16. Riley
RILEY
I narrowed my eyes on my cupid’s bow, which I was carefully outlining with a light pink liner for today’s appearance at the Family Planning Centre. I’d only very recently begun to be involved in more public events with Zander, a step up from sitting around in his apartment all day. A step closer to achieving what I needed to achieve. This day in particular was, in his opinion, so very important for Omega kind.
My eyes lifted to inspect the rest of my face as I stared at my reflection, my shoulders drawn back and proud.
Today was mostly an advertisement for Zander’s updated formula for Omega trait control. The advancements of the injectable were an incredible feat for our kind in an Alpha and Dominant-deprived world, even if heats were becoming incredibly more infrequent these days. It meant we no longer truly needed them.
Zander had so graciously enabled me to be the first test subject and had me reciting all the benefits of the new drug in case Omegas asked me about it.
I practised a smile in the mirror, inspecting every inch of my skin to ensure I met my usual standards. The entire Inner Ring would be present and watching me. Today was my opportunity to shine.
“This formula advances our kind by enabling us to receive a shot every five years as opposed to its annual predecessor. It promises empowerment through the almost complete suppression of our pheromones to keep us in control during our infrequent heats, granting us favour with Omni, and marks a near-complete severance from our deadly history of servitude.”
My lips lifted higher. That’s what I’d be telling everyone. Personally, I was entirely unbothered by its introduction and considered it a waste of resources, given we already had something effective. The money invested into this project could have been pushed towards supporting our most vulnerable.
Which is why I considered my appearance today absolutely critical: to play the part required of me now so I had bolder input further along when I could steer Zander towards new and more unified leadership.
I raised the lip gloss, the final touch, up to my lips and slicked on a quick coat, smacking and rubbing my lips together a few times to spread it around evenly. Smoothing my black hair down into place, I nodded, finally pleased with my reflection.
I grabbed my bag and stepped out into the hallway to see Sly standing stationary between the two elevators. He had been assigned as my personal guard, something I didn’t intend to complain about. Better to have company than the quiet when Zander left so regularly.
Especially when, three nights prior, he surprisingly didn’t betray me after he had shown me through that hole in the hedge. Even now, I still remained cautious and slightly frazzled.
I pinched my eyebrows together and looked around, poking my head back down the short hall to Zander’s bedroom, straining my ears for sound, only to hear none.
This was different. On important event days such as this, Zander always escorted me.
“He’s already left. He had business to attend to and said he would meet you there.”
I stuffed down my rising disappointment and gave Sly a thin smile, stepping up next to him and pushing the button to descend.
“You look incredibly beautiful, Rose.”
My heart stuttered at his familiar boldness as warmth spread through my chest.
“Please don’t call me that,” I responded. The rose was a manicured piece of me, not all of who I was. For some reason, my relationship with him felt different. I didn’t want him to treat me like everybody else did. I was desperate for a friend.
The elevator dinged, and we stepped inside, Sly glimpsing briefly in my direction.
“You look incredibly beautiful, Riley.” He enunciated my name on a soft, velvety murmur, goosebumps pebbling my skin under its caress. It was a thrill to hear my name like this. Not my love. Not my Rose. Not The Rose. Just Riley.
My lips twitched in amusement as I cast my eyes towards the cheeky gleam in his, though alongside that, I saw sincerity. I turned back towards the elevator and frowned. When was the last time another had complimented me so authentically?
My chest clogged up at the thought. When was the last time another had used my real name like that?
Zander had never.
I focused my attention back on the scene before me as we both stepped out into the foyer.
“Aren’t you going to compliment me?” I shot a confused glance over to the guard beside me giving me his best pleading eyes.
I blinked at him and then huffed, his humour wiping away whatever grief had stirred inside me as a small laugh burst out of me.
“Because you give me a compliment, I have to give you one?” I asked incredulously.
The brilliant blue of his eyes bore into me. “I dressed up just for you today,” he said, the sunlight illuminating a lighter blue around the centre of his irises, making them almost sparkle.
I looked down at the usual guard attire, then back up to the red rose embroidered on his front pocket before rising to catch his eyes again. We stared intently at each other for a moment, me wondering if the man was honestly well.
His chin and eyebrows trembled as a raucous laugh burst out of him.
“Gotcha.” He smiled brightly, putting his perfect white teeth on display.
“You didn’t at all get me,” I huffed, my own mouth twitching up.
It was there, in the sunshine, the rays beaming down on his face, his joy so palpable I felt it in my chest, that I noticed something. I had thought Zander was the most attractive Omega in all the Haven, but this male was fierce competition, his light personality growing on me.
He pushed open the door, and we walked through the garden, taking the path he had shown me the other night. It was there that my toe caught a loose brick, and I lurched forward.
“Fucking hell!” Shock pulled the words from my lips before I’d even had a chance to catch them just as two strong arms caught me.
The Omega beside me inhaled sharply, orienting me upright again before leaning in closer to me, right beside my ear. “Did you just swear?” he whispered conspiratorially, glancing around the garden for anyone nearby.
I stepped away from him, heaving in a heavy breath. “No,” I whispered back to him aggressively.
He stepped back up beside me and continued walking as if nothing happened, coming up towards the nearby gate. “I like it,” he murmured in that soft, velvety voice I was starting to like so damn much.
For the most part, the city was quiet today, with most people indoors, working and preparing for the next thinning of our shield. A few of the local eateries had a handful of people filling their tables, sipping their warm drinks behind the tall glass windows that lined every shop along the main business strip. I longed for a life where I could go about my day however I wished.
As we walked, people greeted us, passing by in their designer wear crafted by the Outer Ring community. I sighed. There was so much work to do to bridge the gap between the rings.
The main drag may as well have been a fashion runway. Omegas had a good eye and even better taste in textures and colours, some of which had rubbed off on me since my move into the Inner Ring. Nobody wore white, though. That was reserved for me and Zander, ensuring I always stood out and was noticed. Watched.
Despite my appreciation, I still preferred the humble Outer Ring, with a simple pants and singlet combo and some casual sneakers. Sigh . I missed wearing comfy clothes.
We veered down a side street, past a closed bar with electric pink signage declaring it ‘Rose’s Quarter’. Zander’s obsession with roses had been absorbed and shared by the community. His desires, likes, and dislikes were now a living, breathing thing that the community consistently evolved and responded to. It was evident everywhere you looked.
Everything from the architecture to the fashion to cocktails and the gardens was designed to be the embodiment of the enlightened Omega, with soft shapes, textures, and perfumed smells. Most of the buildings within the Inner Ring had rounded edges and flatter roofs. All doors were custom-made arches. Every idea was channelled by Zander himself, direct from Omni, and funded by his parents before the war began.
I liked most of it. It was wonderful to look at, so very perfect. But when I thought of the complex beauty of Raya’s art, with her use of so many shades and colours, I could see how life here could be richer and lived more fully, if only we could give up some of this desire for perfection.
We were granted access through the barricades to walk down the centre of the throng of people registered to receive their shot. I pressed forward with a beaming smile, taking the time to greet those I passed. Connecting with this city’s residents was the part I enjoyed so much, so it was no wonder I thrived in these settings.
At the end of the aisle stood Zander, standing tall and proud in his crimson suit. His lips kicked up into a soft smile the closer to him I walked, raking down my appearance with lust-riddled eyes.
I delicately wrapped my fingers around Zander’s outstretched hand, and he supported me up the stairs of the Family Planning Centre, feeling the eager eyes of Omegas below us. Drawing me in close, he reached up with his pointer finger and pulled my lower lip down.
“You look better wearing red.” His breath was a soft whisper against my skin, his eyes dropping down to the pink of my lips. Hurt flickered through me, but I chose to swallow it down.
“Shall we?” I asked in a light, playful tone, earning his nod of agreement.
He spun me around, and I briefly looked at Sly, whose eyes were narrowed on Zander before he promptly averted his gaze. He’d heard.
We greeted the nursing staff before moving to settle into a room for the injection. Everything was blistering white, with not a single scuff on any surface. In here, I felt cold, despite the air being balmy, like the entire room lacked warmth due to its sterility. Or perhaps it was my shame from Zander’s comment that had caused a shiver to wrack my body.
A mousy-looking, brown-haired nurse with a cute little button nose and shy smile entered the room, pulling my attention towards her as she swabbed an alcohol wipe on my upper arm.
Zander stood by the door with his hands clasped in front of him, staring intently at the nurse as she sat beside me to confirm I was ready.
“Take a deep breath,” she encouraged with her warm, brown eyes.
I took a long breath inward, allowing my lungs to open to their full capacity. The needle jabbed in and out efficiently.
“All done,” she sang, moving to clean the space for the day’s bookings. I blinked a few times, pleased with how quickly she had completed the injection.
“Thank you. That was the easiest needle I have ever had!” I complimented her with absolute sincerity, hopping up off the chair and moving towards Zander.
He nodded towards Sly. “Take her home. I have a speech to give and a small celebratory lunch with the other Benefactors.” Leaning forward, he caressed my face in adoration and lightly pecked my cheek.
“Sorry, my Rose, but duty calls. I will make it up to you later,” he promised, though I knew it was a lie.
“Of course,” I responded with a forced smile. My response was as sterile as the plain white walls that decorated the centre.
He promptly smoothed his styled, black hair down and whirled from the room, leaving behind a whiff of his sugary sweet perfume. I used to adore it, crave it, even, but now, it just left me feeling bitter.
I hung back a moment until I heard the cheers from the waiting Omegas at the front, likely in response to another of Zander’s inspiring speeches. I’d done everything he asked, and then he just left me.
I hovered until the clapping faded, choosing then to march out towards the back exit, throw the door open, and not bother to look back.
I was tired, so very tired, of simply being a symbol.
My mum had always told me beauty could be a powerful tool, that it could make even the best of them fall to their knees. It was something to wield.
But I wanted to be more.
I wanted to be valued for my mind, my heart, my spirit, and imbue it into everything I did. There were so many things I wanted to change. A part of me cared for Zander. I knew I did. But truly, was this love?
He didn’t see me, not all of me, anyway; only the parts he so carefully curated. Only the parts he really wanted. He was the mastermind behind the Rose, the purest Omega in all the realm.
In this moment, I had never hated her more. She wasn’t me and even then, she still wasn’t enough. She was a manufactured identity born within the Haven to drive home the values that underpinned this lonely world.
I clenched and unclenched my fists rhythmically as I walked.
Zander held far too many secrets and becoming everything he wanted had given me little.
I looked around as I walked home at all the things that hadn’t changed. At all the progress I hadn’t made. It was coming along far too slowly. It was exhausting . I needed to be better, more creative to uncover his secrets.
My head lifted to the ghostly tower, my home, the centre from which the Haven spread. It was a puzzle I hadn’t yet cracked, simply because he hadn’t granted it. He didn’t trust me. I supposed, in some ways, he was right not to. I intended to wield whatever I could to see my dreams unfold.
Still, it hurt.
A splotch of water hit my nose, causing me to blink rapidly as water flicked up into my eye. More drops splatted down onto me and into my hair, beating down in rapid succession, slowly seeping through my clothes. I flung my arms up over my head, a temporary barrier to the onslaught as I took off in a run to find shelter.
Water dripped down my skin, falling off the tip of my nose, flattening my curled hair. Thunder rumbled low and long in the distance, a zing of joy shooting through me in response.
Ducking down a side street and choosing to stop under an eave, I allowed my arms to sag at my side, my clothing now sticking to my skin, utterly ruined. I looked down at my white ballet flats and beamed at the sight of the mud stains on them—evidence that the Inner Ring was not so pure, not so clean. My eyes caught on my now visible bra and panties beneath my white cotton dress. Such a stupid colour for this kind of weather.
Wiping a finger beneath my eyes, the line of my black mascara that marked my finger was an indicator I likely looked like shit.
I was glad to be out of Zander’s sight.
A sudden laugh escaped me as I wondered how he would react if he saw me. For some reason, it made me burst with happiness to be so improper. So impure.
“Oh goddess, there you are.” A soft, relieved voice interrupted my moment of delight.
I cast my still-beaming gaze to Sly, who now stood in front of me, the rain running off his uniform, leaving it dry. His midnight hair was plastered to his face, and his ocean eyes lined by his furrowed charcoal brows bore into my own.
Rain continued to pelt down around us, my nose scrunching as the cold began to sweep in, causing goosebumps to lift against my skin. I wrinkled my nose, inhaling deeply. I loved the smell of rain. It was an opportunity for renewal.
Perhaps a sign from Omni.
Sly’s eyes swept my drenched state, pausing briefly on my chest, where my hardened nipples were visible through the soaked, now-transparent material.
My chest rose and fell beneath his attention as something dangerous, something akin to desire, fluttered within me. I waited silently beneath his perusal.
His eyes raised again to meet my own, lust alive within them, igniting a molten want deep inside me for an Omega who was entirely forbidden.
He took a tentative step forward.
Still, I didn’t move. My communication was clear enough: lips hanging slightly apart, my body exposed, his to peruse.
Another step closer.
I was desperate to feel , even if it was for a single moment, where someone cared enough about me, Riley, not the Rose. The part of me that was always suppressed, always lingering and begging to be seen. To be accepted. To be loved.
He breached the distance between us, and still, I didn’t move. I was too scared to ruin the hypnotic moment, both of us puppets caught in its draw. It was the closest I had ever dared to be to another male, the toes of his boots butting up against the ruined silk of my ballet flats. With every short, sharp breath we shared, my chest caressed his, my attention laser-focused on the fleeting warmth the touch offered.
His eyes dipped lower to my lips as he slowly lifted his hand and moved a piece of my soaked hair, tucking it behind my ear. His hand indolently ran down and underneath my chin, lifting it ever so slightly. Not in the way that Zander did, possessive and commanding, but more tender, like I was the most priceless treasure, something to treat with absolute reverence.
I shivered beneath his touch.
The tension tightened between us the longer we stood there, a gentle throb low in my belly urging me to act, to take what I had been deprived of for far too long under Zander’s watchful eye.
Sly leaned in a fraction closer, and I held my breath, awaiting the gentle touch of lips meeting my own.
“Supreme!”
A voice called out on the back road, and I panicked as we frantically dove deeper into the shadows, my heart picking up speed as we watched Omegas pass.
It was a quick spike, over as quickly as it had begun, until only silence remained.
I knew the moment had been lost when I looked back at Sly, his expression again composed, the guard returning to his role. My chest tightened. This shouldn’t have happened anyway. I had a job to do, people to serve.
Sly was a distraction, one I couldn’t afford no matter what he stirred inside me.
I knew now that not even Zander could set me on fire the way he had, hardly having even touched me. I could acknowledge there was some kind of pull between us, like two comets moving through space, destined to collide.
No matter how alive, hopeful, or seen he made me feel, he was forbidden.
Yet somehow, our collision seemed inevitable now, our courses set.
At the very least, I could only hope that it was me who made it out alive.