CHAPTER
ONE
Sophia
My stomach was in knots. My palms were sweating. And if I dared to let my mind think, I knew for a fact that I'd throw up. This was it. This was happening. I was someone's omega... again.
Every ounce of doubt I had tried to talk myself out of surfaced again, threatening to make me crumble to my knees. I was someone's omega. Someone wanted me. I could still have the life I dreamed of, even if I was considered flawed.
The hired car drove through the country land, and I watched the rolling hills and fields of greens and yellows pass me by. I found it odd that my unit didn't come for me, didn't try to collect me from Omega Industries as was custom. But maybe because I was a return, an unwanted omega from a previous unit, I was not gifted with such customs. But I did deserve such things, didn't I? After all, I was an omega, and omega numbers were dwindling.
The anticipation was killing me. I leaned forward, letting my palm touch the headrest of the chair in front of me. "Do- do you know how much longer?"
"Not far, omega," the beta woman driving answered. "Another few minutes."
Another few minutes? But I didn't see any houses, buildings, or any sign of life at all. Well, except for that cow. But I trusted the Omega Institute, and if they were sending me here, then I was sure it was safe. A town would surface soon, I was positive.
Only, a town didn't surface. Instead, the beta pulled up in front of a farmhouse in the middle of nowhere and stopped her car. Without a word, she got out, opening the trunk and removing my bags before I could even step foot on the well-packed dirt.
My legs trembled as I approached the trunk of the car, feeling the nerves I had managed to suppress during the drive surface tenfold. This was it, my new home. Completely opposite from the unit who rejected me. Where my former home was skyrise buildings and office attire, something told me that this little farmhouse in the middle of nowhere would not require the use of the plethora of heels I had brought along.
"This is it?" I asked, even knowing that it was in fact the place I was assigned. If it wasn't, she wouldn't have brought me here and started to unpack my belongings from the trunk.
"It's the address given," the beta confirmed.
"Oh, okay." I looked around one more time before reaching for a suitcase.
"Leave it!" the beta snapped, and I pulled my hand away from the bag like it was on fire. "An omega does not carry her own bags."
I looked around, searching for who she thought would be carrying my bags, but came up empty. "But..."
"Follow me, Omega." She turned abruptly and stomped toward the house, leaving me to follow.
The boards squeaked as I stepped up onto the wrap-around porch, but the beta didn't seem to mind. She moved with purpose, going straight to the front door and knocking hard. At first, no one answered, and she raised her fist, ready to knockagain, when heavy footsteps echoed from inside. She brought her hand down right as the door pulled open, and we were forced to look up, and up, into the steely-eyed glare of a giant of a man.
He inhaled deeply, his eyes fluttering for a moment before he asked, "May I help you, beta?"
Her swallow was audible as she craned her neck to look at him. Her fingers gripped the folder in her hand tightly as she spoke. "Alpha Kendricks?"
His voice was like gravel as he spoke. "What do you need, beta?"
The beta stumbled over her words, clearly not used to an alpha so... harsh. "I, well- as requested of the Omega Industries, I am here to deliver this omega. Now, I also was instructed to hand you this file before departing."
"Omega Industries?" His eyes fell to me for a moment before he brought the fire back to the beta. Anger surged in every muscle as he continued. "I've not once dealt with the Omega Industries, and I do not plan on doing so ever."
"Well..." the beta cleared her throat, clearly afraid of the power the alpha radiated. "Unfortunately, that isn't something I handle. I am just a delivery service. Here..." She pushed the folder toward him, forcing him to take it. "All contact information you need should be provided in this packet."
"No." The alpha shook his head at the beta. "Take the omega and the packet back."
"Unfortunately–"
"If you say anything but 'yes, alpha'–" I stepped back from his anger and straight into a hard chest. I jumped forward again, trying to avoid the contact of this stranger who appeared.
The stranger reached forward, and though I shouldn't have, I inhaled. Mm, delta, my omega sang. The delta reached forward, taking the stack of papers out of the alpha's hand. The alpha scowled further, but the delta didn't seem to care.
"This has your name on it," he pointed out as he flipped through it.
"I didn't order from the Industries."
