Chapter 12 12
POV LOIS
Minutes later, once her friend left, Viviana walked into the bedroom.
“Lois, why were you so rude?” she asked, frowning like I’d done something horrible.
“Rude? I didn’t even say anything.”
“Exactly! You didn’t say anything! And of course it was more than just words—you interacted with them for an entire night and morning. You should’ve at least told her what he likes for breakfast, whether he snores, wears cologne, if he laughs or is quiet. Those are things you could’ve noticed that night or that morning. You spent hours with them! You went to a party with them! You know something. But today you suddenly decide to say nothing? It looks like you’re trying to challenge me.”
Challenge her?
Not even close.
With what energy?
It was just that I’d been very busy… or rather, they’d been very busy with me. The details I could give her were not the ones she wanted. And I didn’t want to share anything about them; it was my information—mine alone.
My experience with them was not something I’d ever tell anyone.
“I don’t remember anything,” I insisted.
My body remembered everything—their tongues, their kisses, the scent of one, the taste of the other. Their moans, the rhythm between them, between us. Their touches, every reaction they pulled from me. I hadn’t missed anything. I treasured every bit.
“I’m sorry I can’t help.”
She crossed her arms and opened the door.
“Next time don’t be rude to my guests,” she scolded, though I still didn’t understand what I’d done wrong. “It was out of place. I’m going to the library. And after that, we need to talk.”
Talk.
That didn’t sound good.
What had I done wrong now?
I went to her room to gather everything she had thrown on the floor, on the sofa, or in the bathroom. After that, I started preparing dinner. My mother called, but I ignored it again, sending her a text instead:
“I’m sorry, I’m a little busy, Mom. Sending you lots of kisses. We’ll talk later.”
“Lois, your next transfusion is soon. Have you arranged everything? What has Viviana said?” she replied, reminding me of the obvious. It was important.
I’d talk to Viviana about it now. I’d tried to bring up the subject several times, but she was always “busy,” with no time to discuss something as crucial as that. But the days were passing, and the transfusion was getting close—only ten days left.
I waited in my room until I heard her come in. I stepped out to set the table, but Viviana stopped me. She had money in her hand, an empty bag… and a suitcase.
A suitcase?
And what was that money for?
“Dinner’s ready. Don’t you want it now?”
“Let’s talk first, Lois.” She took my hand and led me to the living room. “Listen… I know a lot of things are different here, Lois.”
And it had only been ten days—just ten—and everything had changed.
“And I also want to make some changes. Bringing you here isn’t going the way I planned, and we both know it. Things are completely different from the other university, and a lot is new for me too. I’m also struggling to adapt. In short… I don’t need you.”
She didn’t need me. What was that supposed to mean?
“It’s just… I can’t keep you as my servant and also consider you my friend. And you can’t be my friend while expecting me to treat you like what you came here to be. There’s a line I don’t want to cross, and I know you don’t want me to cross it either. That would ruin our friendship and leave us in only one position—you the Omega, I the Alpha—and we never wanted to see each other that way, Lois. The solution is for you to go back.”
I let out a desperate breath. My whole body itched—my legs, my scalp, my hands—but the tears wouldn’t come. How was I supposed to return… when the transfusion was so close? How was I supposed to go back now?
“In this suitcase you can pack your things, and this is the money for your trip back home. I already talked to my father—I told him I didn’t need you here, that your presence wasn’t necessary anymore, and he agreed. After all, I’m the one who convinced him. They told me a train leaves in two hours, so… maybe you can leave tonight.”
Tonight.
Everything so sudden, so rushed.
“It’s late, but it’s not far from here.” She pulled me into an embrace. “I’m sorry. I wish things were easier, I swear I do… but they aren’t.”
“Don’t worry. I know your intentions were good, Viviana. And this week has been wonderful. So… I’ll pack right away. I don’t want to miss the train.”
I took the money she gave me—knowing it was more than the price of a ticket home, but much less than what my blood costs.
It wasn’t enough for anything.
If I went back, Alpha Joseph wouldn’t pay for my blood. He only would while I was here with Viviana.
What was I going to do?
First thing was to call my parents… but I felt ashamed. I had wanted to be free and independent, to live an adventure, even though they didn’t want me to leave, and now I was returning with little time left before my transfusion and bringing them a terrible problem.
I knew they didn’t have the money.
I started packing, much faster than I expected. The room was full of things—but none of them were mine.
“I’m ready. Just tell me what to do.”
“You have to leave the entire university area, then take the main street. From there the signs will guide you. It’ll be easy.”
I said goodbye to Viviana, ending this short trip by her side.
I walked out of the building and started walking.
The problem?
All of this was part of the campus—full of them, even at night, going back and forth.
I walked quickly, dragging my suitcase, clutching my bag. The wheels made a harsh sound from how fast I was going, matching my footsteps. The exit felt farther and farther away, and my urge to run kept rising.
“Stop.”
Someone spoke behind me, as if I was going to obey.
I started running. My suitcase stopped dragging; now I was carrying its weight, sprinting toward the damn exit that seemed even farther. Footsteps thundered behind me, getting closer, and then—
I fell backward when someone yanked my ponytail.
Shit.
“They said there was an Omega on campus, but… we never saw her. They said she was part of the personal service of some little Alpha. But here she is! And looks like she’s been fired.”
He moved my hair, scattering it everywhere and blocking my vision.
“How about you serve us instead?”
“Don’t touch me!” I slapped his hand away as it slid down my face—only to get hit across the cheek for yelling at him. I lowered my gaze at the sting on the right side of my face. “Please… I’m just leaving.”
There were three of them. One grabbed my suitcase. Another ripped my bag off my arm. The one holding my hair forced me to stand, his hand sliding to my shoulder as he began to walk.
“Not anymore. Tonight you’re going to serve us. What do you say? What can you do? I hope it’s something nice. You’d better give good service.”