Chapter 27
Madi
The driver takes me to the main part of the smaller airport. It’s crowded and loud, overstimulating me in the worst way, but my flight from Santorini to Athens is quick.
We’ve only been separated for such a short time, but already, my body hurts. A horrible tugging sensation eats at me, demanding I return to them.
The Athens airport has too many different smells. It erases theirs. I had no idea how much I’d miss it, but now that it’s gone, I wish I had asked for some of their clothing to soothe the ache.
Boarding is a tedious task, but finally, I’m seated in business class. Of course, not long after, an alpha appears. He’s about my age, sunburnt from vacation, and his short blond hair is pushed back. The asshat takes one look at me and the gleam of his eye turns predatory, staring down at my chest.
Omegas need their own damn airlines.
“Well, isn’t it my lucky day?” he says in a smooth, flirty tone that I’m sure he thinks is alluring, but it reminds me of a slimy used car salesman. It also tells me he’s well practiced at bothering omegas.
Fucker.
Something occurs to me. As a sugar baby, I always played nice with alphas. You never knew who was friends with whom, or which alpha might make for a great donor or client. I always ensured my reputation was one I was proud of. The sweeter I was, the more money I made.
But I’m not an omega for hire anymore. I don’t have to give a shit about what this random-ass alpha thinks. I grab the magazine I purchased out of my bag and flip it to a random page.
“No, it’s really not, and there’s no reason for you to speak to me for the duration of this flight.”
“Damn, baby, no need to be like that,” he says, flopping down into the seat next to me and leaning in close so only I can hear. “We got a long flight ahead of us and we can have some fun, join some clubs while we’re in the air.”
My heartache over missing my alphas shifts into something angry, and he recoils when I slowly turn to face him, lip curling.
“Listen up, you limp dick ass-waffle. I doubt there’s an omega on earth who would take you up on your disgusting offer.
Why do you think just because I have the unfortunate experience of existing near you that I want to talk or look at you?
Who would ever even consider touching your dirty dick?
Next time you wonder why you’re single, think back to this moment, and know you repulse me and probably every other omega who has ever been unlucky enough to meet you. ”
“How do you know I’m single?” he spits out at me.
“’Cause you’re a jackass.” I push the call button above me, alerting a flight attendant, who quickly comes over.
“Is there a problem?” she asks in a polite, customer service voice.
“Yes, I’d prefer not to sit next to an alpha who’s going to harass me for twelve hours, propositioning me for sex. Is there anywhere else I could sit?”
She looks between us and nods. “Let me see what I can do.”
The alpha next to me appears absolutely offended. It makes me happy.
“No need to be a bitch about it,” he mutters.
Before I can say anything, the beta flight attendant returns. The glare in her eyes tells me she overheard him. “Sir, that type of language is unacceptable. Miss, I have somewhere else for you to sit. Please follow me.”
I gather up my things. The flight attendant moves me a few rows back, and thankfully, the seat next to mine is empty.
“I’m so sorry you’ve had a bad experience so early into the flight.” She hands me a glass of champagne. “They’re always like that, aren’t they?”
Normally, I would agree—that’s been my experience, too. “There are three good ones out there.”
She laughs at that. “I’d love to meet them. If you need anything else, let me know.”
We smile at each other before she leaves.
Why isn’t there an airline for omegas and anyone else who wants to avoid alphas?
Omegas would pay extra for a peaceful experience in the sky.
No worrying if you will be seated next to a creep like that guy.
We could have cute cocktails and pink seats.
No extra fees, free luggage. I bet it’s already been pitched and shot down by alphas in some airline meeting.
My phone chimes and I check the notification.
OmegaaahAbby:
Hey! When you’re back, I’d love to grab drinks.
ShutterLife00:
I’m about to take off from Athens, it’s nonstop from there so I don’t have to deal with a layover. I’ll need a few days to recover but maybe after my heat? They opened a cute new Thai place down the street, Plumeria. I’ve been meaning to check it out.
OmegaaahAbby:
Sounds perfect! Hope your heat goes well! Cheers!
I text Harper.
Madeline:
Down for a girl’s night next weekend with a new omega I met?
Harper:
Always down! I’ll pick up some wine and the usual snacks. When are you back?
Madeline:
Thanks, that sounds great. I get in late tonight. I’ll come back and grab Bellini in the morning.
Madeline:
Love you
Harper:
Love you!
I can’t wait to hold my baby again. I know she missed me as much as I missed her.
The flight is smooth and I sleep for most of it, dreaming of my alphas. We’re back on the beach again. Everything is perfect until a giant wave comes and hits us. Then I’m alone on the beach during a storm. I wake up in tears.
Without their presence near me, I’m hollow, like my very being mourns every moment we’re away from each other. I don’t regret flying home alone, but I miss how funny Hunter is and Zachary’s kindness. I even miss Alric’s grumpiness.
I’m not ready for everything they are offering me, but I wish I were. I want to be brave for them, but I feel so broken, scared of a future I never saw for myself. But would it be so terrible if we just tried dating, like before? No money exchanged, but not a full pack, either.
Something between strangers and soulmates.
Dates during the week, a group dinner or two.
They can get to know the real me, and if they don’t like that girl, they can be the ones to walk away.
I can try to give them the opportunity to build the trust they so enthusiastically desire.
They didn’t try to stop me from flying home alone and that proves they mean what they said about my happiness.
Other than Harper, my happiness has never mattered to anyone.
Being in control of my own life has always been the most important thing to me. Somehow, this twisted turn of fate brought me alphas who don’t want to control me. Maybe it’s only fair I see where this goes.
The plane finally lands around midnight and I call a car. Without the usual city traffic, the ride to my place is quick. I tip the driver generously and collect my belongings, keeping my keys close when I exit onto the almost-deserted street, the driver heading off to their next passenger.
For the first time this week, a future with my scent matches doesn’t feel so bleak.
A car quickly pulls up, blinding me. For some stupid reason, the high beams are on, so I’m forced to shield my eyes. I foolishly hope it’s one of the guys, but they don’t know where I live.
Someone with an alpha’s build gets out of the back seat.
Fear chokes me when I realize it’s Jensen.
His sleazy grin makes him look older than his forty years, and his light brown hair thinning in the front doesn’t help matters.
“I thought I saw you at that red light back there. I told my driver I had to see if it was my omega playing hard to get.”
I stand there, petrified.
He takes my silence as a sign to continue. “I don’t appreciate being ignored. I’ve offered you quite a lucrative deal. Are you always this rude to your clients?”
Finally, some form of self-preservation slams into me.
I kick my suitcase at his shins and run towards my building door.
We don’t have a doorman, but we need fobs to get in.
I slam my keys against the panel and the door unlocks for me.
I open it just enough to slide in before I throw all of my weight into it, the lock sliding back into place.
He hits the glass half a second after it locks, banging against it. I’m terrified it’s going to shatter. Jensen stares at me with so much hatred I can’t breathe, but I manage to walk backwards.
“WHORE! I’m an alpha! You can’t treat me like this!”
His violent words propel me to run, but I can’t take the elevator.
The floor number illuminates above it, and he can’t learn what floor I live on.
I run into the stairs, terror pumping through me as I take them two at a time.
My body screams from the effort, my lungs burning, and my legs protesting every step.
It’s impossible for him to know which apartment I’m in, but I’m too afraid to lock myself in a place with only one exit, so I go three floors above mine and hide in the stairwell.
I need my alphas.