Instead of saying anything, I ate my breakfast, stealing glances at Maelstrom. He sat with a slight slouch which was a sign of submission on his part. His head hung lower than his shoulders as he shoveled food into his mouth. To my surprise, Maelstrom used both his hands to feed himself. While one forkful was going into his mouth, the other fork was scooping up more food. It was honestly pretty impressive.

I was only half way through my food when Maelstrom finished his and threw the box away. With his food gone and box taken care of, he sat on his bed and played on his phone. The silence was beginning to turn uncomfortable. I had an almost overwhelming desire to talk to him and to fill the silence in the room. I also wanted to bridge the gap between us. Not to mention, I also wanted to ask him to help me find my classes, but I wasn’t sure how to approach that.

I could suggest the two of us look for our classes, but I was too scared to ask. There was always the chance he would tell me no and then where would I be? I could feel the panic, trying to rise in me again, but I quickly suppressed it by refocusing my attention on how to fill the silence in the room. All I had to do was say or ask something. It could be anything.

I eventually decided to ask Mal for clarification on his words from the previous day. “Mal? I was thinking about how your words are pretty contradictory to themselves. You say you don’t want to hurt me, but you tell me not to trust an alpha. You then tell me I shouldn’t fall for you because it would be messy. I just don’t get it. What do you mean messy? Are you suggesting you would hurt me?”

He looked up from his phone and looked at me. “Doesn’t sound contradictory to me. I don’t want to hurt, but it doesn't mean that I won’t. I explained to you that alphas are unpredictable. I could lose myself, and you’d be in danger. That doesn’t mean that I want to. And you shouldn’t fall for me. I’m your roommate. That would leave you in a vulnerable position.

If we were to date, there would be little keeping us away from one another. And what if I don’t share your feelings? You’re stuck here with me while I know you have the hots for me. Don’t you think that would leave room for me to take advantage of you? Not that I would, but you should think about things like that. Then say, if we did get together, how far would our relationship go unchecked? What happens when we fall out of love, or something happens to the relationship? We will be stuck in this room together.”

“That doesn’t help me. I don’t know how to feel about you thanks to your contradictions. I want to be friends with you, but it sounds like you’d rather not because I’m an omega and you’re an alpha.”

“We can be friends. We should be if we’re going to share a room. I just want you to be weary and not get too comfortable with me. I’m still an alpha at the end of the day. You need to make sure you protect yourself.”

I shoveled the last of my breakfast into my mouth and headed towards the trashcan to throw the box away. I didn’t know where to take this conversation next. I hadn’t thought that far ahead, and I wasn’t used to doing so much socialization with someone other than my mom.

After throwing my box away, I sat back down on the desk and pulled out my laptop. I then found my course schedule to look at my classes and their locations. I needed to find these buildings before my class actually started. It was at this point that I figured the only way I was going to find my classes before school started was to find them on GPS.

I could hear Maelstrom get off of his bed. I didn’t know what he was doing, but shortly after he got out of bed, I could feel his breath down my neck. It made me shiver. He was hovering over my shoulder looking at my computer screen. This guy seriously needed to learn some manners.

I growled at him, “what makes you think you can just look over my shoulder like that.”

I could feel him startle at my remark as he moved away from me. “Sorry, I was just curious about what you were doing.”

“You can just ask dumbass. Don’t just breathe down my neck like that! How would you feel if I was breathing down your neck?”

“I actually wouldn’t mind it.” He said as he slumped into his desk chair with his ears hanging low.

I sighed. It was like he was never taught how to interact with other people before. “I’m looking at my classes and their locations. I want to find them before Monday.”

“I’m decently familiar with the campus if you want me to help. I already found all my class buildings.” he offered as his ears perked up

“You’re a freshman. How are you familiar with the campus?”

“I came here for that freshman camp thing. I wanted to try to make friends and learn about the campus before getting here.”

It was my turn to laugh, “Friends? Are they all betas?”

“I didn’t make any. I couldn’t get along with anyone. But back to the classes. I can show you around if you want.”

This was good news. I had someone who could help me find my classes, so I wouldn’t be alone looking for them or relying on GPS. The only problem was Maelstrom’s long legs.

“Sure, but don’t walk too fast, please.”

“Not a problem. I actually have an idea so that I don’t get too far ahead of you. It may also keep people from messing with you.”

He slid out of his chair and opened a drawer from under his bed. I didn’t know what I expected him to bring out, but I was not expecting a collar and a leash. I was mortified at the thought. There was no way I was going to put that shit on.

“I’m not putting that on.” I growled at him, disgusted at the idea.

“Read the name on the collar. It’s not for you.” he said as he handed the collar to me.

I took the collar from him and read the tag. “Mal Mal.”

“Is that a pet name or something?” I asked.

“Something like that.” He said as he took the collar from me and put it on himself.

It was a perfect fit. It was obvious he had worn it before or had at least put it on because he didn’t have to make any adjustments. He then attached the leash to the collar and handed the end to me.

“Now, I won’t be able to get too far from you.”

“Why are you okay with this?” I said as I raised the leash.

“It’ll keep you close to me, so I won’t have to worry about losing you by going too fast. It’s no different than when we held hands yesterday or when you grabbed my belt loop.”

“There is a difference. This is a fucking collar and leash! Don’t you feel it's a bit demeaning?”

“No. What do I have to lose? It’s not like I have an image to maintain here.”

At the mention of an image to maintain, I remembered that mine was shattered. My shame was still laying on the floor in the bathroom, and I had yet to mop up the floor. I groaned into my hand as I realized how pathetic I must look to Maelstrom.

Maelstrom misinterpreted my goran, “are you really that against it?”

I shook my head. “I need to clean the bathroom before we leave.”

I dropped the handle end of the leash and made my way to the bathroom. When I got into the bathroom, I realized that I didn’t bring a mop to the campus with me. This made me mad at myself because how was I going to clean this mess? I also didn’t want to ask Maelstrom if he had a mop because I felt awkward mopping up my mess with someone else’s cleaning equipment. It made me feel gross.

While I was racking my head for what to do, Maelstrom rested his head on my shoulder and was once again breathing down my neck. His presence made my skin crawl and my heart drop.

I quickly pushed him away from the bathroom door and shouted at him, “stay away.” Tears were beginning to stream down my face as my embarrassment became too much.

He was quick to obey me as he moved back across the room to his bed. I was glad he backed off, but I was begging to shiver as I tried to control myself. I didn’t want to go into another panic attack.

Maelstrom was looking at me with concern, and his eyes were pleading with me to let him help. I was trying to calm down, but the more I thought about what I was going to do, the more my chest hurt.

Maelstrom’s voice made me jump as he attempted to talk to me. “I can get a janitor.”

I viciously shook my head. I didn’t want anyone else touching my mess or even seeing it. I hated being a stupid omega. I hated my instincts. I sank to the floor and curled up to cry into my knees. I was just embarrassing myself further, and I didn’t know how to stop it.

“May I help you?” Maelstrom asked.

I could hear the implications in his voice. He meant he wanted to use his pheromones to calm me down. I considered it for a moment and decided it would be for the best. I nodded my head as I swallowed my hatred for the fact I needed his pheromones.

I stood back up as Maelstrom’s pheromones numbed emotions. I looked at Maelstrom from the side of my eyes. I could see that he was concerned and desperately wanted to help me. I started walking towards him as my inhibitions began to melt away.

I climbed into the bed with him and nuzzled my head into his neck. He cautiously put his hand on my hips and moved me into his lap. Once chest to chest, he wrapped his arms around my back. I returned his hug and wrapped my arms around his body. His back was so broad that my fingers barely touched behind his back.

Dependent on Maelstrom for relief from my nerves, I was in a prime position for Maelstrom to take advantage of me. Considering the pheromones he was using to calm were also used to attract omegas to alphas. In this state, it would be easy to control me, but all he did was hold me close to his body. Pressed against his warm body with his scent filling my nose, I realized that this large alpha had no ill intent towards me whatsoever.

I remained in Maelstrom's embrace as he slowly withdrew his pheromones. Even with his pheromones completely retracted, I didn’t want to leave the comfort of his arms. His body was warm, and I could feel the gentle thud of his heart.

As I remained in his lap, Maelstrom never made a move to separate from me. It was clear he was waiting for me to make the first move. He wanted me to pick the pace and direction to go next.