I’d never be an equal. I was an Omega. Trained and destined to serve Alphas for the rest of my life.
Since I was awake so early, I had taken a quick shower, keeping the temperature low, just like it was required at Lockswell. Unsure of what to wear, I put back on the clothes that Adrian had given me the day before.
I had almost worn them to bed, but decided not to. I was so sure that Alpha Harris would have requested some sort of service from me during the night, and having easy access to any part of my body he wanted would have pleased him.
But he hadn’t.
He hadn’t come to use me, to check on me. I was invisible, and most likely unwanted, to be in his home. Which, given what I was, was understandable.
I wasn’t as pretty as most of the other boys; I knew that.
Shaking the thoughts away, I headed to the kitchen, making sure I didn’t make a sound. The coldness of the tiled floor seeped into the soles of my feet, and I almost wished I’d kept my socks on.
Being chilled wasn’t out of the normal for me, or any of us Omegas. We often had to deal with colder temperatures during the winter months, as the heating system didn’t always work in the buildings. So some cold floor wasn’t the end of the world for me.
Thankfully, Alpha Harris had one of those fancy coffee pots. The ones that had a timer and brewed the rich nectar of life into a cup beneath it.
Unsure of how he took his coffee, I left it where it sat.
Alphas were similar in tastes, at least when it came to food, from what I overheard from others. They were simple, easy to please in that department. Or at least I hoped so.
The only other time I was with an Alpha for longer than an hour, I hadn’t gotten food. It hadn’t been offered, nor was I ordered to make anything for him. He had gotten his own food, leaving me tied to a bed while I struggled to just breathe.
I hadn’t earned anything back then. But now, I was determined to earn my place, my food, and my keep. Or at least try.
The freezer offered little. Nothing quick or easy. The fridge was better: a carton of eggs, some juice, a fewslices of ham. Enough to make something. Enough to feel useful.
I moved to the cupboards, opening one after another until I found a pan and the rest of what I needed.
The pan warmed slowly as I cracked the eggs, careful not to let the shells clink too loudly. The slices of ham sizzled first, their edges curling in the heat. I moved with practiced silence, each motion deliberate.
Behind me, Alpha Harris stood in the doorway. He hadn’t said anything. Just watched. I could feel his gaze watching my every move, as though he was fascinated by what he saw.
I stirred the eggs, added a pinch of salt and pepper. The smell began to rise, soft and familiar.
Alpha Harris stepped forward, slow enough that I heard the shift of his weight before his feet touched tile.
“You cook often?” His was voice low.
“I’m required to know how to make basic items.”
He didn’t respond right away. Just leaned against the counter, arms crossed, watching the way I moved. I plated the food without flourish. I slid one plate toward him, not meeting his eyes.
“Get my coffee, please, Charles. We’ll eat at the table.”
I was moving before he even finished speaking the words. The cup was still warm as I wrapped my palm around the outer edges.
“How do you want your drink, Sir?” My voice was loud enough to be heard.
“Black, just as it is when it’s brewed.” His voice dimmed as he walked farther away.
With the coffee in one hand, I trailed after him.
“Go get yourself something to drink,” he dipped his chin back towards the kitchen as I sat his drink before him.
It only took a moment. Permission was rare enough that I didn’t waste it. I poured myself a glass of water, grateful for the option. Last night, I’d settled for the bathroom tap. It hadn’t been pleasant, but it had worked.
I set the glass on the table, then lowered myself to my knees with practiced ease. I didn’t overthink it. Thinking made everything harder.
