Chapter 3: LILA

"Get out… everyone," Reis ordered in a slurred tone, and as if brainwashed, the omegas on their knees got up and fled the room.

It was just the two of us now. I was alone with a man staring at me in the most vile way possible, like a hungry animal waiting for a signal before he came to consume me.

"Come here," he called, but my legs remained glued to the floor.

I was too scared to move. No one ever knew what Reis’ next move would be. If I took a step toward him, he might grab me and rip my head off my body. Shivers rolled down my spine. I gulped hard and held onto the solderer tighter, like it could protect me from this beast in man form.

"I said come here," he repeated, his voice even lazier than before.

He looked calm, very different from the raging monster a few minutes ago, but there was something about his calmness that was terrifying. I remained standing in my original spot.

A sly smirk grew on his lips, and before my brain could even count a second, he was suddenly right in front of me. He wrapped his slender fingers around my neck, pulling me closer to him.

I could see his face now. He was unfairly handsome. I tried my best to ignore his glowing eyes and the sharp, beautiful fangs that strangely stirred something in me.

It was strange. Why did I feel attracted to him? And how had he even acknowledged my presence? To Alphas, nulls were like ghosts, they didn’t see you, they didn’t care. We were invisible to them, and because of our low rank, we had to work twice as hard, perform the harshest tasks, and sometimes lose our lives in the process. I didn’t know how I managed to be the last null, or why this Alpha was staring at me like he wanted to devour me… and even stranger, why I was slightly feeling excited.

*Lila, you’re such a fool,* I scolded myself. This man was either going to kill me or sleep with me, and that also meant death, because Alpha Reis had a reputation for being violent in bed. I should be afraid. Yes, I was… but I still found myself admiring his striking looks.

He leaned toward me, and my eyes automatically shut. I felt his pointed nose brush against my skin as he slowly inhaled my scent. It was so strange, no man had ever sniffed me before, but each time he did, a soft purr escaped his lips. The sound stirred something deep in my stomach. My chest rose and fell slowly against my will, and my lips parted slightly, almost as if I was anticipating what he would do next.

His soft, wet lips brushed against mine, trailing toward my ear, and shivers washed over my body.

"What is your name?" he whispered.

A soft sigh escaped my lips as he nibbled on my ear. I was so distracted by what he was doing until his fingers tightened slightly around my neck, pulling me closer.

I gasped at how rough he had become.

"When I ask you a question, you answer me, got it?" he whispered again, this time with a hint of command in his tone. "What is your name?" he repeated.

This time, I answered. "Lila… Lila Whitlock," slightly annoyed at myself that my voice came out shaky.

I wasn’t usually a shy person, and I hated being stepped on or controlled, especially by arrogant Alphas who thought the world revolved around them. But I didn’t know why I felt so weak around him.

He sniffed me again and let out a soft purr that made me feel dizzy, in a good way.

"Lila," my name rolled off his lips in a husky tone. "What a beautiful name."

My stomach churned again. I had never heard anyone say my name with so much interest. It was strange… but I wanted to hear him say it again.

Suddenly, he spun me around, and my back slammed against his rock-hard chest. His hand on my neck slowly trailed downward to my chest. My heart pounded violently, but I couldn’t stop him. He cupped my small breasts with his large palm, squeezing slightly before moving down to my waist. His touch was rough. A ripping sound followed, and my PPE was torn away from my body.

I snapped back to my senses and pulled away from him. I covered myself, but it was of no use, he had only ripped off my protective gear, not my actual clothes.

"You dare run from my touch?" His eyes darkened as he stared at me, not caring that he had just tried to violate my space moments ago.

This bloody Alpha was disrespectful as hell. My senses were returning now, and irritation began creeping in.

"How dare you," I breathed, holding my clothes tightly against my body. I was scared he would lunge at me again and rip this one off in seconds.

He began taking slow steps toward me, and my legs moved back defensively. A lump formed in my throat. I had just provoked the bloody Alpha, and now I was about to be wiped out of existence like the other nulls.

The next step I took landed my butt against my work desk. I wanted to stand up and run, but it was too late. The bloody Alpha was already in front of me. He caged me against the desk, placing his strong arms on either side of me. Yes, he was dressed in a dark suit, but the veins on his wrists and the broadness of his shoulders revealed just how muscular he was.

I shut my eyes again, bracing myself for whatever was coming next, then a loud siren blared, and the entire room lit up with flashing red and blue lights.

He returned my space and I opened my eyes in alertness. The systems began to spark and fail again, laptops were falling off their desk and I didn't even know where to start. Before me, Alpha Reis stood there, his expression the ugliest I had ever seen, his fangs had extended and claws was sharper and longer, he snarled and a low growl escaped his lips. He looked like he was ready to rip someone’s head off.

God, I hoped it wasn’t going to be mine.