Favorites - Chapter #3 - Free To Read

Nari smiled. Kanetika was special. Despite the fact that Betas didn’t have a roar, a calling, or any other mutations, Beta Kanetika Tami stood out among them. With her perspectives, thoughts, and decisions she made each day. Because of this, she certainly had many problems. Friendship with an Omega, defending the rights of society’s outcasts, a clear stance on the exploitation of omegas. Nari loved Tika for her kindness, straightforwardness, and the sense of justice she never tried to hide. But it was precisely this that constantly made her worry about her.

– Why are you like this? Don’t look at me that way, – Tika seemed to read her thoughts, – actually, I should be the one to worry. Come on, I’ll see you off.

– No, no, – Nari shook her head, – you don’t need to be seen at the gates of the ghetto, I’ve already said.

– Stubborn as always, – Kanetika sighed, – then let’s part ways. Otherwise, you’ll be late again.

She hugged Nari goodbye and headed off. Nari watched her go and, turning, headed in the opposite direction. The streets were sparsely populated. This part of the city had never been crowded. Still, there was a concrete wall separating the ghetto from the beta district nearby. Here lived the poorest Betas, who held no high positions and could barely feed themselves and their families. Ordinary omegas had the right to roam this part of the city. There were half-empty shops, an old bakery, and a shabby, questionable reputation bar. Betas in this part of the city were relatively loyal to the Omegas.

Tika and Nari always met closer to the center. The situation there was entirely different. An Omega could be easily recognized in a crowd, just like an Alpha. If Alphas looked like idols, tall, beautiful, with commanding looks, then Omegas were… hmm… vibrant? The first thing that gave away an Omega was their eye color. Their eyes were of unnatural hues. Some, like Nari, were lucky enough to be born with an unnatural hair color as well. An Omega's appearance seemed designed to attract attention. Despite the fact that they were, like Alphas, mostly good-looking, their beauty was different. Delicate, fragile. Therefore, as a rule, Nari gathered many looks on her. And alongside her, Tika did too. Their walks always ended in the border district, where no one looked at them askance. At least not as openly as in the center.

It was getting dark, the sky quickly filled with clouds. An unpleasant drizzle began to fall. Nari threw on her hood and turned into an alley to shorten her way. Ahead, she saw two men, passing a brown bottle back and forth. Nari lowered her head and quickened her pace. As she walked past, she almost exhaled. But at that moment, one of the men called out to her.

– Hey, little one, why are you wandering around here alone?

– I’m going home, – Nari replied as confidently as possible, – my friend is supposed to pick me up.

– How about sticking around? – he asked mockingly, – we have some fun here.

– Thanks for the offer, but I’ll decline, I have to go, – Nari took a step.

But one of the men grabbed her by the shoulder and forcibly turned her to face him.

– What’s wrong with you?! It’s not nice to refuse like that! Oh, what do you…

The hood flew off. Pink hair spilled down the girl’s shoulders.

– Kel, we hit the jackpot! – shouted the guy, – she’s an omega!

– Look at that, she’s pretty too! – his companion perked up, – what are you doing here, pretty? Lost?

– None of your business, – Nari hissed and tried to shake off the man’s grip, but he only tightened his hold on her shoulder and pulled her closer.

– Have you forgotten where your place is?! – he roared.

– Far away from you, – the girl continued to resist, – let me go, or it’ll get worse!!!

– Well, look at that, stubborn! – the second man sneered, – pretty, are you from the Arena?

– Don’t talk nonsense, Kel! She’s too pretty for the Arena. I think she’s from the farm. They like them there, – the man seized Nari by her arms, immobilizing her.

Kel stepped forward and, in one swift motion, tore her jacket.

– No, she’s definitely not from the farm, – he said thoughtfully, – doesn’t look like she’s ever had a child. Just take a look at this belly…

He lifted her shirt.

– Her skin is so soft, I’ve never touched anything like it, – the man ran his fingers across the girl’s body, making her shudder.

– Don’t touch me, you beast, – she screamed.

– Den, shut her up. Or maybe, I’ll do it myself… – Kel forcefully shoved the girl’s face against the wall and pressed her down with his hand.

– I swear, you’ll regret this!

– You’re too loud! Shut your mouth and accept with gratitude what Uncle Beta will give you now! After all, you omegas are only good for that! Be grateful if you give birth to a handsome little thing like me!!! – Kel said mockingly.

Nari was terrified. She felt like she might cry any moment. And these scumbags would keep tormenting her. It hurt, her arms were being twisted painfully. Her face scratched against the wall. She could smell the stink of alcohol as the coarse, rough fingers fumbled clumsily to pull her pants down. This was the end…

– Hey, what are you staring at?! – suddenly Den’s voice broke through, – get in line, kid!

– Gentlemen, – this was a new, unfamiliar voice, – in your place, I wouldn’t do what you’ll later regret.

– And who are you, a priest?

– No, just a gentleman trying to protect you, at best, from death. After all, if you do to her what you planned and, judging by the unbuttoned pants, you’ve almost started already, then one death won’t be enough…

– What are you rambling on about?!

Nari jerked and tried to get a glimpse of the newcomer. Through the rain and the darkness of the alley, she could only see a silhouette. Tall, broad-shouldered, in dark clothes. The voice belonged to a young man, but his hair looked like it was gray.

– Kid, do you even understand what you’re saying? You’re suggesting we let go of a rare untouched omega who hasn’t reached any spoiled alpha yet?! – Kel distracted from the girl.

– Look at her neck, – the stranger pointed.

– Damn it, Kel, she’s a favorite!

– So what?! Double the fun for you! You get to try an Omega and ruin some Alpha’s mood!

– Gentlemen, gentlemen… – the stranger raised his hands, – you are short-sighted. Don’t you know who favorites are?

– Well, let’s say, we know. Privileged omegas who caught the eye of someone from the upper echelon of the corporation. So what now?! – Kel still held Nari against the wall, – they’ll find a new one. These alpha scumbags can get whatever they want. They’ll send her to the farm and that’s it.

– Still, you don’t understand, – the stranger shook his head, – favorites are not just omegas chosen by Alphas. These are omegas personally selected by the heads of families to participate in the Arena seasons, they have a mutating calling, they are more than special. They are flawless. What do you think will happen to anyone who damages the property of a family head?

– If no one finds out… – Kel said less confidently.

– Are you sure, for instance, that the head of the Adelsons won’t find out what’s happening in his city?

– Adelson wouldn’t let his favorites roam unsupervised, – Den gritted his teeth.

– And why do you think she’s unsupervised? – Nari couldn’t see his face, but she sensed a predatory tone in his voice.

– Kel, let her go, she’s not worth it, – Den finally spat out.

The grip weakened. Kel shoved Nari with all his might, and she lost her balance and fell to her knees.

– Well, really, what was I thinking, – he said mockingly, – just what I needed, to get dirty with an omega…

The men quickly made their way out of the alley, while the stranger walked towards Nari and extended his hand to her.

– How are you? Are you okay? – he asked quietly.

– Thank you, – Nari ignored his hand and pushed herself up against the wall, – but I didn’t ask for help. I had everything under control.

– Oh please, – the stranger smiled, – I just happened to arrive at the moment you were about to start resisting? Because it looked like you were about to cry.

Finally, Nari could see him clearly. He had manly features, a slightly sharp nose and chin. His eyes, resembling blue ice, looked at her appraisingly. His cocky smile was irritating. But he was handsome. Under other circumstances, Nari would have thought he was an Alpha. Yet she felt no roar from him at all.

– Tch… – the girl shrugged, – what else to expect from someone who thinks omegas are property of Alphas.

– Oh come on, I meant to help.

– I thanked you. I’m sure you’re proud of yourself, – Nari turned sharply, wrapping herself in her jacket, which had its clasp torn off, – and now, allow the corporation's property to disappear from your sight.

– I’ll see you off! Who knows who else you’ll run into.

– Just take a step!.. – Nari growled.

The stranger froze. The girl was trembling. It seemed she became even smaller under his gaze. Yet, she tried to hold herself proudly. Straightening up, she walked away. He silently watched as the girl disappeared into the semi-darkness of the alley.

– Impressive, – he finally exhaled, – until next time, Inaria 13-22.