“Hey, Revea. You got a minute?”
When I turn, I’m caught by Luciano’s handsome face. I’ve stolen glances at him all day, but up close, I get a little lost in his deep brown gaze.
“Sure,” I answer in a daze, clearing my throat. “What’s up?”
He tilts his head to the side, indicating to the kitchen before he steps away. I frown but follow, and the second we’re off the busy shop floor, I note the tension in his posture.
My brows furrow deeper. “Are you okay?”
“Me? I’m fine.” He smiles, but it’s a little tight. Then it softens. “Listen, I swear I’ve been staying away from your staff. I’ve been polite, maybe smiled a little, but that’s it.”
I step a little closer. “Has something happened?”
“One of the girls, an omega, she keeps bringing me…food.” My stomach drops, but he keeps going. “I get the vibe she doesn’t really understand what it means, or why she’s even doing it? But it’s got my alpha on edge. He wants me to refuse it, but after what you said this morning about the omegas’ past experiences and all that, I didn’t want to do anything that made it worse. So I just… took it.”
He looks at me sheepishly, hands tucked into his pockets.
“I’m so sorry, Luciano.”
His expression blanks. I’m not sure what response he expected, but I feel fucking awful.
“Blonde, big brown eyes?”
He nods.
“Rosie.” I sigh, worrying my lip in thought. “I’ll fix it. I’m sorry. Really sorry. I didn’t even think she’d come near you, let alone… Let me go find her—”
Warm fingers find my elbow, stopping my retreat. “Hey, don’t apologise. You told me what the deal was.” His soft, comforting gaze only makes the guilt worse. “I mean it, Revea.”
I nod at his words, but the guilt lies thick. “You’re right, about her not really understanding.” I pause as I consider how much to tell him. “Rosie’s been trained all her life to submit to alphas. It’s so ingrained in her that when my brothers came over once, I couldn’t get her off her knees.”
I grit my teeth at the memory.
Rue’s face was the worst, the way his alpha shook with the need to bark, to command her to stand, but knowing it would only make it worse.
“That was six months ago. She’s made huge improvements, but she hasn’t been around alphas since. I think she’s reverted back to doing what they taught her.”
I give him a small, sad smile before I try to turn again—
“Please feel free to tell me to fuck off, but maybe it would help if we spoke to her together?”
I still, our gazes locked.
He shrugs. “She might be willing to listen to me. If she’s been taught to serve alphas. Unless you think that’s an awful idea—”
I shake my head softly, cutting him off. “No, it’s a good idea. You sure?”
His wide grin answers for him.
***
When I bring Rosie into the back, her soft smile drops the second she sees Luciano.
“Alpha,” she murmurs, staring hard at the floor.
I crouch, softening my voice. “Rosie, we’ve talked about this. You don’t need to drop your gaze.”
This close, I notice the tremor skittering through her body. Her omega is right at the surface, shaking in the presence of an alpha. It’s too much for her. He’s too close.
