Elián;
"I... I wasn't trying to break the rules or... or offend anyone. I just... I just want to go home..." I croak hopelessly as I shut my eyes tighter.
Sure, my parents kicked me out... But being homeless was better than this, wasn't it?
I'm suddenly in a strange world where humans aren't really humans... There's now a possibility I can get pregnant… that too with half-human babies, and five strangers want to put these babies in me.
It's terrifying!
I've been trying to keep my shit together all day, but the truth is, I'm mortified.
I'm scared!
I'm so... freaking scared!
Nothing makes sense. Nothing. And... And suddenly I'm surrounded by all these people who seem to have control over my life now. I don't like it... I just... I want everything to go back to normal.
I want to leave...
"Was our hospitality so bad?" Zephan suddenly questions. His voice much softer now, and I open my eyes to look at him.
His gaze is softer now, too, and I swallow as he takes his hand away from my throat.
"Alana didn't do a good job getting you settled in. Right?" He questions, and my jaw drops at the emotion I hear in his voice.
...Is that anger?
"She'll be punished for this..." He suddenly adds as he turns away from me, and my heart skips.
Without thinking, I quickly grab his arm and pull him back.
"Alana didn't do anything wrong!" I yell in panic, and he turns back to look at me.
My heart skips a beat at how dark his eyes are now, and it dawns on me that if I do not do something to dispel his anger, Alana would be in big trouble... Because of me.
"A...Alana did her job. She... she got me bathed, fed, and even gave me a tour. She... she made sure I was comfortable and... She really didn't do anything wrong..." I explain in panic as I quickly wipe a tear drop that escapes my eyes, and he raises a brow at me.
"If she did such a good job... Why are you so eager to leave?" He then leans closer. Catching a tear drop that escapes my eyes.
"You're even crying..."
I swallow before taking my hands to my face and wiping it dry.
"I... I'm not trying to leave because of the hospitality. I just... don't..." I begin but stop. I don't know what to say.
How do I explain, without being rude, that I'd rather be anywhere else but here?
Heck, even an ICU bed with those annoying beeping machines won't be so bad.
"Ah... Koda mentioned that you've lost your memory. " Zephan suddenly speaks, and I blink up at him.
He takes his hand to my face and gently cradles my cheek.
"You must be feeling overwhelmed." He adds, and I shut my eyes.
My heart is still pounding in my ears. I don't know what will come next or what will happen.
He's still going to try to kill me for setting foot in here, isn't he?
"I'm... I'm sorry. I didn't know this was your garden..." I whisper, and there's silence.
He sighs and then moves away from me.
"It's fine. Things could have been a lot worse..." He says, and when I look up at him, I find him looking back at that golden flower… The one I almost touched.
It looks like the highlight of this garden. Would something bad have happened if I touched it?
He looks back at me, and I hold my breath.
"I know this might all be a lot for you. I'll order some medicine for your memory from the hospital. But no matter what, never try to run away again. You're lucky I saw you in time. The world isn't kind to omegas." He speaks, as he trails a finger down the side of my face slowly, and I gulp.
What... what does he mean by that?
"Here, you're under our protection, and no one would dare lay a hand on you. But outside these walls, you're a good-looking, unmarked Omega. And to top it off, your pheromones are all over the place. If you had made it past this estate, you wouldn't have made it till morning." He continues like he's narrating some easy bedtime story, and my heart starts thudding.
"It's a shameful thing, many Betas and Alphas can not contain their desires around omegas. Let alone one like you." He adds, and I gulp.
"One... like me?" I repeat, and he smiles at me.
A smile that actually reaches his eyes.
He suddenly moves and in one smooth scoop, I'm in his arms, bridal style. My breath catches, and before I can stop myself, I grab his shoulder for support.
His smile grows as he looks down at me. His eyes twinkling with mischief as he holds me closer against his bare chest.
"You're a clueless, adorable Omega who can breed any clan, and has such an intoxicating scent... You're some people's breathing, walking fantasy. Trust me... You don't want to be beyond these walls unprotected."
I blink. Frozen in fear by what I've just heard.
I thought I was escaping, but I was about to throw myself into the hands of countless rapists???
There are bigger dangers than my current predicament?
This is the safest place I can be??
I feel blood drain from my face, and the severity of my situation begins to dawn on me, and I hear Zephan sigh.
"You're in no condition to see Father tonight. I'll take you to your room. You should get some rest. You'll probably see him tomorrow at breakfast."
He breathes, and I swallow. Not daring to resist or fight as he carries me towards the garden's exit.
He's not going to kill me for trespassing?
Why?
Is it because I begged?
No... Others who trespassed would have begged, too. Right?
From the look in his eyes earlier, I could tell that he was going to kill or hurt me. Why then did he suddenly change his mind?
I look up at his firm, expressionless face as we move, and of all the numerous thoughts swirling in my mind, there's one thing that stands out.
This man is beautiful. In a scary... intimidating, but magnetic way...
"You're going to bore holes into my face if you keep staring like that." He suddenly says, and I quickly look away, feeling my cheeks go hot in embarrassment.
"Sorry..." I mumble, and he huffs.
"It's okay. I'm one of your Alphas after all. We're the only men you're allowed to admire."