5. Riley
RILEY
I looked in the mirror and gently flounced my freshly curled hair up, quickly scanning my face to ensure everything was even. My hands shook slightly as I pulled them away, and it was then I noticed how nervous I was about tonight.
Tonight felt critical.
I’d decided on more of a classic look: a fresh face of clean makeup, black winged eyeliner, thick mascaraed lashes, and a bold red lip. Even in the unpleasant lighting of my room, my eyes looked extra blue, offset by the paleness of my skin and my thick black hair. It was exactly the way Zander liked it.
A thrill of anticipation shot through me as I smoothed out the long, flowy white dress I had put on. It was the only shade I could ever wear as the purest resident in our entire city, according to our Goddess Omni. No other was allowed to wear it. That was Zander’s decree.
And it was something shifters city-wide had adhered to and never challenged.
I moistened my lips with a satisfied smile as I spied my reflection. I enjoyed appeasing Zander, liking the way he looked at me with adoration in his eyes. He made me feel special.
When he was with me, of course, which had become more occasional as of late. My smile dropped at the thought as I blinked at my reflection.
No. I wouldn’t think like that. Tonight was important, and he promised to spend a night just us two. This was what I had chosen when I became the Rose of this city, his Rose. He was a busy male, and when he was with me, he did give me all his attention.
My smile lifted, allowing excitement to take hold once again. It was our first date in some time, and I had plans to discuss some important issues I believed would build the city of our dreams. I needed him to see me as an equal, a leader in my own right.
It was imperative to ensure my goals and make every sacrifice worth it.
With more confident hands, I put the finishing touches on a few pieces of jewellery he had gifted me to wear. A blood red pendant necklace, a ring and matching stud earrings.
White for purity. Red in honour of the rose, the greatest expression of love. I couldn’t wait for him to see me in this new dress.
Twirling once, then again for a last-minute check, I felt ready to go.
Even though we now lived together, I still felt giddy going on a date with the Omega who led us all. I was, after all, still an Outer Ringer at heart, no matter how different my life looked now.
Truthfully, I had never expected to be in this position at all. The part where I lived with him and developed a relationship with him, yes, that was all planned. But the part of me that enjoyed his company and his affections? That was not.
The feelings of stress that accompanied that sort of realisation were like a lead weight in my gut. I knew Raya hated him for the life his rulings had condemned her to. It was the life she never got to choose.
But I understood the Omega having gotten to know him, someone who was so deeply in pain from his past that he was willing to go great lengths to protect the safety of Omegas and the Haven. I spied around the room, at all the luxurious frills and fabrics, their softness. It made me forget about what life was like in the Outer Ring. That is, until I went home each visit. Then, I remembered. I always left feeling guilty.
I knew Raya wished for something grander. It’s why she spent so much time staring at the stars, wishing so desperately for more, even if it was just in her imagination.
That’s what made us so different from each other. I was very much willing to sacrifice a lot to give others the gift of something more. A fuller life.
The Haven itself was a good solution to a hostile outer world. It just needed some work, and I had the vision and drive to see it through.
A light knock at the door interrupted my musings as I reached over and pulled it open with a coy smile, raking my eyes down the male’s body just as he did mine.
A show of appreciation.
Tonight, he wore a blood-red suit with a crisp white shirt underneath, the top buttons loose, and polished black shoes. His green eyes shimmered beneath two perfectly arched brows, and his hair was slicked back, not even a single stray hair in sight. Like me, his hands were adorned with thick golden bands of jewellery, a lavish show of his wealth.
Satisfaction warmed my chest as I stepped forward. He looked good, so damn good, and I was lucky he had chosen me, even luckier that, in many ways, we were alike. We were both visionaries, seeking to lead and initiate change in our respective causes. We also were both acutely aware of the power that beauty held and therefore took pride in our appearances.
His bejewelled fingers gently reached out and grabbed the bottom of my chin, tilting my face left and right as he admired me.
“Beautiful, my Rose.”
Butterflies took flight in my stomach. I relished in his admiration and sought it often.
He used his other hand to wrap his warm fingers around my own, to lift my hand towards his lips for a sweet, gentle kiss. He was always courteous with me, respectful, though the desire in his expression when he looked at me was ever present. But it was the feel of his lips against my skin and the flush of his cheeks that ultimately made me smile.
I stepped up into him, breathing in his decadent, sweet scent as he wrapped his arms around my lower back, tipping his head down towards mine, capturing my lips with his own.
His kisses were always soft and exploratory, as if he was always seeking to understand and know more of me, though there were only a few things left to give. He always left me wanting more of moments like this.
“I have a surprise for you,” he murmured when he pulled back, the minty freshness of his toothpaste wafting over me.
I looked up at him, our mouths still close as his lips pulled back into a warm smile.
“Show me,” I requested, a hint of demand lacing my tone. I was eager to see.
He shot me a bemused look and then stepped back, still holding my hand delicately in his own as he held his other arm out to guide me forward.
“As you command.” His eyebrows danced with his amusement. My heart leapt at his words, my eyes locking with his in an assessing gaze. Already, I felt good about this night, excited, giddy, and hopeful.
Together, we walked over to the elevator, and he hit the up button. My excitement intensified. I kept my face cool and impassive, trying not to give anything away despite my absolute shock. I was never allowed to go to any other level than the one I now lived on. It was this or ground. Nothing else, though I often wondered what else this building contained.
But this moment, with his hand in mine as we stood waiting, signified progress. My main goal was to change things in the Haven, to get my family inside the hedge amongst the Omegas so they had access to a better life. Then, I would progress to working on the Inner Ring being accessible to Alphas so they could gain better paying jobs, better healthcare and education, all to build a more cohesive city. In the future, I didn’t want there to be any rings dictating status or class in our city.
One step at a time. A new level to access was a great sign.
We stepped inside together as the elevator dinged, and he pulled me towards him, his hand delicately capturing my head, his lips meeting mine expertly. I heard him push the button as he continued to gently tangle his tongue with mine, my own hands sliding up and around his neck.
Moments where it was just the two of us were so rare, and he was always searching and grabbing for me when they came. I met him just as eagerly, because he was the best version of himself in our quiet time together.
His forehead rested on my own as he continued to place soft pecks on my lips, drawing a small laugh from me.
“You might ruin my lipstick,” I scolded playfully.
A small laugh escaped him before he kissed me again and again.
“For some reason, tonight, when you’re only mine, I can’t seem to care.” But he drew back anyway, and his eyes narrowed on a spot on my lower lip, his thumb reaching out to smooth the imperfection away.
“Better?” he asked, and I nodded as the elevator came to a stop. I turned in his arms, spying the number of the floor we were on.
Roof.
I suppressed my gasp as he allowed me to take the lead, stepping out into the fresh, cool air the minute the doors opened.
The first thing I noticed was the small area that had been set up on top of a soft, furry rug, some large pillows and a small table with an array of fruits, dips, and vegetables on it. The second thing I noticed was that the walls around us were glowing a soft, red light, and there was no ceiling at all.
It was both terrifying to consider where I was and utterly jaw-dropping in the grandest way.
I turned towards Zander, who had been standing patiently with his hands in his pockets, allowing me to take in the view.
“Confirming we are in the rose that sits at the peak of this building?” I asked as his lips lifted at the corners.
From afar, the rose that sat at the peak of his tower looked ornamental. I had no idea the structure itself was a balcony.
He gave me a smug smile.
“We are. It’s my personal space, but I’d like to share it with you.”
He was a proud Omega, one who thrived when he awed others with his ideas and gestures, but this one had floored me with its serenity and thoughtfulness.
Raya would have dreamed of being in a place like this. Up so high, I swear I could reach my fingers out and snatch a star right out of the sky. I understood her love of the sky now, because right above me was the most magnificent view I had ever seen, not a single cloud in the sky.
Hope and wonder blazed through me.
Zander walked over and sat himself down on the rug, grabbing two crystal glasses for us both before pouring them out on the little table and filling them with his favourite sweet wine. I walked gracefully over to join him, sitting down beside him as I reached across and plucked a berry off the plate, biting into its juicy sweetness and allowing it to trickle down my throat.
“Thank you,” I told him as he handed me a glass.
He lifted his glass to clink against my own in a toast. “To a more beautiful future.”
“To a more beautiful future,” I agreed warmly as the chink pierced the air and we both leaned back to sip the wine. It was an overload on the sweetness for me, but I could enjoy and share this time with him, especially after he had been so thoughtful in bringing me here. This was perfect, everything I could have asked for.
Zander leaned back on one of the pillows and took a long, deep breath in, exhaling a satisfied sigh.
I glanced over at him, so unused to seeing him so relaxed and at ease.
“Today went well then?” I asked, curious to hear about his day.
He looked over at me and nodded. “Today ran smoothly. For the first time in a long time, I feel peaceful.” He looked it too, the hard planes of his face softening the longer we relaxed here.
I looked around at the pulsing, soft light of the rose petals and slowly lay back beside him.
He took the opportunity to grab me by the waist and drag me carefully towards him, his nose dipping to the crook of my neck, scenting me with another sigh. I shifted my body around in response to lay my head sideways on his chest, feeling its rise and fall as he breathed.
His reverent fingers stroked gently through my hair as we lay together in silence, simply enjoying each other’s touch. I too enjoyed the peace and found the silence like a balm. But I couldn’t forget what I had planned to ask, and I didn’t want to turn back on my plan. It may as well be asked now so we could truly enjoy each other’s company.
I brought my right hand up and laid it to rest on his ribcage beside my head, using my thumb to swipe soothingly back and forth whilst I prepared myself. My pulse throbbed in my ears, my earlier nerves trickling back in again.
“Do you think the Omegas and Alphas of this city will ever mingle without regulation?” I forced myself to steady my breathing, though my heart was pounding its assault against my ribcage, my nerves ruling my body.
His response was almost instantaneous, firm and hard, offering no further insight into his opinion. “No.”
I licked my lips in mounting frustration.
I forced the next question past my lips despite the shake creeping back into my hands again. I clenched them to make it stop.
“I don’t mean to pry, but I am genuinely curious and want to understand. Why is that so?” I held my breath. I had never prodded before on any topic.
He fidgeted slightly beneath me, his silence causing my heart rate to spike to a deadly pace. His rough exhale tickled the hair on my head.
“Unfortunately, I do not trust Dominants, and an Alpha is exactly like them. Alphas and Dominants still shift to an animal and still fall prey to their baser instincts. The only difference is that a Dominant wields a dark energy that can force bond someone to them, and they always chose to use that on an Omega. The Haven is also home to several Omegas who have been deeply traumatised before the isolation of this city. This city was built solely for them, and it is my vision to keep this in mind always.”
I pondered on his words. I only knew bits and pieces of information provided to me by my mum of the city of Asrar. She had said some Alphas and Dominants were good people, but so many died, and they became more difficult to identify in the time of the war. Zander had already told me so much of his experiences from before the construction of the Haven.
All of it was horrific.
I shuddered, and he wrapped my arms tighter around me, as if to keep me warm. He didn’t know my bodily response wasn’t from the cold.
“Do you think the Alphas and Dominants supporting the freedom of Omegas could have won the war?”
He scoffed at that, and my face flushed with embarrassment. “My Rose, I thought you were smarter than this. What sort of Dominants breach our borders four times a year to steal Omegas if they supported our freedom?”
Shame bloomed within me. That was a stupid, stupid question, something Raya would likely ask just for the sake of challenging an opinion.
I shoved down the remainder of my ideas and questions as they sought to burst out of me the second I felt soft lips touch my forehead.
“We do not need to worry about that life anymore. We are safe here, and I get the privilege of enjoying this moment spent with the most beautiful Omega in the entire city.”
I closed my eyes and let out a breath. Everything was okay. I had plenty of time to work on this.
He was right. I shouldn’t waste our moments together like this. Our time together was often fleeting, and my loneliness and isolation of late had become a consistently deepening hole that I could never quite get myself out of. I should enjoy this.
I clutched him closer, his smooth palms caressing my cheek. But the moment didn’t last. It never did as the ding of the elevator interrupted our peace.
Zander immediately became more rigid as he carefully rolled me off him, allowing him to turn and sit up to address the Omega entering. I moved gracefully to follow suit, making an effort to smooth out any hairs that were out of place and position myself with poise.
Inside, disappointment began to slither in.
Sly entered quietly and assuredly as he broached our intimate space. Zander’s favoured commander of our guard.
He dipped his head towards Zander, not even bothering to acknowledge me at all.
“Your presence has been requested by Benefactor Mitchell, sir.”
I looked over at Zander, who stared impassively at the guard. My disappointment began to gnaw away at me when he didn’t immediately decline. His warmth began to seep out of him, the one thing he only ever truly reserved for me.
I knew what was coming next, though. What always came.
“Please look after the Rose. I have advised that she is allowed to enjoy this space for the night. She is not to leave anywhere beyond the building. Her safety is paramount.”
Defiance reared inside me.
“But I?—"
Zander shot me a lethal glare, not even bothering to let me finish my sentence.
“Not tonight.”
I looked up at Sly, who still hadn’t even bothered to address me before looking to the floor again.
Zander reached and gripped my chin between his fingers, pinching slightly as he lifted my head.
“I will be back when I can.” His features softened the longer he stared until my shoulders slumped in defeat, my heart rupturing within. There was no excitement left inside me now, only failure and dissatisfaction. He had told me I could see my mother after our date. He’d promised me.
Now it was another night my mum would likely cry because I didn’t make it to see her. Another sacrifice to add to the tally. I looked down at my rumpled skirt with a frown, taking the time to smooth out the fabric. My hands threatened to clench in frustration.
Despite my circumstances, I couldn’t lose hope, not when my mum had so much of it in me.
Today, I was the Rose, an icon with little power, but one day, I would be somebody. One day, he would trust me enough to make decisions.
I forced a smile on my face when I looked up again, though I knew it didn’t reach my eyes. The male before me beamed back despite it as he got up and placed a soft kiss on my forehead before moving past to enter the lift without another word.
Sly moved back to stand near the elevator doors, seemingly having little care for the fact that he interrupted something important. None of them ever cared.
I turned away from him as I faced the other way and looked up into the sky, saddened. Tears pricked the corners of my eyes as I blinked quickly to keep them at bay. I wouldn’t cry; not for him, not for anyone.
Loneliness and grief at lost moments shared with my loved ones wrapped themselves around me like a stifling blanket. I repeated my goals over and over in my head, like a mantra to remind myself why I was doing this and who I was doing this for. For them, it was all worth it. It had to be.
“You aren’t a very good negotiator.”
I froze with my hand mid-way to wiping my runny nose, Sly’s voice slicing through the sorrow in my heart, morphing it into annoyance.
I never truly knew what to say to the guards, in fear they would report something inaccurate back to him. Still, I couldn’t stand to be unresponsive to him. Dick.
“Thank you for your insult.” A bland response was best, but I couldn’t stop the tiny leak of sarcasm that bled into my tone.
It was better to not truly have an opinion in this situation, especially for the Omega who was the head of the guard here. Not likely to be trusted.
A huff sounded closer.
I turned my head sideways to the guard now lying on his side on the blanket, head propped on his hand.
My eyes widened at his proximity.
“Do you have a death wish? Get away from me!” I hissed.
I pressed my hand firmly forward to shove him back, but he caught my hand in his own and gave me a broad, dimpled grin.
Mirth danced in his eyes.
“Princess, I do not have anything to worry about. You and I both know he won’t be back tonight.”
My face dipped at his words. Another insult. He was good at them.
Truthfully, I did know he wouldn’t return, but I hated to admit it.
“I’m struggling to process the emotionless guard of minutes prior with the idiotic one now casually lying near me to insult me,” I remarked with a quick raise of my eyebrows. With my irritation at his rudeness rising, I wanted to antagonise him. I was angry and hurt. I wanted someone else to be instead.
He threw his head back and laughed before levelling me with a stare.
“I knew I couldn’t believe the gossip that this Rose had no thorns,” he teased as he plucked a cracker off the table and scooped up some dip before throwing the whole thing into his mouth.
I scowled, though his carefree nature both eased and irked me.
What was his game? I didn’t understand. Was this a test from Zander?
I didn’t respond, as I suddenly became wary. His observations were right: I worked hard to keep the image Zander wanted me to have, and now, he had seen through a part of the mask I had so carefully curated. Control was usually my strength.
His lip quirked, a single dimple now exposed on his cheek. I’d never truly looked for too long at him, with my attention usually on Zander or on the other citizens of this city, concerned about how they would perceive me.
But Sly was both off-putting and alluring. How could I not have noticed him when his eyes and hair reflected mine in colour, though his skin was far more tanned, his cheeks higher and sharper? He was startling in both appearance and personality, no doubt a hit amongst the Omegas of this city.
I blinked back into focus as his dimple deepened when he spied me watching him with curiosity.
“Consider this my gift to you. You should ask to spend time in the rose garden tomorrow. I usually guard a certain section of it. Find me and see what I can offer you.”
I looked over at him, my confusion seeping through my features, though his body language and face seemed sincere with his soft expression. He prompted again as he so clearly read what I wasn’t verbalising.
I don’t know if I can trust you.
“Please. Take the leap. I promise it will be worth your while.”
I warred internally, ruminating on the practicalities of the situation and trying to get the time to myself, away from Zander’s need to keep me in sight when he was around.
Above all, though, I had to remind myself. I had a goal to focus on. I had a vision of a better life for my family and possibly for the residents of the Outer Ring. I just needed to be more cunning.
Tonight, I was weak, falling into the same trap under Zander’s distractions and praise, which left me wanting to do more for this city but not giving me the power to action it.
But was this a test of my loyalty?
I didn’t know, but I would give him a test of my own to find out. I wasn’t as stupid as he perceived me to be. I straightened my shoulders and lifted my head high. “Tomorrow, then.”
His turquoise-blue eyes seemed to move like water as his lips finally lifted to a captivating smile, his pupils dilating with my answer as he raked his gaze across my skin, igniting it.
It seemed he was as curious of me as I was of him, and only time would tell if I could trust him or not.