until I find the right one: the kitchen.
It's squared-tiled from top to bottom luxuriously. The kitchen island occupies the center and takes up at least one-third of the building. I have always thought the kitchen back at the Omega headquarters was one in a million, but looking at the size and finesse, I would say it's nothing compared to this.
"Ma'am, you're not allowed to be in here." A bubbly-looking, short-chubby woman who looks to be still in her prime despite the wrinkles at the corner of her eyes says. She keeps the pan on the island and proceeds towards me with the tautness of a wild animal, predatory and attentive.
"I--" I tug the dress, trying hard to cover the rest of me. It's a mess, there are holes all over it and doesn't fit the aura of this place.
"It's fine. The Alpha specifically ordered not to let you in here. Whatever you want shall be delivered to you. Are you hungry?" She raises an eyebrow quizzically, judgementally taking me all in. She is good looking, with a slightly pointed nose and lips that turn upward in a lopsided smile once every few seconds.
"Well, he isn't here. And I want a glass of water." My wolf is happy. For the first time, I felt like I stood up for myself. There's this jolliness that comes with knowing that you're an Omega and can still have people listen to you.
"Okay." She opens a few cabinets before finding the right one. She runs the water through it, rinsing it off and drying it with a towel.
She fills the cup to the brim and hands it quickly, averting my eyes, and walking out of the kitchen, dramatically sweeping the floor with her dress.
I have just known her for a few minutes and I know we won't get along well.
"Here you are." A high-pitched voice says behind me. My heart skips a beat, I throw the cup on the floor, splashing the lukewarm water all over the place.
"I'm so sorry." I bend down frantically looking for a rag of some sort. I remember the days Maya and I spent locked up outside in the dark, because we had caused a commotion and were punished as part of the curriculum. Omegas aren't entitled to cause any trouble, we were taught that from day one.
"No, no, you don't have to." The tanned hands of Lily find mine, squeezing it gently. She was silent throughout the meeting with Alpha Josh and his dad. She is the type to get you mesmerized by minature acts, such as clinging to her mate and batting her eyelashes innocently.
"Are you okay?" She asks. I examine my clothing, and internally cringed. I look like I had spent days in the gutters, and finally been let out. The fact that Alpha Josh kissed me in this state is dumbfounding. Forcefully kissed, I reminded myself.
"Yes, thank you." Lily gently brushes strands of her auburn hair behind her ear. She does that so tentatively I'm tranced by her elegance.
"I'm so sorry for what happened back there. I know it can be overwhelming to watch the two brothers quarrel. I just want you to know that things were really hard when Allen and I met." She walks towards the island, and drags a chair. I sit on the opposite one which is close to the door, and far away from where she is at the edge.
"You guys seem perfect." I mutter enviously. Allen and she, at first glance are an ideal couple. Magazine worthy, and perfectly fit for each other. She is tiny but not so tiny, she is the type of girl you look at in a glance and instantly click with.
"Oh please." She threads her hands through her hair. "Every relationship has its ups and downs. And you should hang in here, Zara." When she uttered my name she walks towards me and gently engulfed me in an awkward side-hug.
The moment is shortlived, the kitchen door is abruptly opened and an angry Alpha Josh stands with his hands are folded firmly on his chest.
"Alpha," Lily bows to him to my amazement. If she is Allen's mate, and he is competing for the role of Alpha, shouldn't she be jealous and not respect his brother?
"You're dismissed." His nose flares when he says that. She hurriedly leaves, not sparing me a glance until she is few feets away from him. When she has passed the door, she waves and then disappears out of my sight.
"What are you doing here?" He steps forward. I move back, almost tripping. He doesn't stop, trudging, entrapping me in his cologne and the faint scent of his wolf.
"I--" I begin but stop midway when I realized that I had shed tears moment ago when he stole my first kiss. What hurt was that he downgraded the importance of it.
"Answer me, now." He gently swirls the chair I sit on, extending both his arms over my shoulders, caging me in.
I gulp, glaring at the floor, then the cabinets, basically anywhere but him. It's hard to ignore when he is too close I can feel his breath on my neck when he shifts.
"You don't own me." I bite back. Wrong move, he lifts my chin with his finger, squeezing hard, until a cry escapes me.
"I own you, Omega. I sure as hell do. You listen to what I do, and do it. I don't care what you do. But when I say you stay in a place, I goddam mean it. Now go back to the room, and look damn pretty, because that's who you will ever be. A damn useless Omega. You aren't worth anything, basically. Nothing. You are nothing." He utters each word with so much hatred I struggle to keep the tears. Where is Maya when I need her?
I didn't even ask for a mate;
To hell with the moon goddess.