'I knew this would happen. It is good that no one is paying any attention to me this time, either. This is my third time wearing the same dress to a party this year.' Rika's thoughts echoed in her mind, a constant companion in her social struggles.
Rika stood in the corner of the room and watched people socialise around her.
Amidst the glittering crowd, Mark and Suzie shone the brightest. Their magnetic charm drew people to them like moths to a flame, leaving Rika feeling even more invisible. The stark contrast of their popularity and isolation was a painful reminder of her social standing.
And they were also dressed to impress with matching clothes and similar vibes.
'It is easy to tell that Mark and Suzie are siblings. They look so much like our parents as well. I wonder where I inherited my colouring from. Was one of my grandparents dark-haired? Not that anyone would tell me.' Rika's self-awareness of her family's dynamics and her place in it was a constant source of contemplation.
Rika sighed as she picked up another glass of beer from the table.
The server gave Rika a dirty glance, wondering how someone like her had managed to slip past the security and enjoy this party.
'And now that server would tell the security that I entered here illegally. Then, the guard would arrive and 'escort' me out before I ruined the mood. I should start charging the venue every time that happens.'
But Rika knew that there was no point in suing this place. It was under her family's business and would only hurt her family in the long run.
"Are you enjoying the party, Rika? There are a lot of new faces here this time that I have never seen before. I am happy that our business is expanding quickly and bringing in more people."
Rika looked at her mother, who stopped by her side.
No one paid attention to Rika, even when her mother was beside her. And who would, when the other 'more eligible' heirs of the family were right before them?
Everyone who came here wanted to profit and not waste time.
'I bet Emily and Damian would not even get a chance to breathe once they step in here. It is a total bloodbath to gain more connections in here.'
All omega had dressed up to impress. Even Suzie had not spared any effort to make herself look as good as she could.
It meant that these omegas were here to hunt.
"You should mingle around and make connections as well, Rika. Once I retire, you will receive a significant portion of our company shares. You should know how to invest and which people to trust."
Rika looked at her mother with an indulging expression that screamed patience and calm on the outside.
"Mother, can I take my leave now? I don't think I need to be here for the remainder of the party. Please give Emily and Damian my greetings once they arrive."
It was the same lecture Rika had heard a dozen times, making her chuckle every time.
'Does Mother think I am a fool who does not know what is happening? It is as if I will see a single share of the company when Mark and Suzie exist. I need to start saving up now, or I might not see any money in the future.'
Rika did not say this because her siblings were bastards who would not let her inherit anything. She did it mainly because she knew she would be forgotten in the will, and the people around her would not let her have anything.
'Besides, Size hates sharing her things with me the most. If she throws a tantrum under anyone's influence, I will only get in trouble.'
As much as this situation sucked for Rika, she had no intention of fighting for her place. Holding on tightly would only entangle her into this world she was trying to escape.
"Fine! If you want to leave, then you can now. I will handle the rest of the party. When will you be returning to your dorms?"
Her mother finally relented, knowing fully that she could do nothing to change Rika's mind once it had been made.
"I will return tomorrow morning. There is no need to call for a driver since I have already made plans to travel by train. I will see you when I have time."
Rika assured her mother and noticed how her mother looked as if she wanted to say something. But she ended up swallowing her words, and Rika escaped that stiff environment.
Her eyes met Emily's as she exited, and Rika felt guilty that she was leaving just as her friends entered.
'No! This is for the better. Having Emily or Damian walk up to me and initiate a conversation would cause more chaos. It would be better if fewer people knew about our friendship. It will mean fewer people will use me against them.'
Rika sighed as she felt sorry in her heart.
She noticed how the Alpha pair tried to walk toward her but were blocked by a few omegas along the way.
That gave Rika enough time to leave.
Her phone buzzed with a message, and Rika knew it before opening it.
[Don't you dare run away from us! Come back to the party, or we will leave to follow you out.]
As much as this sounded like a threat, Rika knew that her friends could not follow her out so quickly.
There were too many eyes on them to do what they wanted.
Knowing all this was why Rika felt confident about teasing her friends and sending them a provoking message.
[Sorry! But I got to go now. Just stay and enjoy the party. Do not get too jealous if the other gets close to an omega. Have fun!]
Rika felt conflicted about sending the last message and almost deleted it before pressing send.
Typing that message made Rika's insecure thoughts come out, and she immediately felt thoughts filling her mind.
She could easily imagine her friends finding an omega to share between them and singling Rika out later.
It was a cruel thought, especially for Rika, who liked her friends. But she also knew this was a reality that had yet to happen.
No matter how much an alpha-alpha pair loved each other, they needed an omega to ground them and their instincts in the future.
And Rika could never be that for them.
"I guess I will continue looking for my happiness from here. Something that will take me away from my family and allow me to lead a good life."
Rika sighed as she walked out into the fresh open air.
The hotel where the party was being held belonged to the upper part of the town. But it was also built in a more secluded area, leaving much space around it.
Walking across the property to the gate took fifteen minutes, but Rika enjoyed that time.
She did not want to call for a car to pick her up, but it was too late to get public transport, so she had no choice but to make that call.
Rika continued walking toward the estate's front gate when her body tensed up, and heard that weak growl.
No, it was more akin to yelping than growling, but Rika followed that pitiful sound to its source.
It turned out to be a small but ferocious pup that seemed hellbent on snapping at anything that came close to it.
Rika noticed that it was hurt and tried to protect that hurt side at all costs.
Somehow, that small pup reminded Rika of herself - abandoned and weak.
The hotel staff tried to get the puppy out of its hiding place, but it did not work.
"Psss, come out here puppy. Look at these tasty treats we are offering you. Don't you want to eat them?"
The staff asked as he dangled the jerky stick in his hand. But the puppy ignored it and growled back.
It looked too young to eat solid food, and the staff felt even more agitated.
The only good thing about this situation was that the staff had not tried to touch the hurt puppy yet. But it was a close thing.
"Excuse me! Can you allow me to help out? I volunteered at animal shelters, so I know how to handle this puppy well."
Rika stepped forward, and her sudden appearance startled the staff.
Everyone gathered there was so busy trying to rescue the puppy that they overlooked it when Rika walked toward them.
It might also have something to do with her lack of scent, but Rika ignored it.
"Let me help you out with that puppy. It is hurt and injured. I have the supplies to care for at home, so let me take it."
Rika took off her expensive shawl and regretted wearing it for such a purpose, but the puppy came first for her.