Consider The Lilies (Broken Omegas #5)

Just Before Dawn

Yuki

I march to Stanley’s room, trying not to think about how fucking early it is.

The house is especially cool today, but that’s not uncommon this time of year. Refurbished castles struggle to hold in any heat. And while I don’t run as hot as male alphas, I’m still not as cold as the staff. A few maids move about, bowing low as I pass. The betas are wearing thick stockings and little cardigans as they collect used sheets from guest rooms. A few others are carrying cleaning supplies to tackle the public spaces within the house…which is a lot of space.

I reach Stanley’s room and quickly check that my shirt is tucked in. I chose a low-cut crimson red blouse with no buttons. Stanley ruined my damn shirt yesterday, and I don’t want him to destroy another. He’s just so amped, and I’m sure he’ll stay that way until he figures out what the hell he’s going to do with the omega.

Moving quietly, I open Stanley’s bedroom door and slip inside. The thick aroma of dried cum slams into me, followed by a wash of sweet relief.

Good. He fucked the boy. Now we can move on.

“Stan,” I whisper as I approach the bed, not wanting to wake the omega.

The pair are completely naked. Stanley is curled around Stefan, his chest pressed to the omega’s back. The kid mumbles then whimpers softly in his sleep. His feet and hands twitch, and I can’t help but wonder what he’s dreaming about. Is he fighting? Running? I often think about how scavenged omegas end up in the situations our men find them. But I’m struggling to picture Stefan as anything other than a lost little pup, abandoned and starving on the side of the road.

I kind of feel bad for the kid.

“Jack.” I touch my pack alpha’s shoulder.

He jerks, instantly waking up. For a second, he looks alarmed, ready to fight, but then his eyes focus on my face, and the tension leaves his big body.

“Yuki.” His voice is rough with sleep. “What time is it?” He turns, trying to see the clock on his bedside table.

“Six.” I grimace at the hour, but he did ask to be woken up. “You said you wanted to brief the guys personally before they headed out,” I remind him.

“Yup.” He slowly rolls away from Stefan, careful not to wake him up. The alpha pauses, working his arm out from under the omega’s head. Stefan doesn’t move, lost to whatever he’s dreaming about.

Stanley quietly stands and walks to the bathroom. I follow him, shutting the door quietly behind us. “Has everyone arrived?” he asks the second the door clicks shut.

“They’re here and waiting.” I flick on the light, making Stanley jerk then squint. “Have you talked to Rossi yet?”

“Spoke to him last night.” Stanley turns on the shower. “Everything went smoothly. Just waiting for backup.” He doesn’t wait for the water to heat up, stepping under the cold spray. He’s done that for as long as I’ve known him. It’s like the alpha wants the shower to be over with as soon as fucking possible. Given his past, I understand why.

“What happened with the omega yesterday?” I lean against the counter. “Was it really a medical emergency? Or was Bear being overly dramatic?”

“It was kind of an emergency.” Stanley pours a handful of body wash into his hand, then he scrubs every inch of his face and body as fast as he can. “He had an asthma attack.”

“Asthma?” I ask in a cool tone before letting out a bitter laugh. “Wow. Bear really knows how to fucking pick them.”

“Keep your voice down.” Stanley rinses off. The soapy water travels down his impressive form, slipping around each gorgeous muscle. “I don’t want Stefan to overhear.”

“Why?” I snip. “He knows he’s flawed.”

“Stop being a bitch.” Stanley gives me a pointed look as he turns off the water. He grabs a towel off a nearby rack, drying his chest and arms. “He’s sensitive, and I don’t want him to be self-conscious about the things he can’t control.”

I’m stunned by the alpha’s sudden bout of compassion. “Are you kidding me?” I ask a little forcefully. “Since when do you care about sensitive omegas?”

“Since now,” he growls softly. “Let it go.”

I glare at him, not bothering to hide my frustration with the alpha. “Well, I’m sure Bear will be thrilled about your newfound feelings for the boy.”

“ Feelings ?” Stanley says the word like it’s poison. “I don’t have feelings for him.” He steps through the archway into his closet.

“Please,” I snap, done with his stoic-alpha game. “You like that boy, and you know it.” I cross my arms and grumble, “Goddamn male alphas. Can’t think with anything other than their dicks. Falling in love at the drop of a damn hat.”

“I’m enjoying my time with the omega.” Stanley pops back into view, buttoning his crisp white shirt. He has on a classic pair of black slacks and expensive black dress shoes. “It’s my right as the pack alpha to indulge in him. Nothing more.” He’s full of shit. I’ve known this alpha for ten fucking years, and he’s downplaying the entire situation. “Why are you being such an ass about this? I thought you didn’t care what I did with Stefan.”

“You ran off in the middle of a very important business meeting yesterday,” I challenge him. “That’s more than just an indulgence . It’s a problem.”

Stanley glares before responding to my very valid point, “And I returned to work once I saw that Stefan was okay.” He slips a dark green tie around his neck.

“We both know you’ll keep the boy.” I push away from the sink, still pissed. “You like how powerful his submissive little body makes you feel.”

“He’s not a kid,” Stanley says forcefully, disappearing back into his closet. “He’s eighteen. He’s a man.”

“He’s a child who doesn’t even know how his own body works, let alone how the real world works.” I cross my arms, refusing to back down.

Stanley steps back into the bathroom. He slowly buttons his suit jacket, looking me up and down. “You were only a year older than him when you pursued me,” he reminds me. “Should I have turned you away?” He moves to me, his big body radiating so much power. “Should I have accused you of being too young to know your own body or emotions?”

“Alphas and omegas are two very different beasts,” I say matter-of-factly. “Have you even told him he’s a temporary fuck toy? Or does he think this is his permanent home? That we’re his pack?”

“Cut the fucking attitude, Yuki,” Stanley snaps, looking down at me with so much intensity. “What happened that made you suddenly hate him?”

“I don’t hate him,” I say simply. “He’s actually kind of cute.” I’m telling the truth, but it’s clear from the look on Stanley’s face that he doesn’t believe me. “I don’t think you've thought this through.” I keep my voice light, trying to sound like I’m giving the alpha advice and not criticizing him. “An omega is a big commitment.”

“I know that,” he snarls, adjusting his cuffs.

“Look.” I rest my hands on his chest, trying to calm him back down. “We have dedicated a lot of time and money to our business.” I look deep into his brown eyes, trying to explain myself. “If you want to keep the boy, that’s fine. But I’m not willing to sacrifice what we’ve built together.” I place a soft kiss on his lips, but he doesn’t move. He just glares at me like he’s waiting for me to get to the point. “If you’re really serious about Stefan, then we need a beta to care for him.”

Stanley opens his mouth to speak.

“And not a maid,” I say before he can get a word in. “I adore Lucy. She’s been with us for a really long time, but omegas need a deep connection with their betas. They need an emotional connection.”

Stanley continues to glare like I’m not making any sense.

I lick my lips, trying to make him understand. “Having our personal assistant watch over him won’t do. Stefan will need more. His kind requires it.” I let out a heavy sigh before saying, “Unless you’re okay with him falling for a member of the staff, we need to seriously consider adding a beta to our pack.”

Stanley tilts his head to one side, and I can see the gears working in his head. “Why do you give a shit who takes care of Stefan?”

“Because.” I smooth my hands down his silk tie, admiring the perfect knot. “If he’s well taken care of, then you won’t have to run out of our goddamn meetings just to give the kid his fucking inhaler.” I give him my sweetest smile.

One corner of Stanley’s mouth lifts into a smirk. “I hope you never change, Yuki.” He smiles wider. “All this bitching just to tell me you don’t want our relationship with Stefan to hurt our business.”

“I’m not great with words,” I give him a flirty smile. “I’m better with my fists.”

Stanley laughs, the deep sound vibrating all around me. “I’ll figure out the situation with Stefan, and until then,” he pinches my chin, looking deep into my eyes, “I promise it won’t interfere with work.”

I give him one more quick kiss. “Good.” I reach for the doorknob. “Meet you down there?”

“I’ll be there in ten.” He opens a drawer beneath the sink, grabbing his comb.

Moving quietly through the dark bedroom, I glance at the bed to make sure the omega is still asleep. The second I hit the hallway my heart begins to race. That went well. I think.

I use the back staircase, taking the steps two at a time down to the kitchens. The smell of cured meats and fresh-baked bread fills my lungs. I love this time of day. The house is still asleep at this hour, except for the kitchen staff. It’s the perfect time to get things done you don’t want others to see or overhear.

“Lucy!” I yell when I see the beta’s red hair flash across the room. She freezes up at the sound of my voice then spins. She has an eager look on her face, always ready to please. “I need a word.” I march past her and into the next room.

The beta follows me into the servants’ dining room. It’s a decent-sized space, with one long wooden table and a dozen or so chairs. It’s not used very often, but I think the staff take their breaks here sometimes.

“What can I help you with, Ms. Ito?” Lucy looks up at me with those giant blue eyes and her tight little bun, and I lose the last of my self-control.

I crash my mouth to hers, kissing her deeply. It takes her a second to react, but when she does, she moans, melting against me. She’s always stunned when I kiss her without warning. I kind of love it.

My sweet beta opens her mouth for me, letting me deepen the kiss. I plunge my tongue between her lips, savoring her fresh, sweet flavor. We stay like this for a while, making out like teenagers with her back pressed against the door and her hands in my hair.

She’s so soft in my arms, so small and willing to do whatever I want. I love it.

I love her.

“Fuck, you taste like heaven,” I growl as I break the kiss. While she smells like an ocean breeze, she tastes like honeysuckle. It’s an unusual combination for a beta.

“Yuki,” she whimpers my name with those wet, pink lips. “I stayed up late last night.” She bites her bottom lip, moaning when I slip my hand up her skirt, feeling the edge of her thigh-high stockings. “I was hoping to see you.”

“Sorry, baby. I was working.” I caress her cheek, wanting to channel my fingers through her hair. “I wish you’d wear your hair down.”

“I can’t.” Her hands slip up my back, feeling the firm muscles along my shoulders and spine. “Mr. Stanley likes all the staff to have their hair up and off their necks,” she reminds me.

I’m well aware of those rules. I helped write a lot of them.

At the time, it felt important to have the staff present themselves in a neat and orderly fashion, but right now, I fucking hate that rule. I hate her tiny bun and stiff black dress and ugly little tennis shoes. I want her naked and sweaty, and begging me to let her come.

“I know that look.” Lucy narrows her pretty eyes as I slip my fingertips into the top of her stocking. “We don’t have time to have sex.” She glances at the clock on the wall. “I need to make sure Stefan’s breakfast is ready. I have very strict orders on his diet.”

“How was it yesterday?” I ask, eager to hear the details.

“It was really nice,” Lucy says with a sweet lift in her voice as I move my hand up her thigh, squeezing her tight ass. “Stefan is really bashful, but he’s also very kind.” I slip my hand up to her hips. “I can tell we’re going to be good friends.” She smiles wide. “I really like him.”

I can’t help the breath of relief that leaves me.

The last thing I wanted was for this omega to be a massive burden on Lucy. I didn’t want his failing mental health to rip her apart. She’s so loving and empathetic, feeling deeply for those around her. But it seems Stefan isn't as broken as I feared.

“I still can’t believe you convinced Mr. Stanley to let me watch over him,” Lucy says.

“I told you. I have a plan.” I release her ass, holding her pretty face in my hands. “The second Stanley got in the car with that omega, I knew he and Bear would be obsessed before the week was out.” I roll my eyes, thinking about Stanley’s repeated insistence he only wants to fuck the kid and not mate him. But alphas are incapable of having casual sex with omegas. They get the tiniest taste of slick, and the fuckers fall head over heels in a matter of seconds.

“But how will me spending time with Stefan convince Mr. Stanley to let you mate me?” Lucy asks as I smooth my hands down her neck. It’s a fair question, but I don’t have time to explain everything in detail to her.

“Trust me,” I say, kissing her pretty lips. I linger there, loving the feel of her in my arms. “Stefan is all alone. He wants a friend, and you’re too wonderful for him to resist. He’s going to fall in love with you in no time, and Stanley won’t be able to deny the boy. When the time is right, I’ll explain that you and I have a thing and that I want to mate you. It’ll all work out.”

Twin lines pull between her brows. “Do you want me to… be …with Stefan?” she asks, clearly confused. But I can hear the hopeful lift in her voice. She must really like Stefan.

And I can’t help but smile at the thought. “I won’t lie,” I drop my voice to a throaty purr, “there’s something very enticing about the thought of you commanding that little omega.”

“Little?” Lucy snorts. “He’s bigger than me.”

I let out a quick laugh. “I want you to do whatever your heart desires,” I say honestly, remembering the drunken confession Lucy made to me a few months back. She’s had a crush on both of my alphas since the moment she started working here. It’s very cute. “Whether you want to be with Bear,” I pause, loving the way her face burns bright red, “or me or Stanley, or even Stefan, I just want you to be happy.”

Lucy bites her bottom lip, clearly uncomfortable with me bringing up Bear. “Mr. Stanley is scary,” she mumbles, conveniently not mentioning Bear and Stefan. I think about pointing that out, but I don’t want to embarrass her more than she already is.

“The only thing that matters to me,” I say, “is that you’re by my side with my mating bite on that pretty neck of yours.” I brush the unblemished spot beneath her ear.

How I’ve fantasized about marking her.

Claiming her.

Making her my perfect little mate.

“I want that too.” Lucy looks up at me with those big blue eyes. “I promise I won’t let you down.”

“I know you won’t.” I kiss her forehead, wishing we could both disappear for the day and lie in my bed wrapped around one another. “Can I see you tonight?” I angle my head down, looking into her expressive eyes.

“Yes, please.” She bounces once on her feet, unable to hide her excitement.