Chapter 1

Chapter 1 

LAKE

The stench of rotting vegetables and spoilt food was what filled my nostrils as I slowly woke up after being unconscious. 

My cheek was pressed against the cold floor that was located in the restaurant's storage room, and every part of my body seemed too stiff and ached in protest as I tried to move.

I could still taste the blood that was on my tongue, from the new cut that I had gotten and I could feel my left eye swollen nearly shut.

How long had I been unconscious?

The memories came back in painful waves as I winced holding my head.

It had been the usual shitty day for me until it got to closing time. When three alphas who were regulars and had been drinking too much and thought they could ask the dishwasher for sex.

When I'd politely declined their offer—if you could call grabbing my ass and suggesting I "earn some real money on my back" an offer—they'd gotten angry. Very angry at me and changed in an instant.

"Think you're too good for us, freak?" The leader had said, his alcohol breath hot on my face as I wrinkled my nose in disgust.

"Unmated omega like you should be grateful for the attention."

I'd tried to explain that I needed to get to my brother's school, that I was already running late, but they'd only laughed at me and commended me for giving them excuses and promised to deal with me.

The first blow had caught me across my cheek which sent me falling behind the prep counter. The rest was a blur, as I felt a lot of fists and boots and laughter until everything went dark.

Now I was alone in the storage room, where I had been discarded like trash among the boxes of canned goods. 

I felt panic coursing through my body as I fumbled for my phone with shaking hands. 

The cracked screen showed 5:47 PM in green digits.

No. No, no, no.

Ollie's school let out at 3:30. I was supposed to pick him up by 4:00 at the latest. 

He'd be waiting for me, probably scared and wondering where I was. The after-school program only ran until 6:00 PM, and after that...

I dragged myself to my feet, ignoring the sharp pain that I felt in my ribs and the way the room seemed to spin around me. 

My reflection that I saw in the metal door of the walk-in freezer showed a face that would give even adults nightmare- split lip, black eye, and blood dried on my chin. But there was no time to clean up and heal properly before leaving.

I had to get to Ollie.

The main dining room was empty and dark, and all the chairs had been stacked upon the table and kept for the night cleaning crew to take care of. I stumbled, moving as I made my way toward the back exit. Mr. Donovan was nowhere to be seen, as I looked around. He had probably gone home hours ago, unaware that his customers had beaten his dishwasher unconscious in his storage room. Or maybe he just didn't care about me, as long as I didn't die.

The cold November air felt like a slap as I came out from the alley that was behind the restaurant. I pulled my thin jacket tighter around myself and started running toward Jefferson Elementary, every step sending pain through my battered body, but I couldn't stop. 

The streets seemed to blur past me as I ran, my breath coming in ragged gasps that formed little visible clouds in the air. 

Normal people were heading home from work, walking in groups, laughing and talking about their plans for the evening. None of them spared a glance for the limping omega racing past them with desperation written across his bruised face.

By the time I had gotten to the school, it was 6:03 PM. The parking lot was empty except for a security guard car and most of the windows were dark. I burst through the main entrance, my heart beating hard against my ribs.

"Ollie!" I called out, my voice echoing in the empty hallway as I felt fear run down my spine not seeing him. This couldn't be happening now. "Ollie, where are you?"

"Over here, son."

I turned around to the direction of the voice and saw the night security guard—Mr. Patterson, he was a kind beta in his sixties who'd always been patient with me when I'd been late before. He was standing outside the main office, and beside him...

"Lake!" 

Ollie launched himself at me, his small arms wrapping around my waist in a fierce hug as he squeezed me tightly happy to see me. I bit back a groan as he pressed against my bruised ribs, but I hugged him back with everything I had. He was safe. He was here. I hadn't failed him completely.

"I'm sorry," I whispered into his dark hair, my voice cracking with tears as I took in a shaky breath and exhaled. "I'm so sorry I'm late, buddy. I got held up at work and—"

"I knew you'd come," Ollie said simply, pulling back to look at me with those trusting blue eyes. "I told Mr. Patterson you'd be here. You always come for me."

His faith in me made my chest tighten with guilt and I nodded my head not knowing what to say to his declaration. Even after all the times I'd been late, all the times I'd shown up battered and broken, he still believed in me. Still trusted that I would never abandon him.

"Son," Mr. Patterson said gently, his wrinkled face filled with concern as he took in my appearance. "

Are you all right? You look like you've been through a war."

"I'm fine," I lied, the same lie I'd been telling for years as I shrugged my shoulders and forced the words out of my mouth. "Just a... a kitchen accident. Hot oil."