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CHAPTER1
Audrey
A hordeof people rushes in every direction along the busy city street. The smell of decay and trash is strong this morning as I dip between bodies on their way to high-rise jobs. I swerve and steal, all in one fluid, practiced motion. They won't know what happened until they go to pay for their fancy coffee, check the time, or try to show off the new piece of jewelry their sugar daddy gave them to their so-called friends. By then, I will be long gone.
Twirling around an unsuspecting beta, I lift their wallet from their back pocket as they brush past. With a practiced snap of my wrist, I flip through the contents, tugging out the wad of cash and tossing the rest in the nearest trash can. I am in this to get some money, not get caught with some guy's credit cards or identification.
Dodging shuffling feet, I come to a halt with the rest of the crowd at a crosswalk. An alpha shoves past me, stopping right in front of me and flashing his expensive watch. Next mark found.
Perfect.
As the crowd starts to surge forward in a hurry to start their day and ignoring the do not walk sign, I lean forward, deftly unclipping the gold watch off of his wrist. His revolting and cloying scent of cigar smoke and burnt rubber almost makes me gag as I breathe in; it's somehow worse than the smell of the city. As he steps into the street, none the wiser that I have his expensive ass watch slipped into my pocket, I drop back, not following the crowd.
I pivot on my heel with the newly acquired Rolex safely in my pocket, putting as much space between myself and him in case he gets the urge to check the time again. Ducking my head, I pull up my hood and focus on my feet, traveling with the many passer-bys as they scurry to start their days.
It's a good morning, the Rolex alone will keep my brother, Sin, and me fed for months, and probably pay for a roof over our heads, too. No more squatting. No more sharing my nest with the local rodents. And definitely no more going to bed hungry.
Despite the pests, my nest is calling my name now that my hard work is done. I just want to relax and enjoy my favorite comfort show on my phone. I can afford the data cost with my haul today. Heck, maybe I can even afford a small TV for our new place. I'm riding high, and I'll reward myself with my guilty pleasure.
OmegainParadise.
Do I want to find an Alpha or a Pack? Absolutely fucking not. But the fairytale that plays out in the reality show is so entertaining, as weak-minded omegas fall at the feet of rich alphas, calling it love.
Please. No such thing.
TwentyluckyOmegas—heavyeyeroll—are whisked away to a private island along with a pack searching for their alpha, who also is so rich they probably have five private islands and no real need for an omega besides breeding. I shudder at the thought. Poor suckers go for love and probably become a broodmare for the alphas once the cameras stop.
Still, it is irresistible watching it on my screen, playing out like some romantic fantasy. But I know the cold hard truth of what alphas are like, even the ones that are supposed to protect you. And I had come out of the abuse better than my twin, Sinclair. He faced the darkness head-on and has his own cross to bear now because of it.
A hard left on East 42nd takes me away from Rockefeller Center and toward Grand Central Station. Hopping on the Harlem line, I tuck myself into a seat out of the way of the few tired-looking people. Only a handful of people are heading back at this time.
Quickly moving through the almost empty streets, I duck into the shadowed alley, stepping over what looks and smells like vomit on my way.Gross. Then, I squeeze between the old, crooked wooden slat and through the broken door.
Sin lounges on the old worn couch we found left behind by the last inhabitants. His gaze slides lazily to me through a swirling cloud of smoke. He takes another hit of his joint, inhaling sharply as he watches me. With his other hand, he dances a dagger over his knuckles, his pierced eyebrow lifting in question.
“You’re back early,” he comments, his tone relaxed.
With a smirk, I pull out the Rolex, watching as his eyes go comically wide, and he sputters the puff of smoke out as he leans forward.
Coughing, he covers his mouth as he eyes the watch. “What suit did you snag that off of?”
“Some high rise. He probably has ten more in a vault somewhere. He won’t miss this.” I shrug and drop next to him.
My finger ghosts over the initials, A.Z., carved on the back of it. Hmm. So maybe he’d miss it.
Who cares?
A spring digs into my thigh, and I shift off the errant coil that is insistent on attempting to pierce my skin. Not that the lumpy cushion beneath my ass is much better. A musty scent fills the air, clinging to the worn fabric of the couch. I wrinkle my nose in mild disgust, but it's a minor discomfort compared to the other challenges we've faced.
“It’s probably worth enough to get us into our own place.” I shift again. “And buy a new couch.”
"What's wrong with this one, Aud?" he murmurs, his bloodshot eyes barely open. Clearly high as a kite, but who am I to judge? We've both endured the cruelty of our abusers and if this is his way of coping, I'll love him regardless.
"Uh, for one, it smells like the city—piss, vomit, and trash." I grimace, holding my breath at the offensive stench. I scan the filthy floor and walls of the abandoned building we've been using as a hideout. Even the gangs have more decent places to lie low.
"It's not that bad." He sniffs, taking another drag on his joint. He extends it toward me, but I shake my head, declining the offer. He puffs out a cloud of smoke after holding it in for a minute. His fingers absently run along the only comfort he allows himself, an old robe, a clear sign he is uncomfortable at the idea of change.
A rustling sound emanates from a nearby bag of chips, immediately capturing our attention and further solidifying my argument. A sense of anticipation fills the air as a large black rat, its eyes gleaming red, emerges from within the empty bag. Squeaking in protest, it hurriedly scurries across the grimy floor, disappearing into a giant hole in the wall as if our mere presence has greatly offended its delicate sensibilities.
