He looks like a creep. Tall, skinny, greasy hair slicked back highlighting the sharp planes of his face. Dark eyes flick over me from head to toe.
He licks his lips as he stares at me.
“I got a job for you,” he croons. “Easy money. Big bucks.”
It doesn’t take a genius to pick up on the underlying insinuation.
“No thanks.”
When I turn around, Elliot grabs my arm, sharp nails digging in as I try to pull away.
“Come on, now,” he hisses. “What’s a girl like you doing out here when you can be making money in there?”
He jerks his head at the door next to the bar. Tucked away, it looks innocent enough until you see the sign.
Knotty Delights.
I shudder as I tug my arm out of his grip.
“Get off me!”
Elliot stays in place as I back away, keeping an eye on him to make sure he doesn’t follow before I break into a run.
“I’ll be here,” he calls silkily. “When you come begging for it. You’ll end up on your back eventually, you know. Pretty little thing like you.”
My breath seesaws out of me in heaves as I bend over, hands on my knees as his words ring in my ears.
I know exactly what type of place that is.
A place where alphas can get their kicks now the heat nests are closed.
Nausea rises in my throat.
They’d use me like a toy until my batteries ran out, my shine wore off. Use me and dump me, probably addicted to fuck knows what.
I’ve seen the end results of their offer at the dungeon.
There’s not many, but they’re there, hidden in the corners. Strung out, empty-eyed omegas, with shaking limbs and dry, cracked lips. Holes in their elbows, between their feet.
Desperately seeking their next fix so they can forget. Offering themselves up to the equally empty-eyed alphas so they can get through the day with a little somethingextra.
The burning behind my eyes intensifies as I walk along, unseeing. My hands shake at my sides.
I’m scared.
Scared of being locked in this cycle. Waking up every morning with numb hands and ears, huddled inside a hoodie that smells less and less like warm, earthy teakwood each day and more and more like desperation.
Scared that one day soon that offer is going to look tempting.
And petrified, because I’m so cold and hungry that right now, the smallest part of me is already tempted. And once it creeps in, it’s only a matter of time before that part gets bigger.
And then I’ll be on my back, taking a knot from any alpha that wants to pay a few bucks for the privilege just to survive.
My hands bang against the side of a garbage can as I empty the lining of my stomach into it. There’s nothing to bring up, just retching until my stomach burns with agony.
People give me a wide berth, muttering to themselves in disgust.
Pulling back, I wipe my hands over the back of my mouth.
