AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“What? No!”
“Take it. Please. Just…don’t forget, we aren’t all bad.”
He tries to shove the sandwich into my hands, but I step back.
“Make a bargain with me instead.” I suggest.
His eyes widen, then narrow in suspicion. “What kind of bargain?”
I hold out my free hand. “If I ever see you need help, I will be on your side. I’ll help you wherever you are because we’re friends.”
“You-” he cuts himself short and stares at my hand. He takes it in his larger one. Tingles curl deliciously up my spine, and I wish I was braver. “I will be on your side, too.”
“No matter where we are in life, I'm your friend.” I say with a small smile. “And you're mine. This is just the start of our story.”
He shudders and almost closes his eyes. His fingers tighten on mine for a moment before he abruptly loosens his grip and lets me go.
“Don't go,” he pleads suddenly.
I bite my lip and look away. “I have to. I need to feed my family. It’s a good job.”
He frowns down at my gift, and when he looks up, his eyes are even darker, full of something I don’t recognise. “Okay, fine. But if this is just the start of our story, we write the rest of it together. My name is-”
“Uh!” I cut him off, feeling a strange lump in my throat. “No names. Just…be safe, okay. I'm really glad we met. And don't forget our bargain. You and me, Mystery Man, our story starts now.”
I take a step backwards and then another. He follows, but I force myself to turn away and jog towards Silver. He doesn’t come after me, and though a huge part of me wishes he would, I'm relieved because I know that reality is cruel, and Silver would chase him away.
“Where were you?” Silver snarls and takes the sandwich and drink.
I snatch the drink back and open the container, drinking three mouthfuls of juice. It will have to do me.
“Needed the toilet.”
“Ugh, don't be so vulgar.”
I shrug. “You asked, Silvie. Come on, let’s get out of here. I’m going to be late.”
I brush my pants and walk into the office, trying hard not to stare. I’m damp, and it’s obvious that I am. There’s nothing I can do about it. Embarrassment is a second skin when you’re poor and desperate, I’ve discovered. We’re up, I don’t know how many levels, and I feel like I’m an eagle perched in the sky. The windows are enormous. How do people even work here? I’d spend hours just staring at that view.
Yvette waits for my eyes to return to her, then she smiles.
“This is a contract for employment. Take a seat, and I’ll go through the code of conduct, get your signature, and then we can take a quick photo and get you on the bus.”
The process takes little to no time. But my hands shake even after I’ve signed everything. This job could get Silvie and I the first home we’ve had since Mama and Dad died. It could buy her what she needs to attract a pack. I could be free.
My father’s last words to me go through my head. A beta is good for everything else. An alpha is good to lead, to protect, to provide, but an omega is a gift to everyone. You owe your sister, you owe her for this mess you made for us. You owe her for her dead parents.
My father was as mean as a snake. But he is right about one thing. Mama died, and it was my fault, and the only thing I can do to make amends is find my twin her happily ever after. Silver is vulnerable. I’m not. As a beta, I have all the freedom. But with Silver, I've got even less than she has. Her designation has trapped us both, and the only genuine answer I can find is to make us respectable again and get her a pack. Her freedom will set me free.
This job can get us on the road to that goal.
I smile politely for the photograph and take the lanyard with the passkey. The key will get me into the resort, but I will need to go to orientation right away to get a second key that will allow me access to the hotel.
“How are you feeling?” She asks. Her tight bob is like cut glass. I wonder how she keeps it like that or how she walks in those shoes. They look excruciating and very pretty.
“Good. Overwhelmed. Looking forward to getting to work.”
“The first few days are going to be training. So be prepared. Simon Shultz will be in charge of overseeing all the guests. He’s a lovely man but loves people who have an eye for detail.” Yvette smiles. “Just do your best, Onyx.”
