The Offer

LYRA

The tray trembled in my hands as I gently leaned forward and dropped it on the table. My breath hitched as Dax the beta’s golden son leaned forward and grabbed my boobs.

“Soft,” He murmured with a sick smirk on his face. “I’ve always known omegas were meant to serve, but I didn’t know they came with such sweet perks.” 

His friends burst into laughter like it was a sweet joke.

“Come on, Omega smile, It’s an honor for someone like me to touch you willingly.” He smirked and leaned back on his seat completely unbothered.

Anger surged in my veins, and before I could think, I grabbed the water on the table and dumped it on his head. 

Gasps filled the restaurant as everyone stared at us. “You filthy dog!” Dax exploded, water dripping down his furious face. “How dare you insult me, you packless mutt! I’ll make sure you regret ever being born!” He angrily spat out.

“Manager!” He roared.

Christy rushed to our table, her heels clicking against the floor. “How may I help you, Mr. Philip?” She asked, blinking at the scene with a fake smile.

“Look at what this bitch did to me! She ruined my outfit all because I complimented her. I want her gone or I’ll shut down this whole place!” Dax growled, and I whimpered as the reality sank in.

I fucked up.

Christy’s eyes narrowed as she took in his soaked form. “What the fuck is this Lyra? How many times do I have to warn you to know your place and do your job quietly and stop creating problems! You keep acting like a nuisance, and I’m done cleaning up after you!” 

“I…” 

“Shut up! Apologize to Mr. Philip right now.” Christy angrily yelled, and I felt humiliation shimmering on the surface.

Dax stepped closer, towering over me again with that same sick grin.

“Apologize to me, Omega. Or I’ll fuck you in more ways than you can imagine,” he whispered darkly. “Now kneel. Show everyone what a pathetic little thing you are.” Dax said mockingly, and my cheeks burned in humiliation.

I stared at him, disgust choking me.

“Didn’t you hear him, Lyra?” Christy barked. “Kneel and apologize right now.”

“You filthy little omega,” Dax sneered. “Stop acting like you’re anything and bow your fucking head or I’ll make it roll off your miserable body.”

My chest heaved as I glared at him.

“I’m filthy, and yet you were so eager to grope me like the fucking pervert you are,” I snapped.

“Lyra! That’s it. You’re fucking fired. I don’t ever want to see you around my restaurant again. Good luck finding a job elsewhere,” Christy deadpanned, her voice ice cold.

My heart sank.

“No, please, you can’t do this to me. I’ve sacrificed so much to work here, I’ve been a good employee, you can’t just fire me when I was the one who got assaulted.” I pleaded, my voice trembling.

“You should learn to keep your head bowed and your hands in check, Omega.” Dax spat out like it was a curse.

My blood boiled. I was filled with anger and I wanted to lash out but I couldn’t risk lashing out right now. I needed this job. 

“Please, I didn’t do anything wrong. He groped me, he should’ve been kicked out. Why are you doing this to me?” Tears of frustration prickled at my eyes as I stared at her.

“Next time, you’ll learn to be more tolerant with customers,” Christy snapped. “Now get out, or I’ll have security drag you out.”

“This isn’t fair. Please, let me keep my job. I need this job, Christy, please,” I begged.

“Stop talking and get the fuck off if you won’t fall on your knees with your heads by my feet and apologize like the fucking Omega you are,” Dax growled and a part of me wanted to submit, so everything would go back to normal but my pride screamed louder.

“I’d rather die than apologize to a filthy man like you,” I hissed.

His hand whipped across my face, the sound cracking through the air. 

“Security!” Christy yelled.

Two men stepped forward as I backed away, tears spilling down my cheeks. “Please, you can’t do this to me! I need this job!” I begged as they grabbed my arms and dragged me toward the door.

“Then you should’ve acted like it, bitch!” Dax snarled behind me.

The doors slammed shut behind me. The world tilted as the sobs came. My thoughts went straight to my brother. I had to deposit by tomorrow or they’d stop his treatments.

I fumbled in my pocket, pulling out the few crumpled bills I had left. My vision blurred again. I’d failed him. I should’ve just walked away. I shouldn’t have fought back.

My knees buckled. I stumbled forward, and strong arms caught me.

I gasped, looking up into a pair of deep green eyes. He was tall, dressed in a sharp suit, his presence calm but commanding.

“I’m so sorry,” I whispered, quickly pulling away and wiping my face. “I didn’t see you there.”

“But I saw you,” he said, his voice deep.

Something about his gaze made me uneasy. He was too put-together for someone loitering outside a falling-apart diner.

“I’ll just go. Thanks for breaking my fall,” I said quickly, turning to leave.

“Wait,” he said. “You look like someone who needs a way out. I have an offer for you. One year…and all your money problems disappear.”

I stopped in my tracks. My breath hitched.

“What?” I turned back to face him.

“Mr. Zane has a proposal,” he said, his eyes sharp. “All it takes to get your life back on track is to give him control, Lyra.”

My heart thudded. “Control?”

“He doesn’t want love. He needs a fake mate. Are you willing to belong to him for one year?”

I blinked, stunned. “But… I’m an omega. Why would he want me?”

“Exactly why you’re perfect for him. He’s not a kind man,” the stranger said plainly. “But he pays very, very well. Are you willing to submit?”

My mind spun. Why me? What could someone like him want with someone like me?

But then my reality came crashing back. I had no job. No money. No options. And if I didn’t pay that bill, I’d lose the only family I had left.

I was a defective omega anyway. It wasn’t like I could feel my real mate.

“How much are we talking about?” I asked, barely above a whisper.