CHAPTER FIVE- MADELINE

When I returned home yesterday, I was so sure Lucas would still be mad at me but I found him waiting for me on the porch. He ran to give me a hug the second I got close enough and though he didn't say anything else, I knew that he was scared.

I tried to hide my emotions as much as I could so he didn't worry but he ended up sleeping on the same bed with me, probably just to be sure that I was safe. I knew he was no longer angry with me, his fear for my safety overriding his anger but I couldn't sleep.

I was sure Alfred would come to my house and demand for his money, or the police would. Or perhaps, even the person that had saved me— But in truth, I didn't know which was worse because the latter… The latter wasn't any better.

When the adrenaline and shock had worn off, my brain went back to that scent again and even though it had been many years since I last smelled it, I knew for certain that I would never forget it even in a million lifetimes. Still, it couldn't be his. I was hundreds of miles away from him. I was safe. I was alive.

I was—

I was far too horny thinking of the bastard who had treated me like shit and abandoned me.

Even till this morning, I can feel my arousal pouring out of me like I'm a leaking tap. I am a fugitive, a thief and quite possibly, a murderer too and all my body is thinking of is how he made me feel?

I'm useless.

“Where are you going?” Adelaide is here, has been here all morning, but Lucas doesn't seem interested in her anymore which is almost funny because he always prefers her to me but at the same time, not.

I can tell that he's worried that something would happen to me again even though he doesn't know what. Seeing him like this makes me realize I can't ever leave him. Ever. It's why I have to fix this. Get rid of this card before it's tracked back to me somehow. “I'll just go return this card and be back before you know it.”

Lucas doesn't believe me and that's understandable. I haven't been keeping my promises recently. I'm not even sure if I'd be returning home without being arrested midway back but I know for certain that I wouldn't be going down without a fight. Not now. Not ever again.

“Come on, Lucas. Let's fix a puzzle,” Adelaide's voice is cheerful and filled with life. It's why I like her around Lucas, she's a stark difference to my constant depression and his constant stoicism. I might find her too much at times but she's cheap and friendly.

I place a kiss on Lucas's head, swearing on the goddess that I'd come back in one piece then stuffing a fifty dollar bill into his pocket, I head outside. The streets are bustling with life this time but I'm far too in a hurry to care as I flag down a taxi and get in.

Solis. Since I couldn't sleep, I'd done some research on what it was. It was an organization that provided escorts— Or sex workers who were willing Omegas, to high paying Alphas or Betas. The pay was three thousand dollars every week and the entire contract seemed solid.

I'm not going to lie, the pay was ridiculously good. Too good, in fact but it made sense too. I'd heard about legal agencies that recruited willing Omegas to lend their pheromones to other classes that desired them— And Solis was one of them.

Still, as tempting as that was, if he was in the program, then I knew for certain that I wasn't going to be. And if he wasn't, then maybe… No. No, that job was risky. One thing could go wrong and it could be the end. Plus, I had other things to worry about. Like how I've most definitely lost my job and would be on the streets soon.

As I get to the building, I try not to get distracted by the grandness of it as I hurry straight to the reception area and place the card on the table. “Hi, I'm sorry. I just need to return this and—”

“Are you on your heat cycle?”

The question throws me aback, especially since it's a very personal one but the receptionist doesn't even seem to notice that. She looks neutral— Polite, and perhaps with a little bit of concern in her eyes as she adds gently, “I'm sorry it's just that I can smell your arousal and if you want to join the agency when you're on that cycle, it'd attract a lot of—”

“No, no, no.” I shake my head and point to the gold card I placed down. “I just came to return that card, that's it. It's not… It's not mine. I picked it and I decided to drop it by. That's all.”

She's looking at me now like she's seen this a hundred times, the entire transaction but I don't bother to try changing her mind. She nods now and begins typing on the computer as I look around. The entire place looks like your average hotel really, except for the excessive interior decor then maybe—

My thoughts instantly scramble as the scent hits me again. Like smoky cedarwood and spices. I already feel heady just taking a whiff of it, like I'm high and about to float into space. Fuck. He's here. Fucking hell, the bastard's here.

I see the receptionist— The bitch looks upwards now, her face bursting into the brightest smile I've ever seen as she says, “Mr Bloodhound. Welcome.”

I don't need to turn because I know I'm right but I do and feel my heart fall into my chest as I realize who I'm staring at.

It's Damien. Damien Bloodhound. My former mate and Lucas's Father.