Iyasu went back to the usual routine on auto-pilot after that night. He would help clean the massive white estate from top to bottom some days. Other days he was in the kitchen with Sandra and Oliver, and sometimes he was simply expected to wait hand and foot on Finn and obey his every whim which usually consisted of Iyasu being humiliated in new and creative ways by the other omega. 

Then after a full day of work he would wash himself and be summoned to Roland’s office where he would be raped again. He no longer even felt the same urge to fight like he did before, his mind would wander elsewhere as Roland thrusted into him with vigor. The days seemed to merge into one another as the nightmare continued. 

He hadn’t even been aware of anything but his own deteriorating mind, hadn’t even talked to anyone in what felt like days or weeks. Sandra tried to get him to open up only for him to give her one word answers with a far away expression on his face. She gave up after a while, only sending him sympathetic looks. Even Oliver has been steering clear of him and giving him space to grovel in his own self-pity, it somehow made Iyasu feel even more pathetic.

The only person he hasn’t seen much of is Jerrod. The quiet beta has been going out to the city a lot with Roland who seems to be much more busy during the day recently. Sometimes Iyasu would look through the large picture windows and catch sight of Jerrod overseeing the fields but other than that Iyasu wasn’t sure where the man would disappear to at times.

“Hey sweetie,” Sandra’s voice snapped Iyasu out of his thoughts. She smiled softly at him as she held up a plastic black bag. “You think you could do me a favor and take this out to the garden?” 

“The garden?” He didn’t even know they had a garden, then again he’s been confined to the house ever since he foolishly tried to run away. It’s not like he got to spend much time out there, that whole experience felt so distant now.

“Yeah, it’s the door right down the eastern hall at the very end. Can’t miss it.” She offered the bag and he took it reluctantly. Was he even allowed to go there?

“You’ll be fine.” Sandra said when she saw him hesitate. “I just thought you could get some air, even if for a moment.” she gave him a knowing look that made his heart tighten, he couldn’t muster a smile but he was still touched. He nodded and took the bag, trying not to focus on the look of pity on Sandra’s face. 

Iyasu made his way to the garden and found himself nervous yet excited about being outside after so long. A part of him was surprised to find it really was unlocked since most exits were sealed shut in the manor. When he opened the door someone else was already out there, Iyasu was shocked to see Jerrod hunched over a bed of purple flowers. He was carefully arranging them, the look on his face was peaceful. 

Iyasu stood there for a minute taking in the sight. Jerrod’s hands were gentle as they handled the delicate flowers, his deep sienna skin glistened with sweat from the harsh southern sun. The rays kissed his chestnut hair making it appear more red then brown. Jerrod must’ve sensed his presence because the next minute he was looking up in surprise to see Iyasu staring at him. Iyasu quickly looked away in embarrassment, he couldn't believe he got caught gawking at the beta like an idiot.

“U-um,” He started awkwardly as he approached Jerrod. “I was told to take this out.” He held up the bag. “I’m not even sure what it is.” 

“It’s compost,” Jerrod stood at his full height to take the bag. “Thank you.” Jerrod placed the bag on the ground but then he glanced at Iyasu again like he wanted to say something. 

He looked as uncomfortable as Iyasu felt. They haven’t talked much since the time they had that weird moment in the guest room and now, now Iyasu felt like he couldn’t associate with him. He felt like everyone knew he was tainted, they all knew what Roland did to him every night in that office. The marks on his body made him feel like ‘whore’ was written all over him. That’s all he was now, some white man’s whore, nothing else.

“...Iyasu, are you okay?” Jerrod’s words interrupted the voice in his head. The sound of his name shocked him and made something inside him swell, before he knew it tears were filling his eyes to his own confusion.

“That is your real name right?” Jerrod asked in a quiet voice. “I’m sorry if I’m mistaken.” He quickly backpedaled when he saw the tears in Iyasu’s eyes. Iyasu only nodded his head without speaking a word, he didn’t know how Jerrod learned his real name but hearing it on Jerrod’s lips made something snap in him. The numbness that set in for the past 3 weeks was replaced with an overwhelming sorrow that made him clutch his chest.

He didn’t even realize he was sobbing until he felt Jerrod’s arms cradling him. He buried his face in Jerrod’s chest as sobs wracked his smaller frame. He took in that same soothing scent from before, that same scent that was there even before his body was marked by that man. He craved it, he craved the warmth of that body, he craved the feeling of those hands that tended to his wounds when his world was clouded with pain. He didn’t want to let go, he wanted to stay in that moment, in the quiet of the garden with Jerrod’s silent presence. 

“I wish I could do more to help you. I’m sorry.” Jerrod’s tone was insecure, like he wasn’t sure what to say in that moment. Iyasu wrapped his arms around Jerrod’s waist and pulled him closer. 

“It’s not your fault.” Iyasu whispered as he held him tighter. He knew he was acting strange but for some reason Jerrod soothed the omega inside of him. Jerrod was a beta, Iyasu's instinctual draw to him should be improbable, even unnatural, but Iyasu didn’t care.

He eventually calmed down and let Jerrod go. The beta had a concerned expression on his face, thick eyebrows furrowed a bit with conflict. Iyasu felt a little silly now that his outburst was over but Jerrod didn’t seem to be judging him for it. 

“I’m sorry for freaking out like that.” Iyasu blushed a bit as he avoided Jerrod’s eye contact.  

“You have the right to be upset.” Jerrod replied with a frown. “I can only imagine what you’re going through, he can be cruel.” Jerrod ran his hand over the collar on his neck subconsciously. Iyasu knew he was talking about Roland and was admittedly surprised the beta was not too afraid to speak his mind about his alpha master.  

“That piece of shit is pure evil. How could someone be such a sadistic monster?” Iyasu growled with an anger he hasn’t felt in forever. 

Jerrod looked a little taken aback by the ferocity of Iyasu’s words but he could also see some vindication in the other man’s eyes. The vindication soon mixed with a bitter look that Iyasu never expected to see on Jerrod’s face, his eyes were narrowed as they lower to the ground at his feet. After a reluctant pause Jerrod replied.

 “Master Roland has always been that way, ever since we were younger he’s had a sadistic streak. My fa--- the old master enstilled that in him.”

Iyasu wondered what relationship Jerrod had with the old master to make him so careful around the subject. He decided not to press on that issue, what was more surprising was the fact that him and Roland grew up together. There was something deeper between them that Jerrod was clearly not telling him. Iyasu wasn’t surprised to hear Roland was always a horrible person but he didn’t expect his father to be one of the reasons for it, he expected Roland to be raised as a pampered prince who his parents spoiled rotten.   

“He even snatched away my chance at freedom.” Jerrod continued with a resentful expression. Iyasu stared into Jerrod’s eyes with disbelief, the admission made his chest burn with indignation. 

“The late master offered to free me but Roland made sure to intervene. He used my beta status to convince his father that I couldn’t function as a free man.” The pain in Jerrod's eyes was deep as he said it. 

Iyasu has never heard the man share so much about himself, it was a window into Jerrod's mind that made his heartache but also made him feel privileged. Did Jerrod really trust him that much? He reached forward without thinking to hold onto Jerrod’s hand and squeeze it reassuringly. To think Jerrod was betrayed in such a horrid way, it added to Iyasu’s already burning hatred for the alpha. He brought the hand up to smooth the scarred knuckles against his cheek. He could feel himself tear up again the more he thought about what Roland did.

“I’m sorry. That must've been hard for you.” He whispered. Jerrod pulled his hand from Iyasu’s to wipe at tears that ran down Iyasu's cheeks.

There was a hint of guilt on Jerrod’s face when he saw Iyasu crying again. He studied Iyasu like he was contemplating something, making Iyasu stare back in curiosity when he moved away and bent down to cut three flowers from the garden. Jerrod stilled, hesitant for a moment before he stepped closer and tucked the flowers into his hair. Iyasu blinked in surprise running his fingers along the soft petals, Jerrod smiled shyly at his reaction. He couldn’t help but notice how handsome Jerrod looked when he smiled. The thought made his face heat up, he wanted to see more of that expression.

“It’s not your fault. Roland only knows how to take from people, it's his nature. Don't let him take all of you.” Jerrod’s words echoed Iyasu’s earlier ones, his smile grew softer, Iyasu couldn’t help but smile back.      

"Thank you, Jerrod." 

Eventually he had to leave the garden with the flowers tucked in his vest pocket. The brief feeling of peace that he felt quickly disappeared as the door shut behind him and the white walls of his prison surrounded him once again. He pulled one of the flowers from his pocket and studied the beautiful petals that went from gold to purple. He would give anything to be back out there in the garden, to be anywhere but the house. He wanted to be as far away from Roland’s touch as possible, at the very least he wished for that. The desire to be free seemed to swell up inside him once again, it’s like he was waking up from a spell. 

He promised himself to be patient until he could figure out a way to get back to the fields at least, the further away he is from the master’s watchful eye the closer he is to freedom. That’s what he told himself over and over.

 Iyasu pocketed the flower as he entered the kitchen to see a pile of dishes waiting for him. He sighed, rolling up his sleeves and getting back to work.