The Omega's Price

Chapter 4: The Life of an Omega

The soft thud of plastic hitting the floor echoed around the room as the phone slipped through his fingers and bounced against the dark hardwood flooring. His legs, no longer able to hold him up, folded and he sank to the floor, despair clawing at him. He had worked his whole life for this job. Countless hours of pushing himself and the fulfilling stress of helping these kids in need. Gone. At the hand of a pompous, entitled alpha. What was he going to do now? Tears formed, glazing his eyes, the floor blurry and out of focus as the wet streams slipped down his cheeks silently. The fire in him wanted to march straight into that place and demand to see Mr. Sutipak, but the hopelessness overwhelmed him. To be at an alpha's whim. He could do nothing.

His body slowly dipped down until he was huddled on the floor, legs pulled to his chest and arms wrapped around his knees. The migraine intensified and pain radiated, his head throbbing and his ears ringing as he curled into a ball. What was he going to do now? The question circled over and over as he considered his rent, the bills ne needed to pay, money for food. What was he going to do now?

His eyes opened once again and blinked groggily as he stretched his body out, the joints protesting and body aching from the wood flooring at his back, but at least the migraine had receded and his thoughts clearer. There was no use whining about his injustice. His bank account didn't care. He glanced up at the bed before he sighed and rustled around the floor, searching for his phone. His fingers encountered the plastic and he picked it up. It was four in the afternoon, he had one hour until the youth center closed. He debated. Did he need the few personal items he had left on his desk or should he forget about them and begin his search for a new job?

Slowly, he picked himself up off the floor and shuffled towards the bathroom to relieve himself and freshen up. He would need to hurry if he wanted to catch the bus and make it to the center in time. The cold water splashed his face and he glanced at his haggard features in the mirror. He looked defeated, brown eyes lifeless.

A sudden pang clenched his heart as his thoughts strayed to the alpha from last night. He could still smell the lingering remnants of his scent clinging to his skin. An alpha he would never see again. He would see to it and steer clear. Alphas ruined lives. And yet, even at the thought something within him pulled his thoughts back to the alpha repeatedly, as if he would not be forgotten. Eyes clenched tightly, the yearning to wash the scent from his skin so he would never have to smell it again battled with an even stronger yearning to revel in the scent, to jump in bed and rub the light smell into his pillows and blankets so he would never forget it. His hands balled into fists; he had no time for this nonsense he needed to leave for the center.

The warm breeze kissed his skin as he made his way towards the place he had loved more than his own home. As he got closer, the building loomed large in the distance and nerves scattered throughout his body. Would everyone hate him now? No doubt Mr. Sutipak had spread viscous rumors. The automatic entrance doors slid open as he slipped through and encountered Amy, the receptionist. She looked up and a pitying expression flashed across her face as she caught sight of him.

"Oh Gulf..." she said as she stood from her post.

Her warming omega scent wrapped around him as she moved towards him, arms outstretched as she folded him into her embrace. Tears formed once again as her calm demeanor enveloped him and he buried his face in her neck.

"I'm so sorry" she whispered over and over as her hands rubbed at his back. Amy was a gentle soul and yet tough when she needed to be which made her a perfect receptionist. The first person these young omegas met when they walked through the doors set them at ease and created a safe environment. He would miss her dearly.

"I'm sorry for letting you down" he replied, voice raspy as he fought back more tears, desperate to not let them spill.

"You didn't let us down Gulf. I don't believe a word out of that vile alphas mouth; his scent was disgusting as he talked about you." She shuddered even as there was strength in her words.