Chapter 16
Alric
Ipull the skewers off the heat, letting them rest on a plate, and pour what I hadn’t used for marinade into four ramekins as a dipping sauce. The steaming orzo had been toasted with oregano, dill, and lemon zest, and drizzled with olive oil.
Madeline sticks her finger into one of the ramekins to give her approval of the sauce. She licks her lips with a delicious smile. “Tastes amazing!”
If it were anyone else I would’ve said, I know. It’s my mother’s recipe. But with her, I just say, “Thank you.”
My coat still engulfs her, and I can’t wait to slip it on again. Her vanilla mixed with my chocolate, her blackberries fused with oranges clinging to the fabric.
Madeline takes the plates I’ve set down for the table.
“That’s Hunter’s job.”
She rolls her eyes. “While I do love the pampered princess shit, you have to let me do something.”
“That’s where you’re wrong, honey. I actually don’t have to do anything.”
She dramatically takes the plates anyway, defiant as ever, but she’s smiling, and I can take my first real breath since I first saw her on the patio.
She’s here with us, engaging with us, choosing to spend time with us.
I was terrified she was going to spend the whole week locked in her room, hating me, envisioning the worst possible ending.
When she agreed we could be some sort of fucked-up version of a pack this week, I knew we had a tiny sliver of hope, and now that vision doesn’t seem so far away.
She still doesn’t want us forever, but if she wants us now, that’s something we can work with.
I’m desperate to beg her to stay while simultaneously spanking her for leaving me.
“Will you go let the guys know dinner is ready?”
She nods and goes in search of them, coming back a minute later, her hand in Hunter’s, Zachary on their heels. Hunter whispers something in her ear that makes her giggle. I’m both obsessed with the sound and annoyed that Hunter is the one to bring it out of her.
I haven’t decided if I’m going to hate him yet or not. If it all works out, I’m buying him his own damn island as a thank you. If she really does leave us at the end of this week, I know I could never hate him as much as he will hate himself.
It’s one thing to lose a sugar baby you truly liked, but it’s emotional damnation to lose a scent match, so I refuse to think of any other possibilities.
We have to give her enough reasons to stay with us.
Whatever lies she believes about packs, we’re going to unravel.
Whatever fears she has, we’re going to soothe.
If it takes a lifetime for her to trust us, we’ll fight that battle every single day. I refuse to let her give up on this just yet.
I bring two platters to the table, and Zachary carries the pitcher of fresh lemonade.
The marinated pork skewers are packed with garlic and tangy from the yogurt marinade, finished with a spritz of lemon on top.
Soft pitas are warm from the oven. I hadn’t planned on doing so much cooking here, it’s why I normally have a staff that joins us.
It reminds me of my mother in ways I’d rather not think about, but if it’s for Madeline, it’s all worth it.
“What have you two been up to this afternoon?” I ask.
Hunter tears off some bread to scoop up the orzo with. “Released a new teaser trailer for NourishNow.”
“Going over some reports Alexia’s assistant sent over,” Zachary adds.
Alexia is my COO, and the person currently running my company and overseeing NourishNow while I’m away. I should probably give her a call. “Anything I need to be aware of?”
“Nah, she’s got it.”
“When’s the launch?” Madeline asks.
“Next Saturday.”
“I think the app is a great idea,” she says.
It borders on ridiculous how much pride I feel at that.
“Do you use our competitors’ apps?” Zachary asks her before taking a sip of wine.
“Oh, yes. I get plenty of takeout dinners, and I have my groceries delivered twice a week. I used to shop for myself, but alphas were up my ass every time I went. I miss it, though, taking the time to pick out the best apples, trying new things off the shelf, buying whatever looks good,” she says in a dreamy tone.
“Of course, I spend way more in person, too.”
“Does that apply to other shopping? Is that a regular problem for omegas?” I ask because I care about everything she does, but also because it can be good market research as she’s one of our target audiences.
“Because omegas get bothered no matter where we’re in public.
I don’t know a single omega who does her own grocery shopping anymore.
Thirty-five percent of the population is an alpha.
There’s only five percent of us, which means a lot of them are never going to have an omega and we’re the ultimate status symbol.
So anytime an alpha sees an unbonded omega, they’re going to shoot their shot, even when we politely decline their advances.
Always. Doesn't matter if an omega has a bite mark, either, alphas will still try to figure out if there’s room for one more in their pack. ”
“What pricks,” Zachary remarks with a look of disgust.
She nods. “Sometimes, we can use it to our advantage. Like my best friend Harper, she’s an artist who owns a gallery.
Alphas buy her paintings all the time for a reason to talk to her.
If there are multiple alphas in the gallery at once, a bidding war ends up happening.
It works out for her. But for myself, who would rather be alone, it makes doing everyday activities much harder, which is why I’m grateful for omega-only doctors offices, car services, and gyms.”
“Yeah, that would be really annoying,” Hunter says sympathetically.
Hunter and Zachary wear the same expression that I’m sure I’m wearing. I don’t think any of us have taken the time to consider what it’s like for an omega in a world surrounded by alphas constantly vying for their attention.
How dare my designation make omegas so uncomfortable they can’t even do their own shopping? That they would need an app to get a basic necessity just to avoid alphas who view them as props for their own pleasure?
When I created the app, it was for convenience. For the family that didn’t have time to grocery shop after soccer practice, or the busy professional who needed a quick meal delivered to the office.
While I hate that omegas need something like this to feel safer and remain unbothered, I’m thankful it's going to be available to them. Everyone should be able to go wherever they wish, free of harassment and pressure.
She points a pork-filled fork at me. “Now, if you offered omega-only shopping hours and added extra security at your grocery stores, you’d have plenty of new customers, including me.”
Why hadn’t I thought of that?
Why hadn’t any grocery store thought of that?
I must’ve said the words out loud because she says flatly, “Because alphas run our society, what does it matter to them if we are harassed?”
“I’ve always thought we had a very omega-centered society, as we should. Heats are a top priority,” I point out, clearly incorrectly, judging by her scowl.
“Our society centers around an alpha’s pleasure.
All major companies are run by alphas, and there’s tax breaks for packs, which are formed to give alphas a better chance to court an omega.
We’re forced to rely on alphas who can’t think past their own dicks half the time.
Omegas are treated like afterthoughts unless we’re doing something for alphas. ”
I contemplate asking for her to elaborate, but think better of it, and let her continue without interruption.
“The nine days of legally required heat leave is only because it’s for alphas to enjoy, not for an omega’s well-being.
Companies could protect and cater towards omegas, but they don’t.
It’s why medically supervised heats aren’t covered by insurance, so we have to use alphas or pay thousands of dollars out of pocket.
We’ve been asking for omega-only rows on airplanes for years, so why hasn’t that happened?
Oh yeah, because that would limit alpha access to us.
Most omegas are rich, so we fly business or first class.
Who is also the majority on that side of the airplane?
Alphas! I can give you a laundry list of ways our designation society claims to prioritize omegas, but it doesn’t really want to limit alpha access to us, so I’m not holding my breath. ”
Fuck.
She’s right. Beyond right. Of course, we haven’t noticed, because we’re the ones benefiting from it.
My company needs her. “Would you like a job?”
She laughs. “Well, considering my job was fucking the three of you, and I can’t be a sugar baby anymore, probably. What would it be?”
“Omega consultant for Nourish LLC. We’ve clearly missed the mark in multiple ways, and I would like to rectify that.
Nourish is a Fortune 500 company. If we announce we’re making progress towards actually catering to omegas, other companies would follow suit.
An omega consultant could one day be a mandatory position for all companies to have. ”
She appears genuinely excited and it only builds on my hope she’ll accept. This could change parts of our society forever, but her face falls and my stomach plummets.
“It’s a great idea. Your company should absolutely have it, every company should. Not just for omegas but beta women, too, and other marginalized communities. I’m not sure that’s the job for me, though.”
“Why not?”
She looks down at her plate, and I know the answer. Because if she walks away, she wouldn’t be able to take the job.
“Madeline, this offer stands whether or not I ever see you again.” Saying it is like knives in my throat, but I don’t want her to be uneasy that she will have to encounter me at every staff meeting.
Even though I would consider myself a lucky man for a glimpse of her at work after this.
“You could work exclusively with Alexia, Nourish’s chief operating officer. You wouldn’t report to me.”
She gives me a soft smile. “I’ll think about it, but I’ll write down all my ideas, okay?”
I nod quickly. That’s a start.
Dinner is nearly over when Madeline’s phone pings. She glances at it, her expression darkening, and she aggressively hits a few buttons before placing it face down.
Zach and I glance at each other. “Is everything alright?”
“Yeah, just peachy.” She stares at her plate.
That’s certainly a lie.
“Is everything okay with Bellini?” Hunter asks, trying to coax out whatever has upset her.
She softens at the reference to her cat. “She’s fine. I miss her, though.”
“I miss Dreamsicle, too,” Zachary muses.
Thunder roars above us, startling Madi enough that she knocks over her water. I jump up, grabbing a towel from the kitchen and striding over to her side to clean up.
“I’m s—”
I slide my eyes towards hers.
She cuts off her sentence and instead says, “Thank you.”
“Good girl,” I whisper, delighted when she blushes.
Interesting.
She clears her throat. “I have a teeny, tiny, fear of thunder and lightning.”
As if the sky itself has heard her, lighting flashes above us. My heart surges at the sight of her flinching.
I want to comfort her, but Zachary stands up. “I think it’s time for my surprise.” He turns towards her. “Ready? We’ll only be gone for two hours.”
She nods and I move away for her to stand, accepting his hand, and they leave, my jacket placed over the back of her chair.
“What do you think he has planned?” Hunter muses.
“No idea. You’re on dish duty.” I toss the towel at him and leave the dining room to draft a memo about my new omega initiative to be sent out immediately.
Time to make some changes.