And just like that, the silence between us wasn’t empty anymore. It was full. Of memory. Of intention. Of something that felt dangerously close to care.
“I hate the idea of boarding houses, and wasn’t thrilled with Moore’s idea to meet you, let alone bring you here. But I see why Adrian was so intent on you now. You remind me of him – my brother, I mean. He liked simple things, but always feared Alpha men. Which most Omegas do, and for good reason.”
“What was his name?” The question was out before I could think it over. But it was too late to take it back.
Alpha Harris gave me a tender look before answering. I could no longer help but lean into his leg, soaking up whatever he offered me.
“Micha.”
With that one word, I knew almost instantly who the Omega in Lockswell could be.
There weren’t really any similarities between the man before me and the younger Omega that I had tended to a few times over the years.
I didn’t remember him coming in, because there was always Omegas being sent in at all ages. They all cried, they were all confused and homesick. Most of the time, they didn’t take to learning the rules too well, oftentimes being sent to the basement for behavioral punishments.
But Micha…if he was in fact the same person, wasn’t like those. He never uttered a word. He cried, a lot, and often was covered in bruises from clients. He wasn’t supposed to be seeing clients, but the ones he saw paid good money, or so I assumed.
There wasn’t anything I could do, of course. Not when I was a simple, lowly Omega with no money and no ties to anyone.
I didn’t see a point in telling this Alpha, but the words were there, and I spoke them anyways. My voice was low, even, a bit of fear mixed with them. “I know a Micha.” I licked my lips. “He’s quiet. Quiter than me.”
“Is he safe?” It was almost as though Alpha Harris didn’t want to ask.
“As safe as I am there.” It all depended on how one looked at that word. Our needs were met, and we were healthy, for the most part. But mentally, we weren’t okay. I wasn’t the only one who hated it there, stuck in a prison with high walls and no way out.
“That doesn’t really help me have much confidence that anyone is safe there.”
It wasn’t like we could go anywhere else. If no one wanted us, where else would we be kept? Living on the streets wasn’t possible for any of us, that was for sure.
“As long as we follow the rules, we are okay, Sir. It’s all to train us to be what an Alpha needs.” The robotic response was something that was drilled into us since the time we learned to talk and behave a certain way. The trainers always expected someone to question us and we had to know how to respond to please them.
Chapter 14
Vincent
The rest of the day was mostly uneventful. We moved from the office to the living room where I put on a newer movie I hadn’t yet taken the time to see. I have never seen the point in sitting and watching some mindless thing when there’s always so much to do.
But, I didn’t feel the need to work as Charles sat on the couch, knees pulled up so his legs were beside him. His eyes were glued to the TV unless I moved. Then he was alert to see if I needed or wanted a single thing.
I was torn on how to get him to see that he didn’t need to cater to my every want and desire, yet that’s exactly what I wanted. I wanted him to serve me while I doted and spoiled him with whatever he wanted. Not to show off my wealth, but to show him that he deserved it.
The ringing of my cell phone caused me to jump, startled. Glancing at the caller ID, I let out a groan.
Not even a full twenty-four hours and Lockswell House was already calling.
“Vincent Harris speaking,” I answered, my voice clipped.
For any other call, I’d have turned the TV down a bit, but there had been no information in the papers about check-in calls, unless it was after the agreed time limit. Which wasn’t even close to that yet.
“Good afternoon, Alpha Harris. This is Alpha Merrick Vale, owner and operator of Lockswell Houseand Boarding.” His voice was smooth, practiced and clinical. There was a pause, the faint sound of keys clicking in the background. “I’ve received a request from a client interested in renting the Omega currently in your care. Would it be possible to return him by tomorrow morning? Naturally, we’d refund the unused portion of your payment. Or, if preferred, we can offer a replacement Omega for the remainder of your term.”
I didn’t hesitate answering as rage began to boil under my skin. “That won’t be possible,” I said, voice even. “The Omega is staying with me for the full duration.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Charles shift. His body went still, too still with his shoulders drawn tight, breath held. He didn’t speak. But I felt the question in him. And I made sure my tone left no room for doubt.
“He’s not available,” I added. “To anyone while he’s in my care.”
Then Merrick’s voice returned, smooth as ever, as though he never got toldno. “I understand your preference, Alpha Harris,” he said. “But you must realize that this particular Omega was flagged as high-demand. The client in question is offering triple the standard rate.”
