Chapter 9
CHAPTER NINE
Staff Corridor, Omega Hotel
It’s barely dawn, and I only managed less than three interrupted hours of sleep last night, but I still bounce along the concrete corridor away from the cameras between Icarus and Bird enthusiastically toward breakfast. Despite giving myself a stern talking to, I remain on a high about singing a duet with one of the most famous rock stars in the world.
I’ve learned that to be happy, I must cling to each pleasurable moment, while accepting that it’s fleeting.
I’m dressed in my housekeeping uniform. My hair is neatly pulled back with a ribbon.
“Did you see how he just leaped onto the stage like some kind of rock star prince?” I clutch my chest with what I know must be a goofy smile.
Is it love when you go to sleep thinking of someone and wake up thinking about them?
Does it also count, when you’re remembering the feel of their warm arm around your shoulders, while you’re brushing your teeth, or slam your face into a door because you’re daydreaming about their tight ass?
Icarus cringes, adjusting his tie. “I was too busy having an existential crisis about my life, while dressed as Jolly Old Saint Dick.”
“Pfft,” I pat Icarus’ chest, “with the expression on your face, you looked more like the Grinch who fucked Christmas.”
Icarus arches his brow. “Who’s Christmas? Is she pretty?”
When I growl, his lips twitch.
Maya would have been outraged about an Omega growling at an Alpha.
Fuck it. I’m not playing by her rules anymore.
“What I remember best is how Immortal stood there holding your boot like he’d been abandoned by elf Cinderella.” Bird nudges me with his elbow.
Bird is struggling to keep up with us, although he is trying to hide it. The shadows are deeper than ever under his eyes, after the energy he put into the dancing yesterday. He should never have been included in the performance, when he’s already being pushed too hard.
I wince on the abandoned.
Surely, Immortal didn’t feel the same spark that I did yesterday?
He could have any Omega that he wants.
He was probably just helping out a fellow performer in trouble.
Singer solidarity.
Right?
Icarus gives me a long look. “Do we have a third man to add to our future bonded pack? Well, we did need a Beta.”
Before I can answer, however, Bird’s sweet cookie scent sours in alarm.
“Ellington,” Bird hisses in warning.
Instantly, Icarus straightens, flooding the corridor with dominant Alpha pheromones.
It doesn’t stop Ellington, who hurries toward us with narrowed eyes. “Mr. Sinner, you are late for breakfast.”
Ellington is dressed in a silk pink designer suit and teal coat. He runs his hand through his brunet hair, as if to contain his anger.
Wait, not anger, rather fear.
Why? What’s going on?
Panic rises up in me as well.
Icarus steps smartly in front of Bird and me. “I am precisely four minutes ahead of schedule. Breakfast doesn’t start until—”
“Are you daring to contradict me?”
“Of course not, Mr. Frost.”
“I shall be reporting you. Such tardiness is unacceptable. Our guests have requested certain Omegas, and because I couldn’t find all of them and you, you have now delayed the hotel meeting their needs.
Omega Three has been selected. I hope you understand what the consequences will be if the guests put in a complaint.
My Alpha is far less forgiving…of all of us… than I am.”
Icarus’ lips thin. “Tell them to choose a different Omega. Bird must rest today. This isn’t negotiable. Are you trying to kill him?”
Silence echoes down the corridor.
My heartbeat sounds too loud in my own head.
I reach to take Bird’s hand in my own.
“Excuse me?” Ellington stares at Icarus in shock.
“Did you just try to give me an order? You don’t get to negotiate with me, yet alone claim something is non-negotiable.
I am your boss. Do you think that because I am here alone, I am nothing but a vulnerable Omega?
Will you try an Alpha Command on me next? ”
Ellington is shaking.
Bird and I exchange a shocked glance.
I have never seen Ellington shaking like this. He looks like he’s falling apart.
How often must Maya have used Alpha Commands on him? He’s acting like he has PTSD.
The state that he is in is turning my whole world view on its head.
Ellington is the pampered, in control Omega, while the rest of us quake beneath him.
Isn’t he?
Icarus looks startled. “Of course not. I have never used an Alpha Command on an Omega and I never will.”
“Well, aren’t you kind,” Ellington says, bitterly.
I take a careful step closer to him.
I notice for the first time how pale he is and the way that a fine tremor is running through his hands.
I recognize the signs from the many, many times that Maya used Alpha Commands, which can’t be disobeyed but take a deep toll on an Omega, on Dad and Papa.
Also, sometimes on Bird and me.
Yet I never saw her use them on her favored First Omega and his son.
Yet she must have done now — he’s suffering from the aftereffects of one.
What else did I miss when I was growing up in the penthouse?
“Why don’t you sit down?” I say, gently. “Bird and I could nuzzle you, and if you let Icarus use his pheromones that will settle your neurological system. Do you have any candy on you? Sugar helps. I could run and grab something from the kitchens.”
Maya never supports anyone through the aftereffects of Alpha Commands, I remember that. Yet my other family members always helped each other out.
Who does Ellington have at these times?
Ellington staggers away from me, falling against the side of the corridor. “Don’t touch me. There is nothing wrong.”
I sigh.
Well, I tried.
“Why did Mom have to force you to obey?” Bird narrows his eyes. “You’re her loyal dog.”
“Bird,” I chide.
I can’t blame him though, not with how Papa is treated in the pack.
I find it hard enough coping with knowing what has been done to Dad.
“How dare you,” Ellington snarls but it’s weak.
He struggles to stand upright, despite the way that he is shaking.
“If you truly wish to know, the Head Alpha was displeased with my attempt to intervene on both your behalf’s.
You’re welcome, by the way. And this is why I look out for my own son.
You two are rebellious. Trouble. I could always see it.
I knew that you would end badly and I didn’t want your bad influence dragging my son down with you.
It’s hard enough for Omegas in this world without Omegas of your sort upsetting the status quo. ”
Asshole.
I clench my jaw.
By trying to be a good dad, Ellington has wrecked our family. His fear for his biological son has led him to deny reform for every Omega.
Will he ever see that makes him a terrible dad in the end?
“How did you try to intervene?” Icarus’ hard gaze settles on Ellington.
“I asked for a doctor for Bird.” Ellington ducks his head.
“The breeder’s weeping got on my nerves.
I was only trying to do my charity for the year.
When my Alpha wouldn’t call one, I requested that Bird take off the rest of the week.
She refused. She said that some Alpha owner of a model agency, who is staying in one of the presidential suites, needs a heat omega to see him through his rut. ”
I turn back to Bird, hugging him to my chest.
Bird hugs me back fiercely. “It’s okay, sis.”
“It’s not.” My voice is raspy with tears. “It’s fucking not.”
“What if I don’t let you take him?” Icarus growls, stalking toward Ellington.
Ellington’s eyes instantly become cold again. “Then you’re fired, and your brother and you can enjoy Christmas out on the snowy streets.”
“Don’t,” Bird says, alarmed.
“You couldn’t run this hotel without me.” Icarus’ eyes flash.
“Maybe. But I could run it without your brother. Also, how would you ever get work again without a recommendation? Blacklisted? Do you want to risk whether I’m bluffing?
This is why I don’t like working with Alphas; they think that they should be the leader just because they have a knot.
My Head Alpha is the owner and she has put me in charge of making sure that the guest has a heat appropriate Omega, do you understand? ”
“Then let them choose another HO but not Bird.”
“I’ll go,” Bird says, hurriedly. “I’m fine.”
Ellington’s gaze slides to me. “I wish that you would believe that I did my best…suffered…to speak up for you. But I understand that you don’t care about that.
I just need you to know that I did try to explain to our Head Alpha that you,” he points at me, and I blanch, “are a housekeeper and not a Hotel Omega. To beg that she keep it that way. But you made quite the impression in your little performance last night, and a pack in Room 234 have requested you.”
My blood runs cold.
“No,” I breathe.
I have been terrified of becoming a Hotel Omega.
Yet my heats haven’t come back yet after the birth. I thought that I would be safe.
Na?ve.
Who are these guests in room 234? Anyone could have seen me singing and dancing last night.
I believed that it was a miracle being rescued by Immortal. Yet it was a curse because his celebrity has drawn the wrong type of attention.
“She’s not able to be a HO.” Icarus folds his arms, drawing himself to his full height to tower over Ellington. “I won’t allow you to take her. I’m calling your bluff.”
Ellington stands still for a long moment, considering the huge Alpha in front of him.
My heart is in my throat. I am trembling.
Then Ellington draws back his cane and hits it against Icarus’ ribs with a thwack that echoes sickeningly around the corridor.
“Shit,” I mutter.
Bird and I leap forward to stand either side of Icarus.
Icarus groans, holding his arm across his side, where I am certain at least one rib must be broken.
“Don’t mistake me for weak because I am an Omega.
” Ellington raps the end of his cane on Icarus’ chest. “I refuse to allow any Alpha to intimidate me, apart from my Alpha. I may live in her shadow but no one else’s.
Yet I understand that this is new to Grace, and I have no wish that she messes this up and makes me look bad.
So, let me explain. The Alpha who requested her isn’t in rut.
He is merely looking for a companion for his male Omega.
Perhaps, you can take her to the room and settle her into her first HO assignment.
If the guests complain, there will be serious consequences. ”