Page 12 of The Alpha's Fake Mate

I came up to the fence and peered in. I couldn’t see into the shadows. My eyes, from being in the sun, could not adjust. But I thought I heard someone give a little cough.

The pool area was in good repair, and the pool itself well maintained, though old-looking.

A gate stood partially open and I stepped through to get a better look.

Something moved in the shadows and I squinted. “Hello?”

I heard something that sounded like a whispered word. “Fuck.”

“I’m sorry. I don’t mean to intrude. The pool is lovely. What a peaceful space. I only wanted to see it closer, you understand.”

“No. I don’t understand,” said the same voice, no longer whispering.

“Well, I’m with the group here touring the grounds. My name is Orion. I’m the one who’s leaving a questionnaire for you all to fill out. Just to make sure--”

“I know who you are. The new owner. And you’re checking out your investment, that’s it.”

The voice came out clipped and tough. I recognized it immediately. That tone belonged to the furious Omega from indoors.

“What’s your name?” I asked.

“Why would you want to know that?”

“Curious, that’s all. Plus, I was hoping to talk to a few of you individually, get your take on things.”

“You can talk to the warden just fine. And the house-dads.”

“Well, yes, but of course they’ll tell me everything I want to hear. To please me.”

A deeper shadow among the shadows moved. My eyes were slowly adjusting and I saw a form, the silhouette of a young man sitting in the lounge chair. A flicker of light caught on his vivid, dark hair.

“Everyone seems pretty content here. Well cared for. Healthy. Of that I’m glad.”But not him.I waited for his response.

It took a few prolonged seconds before he said, “Do they? Good, then. A healthy, content Omega makes life easier for Alphas, doesn’t rock the boat, and for that the world runs a little smoother, right?”

This one had a mouth on him for sure. I was certain the warden would not approve of how he spoke to me, but the warden wasn’t here. It was just me and him. If I could get him to stop being so defensive, I might receive a little honesty from him.

“I am not sure that statement is true.”

“No? Isn’t that what every Omega is taught here? You’re the owner now. Don’t you know?”

“Pretending problems don’t exist can cause them to grow, or repeat.”

“Well, Mr. Boss Man, there are some problems too big to fix.”

I took a step toward the edge of the pool.

The shadow jerked as if startled. “Stay where you are! Don’t come closer!”

I stood very still, glancing at the silvery blue water before me. It was like a barrier between us. I wasn’t anywhere near him.

There was a scent on the air like metal, almost like the taste of blood. Acrid sweat mixed with the pool’s bleachy aroma. I blinked from the sting in my nose. From this distance, I scented him clear and pure. This Omega did not smell of fresh cut flowers like the usual ones I’d met. He was afraid.

“Not moving another inch,” I said.

Silence.

I breathed in and out slowly. “Not all problems can be fixed, at least not easily. I know that.”