Maybe because he wasn’t trying to control me. And I didn’t know how to exist without that.
“Up we go now.” That was Alpha Harris, his voice rougher than Moore’s, deeper, steadier.
I gritted my teeth and pushed myself upright, every movement dragging pain across my body like sandpaper. When my feet hit the floor, the ache roared louder, sharp in places I didn’t know could hurt.
Alpha Harris didn’t rush me. He spoke calmly, explaining each step as he moved, what he was doing, and where we were going. His hands were firm but careful, guiding me toward the bathroom like I wouldn’t make it on my own. And maybe I wouldn’t have. But he didn’t make me feel small for it. Just helped. Like he’d done it a million times already.
I was slightly glad that I couldn’t see his expressions right then. I had to be a mess. Sweat covering every part of me along with the dark bruises thatcurrently covered my entire back. and who knows where else.
I should be put together. I should look my best, because that’s what Alphas demanded of an Omega.
“Good. Now sit. Slowly.”
My knees didn’t go slowly, but Alpha Harris was there, guiding me to sit on the cold stone. There wasn’t a need for an order to release my bladder; it did it on its own.
“Sorry.” The word was hard to get out, but I felt like it needed to be said.
I was sorry for being a reliability. Sorry for being such a baby that I had to have help to make it to the bathroom. Sorry for being alive.
“There is absolutely nothing to apologize for.” With the words came a soft touch, soft motion, to rest my head against his front. I didn’t resist. Not because I had to, but because I enjoyed this kind of touch. The soft touches and soothing words. “This is not your fault.”
He was wrong.
I had done something wrong, and paid the price because of it. It was normal. Omegas got punished for a lot of things, even when they weren’t the cause of it. We took the fall, no matter what.
Because Omegas were interchangeable. Easy to be wiped from this earth because we had no rights; we had no freedoms.
“We have so much to work on, Charles.” Alpha Harris pulled back, then helped me to stand.
I had to lean on him more on the way back to the bed. My legs weak, threatening to collapse under my weight.
By the time I made it back to the bed, I was out of breath. I sat on the edge, legs trembling, waiting for the strength to crawl to the middle and disappear into sleep again.
Alpha Harris knelt in front of me, his hands braced gently on either side of the mattress.
I heard movement behind him—soft sounds, things being set down. Then his voice, low and steady.
“I’ll make you a deal,” he said. “If you can finish a full cup of pudding, I’ll read to you. You never got to finish that book I gave you.” His words didn’t push. They offered. And for the first time in a long while, something about that felt safe
I nodded once.
Chapter 23
Vincent
Charles managed to finish the entire cup of pudding.
I could’ve offered him a choice—vanilla, banana, something lighter. But I knew better. Too many options would’ve overwhelmed him, shut him down before we even got started.
Chocolate was the safest bet. Familiar. Easy. And perfect for hiding the crushed pain pill he needed. I didn’t want to keep pumping him full of liquid meds if we could avoid it.
I fed him bite after bite. Not just because he still couldn’t see what he was doing, but because I wanted to. I wanted to show my Omega that he mattered in small ways like this. Tender moments that would leave no doubt of my loyalty and care.
The swelling around his eyes had gone down, but not enough for him to open more than slits.
Once Charles was comfortable on his side, facing me where I sat leaning against the headboard, I pulled out the leather bound book. I waited as Adrian whispered something in the other Omega’s ear before backing away. He shot me a look, a warning, to keep the boy settled.
“Go on, Adrian. We’ll be here after you take some time with your Alpha.”
