Chapter 3

I’m in another basement, and the irony isn’t lost on me. Shivering, I attempt to ignore my hunger as my stomach complains. It’s been hours since one of the alphas dumped me in this room in the basement and then left. I thought he’d command me to do something, anything, but he didn’t.

I don’t really understand why they bid on me. There are three alphas and what I believe to be an omega who is wearing descenting lotion. I’m unnaturally observant, and the ways these alphas have been catering to him tells me he’s special.

I didn’t really catch any names, but I died a little inside when my scent match threw me into the trunk of the vehicle like yesterday’s trash. I laid there after with a mix of shock and sadness, almost as if I was frozen. The omega didn’t seem pleased, but after that I retreated into my mind.

I barely paid attention to their conversation, my heart a confused mess as the SUV filled with the scents of caramel, nutmeg, and chili. They shouldn’t work so well together, but they do. For a short period of time I could smell the omega in the warehouse, and it makes me crave a dessert I’ve never tasted before.

Trey was as careful about my diet as he was to provide me with the best hormonal suppressant medication money could buy. I hate my breasts, perfuming, slick and everything that comes with being a female omega. I’ve never once orgasmed with him unless he used his alpha bark on me.

He manipulated my pleasure, how excited my body could become for me, and how long it took until he was too close to rutting. When he realized my slick and perfume were responsible for this, he’d force me down and find inventive ways to hurt me to keep his rut in check.

Today when he decided to have me one last time, he came to the conclusion that he can’t control himself with a mature omega. No wonder he’s constantly hunting for young omegas.

Blinking, I shiver as I stare down at my skin. Ophelia decided that the only way for me to be safe enough to sell at auction would be to rub me down with descenting lotion, so the auction wouldn’t become too unsafe. These were her words, not mine, when she dragged me off to do my makeup.

I think Trey’s reaction to me surprised her. I don’t think he has any control at all, which is why he insisted on taking all of mine away.

Standing abruptly, I start to pace to stay warm. God, these alphas are rich, why is this damn basement so cold?

They didn’t bother to leave me anything other than a thin blanket, and I shake my head as I pace. Why bother to bid on me at all?

I just don’t understand any of this.

There aren’t any windows down here, so I can’t tell the passage of time exactly, but it’s been long enough for my stomach to start to violently cramp. Trey barely fed me breakfast before beginning the drive to the auction house, and then no one bothered to think about whether or not I was hungry.

My fingers slowly touch the collar that tells the world I’m some kind of slave and unsnap the clasp holding it together. Dropping it to the ground, I stare down at it. I will not wear that.

No one has demanded that I stay down here, so I take a breath and creep slowly toward the door to the room. I haven’t thought to test it to see if it’s locked or not, but the alpha with the nutmeg and heather scent and tousled blond hair seemed in too much of a hurry to bother to.

My fingers tremble as I reach out and wrap them around the handle. I haven’t heard anyone outside of my door, but I’ve been wrong before. Trey violently punished me whenever I made the wrong move, making sure not to hit anywhere that would make a mark. I also don’t carry any scars because omegas are resilient creatures. It takes a lot of energy to scar an omega.

Trey just wanted to make sure I remembered the pain. He didn’t need me to bear the physical reminders of it, though.

Pushing open the door, I peek outside of it as I look around. There should be alphas roaming around, but instead it’s quiet. On second thought, as I creep slowly out onto the main floor, I glance out the windows to see it’s completely dark outside.

Roaming through the rooms, I find a clock that tells me that it’s almost three in the morning. This explains why my stomach is cramping with hunger and my mouth feels like sandpaper. My lips twist as I look around as I walk, almost tip-toeing in a house filled with sleeping alphas and their omega.

My heart hurts at the thought, so much I have to rub my chest. Omegas like myself don’t get loving alphas. Instead, we’re ignored, starved, and abused. Shivering in the ridiculous lingerie I’m still wearing, I remind myself that this is my life, until whoever owns me finally kills me, because I’m no longer useful.

I wish I hadn’t met my scent match, an alpha who is happily mated to another omega. It just feels incredibly unfair. I could have lived my entire miserable life without ever having met him.

Sometimes, ignorance really is bliss.

Blowing out a breath, I wince when my throat reminds me that it’s raw and I’m severely dehydrated. Walking a little faster as I search this huge house for a kitchen, I pass the giant dining room table, sunken living space, and gorgeous huge windows, before I finally find the kitchen.

The moonlight floods the huge space, making it so I don’t have to turn on any lights as I head straight to the sink. My fingers are twitching because I’m starting to worry about being caught.

They didn’t alpha command for me to stay in the basement, but I doubt they want me wandering while they’re asleep.

Turning on the faucet, I cup my hands under the running water, shivering at the coolness of it. I’m desperate for a sip, so as soon as the liquid pools in my hand, I lift it to my lips. Swallowing greedily, the delicious water goes a long way toward soothing my throat.

I stop drinking before I’m even close to sated, because I don’t want to get sick. Moderation isn’t something omegas do well, but I’ve learned the difficult way that I need to. Trey made sure I was his perfect princess, at the perfect weight, with the exact proportions to make him happy. He wasn’t very pleased when my breasts started to develop, and that’s what led to my being sold at auction.

For two million dollars.

Turning off the water as I shake my head at the memories, I dry my hands carefully before I turn to survey the kitchen. My stomach is cramping uncomfortably, and now it’s starting to complain loudly.

Staying quiet is better for my continued health, after all.

The kitchen has gleaming granite counters and a beautiful island. The real star of the room is the refrigerator.

Moving quickly and on light feet, I practically run to the stainless steel appliance, looking around quickly before I open the doors wide. I have this irrational fear someone is going to catch me. I can’t even enjoy all of the food I see inside before my eyes catch on a bag of provolone.

This seems safe and easy to eat. Opening the bag, I moan as I pull out a piece and bite into it. Chewing quickly, I turn when I hear the sound of a man whistling under his breath.

Not even daring to groan in annoyance. I don’t want to be caught. Shoving the cheese in my mouth, I grab one more before sealing the package and quietly closing it before quickly putting everything back. As I shut the refrigerator door, I turn and see a large shadow moving toward the kitchen.

My heart pounds as I look around for a place to hide. I don’t know anything about these alphas, but I do know that it’s pretty obvious that they don’t want me. I would have attempted to leave the house entirely, but I noticed the security system when one of them brought me inside.

There’s a closet that appears to be a pantry, and I dash toward it with my cheese. It’s so silly that I’m holding onto this food for dear life, but if my stomach doesn’t shut the fuck up, he’ll find me.

Pulling open the door just enough so that I can fit inside, I close it behind me. Turning, I drop to the floor and manage to move around bags and boxes in the pantry until I’m shoved into the very back.

Silently, I continue to eat my cheese, desperately hoping to silence the continued soft grumblings of my stomach.

The heavy steps of an alpha walk into the kitchen, and I can see the soft glow of a light being switched on beyond the door. He lumbers closer, and I wonder if it’s the alpha with the man bun.

The way he walked reminded me almost of a dancer, making me wonder if he boxes.

My mind feels fuzzy, and I force myself to take another silent bite of my food. I hear the soft snick of the refrigerator door as he opens it, making me hope that I put everything back.

“Who the fuck is eating my cheese,” he groans. As if he can see me from the kitchen, I shove the last piece in my mouth guiltily.

How was I supposed to know?

“No one else would eat… Omega!” he yells. While my muscles tense at the sound, I remain unmoving from my spot. The alpha slams the door to the fridge closed, and I hear him opening and closing doors as if he’s looking for me.

When the door to the pantry opens, I’m squished so tightly in a corner, I can’t even see him in the open door. I’m even holding my breath so he can’t hear me. Flinching as he inhales deeply, I relax when he curses.

“I fucking hate descenting lotion,” he mutters before he slams the door closed.

“God, Ambrose. Why are you making so much fucking noise?” growls another Alpha.

Ambrose. That’s the hot man bun alpha’s name.

“Where did you put the little omega when we got home? Did you think to feed her or anything?” Ambrose asks.

I’m not swayed by his questions. I’m sure he only wants to know, so he can shame me for eating his damn cheese. Though, as my stomach settles, it was really yummy.

“Nah, I just put her in a room in the basement and called it good,” he said. “Umm, it’s kind of late, isn’t it? Think she’s hungry?”

“You’re an idiot,” he sighs. “I think I scared her when she heard me walking through the house and she ran off. She got into my cheese, man, so I of course started screaming. However, now that I think about how long it’s been since she’s probably eaten, I feel a bit like an ass. It’s freezing and we’ve been shit hosts.”

“We own her, we don’t have to be any kind of host,” says another voice.

My scent match. Caramel salted popcorn fills my senses, and I drop my head to my raised legs, biting my knee to keep from whining. He doesn’t deserve my need or my pining.

God, I hate my life so much.

“Shaw,” the omega mutters. “You guys seriously left her in the basement while Shaw and I were fucking upstairs? That’s… it’s one of the coldest nights on record for May, guys. We have to find her. This isn’t right. What if she fucking dies?”

“Closed mouths don’t get fed,” Shaw grunts. “The girl has a mouth, and clearly knows where the kitchen is. There’s no reason for her to starve, but I do want to know where she is. Find her.”

I don’t speak, asshole, because I don’t feel safe. Words lead to mistakes, which leads to pain.

No thank you. My lids grow heavy, reminding me that I haven’t really slept much in the last forty-eight hours. Even though Trey was happy to get rid of me, he used me roughly for hours, forcing my body to perform for him before he brought me to the auction.

Curling my body tightly in my corner of the pantry, I allow myself to relax. Ambrose already looked here, I doubt he or the other alphas will be back. It’s also warmer here than it is in the basement, and the close quarters makes me feel safe. I’ll just stay here.

Allowing my eyes to close, I wish for a time where I’ll feel safe finally. I don’t even know if that’s possible.

“Seriously, where the hell did that little omega go?” I complain. “Is anyone else feeling twitchy because there’s a stranger in our house and we seem to have lost her?”

“I figured the basement was the best place to keep her while we slept,” Everest murmurs.

“No, you just wanted to dump her somewhere,” Flynn says, calling him out. “We can all feel your guilt through the bond. You know you can’t lie to us.”

“I’m sorry,” he grumbles. “I just searched the basement, and it’s freezing. I’m kind of glad she’s not down there anymore. Fuck, I didn’t even think to give her any clothes. We suck at this.”

“You really do,” Flynn says with a chuckle. “Let’s look one more time. She’s tiny, she could be anywhere. Seriously, check under tables and shit. Before we do that, I have a semi-serious question. I promise it’s not a weird trap or anything.”

I smirk, because Flynn really isn’t someone who would try to trap us in anything.

“Continue, baby,” I tell him, amusement clear in my voice.

The little brat rolls his eyes as he huffs. God, he’s so cute.

“You’re so much better with me. You know what I want before I even know I want it. Aren’t alphas supposed to want to take care of an omega?” he asks.

The pain I’ve felt since I realized I freaked out a half dressed, possibly terrified omega definitely resonates with his words. My chest hurts, and my instincts are going wild. It’s the reason I feel this need to find her.

Flynn is my guy, my omega, my scent match. I don’t want to make a big deal out of this, because I don”t want to hurt his feelings or make him worry that we love him less.

That could never happen. Ever.

“You’re our omega,” I answer instead. “I don’t fucking care about anyone else, except to ensure she doesn’t die on our watch. Two million dollars is an expensive investment. We should at least feed her.”

“Fuck, thanks for reminding me about that,” Shaw mutters. “Why the fuck is she wearing descenting lotion? It seems silly if she’s going to be auctioned, doesn’t it?”

“Could she be near a heat?” Flynn asks with a wince.

Shaw, Everest, and I stare at each other in horror.

“Oh fuck no. That’s not happening,” I say. “I’m not servicing some out of her mind, in heat omega that I’m not bonded to. Absolutely not.”

“Yeah, I’m not interested,” Shaw says. My eyes narrow as he rubs his chest absently.

My yelling woke everyone up when I came down for a snack. Shaw looks edible in a low slung pair of joggers, his ink crawling up his body as if it’s alive. He winks when he sees me staring at him, making me blush.

Ten years we’ve been together, known each other our whole lives, and I still get butterflies in my stomach around these men.

This is why I shouldn’t want this girl. I don’t know her, she’s just trouble with the capital ‘T’.

“Let’s find her now that none of us are going to sleep,” Everest rumbles, ruffling his short red hair. He’s about due for a haircut soon, and I know he’ll ask Flynn to help him with it.

As much as we dote on him, he loves to take care of us in return. This is what a pack should be like.

We’re all half dressed, but we still walk through the house, checking every nook and cranny twice. It takes two hours in a house this large, and we still don’t have the omega.

As I slowly start walking back down the stairs to the main floor from the damn attic, my phone begins to ring.

Pulling it out, I see that Corbin, our boss, is calling me. Sighing, I notice it’s now six in the morning. Still, nothing good happens this early.

“Good morning, boss,” I say as I hit the answer button.

“You’re up,”he says in surprise. It wouldn’t be the first time that he’s pulled us all out of bed, but today isn’t one of those times.

Not with a fucking omega hiding somewhere in our home.

“Yes, Sir. We all are,” I confirm. “We’re all feeling a little twitchy after going to one of the auctions. You don’t usually make social calls. What can I do you for?”

Corbin chuckles, not concerned about my attitude. Alphas are known for it. It’s also what makes me damn good at my job, because it gives me a place to channel my aggression.

“I have a situation I need help with,”he says slowly. “There’s a rat I need exterminated.”

“Has the rat been found?” I ask. I don’t really enjoy having to find my prey.

“Yes,”Corbin grunts. “Meet me at the Middleton warehouse? Bring your boots, lad. It’s going to be messier than usual.”

This rat pissed off the boss, and Corbin wants to leave a message.

“I can do that. I’ll inform the guys,” I tell him, hanging up.

Neither one of us are big on the niceties of phone conversation. Thundering down the stairs, I abandon all stealth. If the omega wants to hide, I’ll give her something to be scared of.

“Damn, Amb,” Everest laughs as he leans against the wall, watching me descend the last step. “I guess we’re all awake now.”

Rolling my eyes, I shake my head. “Get dressed. Corbin wants us to meet him at the Middleton warehouse to punish a rat,” I explain. “Bring the shit kickers. Boss man says it’s gonna be messy.”

“Fuck,” Shaw sighs, overhearing me. “Flynn?—”

“I’ll start coffee, baby. Go get dressed, and I’ll have to-go cups ready for you guys,” he says, lips twitching. Our life’s bloody, dangerous, and unpredictable.

Flynn just rolls with it, completely unbothered as long as we promise to come back to him. This is part of why I love him so damn much. Life is uncomplicated with him.

“Love you,” I say with a grin, grabbing him around the waist to pull him toward me for a kiss.

“Mmm,” Flynn groans as my tongue swipes across his lips for more, and Everest moves to wrap himself around his back, kissing up Flynn’s neck. Our bonding bites cover his body, his shorts barely covering anything.

“We’re never going to leave if he keeps perfuming,” Shaw groans. Glancing over, I see him stroking his cock through his pants. “Ugh, my will power can’t take the sight of you sandwiching our omega.”

Look at us, badass mob enforcer alphas at the mercy of our man. I love it. Brushing another kiss over Flynn’s temple, I take a step back. My cock is hard, the crown already beginning to weep at the thought of fucking our omega.

Soon.

My knot is unhappy with that answer, making me wince at the uncomfortable pressure.

“Shaw is right. Thank you for making us coffee. We really have to run, or I’m going to fuck your tight little ass right into the ground,” I tell him.

Flynn whines, the sound muffled as Everest kisses him. Custard and chocolate, goddamn.

“Enough!” Shaw begs, pulling at his hair. He just fucked Flynn, but it’s not enough.

I refuse to acknowledge that the mysterious omega lost in our house may be making it worse. Nope, sticking my head in the sand about this one.

“Get your asses upstairs and dressed now,” Shaw barks. His alpha bark doesn’t work as well on us since we’re bonded, but my feet nonetheless start moving. “We really need to go.”

Ten minutes later, the three of us are dressed and accepting coffee from Flynn as he waves us out the door.

“You going to be okay here with her?” I ask, buttoning up my jacket. Shaw is wearing a heavier coat than he was yesterday, and I can see how much it bothers him by the sour pucker of his lips.

I can also smell burnt caramel.

“Yeah,” Flynn says, nodding. “I’m more worried about the girl than anything. Maybe not being able to scent her is why it doesn’t bother me? I felt pulled to bid on her, and now I feel driven to find her. I don’t know if she’s going to trust me enough to come out.”

“She has to be hungry,” Everest says, wincing.

“And her bladder will eventually make her come out,” I point out, shrugging as if I don’t care either way. Giving Flynn a devil may care signature grin, I wink at him before I leave for work with my best friends.

“How much smoke are we blowing right now, boys?” Shaw asks softly as we walk out to the car.

“It doesn’t matter because we don’t need another omega. If we could find her, I’d cut her loose right now,” I lie.

The three of us take a pained breath at the thought of this girl walking out in this weather without any clothes before we force ourselves to push through.

Whatever shit she’s seen, isn’t our concern. We take care of our own, and she isn’t ours.

I hush the voice inside that tries to speak up, asking why my heart aches still, because I don’t want to listen. I have a job to do, and I’m going to damn well do it.