Lyn's Talk
It's suffocating…
Even though I'm one of a few people of other ranks besides alphas invited to the ball, I feel out of place.
I feel the disdain in those gazes so intensely that I can't meet eyes with anyone. I can only stay out of the ball and wait to return at the important period.
This is not my first time attending 'The Secret of Alberta.' The previous functions just didn't have much to do with my profession, so I observed everything from afar before quietly excusing myself.
This time, on the contrary, I've been ordered to watch and stay until the end.
I work as a doctor at the research center at the central hospital, mainly treating betas and researching stem cell potential development of omegas.
All my working days are full of risks that I must discreetly avoid since I have a secret no one can ever uncover.
The secret is fatal…
First, I'm 'an omega,' the most oppressed rank in the world. Although it's tricky to distinguish omegas from betas, being an omega working among other ranks with her identity hidden is considered nearly impossible. Not to mention the risk of being enslaved by those alphas.
Second, I've recently discovered I'm actually 'a nebula,' a creature at the lowest level of the food chain, weak and highly pricey on the black market because other ranks believe 'nebulas' possess a hidden power that can heal others.
Therefore, the most important thing is to always be careful and never get my neck bitten.
Bonds with alphas can be removed despite the high chance of death. But if you get bitten by an enigma…the bond is permanent.
You can only accept your fate with no choice…
"Lyn," says a familiar voice from behind. I know this voice well as he's the only person who knows where to find me in a function. "You're alone again?"
"Zal." The huge mask covering his face fails to decrease his aura.
"Didn't I say to tell me if you can't take it?" he reprimands. "It's dangerous on your own."
That makes sense. Even if alphas these days agree to work with betas, assaults from classism still exist.
"Where's Gale?" He mentions my colleague. "Isn't she here with you?"
"Professor Alan called her over," I answer, "to help him prepare the auction, I guess."
"What about you? Are you going to stay here until it starts?" Zal tilts his head, his eyes on me. Taking my silence, he shoots, "You'll be here until it's over, won't you?"
I press my lips together nervously with no excuse. I indeed consider staying here until it's all over, even if I should be inside observing everything as commanded, but multiple factors make me paranoid.
"Come with me." Zal holds my wrist and tugs. "I guarantee no one will mess with you."
I wish to refuse, but I know Zal wouldn't relent. Although it's not a good idea for us to appear close, Zal, as a formidable S-list alpha, will never be questioned.
I met 'Zal' when I started working at the hospital. He was one of a few alphas in this country granted a special status assumingly because of his exceptional medical skills and power.
I have no clue what his power is, but I know Zal can control people's minds with eye contact.
We became close friends because I could resist his power. Not only was Zal surprised, but I also couldn't figure out how it was possible. As a result, he can't control me.
Except when I'm weak…
"1980 Sauvignon Blanc." Zal offers me a glass of wine. "Try it. I think it'll be to your liking, Lyn."
"Thank you." I accept the glass despite myself and sip on it as a courtesy.
I feel the tingling heat as soon as the wine touches my tongue. The rich taste urges me to take another sip in fascination.
"Superb, isn't it?" Zal's eyes are gentle as he looks at me. "I suggest you stop right there. It's strong."
Of course. This wine is for alphas. With such a rich taste, only alphas enjoy slowly relishing it.
Judging by how strong it is, I think I'll manage to finish half of it. Any more than that and I won't be able to return to my apartment.
"Aren't you going to meet with the principal, Mr. Zal?" I ask in consideration, watching him type something on his phone.
His fingers hover over the screen after he hears my question. He glances up at me with a hint of irritation in his light-colored eyes.
"I've told you not to be formal with me."
Even so, how can I act all friendly with him in this function?
"Plus, I'm off the clock. Why would I hang out with those geezers?" Zal sounds rather peeved. Undoubtedly, one of those geezers is his father.
"You'd be in trouble if someone heard that." Zal is a famous alpha in the high class, after all. "Especially…"
"My dad's men?" Zal cuts in, grinning. "You're worried too much." He holds out his glass and clinks mine, then proceeds to gulp it all down.
I'm not worried about him. It's me I'm concerned about. I walked past Zal's sister upon my arrival, and she condescended to me even before I stepped inside.
Since we've met several times at the hospital, Sylvia recognizes me even with my mask.
"I need your help with the auction, Lyn," Zal states out of the blue. "I need to get it no matter how much it costs."
Looking at the big figure, I sip on the wine in surprise and ask a question.
"You want me to bid?"
Zal nods. Before I say a word, he removes his wristband and holds it out to me.
"Wear it." He places it on my wrist. "Do it on my behalf."
"Zal, I think…"
You should ask someone else to do it…is what I hope to say, but those light-colored eyes staring at me prevent my words from coming out. Two thoughts wrestle in my head, one pushing me to decline, one nudging me to help him.
The wine is definitely making me lose control of myself.
"You will do it…right?"
I'm lost in his smile along with his question and have to shake my head a few times to get it together.
"Zal!" I angle my head away from him, turn around, and take a deep breath.
It would've been terrible had I not averted my eyes in time.
"Sorry," he chuckles. "You must've had too much of the wine."
Zal is always like this. Even though he never looks down on me like other alphas, his teases know no bounds.
"So you'll take care of the auction for me, right?" Zal knows I would never reject him. "Thank you," he decides before I even answer, and then he asks a server for a new glass.
"…" I've told you I can never say no to him.
"Another glass, Lyn?"
"…" Why did he even ask?
"Oh…You can't drink anymore."
"…" If we weren't at the function, I'd possibly elbow him.
"I'll drink for you, Lyn."
Before Zal finishes, someone appears behind him and snatches the glass in the blink of an eye.
Zal is everything but shocked, simply glancing at that man in annoyance. I, in contrast, step back by instinct.
I didn't see him coming this close to us earlier, and he had no unique scent of an alpha that should be subtly perceived.
As he returns the glass to Zal, the tall figure gazes down at me. It's a brief moment that feels like forever, taking all my breath away.
With his dark eyes locked on me, a sensation builds up inside my body. I can't put my finger on it, yet it feels strangely familiar.
I study his charming facial structure uncovered by the huge black mask. This man has dark eyes, a sharp nose, and skin paler than most alphas. And even if I don't socialize often, I can bravely point out that his lips are incredibly irresistible.
I hear Zal calling my name, but I can't take my eyes off the man in front of me. I realize what I'm doing once he leans closer.
"I…I'm sorry."
His lips curl up. His eyes seem satisfied with my nervousness.
I clench my fists so hard my knuckles turn white from the awkward situation. Finally, Zal breaks the silence.
"Mind your manners with other guests," Zal says, half-serious. "You said you'd be right back. I thought I'd see you tomorrow."
"Who is she?"
The man fixes his eyes on me while asking, ignoring Zal's scolding.
"This is Lailalyn, a doctor and stem cell researcher at my hospital."
Zal replies despite his annoyance.
"Lailalyn," the man repeats my name softly.
"Nice to meet you." His voice is gentle and low. Again, I can't take my eyes off him. "I'm Lucas."
"Lucas Leonard Grezer."
He offers his hand as a greeting. I'm slightly hesitant, to be honest, but eventually take his hand.
Not only does Lucas hold my hand, but, once the tips of our fingers touch, he bends down and kisses the back of my hand, soft like a feather.
"Oh!" I almost jerk my hand back in surprise, but the big figure grips it.
"Lyn is a valuable medical staff," Zal says coldly. "I'll appreciate it if you treat her with respect."
Lucas slowly releases my hand and responds with a flicker of a smile, "Of course."
Oddly enough, I suddenly sense a kind of energy that makes me feel safe next to him.
Why…?
"What did you take off to do?" Zal asks Lucas.
"My business," he replies shortly, "and chat with an acquaintance."
"An acquaintance?" Zal repeats in bewilderment. "You found an acquaintance?"
"You think you're my only friend?"
"No." Sun sips on the wine and resumes, "It took me by surprise that you actually socialize with new people."
Lucas groans in his throat and instantly flicks his gaze toward me as if aware of my stare.
"It depends…" he pauses, "on how interesting they are."
I down the glass of wine out of anxiety upon hearing that. Before I realize what I've done, my throat burns so awfully my hand flies up to my neck.
"Lyn!"
Zal shouts my name, but it's Lucas who wraps his arm around me and positions a jug of water in front of my face.
"Drink this." I sense the irritation in his voice. "All of it."
"Pour it into a glass. How would she hold that?" Zal protests, fetching an empty glass for him.
Lucas growls in dissatisfaction but proceeds to fill the glass with water and passes it to me.
"Are you okay?" Zal asks me. "Why did you drink all of that? I told you it was strong."
"Is she a lightweight?" asks Lucas.
"1980 Sauvignon Blanc," Zal clarifies, and Lucas nods. "Premium grade."
"Drink more," Sun says as Lucas pours more water into my glass, "until your throat stops burning."
My face is heated up by the alcohol. Nearly ten glasses of water can't even dilute its power, and the tingling in my stomach messes up my body.
"I think you should sit down. You'll feel better soon after drinking that much water," Zal tells me, then takes out his phone from his suit pocket to answer it.
"Shit."
Zal swears as soon as he glimpses the name on the screen. He strides out of the ball while Lucas grabs my arm and brings me to the smoking area outside.
He leads me away from the alphas smoking and nods at the marble stool, gesturing to me to take my seat.
"Thank you."
Lucas holds a cigarette between his lips. I hear him tsking as he fumbles for his lighter in his pocket.
"Hey." He turns to me. "Got a lighter?"
"Ah…" My brain processes everything slower because of the alcohol.
"Is it so hard to answer the question?"
Lucas asks me, tilting his head.
"I don't have it."
"That's all."
He throws his lighter out of the balcony in discontentment and takes the cigarette out of his mouth. He stretches his hand out, and, I'm not sure what he's doing, but the cigarette in his hand sparks.
Despite my curiosity, I assume Lucas is the type of alpha with the ability to utilize alchemy. I'd better not pry into his personal life.
My face getting numb, I pinch my cheeks in a daze and feel nothing. The effects of the white wine remain powerful.
"Why did you do that?" asks Lucas.
I gaze up at him to answer, but the cat has gotten my tongue once those dark eyes fall on me.
It feels so oddly familiar it arouses my curiosity. I've just warned myself 'not to pry into his business,' but my body takes over my brain and I ask.
"Have we met before?"