Chapter 10 10
POV LOIS
Alpha Joseph had agreed to pay all my expenses as long as I stayed with Viviana and served her in everything, and that included paying for my blood in about twenty days, which would be a huge relief for my family’s finances.
Going back home would only add more expenses—expenses they were no longer counting on, since during my time here the Alpha would take care of everything.
“Lois… someone’s at the door. It’s one of the twins. He says he’s Emmanuel.”
“Then tell him I’m busy, please.”
Now what did they want? I thought I wouldn’t see them again.
I hurried to dry my face when suddenly the bathroom door opened without giving me the chance to do anything, and he dragged me out by the hand, pulling me out of the room. Ezequiel was standing by the door as well.
“You weren’t planning on saying goodbye. The train already stopped.”
Ezequiel glared at me; his stare was too intense. Was he reproaching me?
“Thank you for everything, Emmanuel and Ezequiel,” I said. I had no idea what else they expected.
“Just that?” Emmanuel asked, with a half-smile. He was so flirtatious.
“What is happening here?” Viviana asked, leaning into the doorway. “What do you want with Lois?”
“Where are you going to live?” Ezequiel asked, his tone shifting as he pushed Viviana inside and stepped into the room. Emmanuel was still holding my hand gently, pulling me in as well. He slid his fingers beneath my eyes, wiping away the moisture still lingering there.
“Are you alright?” he asked only me. “Why were you crying?”
“I wasn’t.” I pulled away from his arm and went to stand beside Viviana. Why were they taking such interest?
“What’s going on with you two?” she asked. I raised my eyebrows at the twins, silently begging them not to say a word about what happened between the three of us last night—or this morning. My expressions begged them not to utter a single thing about our fiery encounters. “Did you become friends?”
“Yes!” I answered before they said something else—or said something too accurate or in context. “I think so. They just came to say goodbye.”
“In fact—”
I didn’t know which of them was more honest, but when Emmanuel started to speak, I lunged forward and covered his mouth so he wouldn’t say anything. Viviana could NOT know what I did with them. With them. With both of them.
“It wasn’t right for you to bring Lois here,” Ezequiel said, still in that harsh tone. Now it hit me—he was the one who didn’t sugarcoat anything. My arms dropped in defeat. They were going to spill everything.
I dragged my feet toward the bed, staring at the floor.
“What do you know about the two of us?” Viviana stepped toward him, squaring up.
“What do you think is going to happen to an Omega on campus?”
“I… I’ll protect her.”
“From everyone?” Ezequiel raised a brow and then looked at me with narrowed eyes. He looked truly sinister like that, visibly angry. “What madness is this, saying you’ll protect her? If you want to keep her safe, send her back home and don’t make the mistake of bringing her there. In fact… Omegas are not allowed in any of the student residences. You didn’t know that?”
I glanced at Viviana—she didn’t answer.
“Have her take a train back home. Don’t let her reach the campus. It’s the best advice I can give you, Lois.”
They scared me again.
My eyes filled with tears, and Viviana still said nothing.
Would I have to leave? Was that really the best option?
I could return, keep working, help my parents with expenses, and together we’d buy the blood—we always managed, my condition had never stopped us.
“Lois, don’t listen to them.”
Viviana grabbed my cold hands. A bell echoed through the train and immediately footsteps gathered at the door—everyone was already getting off.
“Of course they’ll let you come in with me!”
“Yes, of course they will,” Emmanuel added. “But not as your companion. You can go as a servant. Isn’t that what you are, Lois?”
“She is my companion!” Viviana shouted.
“Then register your ‘companion’ as your ‘servant’ so she can follow you everywhere, including inside the university grounds. Haven’t you read the rules?”
“And who the hell are you two? Know-it-alls? Why would I bother reading the rules?!”
“Lois, go home,” Ezequiel said, looking directly at me. “She won’t protect you. And to enter, she’ll have to register you as part of her personal service.”
“Lois! Look at me!” Viviana cupped my face. “Are you going to leave me alone in this? You came to help me—what does it matter if I have to register you as part of my personal service? It’s just a requirement, nothing more.”
The tears finally slipped.
“Everything is paid for here. Everything. I need you.”
“You need me.”
“Of course! And this will be a wonderful experience for you. We haven’t even arrived—how can you think of leaving?”
My next transfusion was close. My parents already had the money saved, but since everything here was covered, Mom used part of that money to buy me decent clothes. She also gave me money to bring in case I needed anything or had an emergency. If I went back… there would be no money left for my blood.
I had to stay. It couldn’t be that bad, right?
“I’ll stay,” I said.
The boys immediately left the room, and Viviana hugged me.
“Thank you. I’m glad you didn’t leave me. What does it matter if I have to register you as part of the service? It’s just a requirement. You’re my friend, Lois. You’ll be safe here. Now let’s go, grab the suitcases. I don’t want to be the last to get off. And those twins are so nosy. Who do they think they are, meddling in your life?”
And we had arrived.
“Wait, Viviana.” I stood as she grabbed her leather jacket and sunglasses. “Maybe this is only temporary—the first month or two. Honestly, I’m scared. You should’ve told me what this really was because everything changes. Don’t you think so?”
“I didn’t want to lie to you, Lois.”
“But you knew I wouldn’t accept otherwise.”
“I needed you… but you need this too. Everything is paid for, and that’s already a lot. Your transfusions cost so much—don’t you think this is worth it? I only wanted to help you, Lois.”
“And I’m very grateful.” I hugged her tightly. “I’ll hold on as long as I can.”
“Thank you, Lois. You’re the best.”