Riven stared at his reflection, barely recognizing the person in the mirror. He was dressed in a sharp two-piece black suit with a white shirt and a neatly knotted black tie. He looked like a real assistant. Something he never imagined he'd look like.
"Riven, are you ready? We can't afford to be late," Azerin called, stepping into the room.
"Yes, Master," Riven replied, turning to face him. He scratched the back of his neck nervously. "I still don't really know what I'm supposed to do there. It's my first time going out for an actual task other than doing household chores."
"You don't need to do much. Just stay close to me, and keep your eyes open," Azerin said.
He stopped in front of Riven and reached to adjust his tie. Riven gulped, feeling the touch of his fingers. "And Riven, don't let another alpha touch you. The place we're going will be full of them."
"What?" Riven blinked, startled. "I-I should take suppressants then," he said quickly, the anxiety creeping into his voice.
"That'll only mess with your system." Azerin's lips curved into a slight smirk. "You pretended to be a beta, didn't you? Then act like one. Hold yourself together."
Before Riven could respond, Azerin turned on his heel and walked out. Riven followed close behind, swallowing his unease. They both climbed into the black car waiting outside.
Soren sat in the passenger seat. Without looking back, he said, "Drive. Highland Inn."
Riven glanced out the window. 'Why are we going to a place called Highland Inn? What kind of 'task' requires me to be dressed like this…?'
An hour later, the car rolled to a stop in front of a bright, upscale building. From the window, Riven saw elegantly dressed omegas clinging to wealthy alphas who stepped out of flashy cars, laughing and chatting, ready for indulgence.
'This isn't an inn. It's a club.'
"Let's go," Azerin said, stepping out.
Riven climbed out after him, stealing a glance at Soren, who remained in the car.
As they approached the entrance, Azerin pulled out a wallet and presented two fake IDs to the security guard. The man scanned them briefly and nodded them in.
"Why are we at a place like this?" Riven whispered once they stepped through the tinted glass doors. The inside was luxurious. "Don't meetings usually happen in… more modest places?"
"Not always," Azerin replied dryly. "Now, stay quiet. You're my assistant, remember?"
Riven pressed his lips into a tight line, uneasy as a man in a suit approached and gestured for them to follow. He led them through a polished hallway toward a quieter lobby, separated from the noise by frosted glass doors.
To the right, however, was the heart of the club: a lounge filled with laughter. Several well-dressed alphas lounged in leather chairs, their eyes following the omega servers who floated around in revealing outfits.
Riven felt their gaze brush over him, too, even though he was dressed in a suit. He instinctively straightened his posture and stepped closer to Azerin.
'This place is sickening,' he thought. 'How could anyone call this business?'
"Kael, take a seat. It's been a long time since we last saw you," said the Alpha, seated at the center of the lounge with a glass of whiskey in his hand.
'Kael?' Riven looked at Azerin, realizing he took a fake name.
"And who's this with you?"
"My new assistant," Azerin said, keeping his fake appearance intact before taking a seat.
"I'll bring the drink for you," Riven told Azerin and excused himself to the corner.
As Azerin got involved in the conversation with the alphas, Riven poured a drink into the glass.
He saw that the women beside him were unwilling to serve the drinks to those alphas. Noticing their discomfort, Riven said, "I'll do it." He took the tray from one of them.
Riven was quick to serve the drinks to all the alphas present there, including Azerin. He was less interested in their conversation and more interested in running away. Though his scent was almost negligible, Azerin's scent was again making him feel uncomfortable.
"Are you new here? Thanks for distributing the drinks to them," one of the omega servers said in a hushed tone.
"No, I don't work here. I'm with my boss," Riven replied. "It seems none of you are comfortable with this job."
"Yes. But for money we have to," the other said.
"Omegas' lives are difficult, no doubt," Riven murmured. He started chattering with them, smiling frequently.
Azerin's gaze shifted to him, a muscle in his jaw twitching, seeing how Riven was smiling with them. 'Can he stop doing that? Did I bring him here to flirt? He hates doing that in front of me, but here...'
"Kael, we have decided to build this new drug, which can enhance the capabilities of alphas," another alpha told him.
"Is it even allowed?" Azerin asked, bringing the glass close to his mouth.
Riven excused himself and stepped away from the group, making his way through the dim corridors in search of the washroom.
As he turned a corner, he stopped short at the sight unfolding in front of him.
An omega was being dragged by the arm, his steps stumbling to keep up with the brute force of the alpha pulling him.
"Please… I don't want to do this," the omega pleaded, desperation was clear in his voice. "I'll pay your money back. I swear I'll find a way to settle the debt. Please, just give me a little more time."
"Stay quiet, you fucker!" the alpha spat, yanking the smaller man hard before shoving him through a nearby door. "You've been giving me the same excuse for two damn months! You'll pay me with your body tonight!"
The door slammed shut, echoing in the hallway.
Riven stood frozen, his fists clenching at his sides. He looked around quickly. There were others nearby, walking past, laughing, sipping drinks, and even smoking… but none of them seemed to care.
They averted their eyes as if they hadn't heard the begging. As if this sort of thing happened too often to react anymore.
His heart pounded in his chest. 'This is wrong.'
He took a step forward.
Then stopped.
Azerin's words echoed in his mind, 'Don't attract unnecessary attention.'
Riven stood there. He wanted to help. But this wasn't a place where morals were rewarded.
"Fuck, morals!" Riven muttered and banged his hand on the door.