CHAPTER TWO: MADELINE

“This is crazy.” Linc's stare on me drags me out of my meal as I turn to him. He's a young lad, should probably be in school but I know he has a rebellious streak about him that makes him hate that as he nods towards the television, “You good?”

I don't bother to look at the screen, already knowing what's there as I finish my sandwich and wipe my hands on my apron. “Yeah, sure. It's just the news, don't worry about it.”

Blake and Cassie share a glimpse, both of them knowing that there's nothing good about what's going on but they know better than telling Lincoln the truth. He might act all high and mighty but he's a baby. We all know that.

In truth, I'm scared. Terrified. I try to shield Lucas from it but I highly doubt that he doesn't know, he's too smart for his own good.

Omegas, like me, are being hunted down for their pheromones. Why? Because apparently, having sex with our kind was addictive. Like the drugs humans use. It's crazy because we're not objects but no one sees us like that, not anymore. Ever since the news got out about how fucking omegas felt good, the rape stories have worsened. Some of us are even going missing now.

There are drugs we can take to hide our scent but I can barely afford that. With the rent closing in and Lucas needing his fees to be paid, I don't even have the right to want that. Still, it's fine. I just have to be careful and close late. That's all.

“You should be clocking out, love,”

Blake is the one talking now. He's already hovering around me like a fly and usually, I'd find that creepy but I can't, especially when I know he does it out of concern and his Mate, Cassie shadows him as well as she says, “Yeah, it's getting a bit late.”

“I'm fine,” I say for the umpteenth time though I know for certain that no one believes me. A part of me finds that soothing but the other part hates how they treat me. I know I'm an Omega. I know I'm weak but I'm not that useless. Come on. It was beginning to feel a little insulting. “Plus, I have to talk to Alfred for a bit. I'll go when I'm done.”

I can already sense Blake's apprehension with Cassie's worry. Even Lincoln is terrified of the thought of me being alone with the bastard and I hate it. I hate all of it. Being put in this position. Being so… Vulnerable but I know there's nothing I can do about it as I wrap up the other sandwich Gustavo left for Lucas as I wave at them. “Wish me good luck.”

As I stuff it into my bag, I hurry out of the staff room to his office. For an asshole, his office is surprisingly clean and tidy. The only thing dirty here is him and the look on his face as I step in, “Madeline. Please, come in and sit. It's always a pleasure to have you here.”

The pleasure is all yours, I think but don't say as I do as he says. The second I'm seated, he's rising up from his seat and coming towards me. I swallow, trying to fight down the irritation bubbling up my throat as he stands beside me, resting on his table as he says, “You said you wanted something?”

“A raise,” I say, looking up at him with the most serious face I could muster. “It's just… Lucas is getting older and things are becoming more expensive. You know I don't have a pack of my own so all of my expenses fall on me. If you could just… Increase my pay then maybe—”

“You've been passing by every night shift. Every. One.”

I swallow. “Well, yes, but I can't… I can't exactly stay longer anymore. You know I would if I could but it's not safe, especially for people like me—”

Before I can finish my sentence, his hand is on my face. “Do you have any idea how beautiful you are?”

Disgusting. Disgusting. Disgusting. It plays in my head like a siren but I try not to do anything out of place as I say, “I'll work with Gustavo. I'll cook, if you want. I'm very good at that—”

He chuckles there, his eyes dancing over me like he couldn't wait to gobble me up at that moment. “Yeah. I'm sure you are,” Then he moves away from me and moves his hands in the air. “All of this talk is pointless. I know you. I trust you. But things are difficult now. Prices are going up, taxes too. I mean, I honestly don't know how you're surviving with your kid, John—”

“Lucas.”

“But that's what I've always liked about you. Your resilience. It's why I know you'll be good enough to be… More.”

I know what he means but I can't stop myself from asking. “More?”

“Well, yes. You're not a baby anymore, Madeline. You have a child,” He says this like it's common knowledge. I feel a shiver run up my spine as I feel him behind me, his hands grabbing my shoulder tightly as he bends to my ear and whispers, “Besides, I hear Omegas have cycles that makes them needy. Don't you want to finally have a man taking care of all those… Needs?”

My eyes fall on the pen on his desk, an image of me diving into his hand flashing into my head at that instant though I blink it away as I ask, “And if I say no?”

It all happens in a split second. He grabs my hair and yanks it backward, causing me to let out a muffled groan in pain as he chuckles, staring down at me with venom in his eyes. “I don't think you have a choice. Not if you want to have that pup of yours clothed and fed,”

As he lets go of me, I can feel the anger in my chest rising. Boiling. I know I can't win this fight, I never will, but a part of me doesn't care. He can do what he wants but he should keep Lucas's name out of his mouth. I count to ten, picking myself up from my chair as he returns back to his as I say, “I'll think about it.”

Sam Alfred doesn't bother to respond, he doesn't have to. We both know I have no other choice in this situation. I need to pick a side and I have to pick it fast.

I don't bother to tell the others good-bye as I go back home to my son. The house is dark which means Adelaide is already gone and he's alone. I enter the house and go straight to his room. He's in his bed, sleeping, or pretending to. I can always sense when he's awake or not.

I kneel beside his bed and rake my hand through his hair as I whisper, “Are you pretending to fall asleep because you know I'm tired, angel?”

He doesn't bother to respond and I know he won't. I know we barely spend any time together but I can't afford that right now. I lean down and kiss his forehead, fighting the tears threatening to come down as I say, “Goodnight, baby.” And with that, I leave his room.

And thank you, I send through our bond. I feel his response as always reassuring me. He's just nine years old and he's acting so old. I'm the parent here. I have to take care of him. And by the goddess, I will.