Warning: Strong words

"That-" I was about to answer Tanya when the loud ringtone of my cellphone interrupted.

We both were startled. I quickly checked the phone but it was an unknown number. I excused myself and went to the balcony to pick it up.

"Hello?"

"Tony? Are you ok?"

It was Robbie's voice. What a fate! Tanya just asked me who my bonded Alpha was and here he was calling me.

"Are you stalking me? How do you have my number?" I asked, irritated.

"From your resume" Robbie answered in a matter-of-fact voice.

Sh*t! I always forget I am working under him. He has access to all my information. How infuriating!

"What do you want?" I asked, suddenly feeling defeated.

"I heard that you called the security. Are you okay?" Robbie asked, sounding concerned.

Is he worried that I have put his resort’s reputation in question?

"A colleague was attacked by a guest, so I called the security” I explained briefly, “Don't worry! If there is any issue with regard to the resort’s reputation, you can always hold me responsible" I clarified

This statement was followed by a long silence. I actually looked at the phone to check if he had disconnected. After almost 5 minutes, he spoke in a quiet tone,

“The name of the resort isn't important to me as long as you are fine!"

Now, it was my turn to be silent. I did not know how to respond to this sudden concern of his. It was just too new to me. I decided to ignore it.

"You don’t have to worry about me. I can take care of myself!" I answered, curtly.

Again there was silence. Why was he going all silent all of a sudden?  It felt like a premonition. He spoke again, so softly that I had to strain my ears to hear,

"I am outside your house"

My cell phone almost dropped off my hand. Outside my house?!! What does he think he is doing appearing in front of people's houses at odd hours? The timing couldn't have been worse for me. Tanya was sitting in my drawing room. I started panicking!

"I have a guest" is all that came out of my mouth.

"Who?" Robbie asked sounding unpleasantly surprised.

"I am not obliged to answer you" 

"If you don't I will ring the bell!" Robbie bluntly answered but there was something more in his voice that I couldn’t comprehend as I was too shocked by his shamelessness.

"I’ll call the cops" I threatened but I couldn't help feeling that it would be useless. In this world Alpha rules and money talks. 

"Go ahead. If they come, I’ll cooperate with them and let them know that you’re MY omega!"

Damnit! Why does this guy know all my weaknesses?

I am hiding my sub-gender in my workplace. If it was revealed that am an Omega and on top of that, am bonded to this guy, it would be a field day for the media! Not only will I be front-page news of ‘Celebrity's Daily’, but Twen would also be dragged into it.

"Tanya," I said, feeling bitter and angry.

"Oh" Robbie was slightly bewildered, “I thought-”

“I don’t care what you thought. I am so sick of your blackmail and threats!! You claim to care for me then is this what you call ‘care’? Is forcing me to a corner, your CARE? Now you have all your answers, so just get lost." I said hanging up the call and breathing heavily. 

Tony get a grip!! You can't get soft on this guy!

I sternly reprimanded myself. I walked back to the drawing room to see Tanya still sipping the coffee. I looked at the door, feeling my heart pounding in my mouth. Robbie was outside my house right now, what if he breaks in? Tanya will know the truth, though she doesn’t have loose lips, it is still a disaster. 

Tanya must have noticed my nervousness as she asked me cautiously,

"Are you ok? You look...nervous" she said, unsure.

"I-I am fine. Have you calmed down?"  I asked, trying to relax, hoping that Robbie had left.

"This is nothing. I have had worse" Tanya answered in a strangely hollow voice. Her comment seemed to imply something, but she changed the subject before I could clarify, "Sorry, I shouldn’t have asked you about your Alpha. If he cared, he would have been with you”

I smiled. She was worried that she might have hurt me when she almost went through something so terrible. Even though nature has made Omega physically weak, they have also given us the most compassionate and empathetic hearts.

"What my Alpha did is not very uncommon and it has been eight years. So, you don’t have to worry about upsetting me " I replied sincerely, “By the way, how did YOU manage? You are not bonded, so your smell would be easy to spot”

In reply to my curiosity, Tanya sighed, “Through heat pills, of course" she said, bitterly, “I take it every day. Unlike yours, which is just 250 mg dose even for your heat, I use 350 mg for my normal days and 750 mg for heat” she explained

My jaw fell open till my chest. 750 MG!! That is a high dose, if she takes more than two of that, she might as well be overdosing. Why does she even need such a high-power dose? Are her pheromones that strong?? Sexually active but unbonded omegas need high doses as their pheromones grow stronger after sex, but sexually inactive ones don’t need that high power to keep their pheromones in check unless their pheromones are naturally very strong. Maybe, Tanya was one of those cases. I know she does not have a boyfriend and stays with her parents. With our work timing, I will be surprised if she is sexually active. I wanted to ask but stopped myself as it was too personal. 

"I wouldn’t recommend such high doses,” I told her in a timid voice

“I know. I just want to be extra cautious. You already saw what happens if I am even a little bit careless” she laughed. Indeed, she has to be careful. “I really am so stupid. How come I never suspected that you are an Omega? Even Twen calls you Mommy” Tanya suddenly said shaking her head in disbelief.

“I guess, it’s because you never saw anyone giving me the creepy look, or maybe the idea never occurred to you” I chuckled, “Anyway do me a favor and don't mention my sub-gender to anyone. You know how male Omegas are viewed. It is already a headache hearing such comments in my son's school" I requested.

Actually, I don't care about the comments. I have heard enough to last me a lifetime from both my classmates and my parents. The issue was people find it insulting to work under Omega. Now, that I am in an authoritative position, I want my sub-gender to be more of a secret than ever. Lest they put in a complaint and I am thrown out before even finding a new job.

"I won't" Tanya promised promptly, "I think, I will be leaving now. It's already very late. Uhmmm...can I borrow a few of your heat suppressants?"

“I can drop you, you know," I said frowning.

"No, it's fine. I stay with my parents and it's not very far from here. Plus nowadays you get cabs with Omega drivers" she assured me

“Okay then,” I said. I was still worried for her, but leaving Twen at this hour was also not safe. I got three pills from my bedroom before I opened the door for her.

Thankfully, Robbie was not there. Tanya bade me goodbye. I waved to her and asked her to inform me once she reached home. She nodded and left. I waited till she was out of sight and then got in to close the door when I felt someone behind me. I turned to see Robbie. Before I could react, he got inside the house, pulled me along with him, and closed the door behind me.