My stomach twisted so hard I thought I might be sick.
The closer we got, the more the buildings seemed to loom. Tall and unforgiving. I could almost feel the weight of Alpha Lockswells' presence from outside, like the air itself grew heavier the nearer we came.
My feet kept moving. My body kept obeying. But inside, everything was shaking.
I stumbled over my own feet as we crossed the threshold, my balance slipping for a heartbeat before I caught myself. The blast of cold air hit me full in the face, sharp enough to sting, but I welcomed it. At least it cooled the heat of embarrassment burning under my skin, making it a little less obvious.
“Welcome, Alpha. How may I help you?”
As I was trained, I kept my eyes fixed on the porcelain white marble beneath my feet while the Alpha walked ahead of me. I followed the movement of his shoes, nothing else. When we approached the massive white desk that dominated the center of the room, I didn’t dare look up.
A Beta sat behind it, posture straight, expression cool like she held the authority over everyone who stepped into this place. And maybe she did. In buildings like this, even the air felt like it belonged to someone else.
“I need to speak to Alpha Lockswell. He should be expecting me about this Omega here.”
My stomach dropped further.
The name alone made my pulse spike, but I kept my head down, kept my breathing quiet, and kept every part of me still. Omegas weren’t supposed to react. Omegas weren’t supposed to draw attention. Omegas definitely weren’t supposed to be anywhere near the main building unless summoned.
The Beta’s gaze flickered towards me, just a quick glance, but sharp enough that I felt it like a pinprick along my spine. I fought the urge to shrink back.
“Of course, Sir. I’ll notify Alpha Lockswell that you’re here.”
I didn’t know why we were here. Omegas didn’t leave this place easily. Not unless they’d outlived their usefulness.
Only a handful ever got taken out—an extremely select few. The perfect one. The ones who never hesitated, never questioned, never slipped. The ones who were considered the best of the best trained to serve in ways the rest of us weren’t even allowed to imagine.
The rest of us stayed. We stayed until we grew old and even then, there was a purpose for us here. To clean, take care of the younger Omegas. Some became teachers here, some helped cook. We all were useful in some way.
There would always be a purpose for us here at Lockswell, no matter the age.
“Right this way, Sir.”
I jerked at the Beta’s voice, then stood stock still, waiting for my orders. I didn’t move until the Alpha’s hand clasped around my own, pulling me forward. His touch was light enough, that if I wanted to, I could have easily pulled away.
“Thank you,” the one holding me said, easily guiding me to where he wanted me to go.
It was easier this way. It's easier to let my thoughts drift somewhere far off. Easier to let my body move wherever I was guided without having to think or worry or choose.
So, I did what I’d been trained to do.
I sank to my knees beside the Alpha after he took a seat, settling just a breath away from his leg. The floor here was warmer than the bathroom tile, but the faint chill from the air-conditioning brushed over my damp skin, raising goosebumps along my arms.
“Evander Whitlock, great to see you again.” Alpha’s Lockswell’s voice had a bite to it, the same type that poked needles into my skin.
I’d never cared for this man. His beady eyes always swept over us Omegas like we were nothing more than scraps left on a plate. And I knew for a fact that if you were one of the unlucky few who caught his attention, life became ten times harder than simply staying invisible.
Thankfully, I hadn’t had to face this man often. He only appeared once or twice a year to give his speeches, repeating the same message about our purpose each time. Other than that, he stayed distant, far above the rest of us.
And I preferred it that way.
I’d never been called into his office. Never been summoned for a face-to-face meeting. I’d always been a decent, well-behaved Omega. Good enough to stay off his radar, good enough not to draw his eye. Good enough to survive.
But that didn’t stop the fear that cursed through me as he settled in his seat. His presence was more than enough to tighten my stance, making sure I wasperfectin his eyes.
“You are still wanting to purchase this Omega, correct?”
“Absolutely. After the time I’ve spent with him, he checks every box. Fits exactly what I’m looking for.”
