Page 58 of Brandy Snap: Part Two
I’d already had Zania and her alphas invade my nest. I don’t think I could cope if anyone else entered without permission.
I adjusted the blanket over me, hiding my shoulders and my skimpy tank top, praying Kai’s bites were hidden.
“You smell more than just ill.” He leered, sniffing the air. “How long has it been since you had your heat? Your scent’s still ripe. You been hiding it all this time?”
I shook my head, but he wasn’t buying it.
“Are you on heat blockers? An omega hiding as a beta. Hmm…I could take you to court for that, you know? What will they do ifthey find out an omega’s been living here illegally? I’m guessing you’ve got fake documents and all that?”
I’d had to show papers proving I was a beta when I first signed the lease for my flat. Unregistered omegas could be arrested for reckless endangerment. Going into heat in public was considered assault, especially if there were alphas around.
“Tell you what,” he said, blowing out a breath, drenching me in grime. “Being such an understanding guy an’ all, I’ll make you an offer.” His milk-stained breath was so rank that I pressed my palm over my mouth so I didn’t gag. “You come visit me tonight like a good omega and I’ll make sure to give you what you need.” He sneered. “I normally have to pay for it, so this works out perfect for both of us.” He smirked. “I can fuck you raw—that’s a promise.” He laughed to himself. “Or I contact the police and have you booted out of here tonight. Your choice.” He shrugged.
My mouth dropped, horror ripping as he held my gaze. “You know where I live. See you later.” He chuckled as he walked away, as if he was telling a joke and not threatening me.
I didn’t know what was worse, Zania’s death threats or this.
I watched him go, making sure he actually left before I closed the door. I clicked both locks in place and made sure the chain was secure.
I kept telling myself these were all minor blips, that I could manage this. I could take care of it like I had to take care of everything else in my life.
A wave of nausea hit me and I leant forward, banging my forehead off of the door. Hands clenched around my caramel blanket, I drew it tighter around me, praying it could somehow protect me like I thought it would.
My phone pinged, a small buzz on my thigh which momentarily pulled me out of my shock, hoping it was Kai.
My breaths sped up, wheezing, growing harder. I had told myself to expect it, that I was going to be discovered, eventually. I couldn’t hide that I had presented forever.
A growl rumbled deep in my throat, my hands shaking as the anger I still wasn’t used to surged.
The landlord had basically already known I was an omega, and Zania could have easily pushed him to make that ‘discovery’.
But there was no way I could prove or even confirm it was her.
But arrested? That was a totally different thing. That was a whole other level than losing my nest. If I went to jail, the chances of ever living a normal life were minuscule. Even though I’d paid for Mum’s care and I still had the money from Zania, it wouldn’t last. And I’d never know if I was safe.
How did I deal with someone like my landlord? Could I afford to bribe him? Was it possible to pay someone like him off?
I could imagine myself getting stuck in a situation where he would keep asking for more and more money. Or sexual favours.
Staying in a hotel would be the best, but my omega instincts were already shouting at me. They knew what to do. The best option was right in front of me, but I still didn’t know if it was okay to take it.
Melanie
I’d sat on my red leather couch, blinking up at the glow-in-the-dark star-studded ceiling, numbly clinging to Caspian’sblanket like a shield whileTaken by the Rogue Alphasplayed in my headphones.
As I picked at the rough skin around my nails, I didn’t care if blood got on the fabric. Listening to Amanda pleasuring the rogue pack leader to try to earn her freedom wasn’t enough to distract me from my racing thoughts, and the sting of each tear of skin helped numb them.
Attending a party with the three of them was a far cry from calling them up and asking them to give me somewhere to stay.
It wasn’t just about renting a hotel room for the night. I couldn’t abandon my nest when the landlord had a key. If he entered when I was away, even for five minutes…
I tensed, shivering again in the sticky heat of my flat.
I’d done everything I could to get rid of Zania’s scent. What would happen if that sour milk scent stained my nest as well?
I needed somewhere to move my things, and fast. It didn’t have to be my whole nest. Just some of my more precious things. But I didn’t want to hire delivery people to do it. There were nest services that only used scentless alphas, betas, and omegas for delivery who also had storage services that I’d looked into after my heat ended. But now none of them were available at such short notice. But I didn’t know anywhere safe to store it, anyway.
Even though I was bonded to Kai, after the way I had rejected Sin, and Caspian’s pure anger the last time I’d seen him, it didn’t feel fair on any of us if I asked for their help again.
