“She has no education or training,” the she-alpha continues. “She’s a truly feral one.” Her glossy lips press into a thin line. “Unfortunately, it’s not likely that she’ll be a very good mate, but she will make a lovely pet.”
I’ve never been fond of the term “pet”, but it is accurate. Wild omegas struggle to learn basic things like manners and even speech, and many never get used to socializing. They’re more like wild cats—wonderful companions, but too untamed to provide anything other than occasional affection. But that’s okay. We can teach her. We can help mold this omega into the perfect mate and save her from the wildlands she was born into.
“If she’s feral, does that mean she’s cheap?” Tristan asks, and Angelica snorts.
“Oh, no.” A wicked smile cuts across her otherwise pretty face. “The untamed ones are in high demand. There are very few alphas that can break these wild girls in, but once an omega bonds with a pack, they are fiercely loyal and protective of their mates.” The she-alpha beams as if talking about a rare antique. “They’re a real prize for any collector.”
I bristle at the thought of an alpha “collecting” omegas. There’s already a shortage. Hoarding them is pointless and selfish.
“The good news is, this one is actually able to speak.” Angelica glances back down at the sleeping omega. “She also seems to have a bit of a tolerance to alpha pheromones.”
“Was she raised by alphas?” Tristan’s dark brows draw upward, just as surprised as me.
“It’s a possibility,” Angelica says, “But it’s not likely with the wild ones. They rarely have proper families. It’s likely her tolerance is a random twist of biology. The good news is it’ll make it a little easier to train her in the beginning.” Her nose scrunches as if pleased to share the omega’s selling points.
“What’s wrong with her?” Basil curls his hands around the bars. “She looks drugged.” He sniffs the air, no doubt smelling the faint trace of ammonia lingering around her.
“It’s just a standard medication we give to all the omegas,” Angelica says like she’s given this speech a thousand times before. “It’s a mixture of a sedative, a pheromone stabilizer, and a heat-suppressant. It dulls their fear response to unknown alphas, and helps them to be extra friendly without falling into their heat.” She rolls her eyes as she says, “Some omegas are incredibly high-strung.”
“A heat-suppressant?” Tristan asks. The disappointment in his voice is very clear, and I understand why.
While omegas don’t have to be in heat to mark them, it’s highly recommended. The process is painful and sometimes even bloody. The delirium brought on by a heat acts as a sedative, often keeping the omega from hurting herself or her alpha. It’s one of the few facts I remember from my omega studies class back in high school.
“How are we supposed to protect her out here if we can’t mate her?” Tristan frowns.
“I understand your concern,” Angelica says flatly, clearly annoyed with Tristan’s valid question. “But wehaveto suppress them. The last thing we need is for their arousal to set off multiple alphas in the middle of the goddamn market.” Her voice rises, as she snips, “It would be chaos.”
“How long will it last?” Basil’s tone is calm and even, trying to ease the tension in the air.
“The suppressant is a standard dosage, so it can last anywhere from a week or two, up to a month,” Angelica says as if it’s common knowledge “The pheromone stabilizer will be out of her system by morning and she’ll be slicking herself like any normal, healthy omega.” She turns to me. “What do you think, Mr. Bava? Do you want to discuss price or would you rather wait until the next auction?”
Tristan and Basil both turn and look at me at the same time. I can feel both of them holding their breath, wanting this precious girl as much as I do.
I take one more look at the tender omega, and shock cuts through me. Her eyes are open. They’re hazy. Unfocused. But she’s looking right at me with the most beautiful soft brown eyes I’ve ever seen.
“What do you think, omega?” I lean in, hoping she can understand me. “Do you want to be my pet?”
In a Cage
Beth
Didthis asshole just ask me if I want to be his pet?
I’m honestly not sure. My thoughts are too foggy. Too thick. But I’m pretty sure that’s what I heard him say. Staring at the alpha with dirty-blond hair, I want to snarl, but my face won’t move. Nothing will. It’s like my body is lost in a deep sleep, and my mind desperately wants to follow.
I don’t think I’ve ever been this sleepy.
“Killian?” The dark-skinned alpha says to the blond one. He has a nice voice. Kind. But Kent had kind eyes and that jerkwad kidnapped and sold me, so who knows? “We can’t leave her,” he whispers, turning his bright eyes back to me. The pale green color is so striking in contrast with his dark skin. “She needs us.” There’s so much sadness in his soft expression. It’s clear he feels badfor me.
I must look awful.
But apparently not bad enough for these alphas to leave me alone.
The blond alpha—Killian—nods once, then he stands up. He’s tall and lean, his jeans hugging his muscular thighs in a way that makes me want to squirm… thank goodness I can’t move. I hate that my body is reacting this way, but I have no defenses. Those drugs have stripped away my desire to fight, leaving me desperate and stupid.
“Let’s talk.” Killian pushes his long hair out of his face, showing off his trim beard and prominent Adam's apple. “Can my men stay with her?”
Angelica’s bright blue eyes narrow as she looks the other alphas up and down.She’s actually considering it. I’m dumbfounded. She can’t possibly be stupid enough to let two feral alphas stay with me all alone.
