1. Skye

I scrubbed my skin nearly raw in the shower. I hated Jeramy’s friends. Every time I am forced into their company, I leave feeling disgusting and dirty and used. I remained under the hot spray until my tears dried, then made myself get out before I wasted too much water.

My stomach growled as I crawled onto my mattress and curled up under the one ratty blanket I was allowed. The room was cold and dark, two other things I hated. After a moment, my mind drifted to the stranger I had run into and I imagined what it would be like to be under the protection of someone like him. While I imagined it, my mind was drawn to the forest just beyond the property. I heard a wolf in the distance and cringed slightly, before turning away from the window.

I drifted to sleep with thoughts of warmth and safety in my mind.

***

The next two weeks were strange. I found myself drawn more and more to the forest in a way I had never been before. I was enthralled watching the trees sway in the wind, only breaking away when I saw shadows along the edge. People I had never met before crossed my path intentionally, each encounter more confusing than the last. Some seemed ecstatic to meet me, while others seemed upset about it. I spent more time than usual trying to keep my facade in place. 

I hated pretending to be a woman, but Jeramy had made it known early on that if I wanted to remain under his roof and protection, I would do as he said. He was embarrassed by the fact that I was an omega; in his mind that was the same as being a girl, although his language was much more crude. Today, I wore a 1950s style pale pink pencil dress with a lightweight white scarf draped around my neck. I thought the ensemble was pretty, but the tight skirt was a pain to walk to and from work in. The only saving grace of the outfit was my white canvas shoes. I wore them as often as I could get away with since they were the only non-heeled shoe I currently owned. Jeramy never really made a fuss about them since he knew that they were a popular style with both men and women, and for that I was grateful.

The library proved to be an unsuccessful distraction for my mind and dragged on much longer than normal, when I finally slipped away for my break I once again ran into the first man, Ryan, if I remembered correctly. He smiled down at me, his eyes lighting up. 

“Hey! It’s you! I was hoping to run into you again.” He said, keeping me from falling over. “I was hoping to see you again and get your name. You left quite the… impression when I ran into you before.”

I took a step away and fiddled with the tassels on the scarf I was wearing. “Um… I don’t give out my name to people I don’t know.”

Ryan threw back his head and laughed. “You’re good. You’ll do nicely.” The last part was said quietly enough that I don’t think I was supposed to hear it.

“Uh… thanks, I guess?” I moved to step around him. “It was nice to see you again?” 

I knew it sounded like a question, but it didn’t faze the man. He let me walk away and I shook my head in confusion as I continued to the back room. 

It didn’t take long for me to mostly forget the exchange and continue on with the day. It wasn’t until I was on my way home that I realized my scarf from earlier was missing.