3. Mila

Chapter 3

Mila

B right, harsh lights hurt my eyes when I rouse, and what happened? Where am I?

Why don't I hurt anymore?

Carefully, I open my eyes, finding myself in a strange bed in a strange room. It's clean and white, and the sheets beneath me are soft.

There are other beds in the room, but they're all empty.

I am alone.

Or so I thought.

"Morning."

I tug on the sheets, thinking I'd scented wet leaves before. It's a rich, earthy smell, and the image of an Alpha rushes to mind.

I peer at the right-hand side of the bed. There's an Alpha in a chair, smiling at me broadly.

While he's handsome, I don't feel any attraction to him. His wet forest smell is neutral to me, and his piercing eyes of stormy gray and rebellious locks of ebony don't make my heart pound.

I guess not all Omegas are drawn to every Alpha they meet, and vice versa.

The realization strikes me like lightning.

I survived my heat.

How?

Before I go to ask the gray-eyed Alpha my question, he raises his hand. "Four days."

How did he know what I was going to say?

He sighs. "It's what they all ask upon waking…"

Who?

I shake my head, watching him carefully. "And who are you?"

The Alpha rolls his eyes, leaning back to place his leg across his knee. He's dressed casually in a leather jacket and jeans.

"Only your savior. My team and I found you alone in the woods."

His team.

I meet those stormy gray eyes again.

He shrugs. "Perks of the job. We find a lot of you Omegas out there in the wilds. Who were you running from?"

I turn away, fisting my hands. "I wasn't running away, I was…"

My voice trails off. No, I shouldn't tell this strange Alpha who I am. I think I know what organization he works for. They often search the woods and surrounding areas outside the cities for runaway Omegas.

It's how the government keeps tabs on us.

No, not us. Them.

I am not like those helpless Omegas.

"What were you about to say?" he asks, curiosity burning inside his storm-cloud eyes.

I can't tell him. So, I will make up a story.

I can't risk being found by Governor Lily. It's a miracle I even survived that heat. I thought Omegas died if they didn't receive a knot during their heat, and another government lie, perhaps?

I'm just surprised I slept through the whole ordeal, and what did they drug me with?

I'm still away with the fairies…

"Nothing."

Wet leaves Alpha leans forward in his seat, and it looks like he is about to barrage me with questions.

"Who are you?"

I grip the crisp white sheets.

"I asked you a question, Omega."

While it's not an order, I still struggle to fight it. There's something about his smooth, lilting tone that makes me want to head his every command, no matter how gently he delivers them.

Just like that, I forget my four years of training as a Beta soldier, looking him straight in the eyes, something I was told to never do. It takes him back a little.

Most Omegas are submissive little creatures, but not me…

I am through with being a doormat.

"I am no one."

He nods. "Right. Nice to meet you, no one."

I purse my lips. I really should have thought this through, but my mind is still foggy. There's an IV drip attached to my arm.

And I'm pretty sure there is a leprechaun doing a jig on his right shoulder.

What did they put in my bloodstream?

"Look, I get it. You don't want to be found by the ones you were running from. It's fine. We get it all the time. But you can always give a fake name. After all, you're not in the database…"

The database?

I narrow my eyes.

He hikes a brow. "You know, the Omega database? Whoever you are, you have been keeping your Omega identity a secret, and that is truly commendable. Any idiot with eyes could see what you are."

"Yeah, well, don't let looks deceive you."

Silence. Apart from the hollow ticking of the clock on the wall. It reads ten thirty in the morning.

His mouth cocks up at the corner. "Funny. You're going to make some Alpha very happy one day."

Except it's not an Alpha I want.

It's an Omega.

One with ocean blue eyes and curly brown hair.

Even if he will never be mine…

"So," he drawls, studying me with calculating eyes. "What is your name?"

Good question. I can't tell him I am Mila Stone because the name may ring a bell. Also, Lily may be able to trace me.

At most, that woman thinks I am dead and let's keep it that way.

Any name will do. But my mind draws a blank.

That's when I spot a vase of flowers on the windowsill.

"Daisy,"

"Daisy what?"

Shit.

When I don't answer, he rises, and I jerk back by instinct.

It's fine, though. He isn't going to hurt me. He's just leaving.

"Don't worry. You can just say you can't remember. Amnesia is always a good angle to go from."

Amnesia. Is this what it has to come down to?

I guess I won't have to do anything different from what I've always done.

I have always lied about who I am. All so I could train to be a soldier and earn my keep for my father.

But I suppose I don't have to worry about my father anymore…

He's at peace.

The gray-eyed Alpha stops at the door, glancing back over his shoulder. "I'm Jeremy. It was nice to meet you, Daisy. The doctors will return to give you your meds, and then you will be placed into the system. I know it's not what you wanted, but it's far better than what is out there, trust me."

What is out there?

A fair world where no one is given the moniker of Omega, Beta, and Alpha perhaps?

Sounds nice.

Human beings whose lives aren't dictated by their designations or scents.

Fair enough. If I have to go into the system, so be it.

It's the best option I have. At least I may stand a better chance at warning Oliver about Lily, and once I have told him of her plans, I can walk away forever.

I just hope I have the strength to walk away.

Because if I don't. I will get hurt.

Only a fool would let themselves get burned twice.

Jeremy finally leaves, and now it's just me and my tumultuous thoughts.

Oh, and the leprechaun too.

It now dances on my bed.

Daisy. A flower name… and so delicate.

I guess I should get used to my new life as Daisy the Omega.

So long, Mila the Beta.