“Right,” I said, thinking quickly how I could turn this to my advantage. “Well, if it’s all the same to you, if I’m having an omega, I like to keep them exclusive. Train them so they get used to my preferences in bed and don’t get confused by what other people want ‘em to do. It’s a chore to keep re-training them. I can’t be fucking bothered.”
Zarbius scratched his spikey hair and shrugged. “O-k-a-y. That’s a bit different to how we usually do things, but I suppose that’s fine. Most of the guys here like variety - but fine, fine, if that’s your preference. You get first pick after me anyway. You can try a few out and if you find one you like, I’ll tell the guys to leave ‘em alone.”
Chapter 12
TOSCA
When the bell rang for the meal to be served, Lucey, who was our head chef for the night, announced, “Alright. It’s time. Let’s get everything loaded up.”
Everyone pitched in and loaded the trays with the hot food, then the three of us who were on service made our way to the food hall. I had mixed feelings. On the one hand, I was nervous about being exposed to the betas, when I usually went out of my way to stay below their radar, and on the other hand, I was intrigued by the idea that I might catch a look at the visiting alpha. It seemed likely he would be eating in the hall with Zarbius and the betas, as there had been no request to deliver food to his cabin tonight.
But as we gathered at the door, fear was winning out over curiosity.
“I’ll go last,” I told Owen and Lucey.
“Sure,” replied Lucey and Owen together. They both knew how terrified I was of Zarbius and the betas.
But as we stepped into the shed, O Goddess,hewas here! I knew it instantly. I could smell his wonderful alpha scent, and a waveof excitement rolled through me. I trembled, eager and nervous to see him again. Keeping my head down, I carried the heavy platter to the end of the table and set it down with trembling hands, only then looking up through my lashes. Yes! Itwashim! My heart thumped, excitement and I don’t know what else running though me. But then I wondered. Why was he here? How did he know Zarbius? Was this a good thing or a bad one? Why was he sitting at Zarbius’ left-hand side?
I collected plates from the cabinet and started distributing them around the table. By now my thoughts were running wild. What if he acknowledged me? Zarbius would want to know how he knew me, and my secret – my absence, my heat – would be revealed.Oh Goddess!Now I was terrified. What would happen to me if Zarbius found out? I would be punished. And I’d be fair game for the betas. I trembled violently.
Where a few minutes before I had been daydreaming that the Alpha might speak to me, now I was desperately hoping he didn’t.
My hands were visibly shaking as I slipped his plate in front of him. Despite my anxiety, I couldn’t resist a quick glance at him from beneath the long strands of my hair.
Our eyes met. His were warm and dark, with tiny wrinkles at the corners as though he laughed a lot. His lips curved into the subtlest of smiles, my breath hitched… and like the magnificent Alpha I knew him to be, he said absolutely nothing.
Chapter 13
AGELIUS
I’d been saved from any more of Zarbius’ obnoxious conversation by the arrival of the meal.
The shed door had opened and as the omegas brought in the food, a most delicious aroma filled the air. But it wasn’t the food that had my attention. I looked around me to see if anyone else had noticed. The betas were sniffing the air madly, nostrils flaring, mouths hanging open revealing chipped and crooked teeth, but their attention was focused solely on the dishes of hot food heading towards them. I fully expected to see drool dripping from their mouths.
They didn’t seem to notice anything unusual.
Omegas entered the shed carrying large platters of hot food – shanks of lamb, roasted potatoes, hocks of bacon, and slabs of bloody steak. As they approached the table, the omegas split up to deliver the platters along the length of the table. Plates were placed in front of everyone.
The last omega to enter, hiding behind the others, was slim to the point of scrawny, with straight dirty blond hair. An omegawho I knew wasn’t a natural blond, because I’d seen all his other hair, and it was dark. I knew it was him even before I saw him because of the amazing scent wafting through the air, causing my cock to take notice. I stirred uncomfortably on my seat.
My omega.
I could barely take my eyes off him as he walked in behind the others, carrying a platter that looked way too heavy for his slender frame. I wanted to get up and help him with it, but that was a ridiculous notion, and I shook my head to clear it. It would have given me away, for the love of the Goddess, I had to get my head in order!
All the omegas kept their eyes down, either not wanting to make eye contact or because it wasn’t allowed, I wasn’t sure. The dynamics in this pack were very strange, but they were definitelynotin favor of the omegas.
“Finally!” exploded Zarbius, as a steaming platter was placed in front of him. The omega leaning across to place it there flinched and backed away, hurriedly scurrying to join the other two who, having deposited their offerings further along the table, were pulling things from a small cabinet along the wall, which I hadn’t previously noticed. The groan of sliding drawers was accompanied by the chink of crockery and the rattle of cutlery, before the omegas hurried back to the table. An overwhelming wave of mouth-watering scent washed over me, and a thin arm appeared from beside me, placing a plate on the table in front of me with a hand that was visibly shaking.
I lifted my head slightly and looked up into the clearest, most beautiful brown eyes I had ever seen. Familiar eyes. Confused eyes. Peering at me from under bushy eyebrows, half hidden beneath the veil of straight blonde hair that formed his fringe.His fringe was parted to frame his narrow face and was the same length all around his head, the lower sections shaved bare. The hairstyle suited him, showing off the curve of his neck and his slender throat, and framing his beautiful face. I let the corner of my mouth curl up in the faintest hint of a smile and softened my eyes. He blinked and bit his lip. Then he was gone. The exchange was over in seconds, and no-one seemed to have noticed.
Moments later the omegas escaped the crushingly oppressive atmosphere of the food hall and we were left to consume our meal.
I missed him. It felt like my heart was walking around outside the shed, alone and unprotected.
*****
After the meal, Zarbius and I sat around with the betas, as the beer supplies rapidly dwindled. Everyone except me was chugging down the stuff. I kept a bottle in my hand but it was always the same one, just there for appearances. They didn’t seem to notice I wasn’t keeping up with them.
