He fell with such grace, with such limberness, that anyone would want. But I didn’t want that. I didn’t want a soulless Omega.
I wantedmyKasey. I wanted that eight-year-old boy that I once promised that I’d protect with my life. I wanted the five-year-old boy that spilt flour all over the kitchen floor because he wanted to make me a birthday cake. I wanted that sweet, boundless, happy boy that I adored.
This Omega…this Kasey…would be the death of me. Because he was everything I wanted in an Omega, at least in some form. He was sweet, shy, and skittish to where I wouldn’t be able to help myself but protect him from the world.
And I would. No matter what, no matter what his mindset was when he came out with his drug-induced mental state, I would be there. I would be there every single day, proving to him that he was safe. That he’d be okay here. That he’d get to have love, of all things.
Just…. I never thought three days ago that this Omega was going to take more work than I counted for.
“Go get cleaned up, Kasey. The bathroom is through the door on the left. When you’re finished, grab some clothes and meet me in the kitchen for food.”
He dipped his head in a small, automatic motion before pushing himself to his feet. The movement was clumsy, like he had to remind his body how to stand. I stayed where I was, watching him drift toward the bathroom. He left the door wide open, as if closing it wasn’t something he believed he was allowed to do, and began to undress with slow, shaky hands.
He seemed steady enough for the moment, so I stepped back, giving him space he clearly didn’t know how to take.Pulling out my phone, I headed down the hallway, though part of my attention stayed fixed on the quiet behind me.
I walked a few steps away, far enough to give Kasey privacy but close enough that I could hear if anything went wrong. The shower turned on a moment later.
I pressed thecallonce I found Alpha Moore’s contact information. A doctor who made house calls. He was always discreet and reliable. Someone who didn’t ask unnecessary questions.
He picked it up on the second ring. “Evander. Everything alright?”
“Not exactly,” I kept my voice low, glancing back towards the bedroom. “I brought someone home today. An Omega.”
A pause. No judgement, as it was normal for Alphas to purchase their Omega’s. Because it was normal. Ethical, but normal. “And?”
“He’s…shaken,” I rubbed a hand over my jaw, trying to find the right words. “Shut down. Barely responsive. He has welts covering parts of his back. I…can you came check him over for my peace of mind when you have a moment?”
Moore exhaled softly, the sound of someone who’d seen too much of this world. And he had it. He was one of the good Alphas who helped Omegas. He didn’t try to sugar coat things or do what an Alpha would want just because they had money. No…Moore had a soul and he used it for good.
“Yeah, of course. I’ll be there in an hour.”
“Thank you.”
I hung up and let my hand fall to my side, listening to the faint sound of water running.
I stayed there a moment longer, just to be sure he was okay, then headed towards the kitchen to start something simple, something warm.
Chapter 10
Kasey
The water hit my skin before I realized I’d turned it on.
I stood there, blinking at the tiled wall, steam curling around me in soft, unfocused shapes. The sound of the shower was too loud and too quiet at the same time, like it was happening far away in someone else’s life.
My hands shook as I reached for the soap, fingers slipping once, twice, before I managed to hold onto it. I kept waiting for someone to bark an order. For a knock. For a voice telling me I was taking too long.
Nothing came.
Just the steady rush of water and the faint echo of my own breathing.
I pressed my forehead to the cool tile, trying to anchor myself. Trying to remember all the rules. Trying to remember my place.
Maybe if I pretended that this was part of Lockswell’s tests, I’d survive it. Somehow.
My chest tightened, breath catching in a way I couldn’t control. Not a sob. Not panic. Just…too much. Too fast. Too close.
I squeezed my eyes shut and counted the droplets sliding down my spine.
