NOLA
I couldn't believe that I had almost snapped at Ravana. My best friend. My love. My Omega. I had snapped at her before and nothing good had come of it. Typically in these situations, I would reach out and snuggle her, pressing my cheek against hers in a way that simulated how an Alpha would scent an Omega. But I couldn't. even the thought of Ravana's scent made me retch.
She shot me a pained expression, her lips pulled tight. She was disappointed for sure, but she also seemed to be angry. "Something happened while I was gone."
To the untrained ear, it sounded like a statement, an amused understanding of the strange Alpha sitting on her couch. But I knew that it was a question, demanding a detailed answer. She wasn't a fan of strangers in our dorm room, which was fair. Still, I could be trusted, right?
Ravana took a seat on the small stand we called a coffee table, facing both of us, her legs spread as she propped her elbows on her knees. What were only a few inches dividing us felt like a canyon as I clutched at my own arms, nothing else to latch onto, the dull ache in the pit of my stomach returning. I wanted to crawl into the Alpha's lap again but that was the worst possible idea right now. I didn't even know why he hadn't left yet.
"Yes – I don't know-" I hissed through my teeth, trying not to reflect the pain in my words, "I had left to go get scent blockers. I couldn't take it anymore."
Her expression looked like she had been punched in the gut. I refrained from trying to see how the Alpha was doing. He probably didn't understand any of the power play that was going on. He also hadn't signed up for this. This was embarrassing.
I could see the wheels turning in my Omega's head. "Why didn't you just stay here? You never have a problem with my scent." I refused to comment on that. I didn't want Ravana to feel bad; but it had been precisely her scent as it was now, that was making me sick. Her shoulders deflated as she let out a breathy sigh, "You could have called."
But we both knew I wouldn't have picked up the phone. Admitting to an Omega that their scent was undesirable was unheard of. All Omegas smelled like candy or flowers or whatever fantastic spice was out there these days. Unless the bond was being rejected. I chose not to think about that.
I dropped her head into my lap, pointing a timid finger at the Alpha beside me. "I just… well then he found me."
The displeased tone in my Omega's voice was evident, "A strange find. He's the son of Narkotiko Mou's CEO." My heart sunk and my breath caught in my throat. Everyone knew Narkotiko Mou – the largest drug-supplying company in this part of the world. This Alpha was one of the heirs to the company? He could smell Zetas? Shit. This was bad. "Why is he here?"
My head remained burrowed in my lap and I pulled my knees up to my chest to make myself as small as possible. I didn't dare look at the Alpha sitting next to me, but I hoped he was taking pointers. This was the way to shrink in size. "He was nice enough to bring me back." My skin felt all hot and clammy again, the desire for his touch, his lips, his body growing to the point that it almost overrode the pain of my TOM.
"And then I find you, curled up in his lap. Acting all like an Omega. All OVER him." I had known for a while that Ravana didn't like Omegas. She didn't like the sweet scents and she hated being an Omega. I couldn't blame her. For all the anger and power that Ravana tried to wield, no one took her seriously because she was just an Omega. Ravana hated her own biology, an Omega's quicks, their tendencies. She fought so hard against all of it, daring to wade through painful heats rather than finding an Alpha to soothe it.
I guessed that Ravana had hoped I'd do the same. Go it alone.
I peeked up past her knees to see the Alpha. He looked uncomfortable, pressing the pillow farther into his lap, still trying to hide the bulge in his pants. Resisting the temporary bond between us seemed to be painful for him as well, sitting this close while trying to ignore it but leaving would have set Ravana off. There was no good way out of this but for some reason, the only thought running through my mind was drumming up the courage to close the distance between us, release the top button of his jeans… Shit.
"Explain." Ravana's voice thundered through the apartment, drawing me out of the lusting haze clouding my sense.
Tearing my eyes from the temptation and focusing on Ravana, I just shook my head, "I can't explain it."
"Try."
I shrunk back into the couch at the command in her words. This was all sorts of wrong – a Zeta submitting to an Omega? It just didn't happen but I refused to cross her and I couldn't figure out why. "He-"
Ravana shot me a hardened look, her eyes then narrowing at the Alpha. "Not you. Him. Kristos, I want your answer." Her words dripped with aimed venom. Even if it wasn't for his status, an Omega did not talk to an Alpha like that.
The Alpha – Kristos - didn't seem particularly bothered by it. "I was just taking a walk to the corner store and found her on the way. Then I brought her back here." That's not what had happened. Was he trying to protect me from a situation he couldn't possibly understand or was he protecting himself? An Alpha that could smell Zetas was a powerful weapon.
Ravana folded her arms across her chest, "You what?"
It dawned on me that Kristos was entertaining Ravana's questions like she was in charge. Or maybe he was just trying to appease her. I wasn't sure. "I don't understand where you're confused." And there it was, that Alpha dominance I hadn't been sure I would see. He leaned forward, matching Ravana's position but his held a lot more power than hers.
The Omega wasn't to be bested though as she shot to her feet, pointing an accusatory finger at him. "She doesn't like others' scents but you expect me to believe she just wandered down there on her own and then you found her before bringing her back? I can see your fucking cock. What do you want, Kristos?"
Tension nearly suffocated me as I tried to understand what Ravana was alluding to. Even Kristos seemed confused until the Omega continued, leaning back on her heels.
"People always try to cozy up to Nola to get to me. I get it. But trying something with her? She's off-limits. She's mine." She bared her teeth, the Alpha swiftly moving to his feet, their height difference disparaging.
I shouldn't have been so turned on by the way Kristos' eyes flashed with silent anger, his jaw tensing from the disrespect he was being shown. "Let her tell me that." His eyes drifted to mine, waiting for my answer. Ravana had told me countless times that I was hers, that we were made for each other, and all the other bullshit she could throw my way. I had drunk it up and pledged my whole life to her. Now, I wanted anyone other than Ravana. Hell, at this point, I'd even take a Beta.
I give a little nod, hoping Kristos could see in my eyes that that's not what I wanted. Like at all. A squeak left me as I doubled over, the Alpha immediately at my side, a large hand on my stomach as he pulled me into his lap. I gasped at the sudden movement, his warmth dulling the ache until I could feel the hidden desire ramping up again.
"Don't you fucking touch her!" Kristos let out a deafening growl as Ravana moved to strike him, a strike that never landed as Kristos' hand shot out to intercept it. The Alpha slipped me back onto the couch, still holding onto Ravana, his eyes glowing with unbridled rage.
The Omega squirmed out of his grip, rubbing her wrist frantically. "She doesn't need you. I don't either. I don't need you meddling for unknown reasons. Please leave." Her words were tight and strained, an indication that told me she knew she fucked up. She'd never own up to it, but it was pretty clear.
Kristos gave her one firm nod, giving me one last lingering glance before slipping out the door. I wanted to run after him but that wouldn't have ended well. At least I had a name now.
Not that I could use it, as a wave of pain ripped through me. Ravana started toward me, with no concern in her eyes as she did. None of the warmth or desire Kristos had shown me was reflected in the Omega's gaze. Climbing over the side of the couch, I scrambled to my room before I upchucked whatever was left in my stomach. If I puked in front of Ravana, the fact that I didn't like her scent would be all too real.
This was the first time I had really felt imprisoned by our bond, but I wanted out. I wanted to follow Kristos' scent, the one that lingered on my clothes, and chase his taste on my lips. If I concentrated enough, I could imagine that Ravana wasn't banging on my door, demanding answers. With only his smell surrounding me, I drifted off to sleep.