“Apologize,” I said between gritted teeth.
Henry’s eyes widened in shock. “You want me to apologize to her,” he said in disbelief.
My hand tightened and he made a strangled sound. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry” he choked out, as Riley gave a timid nod.
I still wasn’t satisfied. I glanced at Riley who was still trembling and fearful, not sure if it was from Henry’s actions or my own. I turned to Henry and then abruptly smacked his head onto the table, breaking his nose, blood spurting everywhere as he gave a loud howl. I let go of him and he immediately clutched at his nose. I regarded him coldly “anybody lays a hand on an omega from now on, the punishment will be dire. Henry has gotten off lightly today” I sneered as the table went slack-jawed “I trust I will not have to remind you of this rule?” I added, straightening my shoulders.
Everybody at the table slowly shook their heads. I fought to gather my composure again. Damnit. I might as well have hung a sign up stating Riley meant something to me. I breathed heavily and then forced myself to slowly walk back to the table. One of the other omegas had picked my chair back up for me and I sat back down, picking up my fork and meeting everybody’s eyes. I deliberately put a forkful of food back in my mouth and began to chew, the table beginning to mimick my movements. Henry quietly got up from his seat and left the room, no doubt heading towards the hospital to get his nose looked at.
I looked at Riley. “You may go about your duties” I told her stiffly.
She slowly nodded and headed back towards the kitchen. Callum and Cody stared at me.
“Jaxon, you have never acted this way on behalf of an omega” Callum warned “the pack is bound to be suspicious now.”
“They shouldn’t be treating the omegas like that in my presence” I growled “perhaps this will serve as a lesson to them all.”
“Or they’ll wonder what caused you to be so angry on behalf of a mute omega” Cody sighed.
“Shut it” I growled, stabbing into my steak viciously “I don’t want to hear anymore. As it is, I want a close eye kept on Henry. He’s laid his hands on her once, he does it again, he loses both of them” I said frostily, glaring at my Beta who looked taken aback “the same goes for anybody else.”Callum and Cody sighed but said nothing more as I quietly finished my dinner.
Riley POV
I’m so confused. He doesn’t want me, but he acts so possessive when somebody lays their hands on me. He was so angry when that boy touched my ass, he looked like he was going to rip them to shreds. As I reentered the kitchen, after that dramatic declaration and show of authority, Sandra and the others were agog at what had happened.”I have never seen Alpha Jaxon so furious on behalf of the omegas before” one whispered, a hand to her mouth “he completely lost his temper.”
They eyed me. I ducked my head while Sandra harrumphed. “I don’t know what caused him to lose his temper, all I can say is it’s about damn time. I’m sick of those unmated males thinking they can get away with groping the young female omegas and get away with it. Now that Alpha Jaxon has spoken up, it’s less likely to happen again. He should be showing an example to the whole of the pack, not just caring about the higher positions in the hierarchy” she said with some satisfaction “now hurry up and start gathering the plates up so we can serve dessert” she admonished all of us as I started at her mutely, silently pleading not to go back in there. Not after what had just happened. She pretended not to notice my beseeching eyes and I silently sighed, regathered my composure, and walked back in, taking Alpha Jaxon’s empty plate as he silently sat there, his eyes on me the entire time while I trembled, trying not to drop the plates.We emptied the table and then began to put dessert in front of everyone. My stomach growled with hunger, causing Alpha Jaxon to look at me. “Sandra” he called out, causing everybody to turn their heads.
Sandra walked out of the kitchen and viewed Alpha Jaxon curiously “Yes Alpha?” she asked quietly.
“The omegas should eat when we eat from now on in the kitchen,” he said with a pointed glance at me “it makes no sense for them to have to wait until we are done. Everybody will eat at the same time starting tomorrow.”
If Sandra was surprised she didn’t show it. She merely bowed her head. “As you wish Alpha. I will inform the cook” she said softly.
I hurried from the room. Sandra showed me where the food for omegas was placed. Instead of separate plates, it was more buffet style along the kitchen wall on a table for us to help ourselves from after everybody else had eaten. I gratefully helped myself to food and sat down at the small kitchen table, devouring my food. Today had been busy and I was starving. Sandra joined me. I could hear the distant sounds of voices in the dining room, as the Alpha and his pack members quietly spoke to each other.
“You know, it’s strange that Alpha Jaxon is relaxing so many of his rules” Sandra mused, gingerly nibbling on her own food as she stared at me hard “especially today, when a certain new omega has entered my service.”
She couldn’t know. She didn’t know. She had to be trying to make me slip but of course, I couldn’t speak so she was out of luck. She was just conjecturing. I stared at her and then looked down at my food, eating it and trying to look carefree.
“You did good today” Sandra finally admitted, her voice low “A lot of omegas give attitude or slack off when they think I’m not looking. You worked hard and you didn’t let up or lower your standards. It’s impressive.”
It sounded like a compliment. I nodded slowly, trying to convey my gratitude. She sighed. “The Alpha is having a party next month and it’s going to take a lot of organizing. As the head of the omegas, it’s going to fall to me to ensure that the party is of the highest standard and doesn’t embarrass our Alpha. I think that I might be using you a lot in the future to help me with the tasks along with some other omegas. There are rumors he’s going to choose a chosen mate at this party” she divulged.
I tried not to let my feelings show. She peered at me “Omegas are generally not allowed to attend the party unless they are there in a professional capacity such as serving drinks or waiting tables.”
I stared down at the table, my heart beating miserably in my chest. I took a gulp of my water and let it trickle down my throat. For once the water did not satiate the thirst that seemed to be overwhelming me. All I could think about was water and how badly I ached to be near it. How much I longed for it. My body craved the feeling of being surrounded by the liquid, of feeling the water caress my skin, of feeling it over my head as I swam in the depths of it. Nothing seemed more important at that moment. It had been a long time since I had been able to go to a lake or even soak in a bath. It was like my body was on fire.
I searched frantically for something to write on and then seized a nearby paper and pen. Sandra looked taken aback as I began to frantically write.
“Lake?” she read. “We actually have one of those,” she said surprised “It’s a little deep in the forest though. North of here, about two miles in” she finished.
I was up on my feet within seconds. A lake. A gorgeous lake to swim and lose myself in. Right now I was almost irrational. The urge to run towards it was so prominent that I forgot all about Jaxon and his stupid party, the way he was treating me. My mind was on water and the best way to get to the lake. Sandra glanced at me, looking slightly concerned.
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