Page 22 of The Alpha's Fake Mate

I hadn’t asked for this. But someone among us must have.

Usually, requests at Zilly’s for updated equipment or repairs or supplies that were different from the norm took weeks to be processed with tons of paperwork. Often those requests were denied. Orion was new. I was sure he would soon lose interest trying to impress us.

My opinion was no Alpha would allow his life to become tangled up in the interests of mere Omegas, none of whom were his bondmates or regulars who serviced him.

His email to me, when it came, was a surprise. But I wasn’t going to allow myself to believe in his visions. They weren’t real. He’d only disappoint everyone in the end.

Still, I read his words.

Twice.

Holland:

I understand your fears and appreciate that you offer any discourse, email or otherwise.

Thank you.

I don’t know if I can convince you to believe me or not, but I do not blindly agree with all Alpha laws.

It is only recently that I inherited Zilly’s. I had no idea what to expect. I do not use chattel farms myself, so touring Zilly’s the day we met was my first time setting foot on one.

I had wanted to sell Zilly’s right away, but my lawyer convinced me to look first before I made any decision.

Now I am leaning toward deciding to keep the farm.

Why the change of mind?

Maybe you have already guessed.

Your outburst. My meeting with you.

You made an impact whether it was your intention or not. If I have the power to make life better for a few Omegas, why turn away from that?

I feel I must be honest. I had no altruism in my heart when I first entered the doors of Zilly’s.

Now, however, I feel an urge to do better. I can only start with what I have. I have the farm.

I know from your warden you suffered trauma. That is unconscionable to me. If I can make sure that what happened to you never happens to another Omega—at least on my property—I will do that.

Your input is valuable. You have a unique point of view I do not have.

I know my questions seem very general for now. But I have to start somewhere.

What changes would you like to see me make?

Orion

I sat motionless for a few moments staring out the window, the tablet in my lap.

Around me, my dorm-mates who hadn’t been assigned servicing duties for the day watched TV, played video games, or sat around talking and eating snacks. The sound level was not high, but I heard every word, every clothing rustle, every footstep. They were too loud, all of them.

I had a fury in me that made me want to stand up and yell at them all to shut up. I wanted to hit something. I wanted to scream.

I got up and left the room, slamming the door behind me. The only place that offered peace and quiet was the patio that faced the pool.

I headed there at a fast pace, chin down, not wanting to meet the eyes of anyone I might encounter along the way.

The chlorine scent mixed with the fresh cut lawn beyond the fence. It instantly settled me. The cold, pale blues of the pool water washed through my mind. My breathing slowed.