AllFreeNovel
Share Us
When my number came up last month, my parents were already gone. I was already alone with no idea what to do next. Because I took their money, I was obligated to show up for theOmega Girlsinterview, but I thought they would turn me away from there. Omegas are supposed to be beautiful creatures, lithe and graceful, with an innate gift for flirtation. I’ve always worked hard to stay in the background, never feeling special enough to be an omega, let alone one on television.
…So imagine my surprise when the network assigned me a spot onAfter Dark, the late night, night-vision version ofOmega Girls.
In a heartbeat, I went from plain old Haven Avery: shabby work-from-home accountant, to Haven Avery: obligatory-cocktail-dress-wearing omega and tv personality. I snort to myself at the thought. Tv personality. Only for people who watch after midnight. I won’t even be on the B list.
I stop for a moment to check the map on my phone, glancing around to look for the street where I need to turn. It’s midday, and there are lots of people out and about, as usual for San Francisco. None of them give me a second glance; I’m not the type to draw a double-take.
I glance over my shoulder, wondering what would happen if I turned around. If I just went back to my little shitty apartment and pretended my number hadn’t come up.The money, I remind myself.They’ll come after the money.All that damned money that I spent taking care of my parents. I can’t pay it back… they have me, bought and paid for. And I was on the verge of being evicted anyway. I can’t go home.
Taking a deep breath, I remind myself that this isn’t so bad.After Darkmay be less prestigious than the main show, but it’s also a lot less pressure. Sure, most of the omegas onAfter Darkare a little more adventurous, curious, and confident than me, but at least I’m not going to have to deal with a rose ceremony.
I shudder at the thought. All those eyes on me, judging me…After Darkis definitely a blessing, by comparison.
Following the map, I turn down a side street, and things get quiet. The hair on the back of my neck prickles as I pull my suitcase down the brick-lined sidewalk. It feels like someone’s watching me. I glance around, but I can’t see anyone.
A garbage can crashes in an alley to my left, and a chill runs up my spine. Most omegas have a security detail; it isn’t really safe for someone of my dynamic to be out on the street alone, even during the day. I quicken my footsteps. I’m only a couple blocks from the place now; almost there.
“Who’s that?” a man calls from the alley. An alpha voice, but it sounds angry, desperate… feral.
My skin crawls. I shake my head inwardly, hoping against hope that it’s just my imagination. I can’t have luck that bad, can I? I tug my suitcase and its wheels roll frantically against the sidewalk. I see a broad body emerge from the alley, and I quicken my pace.
“Mmmm, look at this, look at this, look at this,” the voice whispers before laughing menacingly.
I glance over my shoulder to see a shadowy figure loping toward me. From the size of him, he’s definitely an alpha.Fuck. Fuck fuck fuck.
“What are you doing out here, little one?” he purrs at me.
I start walking as briskly as possible toward the townhouse in the distance. It’s not far. My heels click faster against the pavement, and the sound makes my heart pound. It’s the sound of victim-hood; the sound of impending tragedy for a woman. And it’s sounding for me.
“She smells good,” he says, talking to himself. His voice is loud and deep. Commanding as it is terrifying. My stomach lurches as his scent reaches me—it’s a sort of cut grass smell that might have been pleasant once, but now it’s more earthly than fresh, and there’s an undertone of unwashed sweat.
“Hey there, slow down, girl. What’s your hurry? I won’t hurt you.”
I swallow the panic that threatens to rise in my throat as his footsteps overtake me. Feral alphas are known to be crazy. Alphas without a pack lose sight of their morals. Everyone knows that ferals can’t control of themselves; they’ll fuck absolutely anything they can find. And an omega, alone on the street? He’ll snatch me up and bite me, and we’ll be bonded forever.
He walks up on my left side, herding me closer to the darkened buildings. The grass smell turns sickly sweet, and it makes bile rise in my throat.
“What’s your name, omega?”
I press my lips together, struggling to stay calm.
“I know you heard me, love. I don’t see any bite marks on your throat. You could make us a pack, couldn’t you? Make me steady. Take the voices in my head away. Maybe I’ll take you right here. Make you mine.”
“No thanks,” I say softly.
That was a mistake. Talking seems to encourage him, and he presses closer. “Tell us your name, sweet omega. God, you smell good. I want your name.”
He isn’t barking or yelling, but the alpha in his voice makes me want to oblige. I can feel my body trying to force me to give in to his wishes. I know he can sense it too.
“Sweet thing. Love these curves. You’ll be perfect. I’ll breed you good. Come home with me, baby girl.”
I shake my head, though I can’t make my mouth form the word no. I’m nearly to the steps of the building when he moves out in front of me, blocking my path.
“Let me pass, please,” I whisper. Well, I try to whisper. It comes out as more of a whimper. Bad news. Bad, bad, bad.
As soon as the whimper leaves my throat, he freezes in place. If he had a mane, it would be raised. If he had tail feathers, they would be puffed out. Human alphas aren’t all that expressive compared with other species, but it doesn’t stop me from feeling the primal possessiveness coming off of him in waves.
Without warning, he lunges forward and grabs me by the throat, bending down close. I try to resist, pushing against him and yelling in protest, but it’s a losing battle. I close my eyes as the grass-scented alpha moves his head toward my throat. He opens his mouth, revealing rotting teeth, still sharp enough to pierce my skin. Maybe I can kick him the balls. That always works in the movies—
