Chapter 5

Lincoln

The place was brimming with furniture , all polished shiny wood from times that predated the bombs and biological weapons had failed and changed the course of the world.

History was everywhere, here at least it was everywhere. Down in the slums, there was no history. Why would there be. History wouldn’t put food on their tables or keep them safe.

The little discs of paint had been a rare find even though I knew I would never have need of them. I had passed over coin because down there , amongst the filth of humanity they would go to waste. At least when I had them I could preserve them.

Like this sideboard had been preserved.  Idly I ran my fingers over the warm gleaming wood. It was strange my skin was prickling, like the wood was alive and calling to me.

“They have arrived alpha Lincoln.” The maid, small and unremarkable whispered to my side. She was the only person here who wasn’t an alpha. The only beta I would allow in such a gathering and that was just because I had been promised she knew how to behave.

Sighing, I turned. There were six males  in the room. Each one of them well over six foot and powerful. The whole room stank of their power and under it, was something else.

A more feminine scent, a mixture of nerves and - fear.

The women had arrived. The ones who may or may not be the omegas we needed. The ones who caught our sent would go on to further training or be taken straight into their alphas home. And the others, the beta women would be sent back to their miserable lives.

They would live and die in their slums.

We didn’t have any need for beta women. At a push we could take one to bed but their bodies couldn’t - accommodate us.

Ten women shuffled into the room. Standing close to each other. They had been bathed and dressed but it didn’t take away from what they really were.

The unwashed masses. Years of grime was imbedded into their young faces. Their hair was lank and unhealthy and their faces showed the tell tell signs of starvation.

Maybe once they could have been beautiful but now they just looked out of place. Dirt in the middle of -

“There’s at least a few omegas in there.” The tall man by my side sucked in a deep breath. His nostrils flaring. “I can smell them.”

I sniffed and at first all I could smell was filth. Filth that was standing right on top of my antique rug. And then it hit me. The sweetest scent, that tickled my taste buds and set my body on fire.

He was right. There was definitely omegas in the bunch and they smelled delicious. Like honey sweets and-

My eyes caught sight of a pair of boots, behind the others and I lifted my eyes to meet those unwavering ones of a red head. She was staring around her like she couldn’t help herself. There was something like nostalgia in her eyes.

“That one.” He pointed straight to her. And her eyes widened and she quickly looked at her feet like the others. “That one has a spark of fire I would like to see more of. Bring her to me.”

I bristled, my hands curled into fists at my side. “This is my house Jenkins.” I reminded him with a growl. “You do not get to-“ I glanced at her again and frowned.

Why did she look so familiar? Like I had seen that red hair before?

The market earlier today. I realised with a start. She was the girl who had said those little discs were paint. She had known and I had seen the look of longing in her eyes when I had bought them.  She’d had her hood up but I had seen a glimpse of her red hair curling against her cheek.

“But bring her forward anyway.” I said quickly. “I would like to meet her. And the others as well,”

“Yes alpha.” The maid rushed toward. Pushing herself through the scared looking woman. There was a quick back and forth that I tried to listen to and then the red haired girl was lead forward.

“Alpha Lincoln,” the maid dropped to a low curtsy. “Alpha Jenkins , this is Hope from the fifth ward.”

The fifth ward? I frowned. That was the poorest part of the city. There hadn’t been an omega from there in twenty years.

I let my eyes sweep over her. The dress she was wearing was bright , almost metallic and it was at least a size too small. The hem barely covered her, and left a lot of leg for me to feast my eyes on.

“It’s a pleasure-“ she began to say and sucked in a startled breath as Jenkins leant into her space and ran his hand over the curse of her ass and down her legs.

“What-“ she tried to swat his hand away and he caught her wrist with the other hand. Forcing it down to her side.

“She’s an omega.” Jenkin's grin was sly. A flash of white teeth against his red lips. “All fresh and new. Tell me have you felt the heat yet?”

Hope glanced between the two of us. Her eyes were confused.

She didn’t know what he was talking about, I realised with a start. But how was that possible? All women knew they would be categorised into groups. Beta and omegas.

Betas would live their lives in the hovels, omegas mostly had it worse because they were for us. The only women who could sate our needs and take our knots.

And yet somehow this woman didn’t know what the hell we were talking about.  I didn’t know how it was possible.

“It’s ok.” Jenkins hand settled on her ass and squeezed. “I can teach you. The first slick.” He flicked her hair from her shoulder and yanked her towards him. He thrust his face into the crook of her neck.

My eyes darted away in disgust. I hated blood suckers. Out of all the mutations that the war had caused that one was the most grotesque.

Alive but not. Not being able to live without blood. Vampires had to kill to stay alive. And they were cruel.

But then weren’t we all cruel? It was a dog eat dog world. Even amongst the alphas that ruled over everyone.

“You’re first slick and my first taste of your delicious blood little omega.” He must have licked her throat because she shuddered. Over his shoulder her eyes met mine and begged me silently to save her.

“I think I’ll take this one.” Jenkins stepped away but kept a tight grip on her body. “At least for now.” He added as his eyes swept over the women who were already being circled by the four other Alpha.

I followed his gaze, hearing a cry as one made a grab for a skinny girl at the end.

“Unless you want to get to know her Alpha Lincoln?” He asked quietly. “This is your first reaping after all isn’t it. And as it’s your house then you should have first choice.”

“I’m fine. Have fun.” I turned away from her pleading eyes. There was nothing I could do to help her unless I took her as my companion.

And I wasn’t about to take anyone.