3. Luca

3

Luca

Everything hurts. The bath marginally helped and fucking my hand to the image of Blake's beautiful face got me to relax but every step across the diner brings back the terrible feeling of Hudson's touch. He digs his fingers in while he fucks me. He bites and nibbles and laughs when I bruise. I am his to mangle and if I fight against it, Hudson chooses violence over accepting that I don't like it.

I gather a few plates from the last table, weathering tears forcing their way onto my cheeks. The family of three left a $50 tip that will feed me for a week. If I skimp on a few of the essentials, I can pack away $25 for an apartment that may never come to fruition.

"I've never seen anyone work so hard through so much pain, Luca. You need to see a fucking doctor," Shelly whispers from behind the counter when I hand her the few dirty dishes. I manage a tight smile as my coworker, Alice—a Beta, pops up at my side. Her long ponytail swishes back and forth as she taps the table, waiting for her table's order.

"He'll never go, Shelly. He's as stubborn as a mule. However, stop dragging your feet. I just sat you a table."

I groan, wanting to take a break when that sweet pear scent hits my nose. My eyes widen and I whip around, catching the man I've been dreaming about for over a week. He's sitting at the edge of the booth, one of his Alphas beside him and the other sitting across from them. I brush my hands down my apron nervously before rushing over there. My head swims with the fast movement but I ignore it, grinning down at Blake when he catches my eyes.

"Luca," he breathes. It's the most beautiful thing I've ever heard, my name on his lips. Add in the three of them in suits who outshine anyone else in this rundown diner and I can't tear my eyes away. "You alright, cupcake?"

A whimper lodges in my throat as I nod a little harder than necessary. Blake can't see that I'm hurting. I won't allow it. "Just fine," I croak as his gaze falls on the bandage on my neck. Concern flits through his expression but I start speaking before he can address it. "What can I get for you three today? The usual?" They don't have a usual. In fact, Blake says ‘Surprise me' and then his Alphas nod at me to comply with their Omega's desire.

It shows me that not every Alpha is terrible or it might just be Blake's personality that softens everyone around him.

Blake leans a little closer and reaches forward, his finger dipping into the pocket of my apron before tugging me toward him. "Surprise me, cupcake." A wild grin splits across his lips even as pain surfaces behind those big brown eyes. Coming to see me like this hurts both of us because we can't have what we want. I don't even know how his Alphas indulge this sinful pleasure or if Blake has had to give something up to be here with me.

Even so, my body calms as his scent wraps around me. The added scents of his Alphas—earthy, leather, and a musk so thick I want to submit to it make it easier to lean. "Blake," I whisper, trembling in his presence as he leans a little closer to draw his cheek against mine.

"You smell like me."

I swallow as the revelation makes itself clear, Blake meeting my worried gaze again. His Alphas don't seem perturbed at our intimate reaction. In fact, the hooded eyes as they stare at Blake and I give me all sorts of ideas that I can't indulge. "I'll be right back with some waters and I'll put your orders in." I straighten my apron and bow my head to Blake's Alphas before scurrying back to the counter.

The pain flares up again, annoyingly so now that I'm not in their presence. For a moment, I could forget that I was a battered Omega, that I was a part of something I actually enjoyed. My jaw ticks as I scribble a few things on my notepad and tear it off before handing it to Shelly. I'm convinced Blake would eat dirt if I served it to him but I'm not that cruel. A few burgers and garlic fries should do it, although I wish I could serve them the finest steak.

"Take a minute, Champ before you fall over on my floor. I let you work here because you don't bring problems but an Omega fainting on my staff will bring eyes I don't need."

I like Shelly. She doesn't hold back her words like most Betas. Gratefully, I pat the table and rush to the bathroom as fast as I can, barely making it through the door before I stumble to my knees. My breathing kicks up as panic sets in. If I pass out here, they'll transport me to a hospital or try to contact my Alpha. I've done everything possible so that Hudson isn't my first point of contact.

Still, I'm sure they'd find a way to alert him where I was.

My fingers curl into the cold stone floor, the chill a relief to my bruised knees and achy hands. My head drops low as everything in me tells me to just curl up and stop fighting the pain, to let myself be consumed by it until it goes away. I almost do until two warm hands cup my cheeks and raise my head to meet those brown eyes again.

"You're breaking my heart, Luca. You're not okay, are you? What's going on? Is it your Alpha or is it something else? I tried to come last week and I couldn't. We have this project and-"

I shake my head, cutting him off as he draws me into his lap. It's strange for an Omega to hold another but with Blake, it's always been perfect even before I presented. "Don't apologize. We're not supposed to do this anyway." He rubs his cheek along my forehead, coating me in more of his scent, claiming me. This is worse than just scandalous. We're both mated to other Alphas and Blake's Alphas would suffer the most, their Omega having gone ‘rogue'.

I can't pull away, though.

"Tell me what's going on, cupcake. Please. "

I hear the plea in his voice but I can't. He can't do anything to save me and anything he tries will hurt both of us. I won't do that to him. "Just an accident. You know how clumsy I am."

Blake grunts at the obvious lie, one of his hands lightly tapping the edge of the bandage on my neck. "And this?"

"I should get back." I push to my feet on shaky legs, taking several breaths as Blake just stares at me. I force a smile onto my lips, hoping to convince the both of us that I'm just fine. It doesn't work but I refuse to make a scene as I return to the counter, working the rest of my shift in silence.

Blake's soured scent makes me feel awful, the Omega trying to catch my attention and failing over the next hour and a half. It isn't until Shelly dismisses me, saying that we're over the main dinner rush that Blake finally corners me just outside. My entire body locks up with the lack of space and I can't correct my response fast enough for Blake to dismiss it.

Grayson, the Alpha who I went to school with, wraps a gentle arm around Blake's waist and pulls him back to his chest. "Luca, would you like a ride home?"

I frantically shake my head and then hiss at the throbbing pain growing in my head. I need to get off my feet as soon as possible but accepting a ride from Blake's pack will introduce Alpha scents into the house that Hudson will kill me for. Especially since Hudson and Grayson have met, if only briefly a few years ago. "I'm alright."

"You're not alright!" Blake whisper-yells, trying to pull from Grayson's hold. Blake's other Alpha sets a hand on Blake's shoulder and squeezes just enough to give the Omega a silent command. Blake settles immediately but the anger is still evident on his face. He feels just as helpless as I look, torn between forcing his Alphas to help me and letting me go. "He's not alright, Alpha. Please. " There's that plea again but it comes with glassy eyes and tears.

My heart clenches and I hold my breath, waiting for who is going to win this time around. Blake has never seen me like this and I don't intend to show him again. I need to hide it better so that he can enjoy his life so that he won't worry about me.

The other Alpha presses a kiss to Blake's forehead, whispering something before turning to me. "Luca, we would be more than happy to give you a ride if you need it."

"No, Alpha. I can walk." He's not my Alpha but I don't know any other way to address him. He's larger than Hudson and has a silent power that exudes confidence and demands my submission. The leather and musk scent wafting off him is both safe and mysterious, intriguing and downright terrifying. I bow my head to them, giving them my respect before heading down the sidewalk that will take me home.

I know they're all watching, Blake's scent fluctuating between despair and hope.

He wants to save me but I think I'm too far gone for that.

If I was a better Omega, I would quit my job and wait at home for Hudson every day. I would leave all thoughts of Blake behind.

I'm not a better Omega.

And fuck, my heart wants Blake.

And Grayson.

And the other Alpha who's just a little too terrifying for me to think about right now.