Tainted Bloodline

Chapter 2 - The Job

The rain had stopped but the sky was still cloudy – a silent warning that it was going to start again soon.

Rhett sat down at the rusted bench by the bus stop, elbows on his knees, face buried in his palms. His eyes were red – not from rage, but from the exhaustion that seeps into his fragile soul.

Another rejection.

He had gone for another interview wearing a white shirt – one of the three decent shirts he had. He had pressed it until the iron hissed like his mother’s disapproval.

The cruel words from the panels were like thorns on his flesh and they hurt more than one could imagine. The pain of rejection had grown unbearable over the past few days – adding to his mum constant mockery.

They had smiled politely, only to tell him moments later that he “lacked the confidence expected of a True Blood Alpha.”

Too soft. Too hesitant. Too human.

It didn’t matter what he had studied. Or that he graduated top of his class. No one wanted the quiet True Blood Alpha.

His mum’s voice echoed in his mind: “You’re an embarrassment. You should have been born an Omega.”

A bus sped past, splashing cold water of the rain on his pants but he didn’t flinch. He was too tired to care.

Minutes later, he finally exhaled. He stood, wiping his face with his sleeves. The faint breeze carried the smell of the rain and city smoke. Just as he turned to leave, someone bumped hard into his shoulder. “I’m so sorry. I-” Rhett began, but the man had already hurried off, disappearing into the crowd with his umbrella.

Something fluttered in the air. A sheet of paper, half damp, landed near his shoe.

Rhett bent to pick it up.

His eyes scanned the smeared ink:AURALIGHT DESIGNS & CONCEPTS

Now Hiring: Office Assistant/Maintenance Support.

Experience not requiredMust be dependable and punctualCompetitive pay

For inquiries: hr@auralightdesigns.com/0809-877-2441Address: 43 Crescent Lane, Silverwood District.

He blinked, rain still dripping from his hair.

Auralight Designs. He knew about that company. A high-end design and branding firm – elegant, modern, and intimidating. Would they hire someone like him?

Rhett looked at the paper again. The ink smudge at the corner formed an odd pattern, almost like a sunrise. For a brief second, hope flickered in his chest.

Maybe fate wasn’t cruel. With a faint, unsure smile, Rhett folded the paper carefully and tucked it into his jacket pocket.

“Alright then,” he murmured. “One last try.”

And with that, he walked towards the company.

*****

The building was nothing like he had imagined. Auralight Designs stood like a glass sculpture at the edge of the city forest. Its name etched in silver across a marble archway. Inside the air smelled of jasmine and ink. The walls were filled with framed designs – interior concepts, elegant logos, and digital art campaigns that screamed sophistication.

Rhett adjusted his shirt collar nervously. His reflection in the polished glass door showed a man who looked more like a lost delivery boy than a True Blood Alpha.

A young receptionist looked up from her desk. “Good afternoon, sir. You’re here for..?”

He swallowed. “Uh… the office assistant position. I saw the ad.”

Her smile was polite, but her eyes flickered in subtle surprise – probably at his posture and tone. No Alpha she’d met had ever sounded that unsure.

“Please wait over there,” she said, gesturing to the couch. He sat at the edge of the sleek gray couch, hands clasped tightly around a thin file - trying not to fidget. The lobby smelled of citrus and fresh ink. Across from him, the receptionist shifted uncomfortably behind her desk, sneaking glances at him as if waiting for a cue.

Moments later, the door of a private elevator opened and the whole place smelled like subtle citrus and rain, hitting him first before he realized who he was.

A man stepped out – tailored, confident, eyes sharp like as diamonds. His expensive shoes clicked on the marble floor, and his voice, calm but commanding, filled the air as he spoke to the receptionist.

“Ensure all shortlisted candidates have confirmed their appointment. We can’t afford delay before the board meeting. Also-”

He stopped.

His gaze swept briefly over the waiting area and landed on Rhett. The receptionist hesitated. “Sir, he came for the assistant position.”

The man’s gaze flicked towards him, scanning him from his worn shoes to his calm, unreadable face. “Name?”

“I’m Rhett sir.” His tone was steady, respectful – trying not to stutter.

Something flickered in the man’s expression.

Hand stretched, “Your resume” he said to Rhett, who gave it without hesitation.

He checked it and raised his eyebrow. “I must admit, you have an excellent result from studying Business so why did you apply for this job?”

Rhett felt his cheeks flush with embarrassment. The fear he had was slowly surfacing but he forced himself to meet the man’s face. “I applied for this position because I have been turned down from many companies. Not because of my qualification but because I’m not ‘Alpha enough’ or that I’m too soft. But I can’t change who I am. I’m proud to be an Alpha.”

The man didn’t interrupt – just stared at him, furrowing his eyebrows as he listened to Rhett’s words.

“But the truth is, I’m in need of a job. I can do basically everything an Omega does. Just give me a chance to prove myself and give my 100%. Please.” Rhett begged.

The man handed him his resume, his gaze thoughtful, “Mr. Rhett,” he said, his voice now warm and respectful, “You are hired.”

Rhett blinked, almost unsure he’d heard right. “Sir? Really?”

“Yes. We need someone like you here. You start tomorrow at eight sharp. Don’t be late.” The man said with a smile.

Rhett frowned, “why not tomorrow sir?”

“Tomorrow is Saturday, Mr. Rhett,” the receptionist who had been quiet, said chuckling and he turned red with embarrassment.

“Uh, may I know your name sir?” Rhett asked.

“I’m Rowan Vale.”“Thank you so much for this chance, Mr. Rowan” Rhett said, genuinely grateful.

Rowan just smiled, nodding.

As Rhett left the building, his steps felt lighter than they had been for the past few months. The receptionist exhaled softly with a smile tugging on her lips. “Stop the hiring process. We’ve found our candidate,” Rowan said as he watched Rhett leave the building.

Rowan Vale – cousin brother to the notorious Aurora Vale, was known for being the one of the Alphas Aurora respected. He handled the company finance and recruitment and his words stood firm when it involved hiring. That why Aurora trusted him for hiring.

He had a sharp eye for people he knew could handle the pressure and would crumble under it. Especially for finding those who were one in a hundred, and today he found Rhett.

The world had unfairly judged Rhett based on his gentle and soft nature, but Rowan saw what they couldn’t. Rhett’s nature was his strength; not his weakness.

Rowan leaned back on his chair, “One day, you will rise higher than the world will expect.”

Rhett didn’t know it yet, but his life had shifted from an endless cycle to the beginning of something better.

*****

The apartment door creaked open as Rhett stepped inside, the hinges groaning like they too, were tired of been there. He barely had time to shut door before his mum’s voice lashed out from the sitting room.

“Where the hell have you been all day?” Her sharp tone sliced through the air like broken glass. She was standing by the window, arms crossed, face hard.

Rhett set his worn bag by the door and said softly, “I went for an interview.”

“An interview?” she repeated with a bitter laugh. “At this hour? Do you take me for a fool? Maybe you were out wasting your time again, dreaming like the useless Alpha you are.”

He stiffened. His head down. “I got a job.”

That only made her scoff. “Doing what exactly? Polishing shoes? You know, if you were an omega, I would have sold you off and pay our pending debts.”

Her words hit harder than she probably realized. But Rhett only nodded, eyes fixed on the worn carpet. “It’s a start mum. I’ll make it work.”

“Work?” She scoffed, rolling her eyes. “You better do because I’m sick and tired of feeding a grown ass s**t like yourself.”

“Mum, stop it!” a small voice cried. His sister, Jayne, had been listening from the top of the stairs. Her brown eyes burned with tears. “Rhett’s trying! Why can’t you see that?”

“Go to your room!” Mira snapped.

“Now!”Jayne hesitated, glaring at her mum before running to her room, the sound of the door slamming echoed faintly. She couldn’t bear hearing her mum berate her brother.

“Go cook dinner and do the dishes,” his mum ordered, waving him off like he was an annoyance. “Make yourself useful for once.”

Rhett exhaled shakily. “Yes, Mum.”

As he scrubbed the dishes, his vision blurred with tears but he refused to let them. He won’t break. Not now.

Rhett was finishing up when he Jayne’s voice interrupted him. “Rhett, are you okay?” she asked, her voice trembling.

“Of course baby, I’m okay. Don’t worry about me,” he said, forcing a smile. Jayne didn’t look convinced but she nodded anyway. She handed him a small nylon – filled with a chocolate bar and cookies because she knew he didn’t have lunch.

“Thank you Jayne. You’re the best.” Rhett softly said, accepting her little offer and pecked her cheek.

She gave him a shy small before going back to her room.

Once she was gone, Rhett sat down at the kitchen table and unwrapped the chocolate. He took a small bite and he felt a brief comfort from the sweetness.

Not long after, he was done with the chocolate and headed to his room to take a long shower.

He was getting ready to sleep when his phone rang with a familiar number on it.

“Hello?” Lydia cheerful voice answered after the first ring.

“Lydia… I got a job today at Auralight Designs. I start on Monday,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

A surprised gasp was heard over the phone. “Really? That’s great!” her voice brimming with excitement.

“Not really. It’s for an office assistant. Basically… an errand boy.” Rhett’s voice laced with defeat.

“Huh?” Lydia’s voice softened, her excitement fading. “Rhett, you have a degree in Business Administration and you’ve worked so hard for it. Why would you take such a job?”

“I know but what choice do I have? Every interview I have gone to, had been a failure after failure. I’m tired. They judge me for my personality and nature – not my skills or qualification so what the use of my degree?” Rhett said, his voice cracking slightly.

For a moment, Lydia was silent before speaking, “Are you sure about this?”

“I am. And now, I just need to earn enough in order to survive even if it’s small,” Rhett replied firmly.

“Alright then. I’ll support you anytime but I’m only a call away if you need my help.” She said, her tone gentle.

“I know and I’m grateful,” he replied, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

“Goodnight Rhett,” she wished softly and ended the call.

After they hung up, Rhett laid on his bed, staring at the small c***k in the ceiling. He was genuinely grateful for Lydia’s unwavering support.

She was an omega born in an averagely rich family who had grown up in the same neighborhood as Rhett before her family relocated to London. They had gone to the same school and shared a bond through the years. Though they were not related by blood, Lydia loved Rhett like a brother and in such moments like these, her protective instinct kicked in.

He also thought of Jayne’s small voice defending him and clenched his fist.

Tomorrow was another day and he was ready to face what it got for him.

Half bread was better than none.