They took their time and Ina had to stand still in the place they left her. She was standing in her place when the servants were setting the table and bringing the food, throwing glances at the pitiful Omega. 

She heard them first, they were laughing and talking freely. Ina felt a stab when they entered the room again. They were holding arms, they were equals so unlike her. 

“Oh Jiha, you have forgotten about your Omega.” She looked at Ina with such an inferiority and then smiled.

“Ina, come here. Sit.” He pointed at the place next to his chair. Ina sat down and closed her eyes. She was hungry but she knew she has to wait till she will be allowed to eat.  something. She closed her eyes. She was thinking about the pack and her life back in the desert. Noah and how they were climbing the highest rocks, she smiled at that memory. She wasn’t listening to their silly talks, her heart was throbbing a bit as for a moment she allowed herself to feel something toward the Commander. 

“Ina.”  Her Master gave her a piece of fruit, she raised her hands and then took it to her mouth. She noticed his smile, he seemed pleased with her behavior. She was an obedient pet. Just then the words Adline said before came back to her. She mentioned another golden eyed Omega who was apparently killed because she was too rebellious. Ina was wondering who it might have been.  She was deep in thoughts when they finally finished. 

“That was a truly pleasant afternoon Jiha, next time I hope you can pay me a visit.” Adline smiled, covering her face with a fan. 

“If you want my visit just set the date.”

“I know that the Commander is a busy person …” 

“For an important person I will find the time no matter what.” Jiha was holding Adlines hand and placed a kiss on it.

“You sure know how to make a woman go crazy for you.” 

They both were walking slowly to the door, Ina was still sitting on the floor. Waiting. She heard the door shut and steps that were rushing back to the room.

“Ina come here.” The Master called her. Ina stood up, for a moment she had problems walking as her legs were numb from sitting on them for such a long time. 

“What’s wrong with you?” Jiha looked at her slow walk. 

“My legs got numb Master.” 

“Poor thing, come here.” He sat down on the sofa and patted a place next to him. Ina sat down and he lifted her legs giving her a gentle massage. It was pleasant. He took his time and would continue but he heard Ina’s belly rumble. 

“You are hungry, eat something. Your legs are fine now?”

“Yes Master, thank you.” Ina smiled sincerely. It seemed that the Master really cared about her, he just put on a show for that woman. Ina knew that the pack you live with can impose certain rules and behaviors on its members. Here she had to face the same problem. They kept slaves and the slaves had to behave in an appropriate manner to strengthen the image of the owner. If an owner couldn’t handle the slave it ment he or she is a weak person. So much was clear to Ina. She hated how Jiha treated her in front of that woman, that was truly humiliating but now she felt cherished again. She knew he will “cherish” her even more in bed at night.

Early in the morning Ina woke up as the rays of light landed straight on her face. Yesterday her generous commander promised Ina that she could go to the market. She wasn’t allowed to wander around, but along with Assun and one of the guards she could enjoy the stroll. It was pleasant weather, not too hot yet. They were walking down the main street. Ina was curiously looking around. There were many trees along the way as well as grass with vividly colorful flowers, some she has never seen before. She kept looking aside so she almost bumped into a man standing at the side.

“I’m sorry sir.” She apologized quickly and almost ran to catch up with Assun. 

“Watch where you are going, the citizens here aren’t lenient with us.” Assun warned her. Ina nodded, she has already heard that once from a fierce hunter. She was wondering what Gabriel was doing. Last time she saw him, he was locked to calm down. Her little revenge. 

“It’s here.” Assun drove her attention to the surroundings. 

Ina has never seen something like that before. There were many stalls offering everything from fruits, spices, clothes, jewelry to tools and weapons. Ina was walking along the stalls, looking at the exposed goods. So many things, so many different smells. It was amazing. Ina touched a beautifully dyed piece of cloth, it had all the shades of green. Ina liked colors but she was always wearing clothes in golden color as her owner wished it that way. Still the fabric was nice. At the end of the street there was a little square and right now there was a little commotion there, Ina could hear some screams. Both Assun and Ina went there followed by the guard. It was another stall, but they were selling people there. The slaves looked horrible. They were haggard, some mutilated and all of them were malnourished. 

“Who are they?” Ina asked Assun

“Slaves that are often sold, from one owner to another. Alphas and Omegas are precious, Betas not really. As they are getting old their value drops to the point that sometimes it is better to kill them than feed. Ina, there are no old slaves here. I’m thirty right now, if I’m lucky I will be able to keep my work for the next ten years before I will be sold to some other establishment. After that is a quick way down to hell.”