Chapter 4- In This New Body
JACE >>>
I spun around slowly wondering why the hell everyone kept throwing around words like "omega" at me.
As if "omega" wasn't bad enough, now this shadowy figure had to tack on "breeding" to it.
Breeding omega? Seriously? What am I, a prize cow at a county fair? I mean, come on, universe, couldn't you have at least eased me into this nonsense with something less… dehumanizing?
I didn't say a word back, just stood there staring into the dim foyer, trying to make out who was talking.
The voice belonged to a woman, stepping out from the shadows.
She was tall, with sharp features. Her eyes flicked over me without much interest.
She tilted her head slightly, probably noticing my blank stare. "Didn't you hear me? You're the new breeding omega, right? The one the alphas just bought?"
I swallowed hard, forcing myself not to snap back with something sarcastic.
Bought? Like I'm a loaf of bread? But I kept my mouth shut, nodding awkwardly instead.
No point in pissing off the help on day one might need allies if I'm gonna figure out how to bail from this freak show.
She sighed. "Fine, whatever. This way to your room." She turned on her heel and started walking down a long hallway.
I hesitated for a second, glancing back at the front door which was looking tempting, but where would I even run? Into the arms of more alphas? No thanks.
I followed her.
As we walked, she glanced over her shoulder.
"I'm Elara, by the way. Beta attendant. I handle the household stuff. You got a name, or should I just call you 'Lot 47'?"
"Jace," I muttered, keeping my voice low. "Just Jace."
She nodded, not seeming too impressed.
"Jace, huh? Cute. Fits an omega. Anyway, don't get too comfy. The alphas expect obedience. Dinner's in an hour. You need to freshen up, put on something decent. They'll want to… discuss things with you."
"Discuss?" I echoed, sarcasm dripping in my mind but not quite making it to my lips. Yeah, because nothing says 'deep conversation' like buying someone at an auction. "What kind of things?"
She shrugged, not breaking stride. "Pack rules, your duties, that sort of thing. You're here to breed heirs, right? They'll lay it out. Just don't talk back at them. It is one of the things they hate."
I bit my tongue. Duties? Heirs? This was getting more absurd by the minute. "Got it," I said flatly, though inside I was screaming, "Over my dead body."
We finally reached a door at the end of the hall, ornate wood carved with swirling patterns that looked vaguely wolf-like.
Elara pushed it open with a creak. "Here's your room. Bathroom's through there. Clothes in the wardrobe. You should pick something simple. And hurry up; alphas don't like waiting."
I nodded again, stepping inside as she turned to leave. "Thanks," I added belatedly, but she was already gone, the door clicking shut behind me.
I locked it immediately, the sound of the bolt sliding into place giving me a tiny shred of security.
Leaning against the door, I started breathing heavily, my chest heaving like I'd run a marathon.
Escape? Ha, good one, Jace. I scanned the room—big bed with silk sheets, fancy furniture, a window overlooking those manicured gardens—but bars on the window? Subtle. No obvious vents or secret doors.
And even if I got out, where to? I didn't know this world from a hole in the ground.
Patience, that's what I needed. Play along, learn the layout, figure out the rules. Then bolt from this semi-prison when they're not looking
.
[System: Alert—Omega Integration at 50%. Environmental Scan Complete.
No Immediate Escape Routes Detected. Suggestion: Gather Intelligence.]
"Oh, shut up," I grumbled at the floating text that popped up in my vision. Like I needed a glitchy HUD reminding me I'm screwed.
I peeled off the flimsy tunic they'd slapped on me after the auction.
Tossing it aside, I walked over to the massive mirror on the wall.
The first thing that caught my eye? My dick. Or what was left of it. "Why is this looking so small?" I thought, staring in horror.
It was like a sad little shrimp hiding in a nest of… well, nothing impressive.
I couldn't even think of a good comparison—maybe a forgotten pencil stub? A deflated balloon animal?
"I know my dick back home was never exactly porn-star material," I muttered under my breath, "but it sure as hell wasn't this puny! What, did the transmigration process include a shrinkage ray? Thanks a lot, system—couldn't you have at least left me with some dignity down there?"
I reached out tentatively, my hand hovering. Touch it? My own body? Nope, suddenly I was scared, like it might bite back or trigger some omega nonsense.
"Get a grip, Jace," I whispered, pulling my hand away. "It's yours… sort of. Just… different."
Shaking off the weirdness, I took a step back and really looked at myself. This omega body was… delicate.
Feminine in a way that made me uncomfortable, like I'd been sculpted by someone with a thing for soft curves.
My skin was smooth and pale.
Shoulders narrower than before, hips a bit wider and giving me this hourglass vibe that screamed "breed me" in the worst way.
My face? Softer angles, fuller lips, eyes that looked bigger.
Long lashes, for crying out loud. And my build was slender.
No bulky muscles, just toned enough to look appealing.
"Great," I thought sarcastically, "I'm basically a walking trope now. Delicate flower omega, ready to wilt at the first rut. If this is the author's idea of 'sexy,' they need therapy."
I took a deep breath, trying to calm the confusion swirling in my head.
Slowly, I started touching my body. I traced down my stomach, feeling the subtle give that wasn't there before. "This is so weird," I murmured.
"Like I'm in someone else's skin. How do people live like this?"
As I explored, my hand accidentally brushed a spot just below my navel.
Suddenly, the system's screen flashed brightly in my vision, popping up.
[System: Interface Activated. Detecting User Interaction.]
"What the—?" I yelped, jerking my hand back. But the screen stayed lit, hovering annoyingly. I touched the spot again, hoping to turn it off but nothing.
Frustrated, I pushed my hand away harder, swatting at the air. That's when the screen slid fully into view, expanding with menus and icons, ready for me to poke around.
[System: Welcome Back, Jace Crainwood. Access Granted. Query?]
"Okay, that's… kinda cool, I guess," I admitted, raising my hands experimentally. I waved them around, and sure enough, it responded like a touchscreen—icons lighting up, menus scrolling. "Alright, magic hologram time. Let's see what you've got."
I poked at random buttons, trying to figure out the layout. Stats? Inventory? World info? It was like a video game UI, but glitchy and half-explained.
"Come on, give me something useful," I muttered, tapping what looked like a profile icon.
The screen flickered, then a new popup appeared: "Know more about Jace Crainwood?"
"Yes!" I said out loud, jabbing at the 'yes' button. Finally, some answers. Maybe this would explain how to get the hell out of here.
[System: Loading Profile Data....]