Chapter IX
As I stack beakers in their correct place after some new hires set them on the second shelf and not the third, glass shatters from somewhere across the lab.
“Omega!”
I roll my eyes before turning to face Alpha Minsley. What was the point of embroidering my name into each of my lab coats if they’re just going to address me as Omega?
But I doubt I could teach him the correct method without making him furious. His typical demeanor is cranky, but I’m sure being corrected by an Omega would tip him over the edge.
By the time I have the floor and lab table void of broken glass, the rest of his team, a group of technicians and engineers, filter in from their lunch.
One of them shoves me out of the way, making me stumble with the broom and dustpan.
I bite my tongue, careful not to react in a way that will get me in trouble.
His name is Brock Jenson, and he’s hated me from day one.
He may have nice, wavy hair down to his chin, and a chiseled jawline with stubble, but he’s still a Beta in a room full of Alphas.
Also known as Mr. Minsley’s punching bag of the group, which he then takes out on me.
Brock isn’t as powerful or strong as the Alphas, but he isn’t a force to be reckoned with for an Omega.
As they sink back into their studies and projects, I try my best to be a fly on the wall. Eavesdropping has become my secret profession next to cleaning. It can become frustrating at times, however, knowing that I can’t join in the conversation or provide any input.
Smart Omegas are indecent Omegas. At least, that’s what I was told at Omega boarding school when I asked if I could bring my telescope.
It was a difficult departure. It took some time, but I eventually decided it was for the best. Learning to be hands-off was challenging, yet grounding since I knew I’d someday be here, working near them but not with them.
“Sometime today, Omega,” Brock calls out.
Although I was lost in my own world while sweeping up the dusty floor, it doesn’t take me long to notice what he wants.
I scurry over to one of many counters and retrieve a roll of tape from one of the drawers.
I placed my own small labels on each drawer and cabinet in the room.
No one seemed to have noticed. Either that, or they just don’t care.
I’ve learned that their silence is as close to a “good job” as I’ll get.
I rush over to Brock’s station, and he snatches the roll.
He fidgets with it for a moment before tearing off a very uneven piece and thrusting the roll back at me.
His hands are too large to fit it properly.
If he wasn’t such a dick, I would feel sorry for the way he struggles to conceal the small, exposed wires sprouting from his latest project.
Eavesdropping has taught me that it’s a telescope attachment meant to produce a laser beam aligned with the lens. Part of me is glad they think I’m dumb enough to talk openly about their private work while I’m cleaning nearby. I watch him struggle a little longer before offering to help.
“May I, Mr. Jenson?”
I ask, maintaining my submissive demeanor as not to anger him. He watches as I tear off a neat strip of tape and if I didn’t know any better, I’d say his face blushes slightly when he looks up at me. This is the closest I’ve ever been to him and it’s quite intimidating.
He grunts and I take it as a “yes,” so I go ahead and fasten the tape in place and then step back to let him assess my work. I’m not expecting a thank you or any response for that matter. He grunts again, which is more than I thought I’d get.
In the quiet lab, a phone rings from Mr. Minsley’s desk. The Alpha does a comical double take when he checks the caller ID and clears his throat before answering.
“You’ve reached Alpha Minsley… yessir… of course, Sir…. We’ll have it ready by–…. I understand… Consider it done.”
He hangs up and then stands to address the rest of the team. It must’ve been one of the higher-ups calling. Mr. Minsley always turns into such a kiss-ass when it comes to executives from the top floor.
“Alright, listen up. We need to get the three-three-four telescope model completed by next Friday. They need a new development to present at an upcoming charity conference.”
The team looks concerned. They’ve been mulling over the same telescope for weeks. Today, it sits untouched in the corner.
“But, Sir,” someone says. “We’re not even close to any new improvements getting it to focus on Pluto.”
I perk up at that. That’s all they’re trying to do? Quickly remembering my place, I shut down my thoughts and focus on my cleaning tasks. It can’t possibly be as simple as I’m imagining. These people are way smarter than I am. Right?
“I don’t care,” Alpha Minsley replies. “You do whatever it takes to get it focused. I want the highest resolution of Pluto anyone’s ever seen or you’re all fired! Brock, find me some more research on the matter, there’s got to be something.”
“On it, Sir.”
With that, they hustle into action. Flipping through papers, typing away on laptops, and drawing out sketches on dry erase boards.
I look over at the telescope, sitting abandoned under a white tarp. I don’t like the plan that’s already forming in my head. I’d never get away with it…would I?
Ugh. Who am I kidding, I could get fired.
Unless it works. How could they fire me if I do something that helps them? Just like how I helped Brock.
Hours tick by and I still haven’t decided whether or not I should tamper with the telescope. I know I shouldn’t, but will I regret it if I don’t? I head to the cafeteria to hopefully make up my mind by the time I’m back.
I mean, Mr. Minsley was really stressed about it. If they don’t come up with something, it sounds like he could be in hot water. And if he and his team get fired, then that means I follow suit.
I’m so conflicted in my thoughts that I manage to run into someone with my lunch tray. To my relief, it’s another Omega. Anyone else and it might’ve cost me my career.
“Ugh, yuck! Watch where you’re going!” he snaps at me.
“I’m so sorry,” I mutter, offering my napkins.
I can hardly blame him for the vicious death glare he gives me. He’s absolutely gorgeous with bright hazel eyes and neatly crafted hair. His white uniform looks like it’s tailored specifically to his perfect physique but now it’s soiled by my lunch. Gosh, I sound like an Omega-lover after all.
While I do nothing but stare, he snatches the bundle of napkins from my hands and marches away with a huff.
Too embarrassed to get in line for another tray, I head back to the lab. When I scan my badge and enter through the sliding doors, I see that it’s empty. Then I remember that it’s Wednesday, which means the crew will be in a meeting for the next hour or so. Leaving me with some free time to myself.
Alone.
In the lab.
With the three-three-four telescope model.
It’s too perfect. Before I can make up my mind, my feet carry me over to the telescope and I take a deep breath before it. Am I really going to do this? If it doesn’t work, I’ll have to put on my best show of feigning innocence, pretending I had nothing to do with it.
With a sigh, I unveil the prototype, standing face to face with the massive scope. I swallow my nerves and roll up my sleeves with a deep inhale. Within twenty minutes, I’m able to accomplish what I set out to do.
“Omega!”
I jump when Mr. Minsley marches into the lab a while later.
“Yes, Sir?” I power off the vacuum cleaner and face him. Does he know what I’ve done? Shit, are there cameras in here I don’t know about?! My heart speeds up in my chest.
“What are you still doing in here? Go down to the library and accompany Brock in his research. We all know the idiot can’t read.” He circles behind me and quickly ushers me toward the door with his hands on my shoulders, “We’ve much to get done, the least you could do is be useful.”
Phew. He doesn’t know about the telescope.
To my amusement, Mr. Minsley wasn’t kidding when he said Brock isn’t a good reader. His brow is creased and he’s hunched over a textbook on telescope anatomy. Sitting across from him, I can see that he primarily studies the pictures and flips past the pages with only text.
He must come from a very rich family to have scored a job here because Beta rights aren’t much less restricting than Omega's rights.
“Like what you see?”
I snap my gaze up and meet his shining eyes. Oh, gosh. He thinks I’m ogling him. Gross. I mean, sure, he’s an attractive man, physically, but his personality and ego could use some fine tuning.
“I was just wondering if you wanted some help reading,” I whisper, knocking his cockiness down a few pegs.
His jaw clenches, knowing he can’t yell at me in here. Instead, he leans forward and whispers, “These are real books, Omega. Not How to Take Alpha Cock.”
My jaw drops at his unprofessionalism but I try not to let him know he’s gotten under my skin.
“Pluto moves at roughly one point five arc minutes in a day. A change which can be seen at minimum two-hundred-X magnification,” I nod toward his textbook. “That’s basically Astronomy for Dummies.”
Now it’s his turn to gawk at me. I never learned how to play chess, but checkmate!
He sneers at me, yet somehow, I don’t think he’s as mad as he looks.
I smile at my small achievement. Glaring at me, Brock plucks a pen from a holder and places the end between his teeth, leaning forward on his forearms.
“You flirting with me, Omega?”
I erase my smile immediately. He can’t be serious, yet nothing about his expression says otherwise.
“No, of course not,” I deny it too quickly to sound true.
He cocks an eyebrow making my face go red with heat.
Speaking of, perhaps that’s what’s causing this reaction.
My usual time of heat is around now, though I can’t tell for sure while on suppressants.
Even as a Beta, his intense gaze has me squirming in my chair so that must be what this is. I lick my lips which have gone dry.
“Why would I be flirting with you? You haven’t exactly been the most charming to me.”
“Haven’t I?” he chirps smugly.
I can’t help the blush that takes over my face. Equal parts fluster and anger. No way am I being flirty with Brock of all people!
The rest of our library session is awkward to say the least. Brock doesn’t let me help him read but also doesn’t stop me when I snag a few textbooks myself.
I jot down notes and place bookmarks on anything that may be useful to him.
Instead of giving them to him directly, I have to set them aside on the table until he eventually grabs them.
It’s the only way he’ll accept the help I’m not sure why I’m even offering.
He’s got the stubbornness of an Alpha. So much so that I nearly forget he isn’t one each time I tilt my head in submission and he doesn’t respond. He does pin me with a rather hungry glare every time that gives me goosebumps.
Why do I react so strongly to him? First, the pretty Omega in the cafeteria and now Brock? I must be around my time of heat which is going to be really annoying for the next few days.
The next morning, I’m woken up by someone banging at my door.
“Just a sec!” I call out, battling my blanket to let me out of bed. I nearly trip over my own legs as I tumble to the door. I must look a sight, but whatever it is, might be urgent. I'm out of breath by the time I swing the door open.
“Sorry, I was just– Brock? What’re you doing in the Omega’s hall?” I cross my arms over my chest.
“Get dressed. We’re going to breakfast,” he says plainly, as if he hadn’t just woken me up like an earthquake. I eye him suspiciously as he leans on the door frame with a cool aura about him.
“Um. Okay… Give me a minute.”
He nods so I close the door. What could this be about? Am I in trouble? I wonder about it as I hastily throw on my uniform and lab coat. My closet-sized dorm allows everything to be within arm’s length, so I’m done in no time.
“Ready,” I announce, swinging the door open. His eyes travel up and down my body, making me shiver.
“Yeah you are.”
“Brock,” I level with him as sternly as I can muster.
“Omega.”
“This isn’t a date.”
“Hey,” he puts his hands up in mock surrender. “No one said anything about a date.”
“Mhm.” My tone is suspicious.
I start toward the cafeteria and he follows. This is strange. Brock doesn’t like me so why is he taking me on definitely-not-a-date?
“You really don’t like me, huh?” he breaks the silence.
I pause and look back at him.
“I don’t like you? You’re the one who doesn’t like me!” I counter.
“What, because I’m a Beta I can’t be into an Omega?
” he growls as we enter the cafeteria and hop in line.
A few Omegas stare a little too long when they see Brock.
I can’t even imagine how unkempt I must look beside his toned and tanned body.
I haven’t been getting much sun exposure working the lab all day.
“It’s not because you’re a Beta. I don’t discriminate like that. It’s because you’re mean to me, Brock. How would I know that meant you were into me?”
He rubs the back of his neck as if this is the first time he’s thought about how being a jerk can make someone dislike you.
“Alphas treat Omegas like shit all the time and they still win all the good ones,” he grumbles.
I’m surprised by his openness. Hell, I’m surprised by my openness. Since when do me and Brock have conversations? We shuffle along the breakfast line with our trays, filling them as we go.
“You think I’m one of the good ones?”
He looks down at me like I’ve grown a second head.
“Of course you are.”
The way he speaks through his teeth makes it sound like it pains him to say those words, but even he can’t deny their truth. And I can’t retract the smile that grows on my lips.
“Don’t let it get to your head, Omega.”
“I’m afraid the compliment has already taken off and landed.”
The side of his lip quirks up, as close to a smile as he can probably manage. I’ll count it as a win. Maybe if we’re friends now, he’ll be nicer to me, and I can sneak some library books with his authority.