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Valarie told me she also found her mate when she was my age, but since she's an Omega, he didn't want to tell anyone because it would bring shame to his family. These days, it's uncommon for someone to be so prejudiced over ranking. The most heartbreaking part was he never rejected her. Instead, he kept her around, refusing to let her go because he couldn't handle knowing she would belong to someone else.
She said she became just another side piece so he would stay strong; rejecting mates weakens us, yet I think it was disgusting he would force her to endure the agony of being alone.
When she got pregnant, he took her son, said it would be better if he raised him. She said besides pictures, she hasn't seen her son since he was a baby. He doesn't even know she exists because her mate told him she died during the birth. Her story is tragic and gut-wrenching, yet she still loves him despite it.
“Have you thought of moving on?” I ask her, and she shakes her head almost immediately.
“He still comes in every couple of weeks to stay the night,” she tells me with a shrug like she never thought about finding anyone else.
“May I ask you something? Something a little personal?” I need to know; I need to know if I will be tortured my entire life.
“You can ask me anything, but then I want to ask you something,” she says, and I nod.
“When I found my mate, he was with another woman. The pain… I mean, does it feel like that all the time? Will it feel like that every time he's with someone?”
She swallows, her eyes turning glassy. Valarie sits back in her chair, looking towards the window, and she gulps. “You will learn to endure it. After a while, even welcome it.”
“Why would I welcome it?”
“Because it makes you angry. I love my mate, but I also hate him. Sometimes, hating them hurts less than realizing you will never have them. It reminds you to keep on living despite what they do to us. Hold on to that anger because sometimes it is the only thing that will keep you going,” she tells me. “I get a prescription, though—powerful painkillers. They help take the edge off, but if he's anything like my mate, it's over before the drugs even set in.” She laughs.
“Damn two-stroker; tosses his mate and wonders why he can't fuck right,” she laughs to herself, and I snort at her foul language, trying to hold my own giggle. She sighs, and I smile sadly at her.
“So, what's next for you?” she asks.
“Not sure… Probably go back to my car, see if I can get my old job back, though he said no last time I asked.”
“How about I hire you? I need help here; not that much can be done to save this dump now.” She laughs and I look around the room. “What do you think? Or do you think it's too much work? I could always burn it?” Valarie laughs again, and her eyes sparkle.
I laugh too, thinking that it probablywouldbe easier to just burn the place down.
“I've been tempted to, but before me, it was my mother's, so I'm attached to this place,” she tells me. “I think it just needs a clean-up, new linens and carpets and some paint. I could go on, but the list would be never-ending.
“So, if you're interested, you can live here for free and I'll provide meals and a wage; say $25 an hour?” she says, and I nearly choke on my spit. I wasn't even making half that an hour at the restaurant when I was working. And that restaurant actually had regular customers.
“Are you serious?” I ask, a little shocked.
“Very. I could use the company and the help. I don't even know where to begin, and honestly, I lost motivation to do it years ago. We can fix this one up first for you and Valarian,” she says, looking around.
Tears well in my eyes at her generous offer.
“Don't suppose you got any friends? This might even be a bit much for both of us,” she mutters, breaking off a piece of the table, the wood crumbling in her hand. I think of Zoe and Macey from the maternity ward.
“I might know two other girls from the maternity unit; I could try to contact them.”
“Rogues?” she asks, and I nod. “Good, tell them I'll give them $25 an hour. I'm good for it. I have more money than I can spend in this lifetime, so it would be great to get some help. It would be nice to see this place up and running again. It used to be the most popular hotel in the city when my mother had it. Also has a function room out the back; weddings used to be held here, but not since it started falling apart.”
“So no one comes out when you call?” I ask her. What is wrong with people? Who would turn her away?
“Nope. I arrange workers and they never show up. My mate keeps tabs on my phones; he's paranoid. I know it's his doing,” she says with a sigh.
“Well then, I will call the girls and see if they're looking for work. Would it be an issue if they brought their babies to work?”
“Of course, they can; there's even an old play center off the side of the restaurant downstairs. We could fix it up for when they're older and can play, take turns watching them. While they are little, we can just strap the babies to us.”
“Macey, I know, has family. Zoe, though, I think is like me; she was a little quiet and a year younger than me.”
“Well, if either needs somewhere to stay, there are plenty of rooms. There are units out back, too, but they need a lot of work,” she tells me.
