Page 51 of Dark Company

I need to find some way out of this. Though I can’t tear his mark from me, I can distance myself from it. Perhaps if I run far enough, I’ll no longer feel his emotions swirling in my brain as if they’re my own, driving me crazy.

The only thing I know is that he wants me docile, subdued. Perhaps if I act the part, he’ll believe it and allow me the freedom to roam. Taking in a deep breath, I imagine a square with solid steel walls. I construct that around my heart, hoping it will keep any errant thoughts and emotions at bay.

From his actions, he doesn’t seem to know the needs of an omega. If I play my cards right, I can use that to my advantage. Leaning forward, I take the meat from his finger, giving the greasy digits a little lick before forcing a coy smile on my face.

Altris’s eyes brighten in that moment, a huge smile crossing his face. Like candy from a fucking baby. I feel the warmth of his pleasure flood my system, and I almost give into it, riding the high he fills me with.

Guilt slams into my chest as he looks at me as if I hung the suns themselves. His smile is so warm, so full of love. It hurts. It slices into my soul as I stare into those eyes that I can easily lose myself in. This is how it’s supposed to be. The phantom tendrils of love brush against my insides, sending an odd warmth through my body. But I can’t let myself down that path. It’s not real. None of it is real.

We eat in silence with Altris feeding me then taking a bite for himself. He sits on the floor as if to commiserate with me. Difference is, if he wants to, he can get himself a chair. I’m forced to remain on this floor until he decides I can move. Closing my eyes, I breathe in, quelling the rebellious thoughts. I can do this. For the freedom it will grant me, I can do this.

Once all the food is gone, he stands up and goes over to the basin to clean his hands before bringing a soft rag over to clean my mouth and his fingertips. He wipes me down with such care, such tenderness that tears prick my eyes. Why can’t he be like this normally? Why do his gentle touches have to come at the price of my submission?

I loved the rough way he took me. It was exhilarating beyond control. So, why can’t I have both? Why can’t we have that erotic push and pull that ultimately leaves me spent in his arms without me having to change for it? At this point, I’m too tired to be angry. If I don’t put my plan into action soon, I’ll be forced to remain by his side forever.

Leaning down, he brushes his lips against mine, stoking the flames of my desire until I’m squirming against him, begging for release again. I thought him leaving cured me of the need to get off, but I guess I was wrong.

“Get your rest, omega. We leave for Stanlion in the morning.”

Panic flutters about in my stomach, threatening the contents I just ate. “So soon, my Lord Alpha?” Even as I say the words, I want to gag.

“Yes. Now that your heat has passed, it is safe for us to go home.”

Home. The word is so foreign to me. Where even is home anymore? It’s not back at the commune, and it sure as hell isn’t back at Stanlion. The tendrils of abandonment sweep around me, draping their comforting arms about my shoulders. It’s a feeling I know intimately. It’s familiar, safe.

“But there is still so much to do. I haven’t gone through my cleansing ritual.”

Altris stands and crosses his arms, staring down at me for a moment. I feel him probing at the bond, more like slamming against it, looking for falsehoods, but I stand firm, not giving him an inch. I even bow my head in subjection just to sweeten the lie.

“I’ve never been told of a cleansing ritual. What does it entail?”

“Oh. That I do not know, my Lord Alpha.” At least that part is true. “I just know it’s something of great importance at the commune. A moment between omegas after they’ve had their heat. Between you and me, I think it’s a bout of gossip, but they consider it highly important. I would very much like to go back to the commune and perform this ritual before going home.”

He pauses and strokes his chin, his eyes boring into mine. “No need,” he responds after several nerve-wracking moments. “Seems that two omegas have followed you here. I will converse with them and see what needs to be done.”

My heart sinks as he leaves the tent. No doubt whoever he asks will blow my story out of the water, ruining the tentative trust I was building between us. Why can’t things just be easy? Within minutes, a familiar voice seeps through the curtains. It’s Alexi! If anyone will help me out of this, it’s her.

When the flaps open, both she and Ladria step inside and give a small bow. “We will have her back in time for you to enjoy your evening together. The goddess Ilaria smiles down upon you as you allow our fellow omega a chance to cleanse herself and prepare for your next bout of love play.”

Still, Altris doesn’t say a word, but he does walk over to the pole and loosen up the chains. Watching me from the other side, I feel his side of the bond growing more agitated and rankled. He knows something’s up, but he doesn’t have proof of it. Hopefully, Alexi can help me get away before he notices. As he stares down at me, an odd feeling, almost like that of suspicion, nearly takes my breath away.

It adds to the guilt already piling up in my heart. Although he doesn’t trust any of this, he’s still willing to let me go, to give me this thing he believes I need. It makes my very soul ache as the repercussions scream at me, filling my brain with a staticky noise. Perhaps the gods will understand and not hold any of this against me.

“As soon as you’re done,” he growls, wrapping a tunic around me, “you come right back here. It’s not safe around these males. You will do your ritual and not linger. Am I understood?”

The bite of his command smashes into my heart, leaving me breathless. It almost rips away the walls I erected to keep him out. Unable to fully respond without giving myself away entirely, I merely nod and walk over to the other girls.

“Omega Alexi. If anything happens to my Karis, I will hold you responsible.”

“Understood, my Lord Alpha.”

All three of us bow to Altris before exiting the tent. Once we clear the flaps, Alexi grips my hand in hers and leads both Ladria and me away towards a thin stream. Her fingers wrap around my hand so tightly that pain shoots into my wrist and up my arm, but every time I try to pull back, she tightens even more.

As soon as we’re out of earshot of any noticeable Alphas, she hunches down at the bank so that her words are muffled by the sound of the rushing water. “Want to tell me why I just lied to an Alpha for you? We have an hour tops, so you better make this quick.”

Her eyes drift from mine to look at my exposed shoulder where my mark lays bare and throbbing. As she reaches out to touch it, I pull back, the need to keep this secret and hidden swirling in my gut. It’s Alexi, my friend, but somehow, it’s all still too raw, too new.

Without saying a word, she parts my tunic and stares at the bruises and cum that litters my skin, her eyes growing at each expanse she uncovers. I don’t dare tell her that most of these came from him giving me pleasure. She just wouldn’t understand. Or would she?