“Sir.” My voice came out flat. Hollow. Like it belonged to someone else.
“It’s time to go.”
I stood. Head down. Hands folded neatly in front of me, like I’d been trained to do.
I wanted to cry. Wanted to scream. Wanted to ask him not to make me leave. But I didn’t. Because wanting had never changed anything. And I already knew how this story ended.
“I’m truly sorry, Charles. My hands are tied.”
Lies. He didn’t want to try.
I ducked my head before going around the Alpha. He was simply a client. One that meant nothing. One that just put another notch into my holed up heart.
I blinked hard, forcing the tears back. Tears were no longer allowed to fall; no longer to be seen.
Alpha Harris followed behind, speaking quiet words that he meant for me to hear. But he was no longer my client. He had no say in what was to happen next, and my time with him was at an end.
I knew I wouldn’t stay that long, but the fear of returning was too strong, causing my knees to wobble as I descended the steps.
Without having to look, I felt eyes on me. Eyes that made my skin crawl.
I swallowed, coming to a stop a little ways in front of the door. I stayed quiet, as I had been trained.
“Thank you, Vincent Harris, for your cooperation. This made the transaction smoother. Your refund will be processed within an hour to the bank you paid through. Please use our services again, and Alpha Vale will personally see you to find you a new match for any given amount of time that our contracts covers.”
Alpha Harris hummed, not agreeing to anything. As two men came up on either side me, my body stiffened. Both Betas held my upper arms, giving no leeway of me escaping if I tried to do so.
“Let me help him get his shoes on. I doubt Alpha Vale would be pleased for the Omega to be injured while leaving my care.”
“Fine.” A sharp response, but at least it got the two handlers to let go of my arms.
I stayed still as Alpha Harris bent down, slipping one shoe on, then the next. I kept my eyes down, but away from him.
I didn’t want to see the man’s eyes or expressions.
“You are a wonderful Omega,” he whispered, standing to his full height. “Please, forgive me.”
“Yes, Sir. Whatever you wish of me, Sir.”
A small, barely there, brush of Alpha Harris’s lips pressed against my forehead before they were gone.
He stepped back, opened the door, and then off to the side.
I didn’t need to be led. I didn’t want anyone touching me, either.
So, with my head held forward, I walked lightly on my heavy feet towards the white van that sat in the driveway.
Chapter 18
Charlie
I made my mind go blank just like I used to with clients.
No thoughts. No feelings.
Just silence.
It was the only way to keep the tears from spilling, to hold myself together while my heart quietly broke apart.
