Page 14
14
Luca
Another fucking day in this place and I’ve completely settled into this new bratty persona that snaps at the staff and growls at the other Omegas. Most everyone just thinks I’m having trouble adjusting or that I came from such a horrible situation that I don’t trust anyone else. It’s actually something completely different.
I didn’t sleep at all again, stressed out about the opportunity Wilson gave me. I spent hours tracing those numbers, memorizing them, singing them in a made up melody, and then flushed it down the toilet the first moment I got. And then I found the one space in the lounge that reminds me of Blake, a strange pear scented air freshener that spits out an aroma every 30 seconds like clockwork. It’s now my corner and every time someone approaches, it feels like they’re encroaching on my nest. It must be a strange sight to see an Omega sprawled over a bean bag, facing the wall, growling at people who get too close.
But it’s all I have left.
They applied that salve again because for a moment I could feel just a sliver of my mates and then it all disappeared. It should be a relief that I can’t feel Hudson, that I’m not waking up choking on his scent, that his moods are no longer leaking into my head.
But it also means that I can’t feel the others—Luther, Grayson, even my connection with Blake is so dim that it feels like he’s gone. Their scents have faded from my skin, replaced by the staunch chemicals in this place. They made me take a shower this morning, stuffing me into a new pair of clothes, effectively removing any last remnants of my mates. Nola said it was for my own good, to remove anything weighing me down, to give me a chance to bloom on my own.
Breakfast, I skipped, searching for anything to tether me back to the men I loved which led me here, to this one spot, the only spot I’ll ever need. Even with the other Omegas giggling and excitedly chatting about finding mates, scent matches they received, and others whispering about the meet and greets they’ve attended.
It all just makes me feel sick.
Had my late presentation not been so fucking violent and had Blake not been in my life, I might have enjoyed some part of what an Omega center provided. The allure of a pack is every Omega’s dream. But tearing me from the one I already have in a world where they say it’s my choice is bullshit.
My thoughts calm when the air freshener puffs out another whiff of pear. It’s a little too sweet, filled with chemicals, but it’s close enough. My body sags further into the bean bag as I dwell on the moment I get out of here and run right back into their arms. However, if someone contacts my parents or Hudson enters this place, my first stop won’t be the Keller house. It’ll be that doctor who can free me of the bite that’s caused me so much pain.
“Luca, it’s time to eat.”
I open my eyes to see one of the staff standing a few feet away, hands clasped in front of her like she expects me to argue.
“I’m not hungry.”
A few of the other Omegas turn to look at me, exchanging glances before one of them—someone I barely remember the name of—huffs out a laugh. “Just eat something, or they’ll be up your ass about it.”
The others giggle, nudging each other like this is normal, like we all share some inside joke. I force a small smile, keep my head down, but I don’t move. The woman steps closer, crouching in front of me, her eyes scanning my face before she presses the back of her hand against my forehead. The touch is clinical, but not intrusive.
“You’re a little warm,” she says, her frown barely noticeable. “Maybe we should take you to the clinic, just to be safe.”
My first instinct is to push back, to shake my head, to tell her I’m fine. But then I remember what Wilson said, that the doctor’s office doesn’t have bars.
I inhale slowly, forcing myself to nod. “Okay.”
She stands, motioning for me to follow. I let her lead me down the hall, past the cafeteria, past rooms filled with Omegas who actually want to be here, who are excited to meet their future packs, who don’t feel trapped, who don’t wake up with their instincts screaming at them to run.
The clinic is small, just a handful of chairs and a few examination rooms. It smells like antiseptic and lavender, reminding me of the hospital I last saw Blake in. I sit where she tells me, my eyes flicking immediately to the window across the room. It’s just big enough for me to slide through and I don’t even care how far the drop is.
A woman steps into the clinic, holding more authority than the Beta that led me in here. She must be the head nurse with the way she slips on a pair of gloves and then methodically takes my temperature, times my pulse, and then inspects the jagged scar on my neck. Her gaze darts between Luther’s and Hudson’s before falling on my bottom lip. It almost feels like she smirks at me before sitting back in the chair.
She snaps off the gloves, throwing me a small smile. “You’re in perfect health and I know that you’re still settling in but avoiding eating and the other activities isn’t going to save you. Holding onto the past—”
I frown, scooting back as much as I can. “It’s not the past. They’re still my mates. Why is everyone saying differently? I’m just here until the investigation is closed. Why is everyone treating me like I’m going to go home with someone else?” Panic settles in my chest as I search her expression and find nothing. “What aren’t you telling me?”
For a moment, I think that the investigation has closed and it’s been determined that I can’t be with the Ellis or the Keller pack. And then I realize, it would be standard practice for the court to then order bite removals. But they haven’t. Which means whatever is going on here is some real shady shit.
My fists curl in my lap as I try to fix my expression back into that soft Omega one everyone expects of me. “I think I’d like to eat now.”
The nurse smiles. “I think that’s an excellent choice. Eve, honey, please escort this one to the cafeteria and make sure he gets something. It would be a shame to have to put him on a fixed diet.”
Her smug look follows me out the door, my head bowed slightly as I head down the hallway. Eve opens her mouth to say something but I just glare at her before finding a seat at one of the far tables. I’ll pretend to act the part but I’m in no mood to stuff my face, even if my stomach is revolting against me.
The table soon fills up with other Omegas, each one with trays piled high, rosy cheeks and smiles staring at me like some horrid nightmare I’m stuck in. It occurs to me that the free flowing food and amenities is just another way to fatten us up and prepare us for Alphas that like their Omegas adorable and cuddly. Hudson liked me that way and I fucking hated it. Blake loved it and I wish I was in his arms right now, stuffing my face into his neck.
Instead, I’m here on a cold, metal bench, my nose scrunched up as I try to come to terms that this place isn’t for keeping me safe.
“You’re new, right?”
I look up to find an Omega smiling at me, his eyes sharp with interest, his posture relaxed in a way that makes me feel even more on edge. He tilts his head, clearly waiting for me to respond.
I nod. “Yeah.”
“Well, it’s not so bad here. I’m Phillip. Especially once you start meeting people.” His eyes flick down to my mouth, lingering. “Someone like you won’t be alone for long.”
I don’t respond to him, waiting for him to restart his conversation with one of the others around him. Let me wallow in peace, thanks. It’s a few moments of peace as I tune out the world suffocating me before Wilson drops into a seat across from me, sliding a sandwich in front of me.
“Aw, the good Samaritan is looking out for you! You must be one of the problem Omegas, then.”
They all start laughing and I just stare at the offending triangle, wondering why Wilson would go to the lengths he has. When I look at him, he’s offering me that small, knowing smile he did yesterday. “You can’t get anything done on an empty stomach. You’ll need your energy.” He lifts his hand and rubs the side of his neck, fingers pressing against the skin there. Oh.
Letting out a slow breath, I pick at the sandwich, tearing off a small bite and forcing myself to chew. It tastes fine, but it sits heavy in my mouth, my stomach clenching at the thought of swallowing. I manage, pushing down the unease, keeping my focus on the bread in front of me instead of the weight of Wilson’s gaze.
It feels safe to have someone watching out for me and also terrifying that someone has to. I pick more little bites to stuff into my mouth, Wilson’s comforting smile spurring me on to eat a little more until I’m tuning back into the chatter around me.
“Oh my gosh, we need to be on our best behavior,” one Omega says, her voice full of excitement. “The sponsors are coming!”
“I wonder if they’ll scent match an Omega.”
“Oh my god, could you imagine? Just sitting here, eating your breakfast, and boom—you lock eyes with some gorgeous Alpha who changes your whole world?”
Someone sighs, a dreamy and soft sound.
Another Omega cuts in. “Do you think the dark-haired Thor is coming too?”
The food in my mouth turns to ash.
“God, I hope so,” another says. “He’s the only reason I don’t mind when they stop by.”
“He’s so dreamy,” one of them giggles. “All fierce and brooding. I’d let him claim me in a heartbeat.”
A cold wave crashes over me, my breath catching in my throat. My hands shake as I press my palms against my thighs, trying to steady myself. My vision narrows, everything else fading out except for the pounding in my ears. Once upon a time, I called Hudson Thor because I was stupid and needy and thought that he could give me the life I wanted. It was a dumb joke and it’s one I wish I never made. “Wait.” My voice comes out strained, barely above a whisper. “Hudson is coming?”
“Oh my god, yes. Have you met him before? He’s one of the big sponsors.”
“He’s terrifying,” someone admits, grinning. “But in a hot way.”
The blood drains from my face. I push my chair back, the legs scraping against the floor as I stand, my body screaming at me to run. The voices around me blur into meaningless noise, my stomach twisting. Wilson is saying something as my legs carry me across the cafeteria, past the confused stares, past the Omegas still giggling about Hudson like he’s some untouchable, godlike figure instead of the monster that ruined my life.
My breath comes in sharp, uneven gasps as I shove open the bathroom door, gripping the edge of the sink as my stomach lurches. I barely make it in time as acid burns up my throat, my body curling inward as I retch, my hands gripping the porcelain so hard my fingers ache.
I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to steady myself, trying to breathe through the nausea, even as the room tilts, my reflection swimming in the mirror in front of me. That’s when I see Wilson just out of the corner of my eye, casually leaning against the wall, watching me through the mirror.
I swallow hard, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand. “I don’t understand you. You work here. I know you said you don’t agree with everything, but this could get you fired. Or worse.”
Wilson steps forward, his hands going to the collar of his shirt. He pulls it down, just enough to reveal a jagged scar running along his shoulder, deep and ugly, like something was ripped from him rather than just removed. “I know. I’ve been around some of the worst.” His fingers brush over the scar. “Thought being owned was love. Thought gruff words and heavy hands meant I was cared for.”
I frown, my stomach still unsettled, my fingers gripping the sink as I process his words.
“Why didn’t you tell me that before?”
Wilson lets the collar of his shirt snap back into place, his gaze meeting mine in the mirror. “Because it had to be your decision.” He exhales, rubbing the back of his neck. “I didn’t want to influence you. This isn’t something you can take back. If you do this, it’s forever.”
I turn to face him fully, my breath still uneven. “You said it would hurt.”
“It does.” Wilson nods. “Removing a bite isn’t a pleasurable experience. It scars. People see it. It’s an open wound that takes time to heal, and even then, the ache never really goes away. You’ll feel the bond trying to pull at something that isn’t there,” he continues. “Your body will crave something it can never have again. Your other bonds will help, but you’ll still feel it, Luca. You’ll always feel it.”
The weight of his words sinks deep into my bones.
“That’s why I asked you how much you’d give to do this.” Wilson’s voice lowers, his eyes searching mine. “Because once it’s done, you can’t take it back.” Wilson steps closer, his voice dropping until it’s just above a whisper despite the fact that it’s just the two of us. “I’m not worried about me. Tomorrow is my last day. I couldn’t watch what they do to Omegas in here anymore, how they ripped them from families under the guise of saving them. No, don’t get me wrong. Hearthstone absolutely saves some of them. But the rest? It’s all just some political game and nothing I’ve done has been able to stop all the bad.” He clears his throat, that smile returning to his face as if to comfort me from the next set of words out of his mouth. “I’m just glad I got to help one last person especially because I’ve seen what happens when that man takes an Omega.”
My stomach clenches, my breath hitching. “What?” I always knew that there were Omegas before me, that Hudson only kept the soft, pliant ones around but I didn’t know it was something everyone was aware of.
Wilson’s gaze flickers to the door, making sure we’re alone before he looks back at me. “Luca, you are not the first Omega that’s been either sold to him or enamored by him. But they never come back the same. Or at all.”
“What are you saying?”
“I have no idea where they are.” Wilson’s fingers twitch slightly, like he’s holding something back, like he’s already said too much. “You’re just the latest victim. Not the last by any means.”
“What do I do?” My voice comes out small, hoarse, like I’m already choking on the weight of my own fear.
Wilson shakes his head, stepping back just enough to put space between us. “I can’t tell you that.” He checks the watch on his wrist, his jaw tightening. “But you have two minutes to make a decision before I escort you back to the cafeteria or to the clinic because you’re feeling sick.”
The walls feel like they’re closing in. I force myself to breathe, force myself to think past the panic, past the roaring in my ears. I have two choices. I can go back to the cafeteria, sit through another meal pretending everything is fine while Hudson walks through the doors and smiles at the Omegas like they’re something he can collect before he inevitably drags me back into that apartment. Or I can leave this room with Wilson and figure out what the fuck I’m supposed to do next.
“When are they coming?” My voice barely holds steady. “The sponsors?”
Wilson shrugs, his expression still unreadable. “Soon.” His jaw ticks, his eyes flicking toward the hallway again. “They might already be here.”
A chill spreads down my spine as I meet Wilson’s gaze head on. “I’m sick.”
Wilson doesn’t waste time, moving with purpose as he gently guides me through the hallway. He whispers for me to slouch a little, not to look as alert so that no one asks questions. The fact that I haven’t been eating and have been a little snappy makes this a bit easier to pull off because no one doubts I’m having a hard time.
We reach the nurse’s office and Wilson pulls the door open, motioning for me to step inside. The window in the corner is slightly cracked, a soft breeze flowing into the room as if it’s been prepared for me but the click of a lock has me turning around to face the Beta. The sound echoes in the quiet room, making my stomach twist as Wilson points to the landline on the desk. "You have minutes before a nurse comes in to check on you. You either need to figure out what you’re going to tell them or you need to be gone before then."
“Won’t they know I called?”
“There’s no caller ID and you’ll be long gone before any one tries to figure it out.”
My body trembles with the weight of the decision before I grab the phone and dial the number I’ve been repeating since yesterday. The ringing feels endless, stretching on until a rough voice cuts through the static. "Yeah?"
"I need help." I exhale shakily, pressing my palm to my thigh, grounding myself. "I need a bite removed."
There’s a pause, a bout of heavy silence and then the voice is rattling off an address, his tone clipped like this is merely just a transaction. "Be there at one." Then the line goes dead.
I glance at the clock. Two hours. From what little I remember, Hearthstone is nearly thirty minutes from the location I was given. I have no money, no means of transportation so if I want this, I have to run like hell and not look back.
Wilson gestures toward the window before slipping his phone from his pocket and dialing a number. "Yeah, one of the Omegas isn’t feeling well. He might need some attention." A pause. A nod. "He should be fine in here. Looks pretty sick. I had him lay down on the cot in room one.” Someone says something over the phone and then Wilson hangs up before turning his attention back to me. “There’s a fire escape just on the other side. I’ll make sure the window is closed back after you slip out.”
“What about cameras and—”
“Luca, I need you to worry about yourself right now. Any minute, the Alpha that tried to ruin you will step inside this place. His first priority will be you. Climb down that fire escape and take off toward the forest. It’ll take you right where you need to go. Don’t fucking look back. Don’t stop. Don’t think about anything else other than the doctor because I can assure you that if one of them finds you out there, it’s not going to be lavish cafeteria meals and weird ass nests that are strangely comfortable.”
I press my lips together, nodding once, locking this moment into my memory. I owe him everything for this.
Wilson claps a hand on my shoulder, squeezing once before stepping back. "Take care, Luca."
I rush over to the window, throwing it open enough to climb through and grip the metal railing as I lower myself onto the fire escape. The metal is cool beneath my hands, sturdy enough that I trust it as I climb down. My heart is hammering, adrenaline flooding my veins as my feet finally hit solid ground.
And then I run.