Part 2
1503 Words
/Amelias POV/
A whimper escaped her lips as the glass pricked at her skin. Slapping a hand over her mouth she slid in the corner, hiding between the trees. Sweat trickled down her forehead and she had no idea where she was.
"That way!" A voice mumbled.
It was unusual and dangerous for the omega to wander around in dark. Especially in the woods. The Alphas mostly the rogues don't spare an unmated omega so easily. That's what her mother told while she was growing up. Why did she send you to the woods then? The question hung in the air because she had no idea what was going on.
The sole of her shoe had a slight tear and she could feel exhaustion seep into her bones. Her feet were blistered, arms shaking to hold herself and stomach growling with hunger. She was starving from past thirty-two hours, running around the wild hoping to escape those trying to kill her.
She felt her vision get blurry with each breath but she tried to squint her eyes and focus. Just one night and maybe she can finally find someone and ask for help. Her uncle and aunty from another state would readily take her in but she had no way of reaching to them.
Tears clouded her vision as the footsteps got quieter. Never in her life had she imagined that she would face something like this. Wolves, assassins wolf out to get her and sell her off. The deep gashes on her arm stung as the air blew on it. The branches had dug in her skin while she was trying to rush past them. It was messy and too much blood drenched her silk gown. Normally that would make her queasy but she didn't have much time to ponder over that. Running away from them was the only priority.
They couldn't trace her through her scent which is why she was still safe. Her suppressants were stronger and made by the witch in their town. Being a person of interest she had to make sure that no one gets a sniff of her real scent. That would attract the unnecessary attention of the Alphas.
There was something shuffling behind her so she backed up, pulling her knees together. Taking a huge breath she tried to identify the scent of the person but her head gave away. She simply fell on the side, her stomach twisting with hunger.
"Is someone here?" The voice whispered, hoarse and strong. She made no sound at that.
A dark figure pushed through the branches and she noticed a strongly built beta in front of her. The person immediately sat on his knees in front of her, his eyes widening at the state of defenceless omega. Betas usually have that quality about them.
He racked his eyes over her body but not in a lustful manner. "Are you hurt?"
She made a face and shook her head. He did not seem like one of them so she had no reason to worry but it also didn't mean that she could trust him. The omega scooted further away from his touch, scared that he was going to hand her over to those Alphas. She didn't have much fight left in her. After injuring that Alpha back in the cottage she was barely managing to skid through the forest.
"I'm not going to harm you. Trust me."
She meekly dropped her hands which was wrapped around herself. Sniffing softly she could sense that he had no intention of causing her any harm. The beta was tall for one thing but she couldn't exactly figure out his facial features because of the darkness surrounding the forest.
"Okay" She softly said
"I'm Zaid, the beta of Romano pack. Let me help you"
Her back stiffened at the name. Colour drained her face and she tried to breathe. Romano. That name was enough to cause shivers down her spine. Suddenly anger replaced those emotions. She would never forgive him. That Romano for abandoning her that way. What if he was in the town? Maybe she can finally confront him and ask about the reason he left her behind. This was her chance to get her answers.
Zaid raised his eyebrows as he forwarded his hand towards her. She gripped it.
"What are you thinking about?"
"Nothing. Can we go?"
"Yes"
That's how she came to know her boss. The owner of luxurious cafes across town. He helped that night, six months ago which was enough to change her life. Amelia was content working in the small cafe and not revealing anything about her past. When she first met all the Romanos, actually just the two, Carter's parents she was overwhelmed. His siblings, Archer, Aron, Aries and Alec visited a lot but that was to check up on senior Romano. He was like their mentor.
Since the day they accepted her as their own she couldn't stop thinking about how much her life changed. Amelia wanted to go back obviously but she was struck with the job.
"Ames?" Gia nudged her with her elbow causing her to snap out of her thoughts. She looked around the cafe and noticed that the line in counter was increasing which meant she had to take over the kitchen.
"Fine. I'm going" She huffed, almost ready to throw her hands in the air. The reason she suggested that they open the cafe during late hours was to distract herself. Going back to that lonely room in the packhouse didn't sit well with her. Not that she didn't like the company of the other omegas but she was always thinking. Thinking about things which were destructive and should obviously remain in the past.
"Take your apron!" Aster grinned throwing it off his shoulder. She stared blankly at him and then noticed that there was an Omega standing in front of him. Obviously, he was trying to make an impression on her. Typical Alpha behaviour. She should have known.
"Thank you my big powerful Alpha" She mocked causing Gia and Jenny to burst in laughter. They were handling the orders because they had a great rapport. It seemed unreal how they were always in sync.
Asters face flamed red and he just whipped the change quickly and bid the omega goodbye. As soon as she left he turned towards Amelia, his face scrunched and lines on his forehead.
"Why can't you let me have anyone? You need to share me baby" Aster smirked while showing off his arms. She rolled her eyes and slapped his arm and asked him to pay attention to the customers. This is why she asked Zaid to swap Aster for literally anyone from the day shift.
No one wanted to agree to that. The only reason Gia was doing it was that her family really needed the money and she had her housing quarters close to the cafe. Jenny is the beta so there's no reason for her to worry. The kitchen is handled by two Alphas so there's that.
"Because I'm whipped for you!" She exaggerated earning laughs from the line. This was their thing, sort of. Light banter. It always cheered up the regulars. People really drank a lot of coffee maybe because it was always too cold outside.
"Ahh, you finally admitted it. Now I can die a happy man" Aster said dramatically, slapping his left side of chest and swaying lightly. She blamed the movies he watched. Only they can account for his weird behaviour.
Before she could open her mouth the cafe door was pushed open and a light chiming made her ears ring. Her face flushed and eyes widened at the sight in front of her. Carter was there. Her fingers were clammy all of a sudden as she began to shift on her feet. Why was he in the cafe? When did he come back? Why did no one tell her about him returning? All these questions began running through her mind.
Swallowing the lump formed in her throat she waited as he took steps towards the counter. She knew Aster was supposed to take the order being the cashier and all but Zaid was with Carter which meant they'll talk to her. Sweat trickled down her back as they finally stood in front of her.
Carter's eyes widened as he blinked at her. There was no expression on his apart from the slight twitch in his lips. Did he recognise her? She waited patiently for him to make a scene or something.
"Amelia! Having a good day?" Zaid broke the tension to which she was thankful. Forcing a smile on her face she turned towards him and nodded her head.
"Carter this is the omega I was talking about," Zaid said with a proud smile of his face but words refused to leave her mouth. She just froze on the spot.
Carter hummed and met her eyes, "Have we met before?"
"No" She gritted out.
***
- Writer
