Next to the Cliff
Stefan
I am numb.
The pain in my chest no longer matters, and the hot tears streaming down my face feel like they belong to someone else. She has to be okay. Mari is a fighter, a survivor. She has lived through things that would have taken down full-grown alphas. She’s invincible.
And she’s gone…
“Goddammit, Cardis!” Ponytail alpha growls at his brother as he drags me to the edge of the cliff by my hair. I don’t fight him, but I also can’t walk. My feet simply won’t work.
“Why the fuck did you throw her over?” Ponytail shoves me, and I fall onto my hands and knees. He must not be too worried about me running away, because he doesn’t even attempt to snatch me back up. And he’s right. There’s no point in running. I have nowhere to go.
The two alphas bicker, saying god knows what, but all I can hear is the rush of my own blood in my ears. Maybe she’s still alive. I inch closer to the ledge. Inch by inch. Then I lean over, looking down, down, down, and my heart breaks into a thousand pieces.
About three stories down, Mari’s body is sprawled on the forest floor. One of her legs is bent at an awkward angle, and her hands lie above her head. Her eyes are closed, and her lips are parted. Her face is pale, her expression relaxed. For a moment, I pray she’s only knocked out, and soon she’ll open her pretty brown eyes and look up at me. But then dark red seeps into her blonde hair. It consumes her golden tresses, spreading out around her head like a violent halo.
I close my eyes, but it’s too late. The image of my sweet sister’s busted skull is burned into my mind forever.
“Fuck off, Andros!” Cardis’s hard voice slices through me. I keep my eyes shut tight, praying he forgets I’m here. But then a hard hand grips the nape of my shirt, forcing me onto my feet. My collar digs into my throat, reminding me I still can’t breathe.
“No.” I wheeze then stumble, falling face-first back onto the ground. My nose pops against dirt, and stars burst behind my eyes, followed by a rush of hot pain. And I crack.
I begin to cry, coughing and gagging, unable to pull in any air through my sobs.
“You don’t have that rash, do you?” one of the alphas asks. I think it’s Ponytail…or Andros? Whatever his name is, his tone is harsh, almost annoyed by my distress. “Hey!” he barks, making me flinch. “Answer me!”
“No!” The word leaps from my mouth, unable to defy an alpha’s command. Mari could. She was strong. I heard her sass many alphas from my hiding place within the trees. She always made me hide, making sure no one ever hurt me. And now I’m all alone. “I have nothing,” I whisper, pressing my forehead to the cool ground as I suck in shallow, raspy breaths.
“What’s wrong with you?” Cardis asks, his big body looming over me. “Why do you sound like that?”
“Asthma.” I know full well they’ll order me to answer if I don’t say anything.
“Great.” He lets out an angry huff. “He can’t fucking breathe. We already weren't going to get much with him being a male.” The alpha growls, the dangerous sound making me shrink into myself. “He’s worth nothing. The fucking Morder won’t take him.”
I should be scared of what that means. I don’t know what the Morder is, but I do know that being worth “ nothing ” isn’t good. Maybe i’ll get lucky and they’ll kill me. I don’t want to die, but I also don’t want to live. I just want this nightmare to be over.
I want my sister.
“You never know,” Andros says with a promising lift in his voice. “They’re low on inventory right now. I’m sure Angelica won’t be picky. And,” he moves closer to me, his big body casting a long shadow, “since male omegas are even rarer than females, they’re a kink for some alphas. There might be a buyer looking for something specific.”
Deep shame blooms in my chest, and I close my eyes.
It’s true. While male omegas are the rarest of any dynamic out there, female omegas are the most desired by alphas. They’re the best for breeding. Omegas like me are more of a novelty. A kink. A shameful fetish. In the end, no one wants a male omega as a mate.
“Come on.” Cardis groans as he grips the back of my shirt once again. He lifts my limp body off the ground and chucks me over his shoulder like I’m a sack of dirt. Then he walks, complaining to his brother that it’s bullshit he can’t fuck me.
I don’t know how much time has passed. A day? Maybe two?
It feels like we’ve walked forever. I stay quiet, hanging over one of the alpha's shoulders as they march through the thick forest. My fear of being violated has long since vanished, replaced by thick grief.
Every time I close my eyes, images of Mari’s dead body flash in my mind. When I manage to sleep, I see her small body lying at the bottom of that cliff, surrounded by jagged rocks and green grass. I wonder how long it will take for the forest to claim her. To pull her flesh into the ground and bleach her bones in the sun. Will the vines twist around her limbs like ribbon on a Christmas present, or will she be slowly carried away by the wildlife we’ve grown accustomed to? I don’t want the wolves and bears to feast on her body, but I’m sure that would be a better fate than whatever I’m destined for.
“Oh my, Cardis,” a woman purrs, and a hand slips down my spine, toward my neck. I keep my body limp and head down, still flung over Cardis’s shoulder. “What have you brought me?” A pair of slender feet appear in red high-heeled shoes, and there’s a small tattoo of a black bird on her right ankle. I don’t need to see this woman’s face to know she’s an alpha. I can smell it.
“A male,” Andros says. “He’s young. Maybe untouched.”
“Very nice,” the she-alpha moans, and fingers touch my cheek. Her nails are long and pointed. “Are you sure he’s alive?” She bends down to look at my face, and I squeeze my eyes shut tight, refusing to look at her. “He sounds like shit. Is he wheezing?”
“He’s a bit sickly.” Cardis adjusts me so I sit higher on his shoulder. The movement hurts, making me grunt. “He says he’s got asthma, but he sounds a bit better today.”
“Asthma?” she repeats, clearly not happy.
“Is he worth anything?” Andros asks, and the warmth from the she-alpha moves. She steps around Cardis, talking to the pair like I’m not here.
“They’re all worth something ,” she says. But it’s not a compliment. It’s a clinical fact. “He’ll be a shit breeder,” she continues. “We can’t advertise him as a mate. The physical toll a pregnancy takes on a healthy male omega is already immense. Any added health problems make him an expected fatality.” She clicks her tongue like it’s a simple shame and not a devastating fact. I’m already aware of the things she’s saying, but that doesn’t stop them from cutting deep when others point them out.
“Do you want him or not, Angelica?” Cardis shifts, clearly eager to put me down.
“I’m sure he’ll make an excellent toy for someone,” the she-alpha—Angelica—says. “Let’s get him processed.” She walks off, and Cardis quickly follows.
The three alphas continue to talk as we move through the trees. I scan the forest floor, wondering how the heck that woman is able to march so confidently over the rough terrain in a pair of heels.
Soon, the sound of birds falls away, drowned out by overlapping voices. It sounds like dozens of people are near, accompanied by the sound of metal clanking and wood being chopped. I can smell the burn of a fire and some kind of roasted meat. I should probably be hungry. I haven’t eaten in days, but food holds no interest for me. Right now, all I can concentrate on is the fear building in my gut.
The trees disappear as we step into a meadow. Risking a peek through my hair, I take in the sight of a bustling camp. There are several small canvas tents dotting the land, with alphas and betas moving around large metal poles and heavy boxes. It looks like they’re building something. I have no idea what. After all, we’re in the middle of nowhere. What would be worth building out here?
“Dr. Plume!” Angelica says brightly, and I drop my head again. “We have a new piece for you to assess.”
“New piece?” The soft voice of a beta pricks my ears, and the knot in my belly eases a bit. Betas are safe compared to alphas. Less violent and unpredictable. At least that’s what Mari always said.
“Bring him in,” the doctor says. “Let’s have a look.”
Cardis steps forward, and we’re suddenly inside a massive tent. It’s huge, easily the size of a house, and it smells weird. Like rubbing alcohol and some kind of bitter medicine, but it’s the potent scent of distress in the air that makes me lift my head and look around. There are little cots separated by thin partitions. Large carts are pushed around by other betas in dark scrubs, tending to a few omegas. I stare at the patients, trying to see if they’re abused or scared, but I don’t have time to see anyone’s face. They’re all a blur as Cardis picks up his pace.
“Set him down here,” the doctor says as we step around a partition.
Cardis heaves me, dropping me onto my back. I grunt as my back slams into a hard metal surface. It’s an exam table.
“How long is this going to take?” Andros crosses his arms, glaring at me like I’m wasting his precious time.
“Why don’t you two head over to the kitchen?” Angelica says from the other side of the partition. I can only see her silhouette. She’s tall. Easily six feet. But I can’t see anything else about her. “We’ll get our friend fixed up, then I’ll head over, and we can discuss your payment.”
Cardis’s brows lift, obviously happy with that. “You got alcohol over there?”
“We have beer,” she says. “All other spirits are for the event tonight. But there is lots of food. I’m sure you gentlemen are hungry.”
Andros nods, seemingly happy. “I guess I could do with a beer.”
“Lift your arms, omega,” Dr. Plume says, gripping the hem of my shirt.
I tear my eyes away from the alphas who killed my sister and look up at him. The doctor is shockingly young. He’s tall for a beta, thin, and has lush brown hair and tan skin.
“Don’t be scared.” He smiles down at me, and my face warms. “That’s a good boy,” he praises me as he strips me down. “You’ve been through it lately, haven’t you?” He caresses my chest, and I quickly cross my arms.
I’ve never been touched like this by anyone. Ever. It feels… wrong ? I’m not sure if that’s the right word, but I don’t like it.
“I thought they’d never leave,” Angelica groans as she moves around the partition, stepping into view.
The sight of such an impressive alpha makes me want to curl into myself. She’s very tall, wearing a tight black dress with a plunging neckline, long sleeves, and a high slit. She has sleek black hair that falls over her shoulders and glossy red lips.
“How does he look?” she asks the doctor as she glances down at me. Her eyes are a pale blue, accentuated by the dark makeup etched around her lids. It makes her look so glamorous and terrifying at the same time.
I want to stare at her pretty face, but I’m too scared. So I look at my knees instead.
“He’s clearly malnourished,” Dr. Plume says, flashing a small light into my eyes. I squint and turn my head.
“Hold still, omega.” Angelica slips her hand around the back of my neck. Her grip on me is firm, almost possessive. It’s weirdly calming.
“How about we give you something to relax?” Dr. Plume asks as if offering me a beverage. It reminds me of when I was little—before Mari and I ran away—when my omega mother would greet guests in our big, fancy home. That feels like a lifetime ago. “Small pinch.” Dr. Plume pushes a needle deep into my upper arm.
The clear medicine burns as it slips into my puny muscle. A pathetic sound pushes from my chest before I can stop it, and my chin quivers. I don’t want to be so weak, but I can’t help it. It’s just the way I am. If Mari was here, she’d have ripped the needle out of her arm and stabbed the doctor in the eye with it. But I’ve never been strong like her.
My pretty sister. So strong. So fierce with her golden blonde hair, slowly bleeding crimson red. Is she floating with the angels now?
“I feel funny,” I mumble as a thick fog slips over me.
“That’s good.” Dr. Plume smiles as my body sways. “Don’t fight it. Let the medicine do its job.”
My head rolls forward then back. Angelica presses a manicured hand to my chest. Still holding the back of my head, she helps me lie back, resting on the cold metal table.
I’m vaguely aware of the fingers on my waistband. My zipper is pulled down, and my pants are tugged down my legs. A voice in the back of my mind screams to fight them off, but my body won’t move. Even my eyelids droop.
No one other than Mari has seen me naked. Well, my mom did, but I was a little kid when she passed. It doesn’t really count.
“Open for me, omega,” Dr. Plume says, pulling my chin down. His latex gloves smell weird. Too strong. Like rubber and chemicals.
I lie there, completely naked, as he examines my teeth, gums, and tongue. He looks in my ears and presses at the mating glands on the sides of my neck. He even listens to my heart and lungs, before pressing on my stomach. I’m vaguely aware that he and Angelica can see the grotesque outline of my ribs, my pointy hip bones, as well as my privates, but I can’t lift my arms to cover myself. They’re too dang heavy.
Gloved fingers prod at my privates, lifting my penis before spreading my legs to look at my back entrance. Even in my drugged state, I know how embarrassing this is.
“No.” The word comes out slurred as I try to lift one hand to cover myself. The simple movement is so difficult. It’s like my bones are made of concrete and my muscles are bags of sand.
“Easy, omega.” Angelica captures my wrist, holding it in her firm grip. “Is something wrong?” she asks the doctor.
The beta lets out a thoughtful sigh. “His testicles are a little small.” He cups my sack, gently squeezing. “Maybe even slightly underdeveloped.”
“No,” I whine high in my throat.
Angelica shushes me, but it’s not the comforting sound an alpha should offer a distressed omega—it’s sharp. Like she’s irritated that I’m upset.
“Honestly, it could be his age,” Dr. Plume says, spreading my cheeks apart to better examine my bottom. “Or, depending on where he’s from, it might be the result of minimal contact with alphas during those critical prepubescent years.” Then he pushes a single finger into my bottom, and my abs clench hard. It feels weird, almost gross.
“He’s very thin.” Deep lines settle between Angelica’s dark brows as she looks me up and down. “Is he a minor?” She stares at my limp penis. I just want to die. “Stanley has a firm stance against selling minors.”
“He’s so underfed, it’s hard to tell for sure.” Dr. Plume releases my bottom, allowing my legs to fall back together. “His growth has probably been affected.” He speaks a little louder when he asks me, “Have you had your first heat, young man?”
Shame heats my face, and I squeeze my eyes shut tight.
“Omega?” The doctor snaps his fingers right next to my ears. “Can you hear me? Have you experienced a heat yet?”
Angelica lets out a frustrated groan, and I peek up at her right as she rolls her eyes. “How old are you?” she asks me in a firm alpha command.
“Eighteen,” I blurt out, jerking my wrist from the she-alpha’s hold.
“Good,” Angelica says. “He’s not a minor.”
“And he’s a virgin,” Dr. Plume says happily as he pulls off both of his latex gloves. The fire in my face crawls to my hairline, and hot tears leak out of the corner of my eyes.
“Really?” Angelica says with obvious excitement. “I was worried we wouldn't get much with him being a male, but there are lots of alphas out there who would pay big money to break in a new piece.” Her lifted tone makes me feel so disgusted and ashamed of my body.
Alphas don’t want to love me. They want to hurt me…just like my sister always warned.
“Would you like that, omega?” Angelica leans down, looking deep into my eyes, but I can’t take the power radiating from her, and I look away. “Would you like a big, strong alpha to take care of you?” Her voice is overly friendly, almost like she’s talking to a toddler. “Do you want a man who can protect and fill you?”
I don’t want any of that. I don’t want to be given away to anyone, especially not a man. I like girls, but she-alphas never want male omegas. They prefer other alphas or betas. Not overly feminine omegas with small bodies and no strength.
“Are you going to add him to the auction?” Dr. Plume asks, both of them talking like I’m not right here.
“I think so,” Angelica says firmly. “Males don’t get any attention in the display room, but his purity might draw some high bidders during the auction. Give him something to up his hormones. Maybe we can push him through this underdeveloped stage.”
“I’ll have him cleaned up first, then I’ll give him a heat accelerator. It’ll help wake his system up,” Dr. Plume says as he shoves something plastic into my mouth. “Kent!” he yells for someone. Then a familiar sound hits my ears as the object is squeezed and a puff of air rushes into my mouth. It’s an inhaler. My hands fly to it, snatching the object from Dr. Plume’s hand.
The beta chuckles as I quickly sit up and inhale one long puff, then another. I hold my breath for as long as I can the second time. When I finally inhale, the breath that enters my lungs is full and crisp, touching every inch of my lungs. I can’t remember the last time my chest was able to fully expand.
“Kent.” Angelica greets a bald beta in navy-blue scrubs. He’s huge, almost as big as an alpha, with thick arms that test the seams of his short sleeves. “Please prepare our new friend.” Her pale blue eyes sparkle as they land on me. “Scrub every inch of him.” She admires my chest all the way down to my privates. She licks her glossy lips, and I pull my knees up, trying to hide from her hungry eyes. “Make him extra pretty for the alphas tonight.”