Her gaze drops a bit, but not before I see the humiliation in the depths of those gorgeous eyes of hers.Though I’m a fan of degradation, this isn’t how I want it accomplished.Seeing as she’s without funds right now, I wonder if this is the prettiest thing she currently owns.
A pang of guilt squeezes my heart.If only I’d given her money.If only I’d figured out a way to take care of her while still keeping my job.Granted, fucking her at the rut clinic certainly satisfies both of those things, and legally, too.Besides, I’ve had enough clients pass through my office that offer these types of services to know just how much they make.
She wouldn’t even have to work here that often.Maybe working one week a month and she’d be set.Not that I’ve scoured her financials like a damned stalker to see where she can cut back.She really doesn’t spend all that much, and the few things that aren’t obviously for her brother are little luxuries she probably deserves.
A sharp pang of jealousy rears up its ugly head as I picture her servicing other Alphas after tonight.But then, it’s not like I have a claim on her.I can’t let myself get attached.Just fuck her and be done with it.
Clinical.
Routine.
Detached.
After a few breaths pass between her lips, she dares to look up at me again.This time, her eyes are wet with unshed tears.How it tears at my heart.Why can’t I make her mine again?
It doesn’t matter that I don’t really know her.I could get to know her.I could say I claimed her by accident in the middle of a real rut and not this false lack of inhibitions the pheromones will give us.But that’s not the answer either.Deep down, I know it’s not.
“They did my nails, though.”With a watery grin, she shows me the basic, but lovely manicure.“My toes too.Sorry, my clothes aren’t pretty enough.I- I’ve never done this before.”
Rising from the bed, I capture her chin in my grasp and force her gaze to mine.“Do not apologize.I’m the one who should be demanding your forgiveness.”
Before she can ask why, I reach between us and gather the flimsy cloth between my fingers and yank.Buttons fly off and scatter about the floor in soft plinks that are deafening to my ears.But it’s all for her own good.
They can’t let her leave naked, and so they’ll have to find her something else, something nice.On my dime, of course.But I’d pay it again and again just to see the look of shock on her face as I rip the shirt from her body.
She stands there, mouth agape, as she does her best to process what I’m doing.Bending down on one knee, I work at her pants.With a few hard tugs, the plain fabric gives way and lies at her feet in tatters.
Tears slide down her cheeks, but she doesn’t make a sound.She doesn’t have to.My heart hears every fucking syllable of each fucking unspoken word between us.But truly, my cruel actions serve a dual purpose.It’s not just so she’ll get some better clothes out of the deal.I still need to show her exactly what her actions caused.
If it were any other Alpha, they wouldn’t care about her tears.They wouldn’t care that her heart was shattering before them.They would only take, ravage, and drown their own need her body.And honestly, that’s their right.
She’s the one who lied.That lie will make her match with the most horrific of men, the most savage of Alphas.Even now, my gut clenches at the idea of leaving her to them once I’m done.Perhaps after tonight, she’ll leave; she’ll run from this place and never come back.
I’ll make sure to tip well enough that with her payment, she’ll not need to go back for a very long time.I’ll give her the pleasure I promised, but only after rending her very soul from her body.Safely, of course.I’m not a monster, after all.I just need her to think that I am.
“On the bed, omega.It’s about time I show you what an Alpha does to an omega who is careless with their wants and desires, who lies about what they can take, what they can handle.And for what?A payday?Is your life really worth this?”
The tears drip in earnest even as the scent of her arousal floods the room.She doesn’t even know her body is reacting this way.I’m sure of that.Even now, I see the conflict in her gaze as her body trembles in fear and need.
“It’s no use,” I growl.“Sob.Scream if you want.No one will save you.No one will come for you.No one will take away what I’m owed.So cry for me, little omega.Let me see those tears.”
Chapter8
Noelle
My heart stuttersin my chest at the intensity of his words.Honestly, that’s only a small part of what has the air stilling in my lungs.The way his eyes darken, the way his muscles bunch as he clenches his hands into fists, and the way he stares down at me, as if he can rip out my very soul with merely a blink, does something to me, something so primal and fundamental I nearly fall to his feet.Alpha command be damned.This prime specimen only needs to look at me to get me to do his will.
Rubbing my hand against the rough cotton of my underwear, I try my best to take away the sting that lingers from his punishing hand.Deep inside, I knew it was dumb to just mark everything.And yet, does he really not understand just how fucking desperate I am?
None of that seems to matter as he glowers down at me, looking for a response of some sort.The problem is, I know if I open my mouth, the very wrong thing will come out.I won’t just plead with him to ease this ache between my thighs, I’ll beg him to hurt me while he does it.
It has to be these pheromones.It’s the only rational, logical explanation.I’ve never needed nor wanted pain before.Somehow, it’s the only thing quieting my mind.It’s the only thing driving away the ache of failure and loneliness and replacing it with an anguish I can actually do something about.
After a few more silent moments, he crosses his arms again and smirks.“You don’t think you did anything wrong, do you?You think you’re still going to get through this unscathed?Your clothes were just the start.I plan to strip your very soul before you leave this clinic today.”
Glancing down at the tatters, my heart and mind collide until I can’t breathe again.My good clothes.The one set I spent more money on than anything else.I went a whole week eating only dinner when I came back home to make sure I could save up for it.Was I really about to throw all that away with just one gruff growl from his impeccable lips?
This time, it’s my turn to glare at him.Standing up as straight as I can, I force the quaver from my voice.“You owe me a new outfit.”
