The Goddess's Omega

Jaxton – Escape Plans

    After I got back to the kitchen, I realized that I had to start preparing lunch. Because I was feeding a pack of 200 or so, and most of them ate lunch at the pack house, there wasn’t much time between breakfast ending and lunch beginning. But I did notice one marked improvement. No one harassed me, spat on me, or hit me in any way. It seemed as though being put in charge of the meals for the Mates’ Gathering had put an invisible cloak around me. Of course, it was probably just a command the Luna had given, but still, I would take a win where I could. The two huge warriors lurking outside the kitchen more than likely also played a part. The downside to that was of course, I was no longer invisible. I hadn’t realized how invisible I truly was. Yeah, sure, I got abuse daily, and more often than not, multiple times a day. But it was as though they forgot about me as soon as they were done. Being in the limelight was distinctly unpleasant.

    “Omega, are you doing well?” One of the guards asked and snapped me back to reality. I couldn’t tell if he was actually concerned or if he was faking.

    “Yes, umm, Mikhail. I’m fine. Can I help you and André with something?” By the startled looks on their faces, they didn’t expect me to remember or know their names. That was another trait of mine. I could remember everyone I’ve ever met, match names with faces.

    “No, nothing. The Luna ordered us to make sure that no one disturbs your preparations for the Gathering,” he replied. I nodded slightly. I had already figured as much. 

    “The Luna told me that I could go shopping later today. Will you be accompanying me?” I hid a smirk as they exchanged looks. I could almost hear their thoughts. They were embarrassed to be seen in public with someone like me. “I could go alone; that won’t be an issue,” I assured them hoping that they would leave me to my own device. I also knew that the odds of that happening were slim to none. His next words confirmed that.

    “The Luna gave us explicit commands that we were to be at your service at all times,” he said unhappily. I inwardly rolled my eyes as I finished the preparations for the lunch service. The lunch service went smoothly, and it was an added bonus that no one came to bother me. I almost didn’t know what to do with myself since I was relatively pain free for the first time in a very long time. I couldn’t remember the last time I went a meal without getting beaten. After I cleaned up from lunch, I started making a list of things that would be needed for the Gathering. I made sure to put things like granola bars, protein bars and shakes, and Gatorade; these were all things that I could easily steal a few of and no one would notice. 

    “I need to go check on my sister. I shouldn’t be gone but for a few minutes if you two want to wait for me down here,” I said as I pre-washed the last dish before loading it into the dishwasher. I turned and went up the stairs without waiting to see if they were following me. I knocked softly on her door, and she opened it quickly. I frowned as I noticed that she was using her cane to walk. She motioned for me to come in, and then once the door was shut behind me, she put her cane away.

    “I didn’t know it was you so I figured I would use my cane just in case. I don’t want either of us to get caught,” she said in a soft whisper. I nodded and patted her head, proud that she had thought of that without me prompting her. She led me back to her bed, and I could see a slight tinge of green tinting her cheeks. She knew what was about to happen and was definitely not happy. But there was nothing that could be done that would help us both avoid the unpleasantness that was coming. 

    I knelt down and grabbed my knife. She gulped audibly. “Don’t think about it too much if you can help it. Or think about us being free, away from here.” She nodded as I sliced my wrist open once again. We repeated the process of her drinking as much of my blood as she could before my wound healed itself. Once the wound was closed, her eyes drooped and closed. I laid her down and covered her. Poor thing, I knew my blood was sending her body into overdrive trying to heal her. She would only have to endure this a few more times.

    I left her room and was accosted by my new bodyguards. “Is everything alright, Omega?” Mikhail asked as we descended the stairs.

    “I’m fine, why do you ask?” I replied.

    “We smelt blood,” he answered worriedly. 

    “Oh, that…my sister lost her balance earlier, and gave herself a busted lip, and I wiped it away. It happens,” I said nonchalantly. He didn’t appear convinced until I showed him my arms and legs, knowing that the wound on my wrist was already faded. He nodded although I could tell that he was not fully convinced. 

    I collected my shopping list from the counter where I had left it, and then turned and walked out the front door. It felt so unusual to be outside with permission. I wasn’t normally allowed to leave the pack house, but again I decided that I would take a win where I could. I hadn’t gotten far from the door when I heard my name being called. I turned to see André calling for me.

    “Where are you going, Om…Jaxton?” He asked. I was confused. I would have thought it would be obvious. I was not allowed to drive nor take a car. I didn’t even have my driver’s license. If I wanted to get to the store and back, I would have to walk fast. Surely, he knew this. “Why were you walking away?”

    “To get to the store. I have to hurry if I’m going to be back before supper,” I said matter-of-factly.

    “Were you planning to walk?” I was getting more confused. I thought it was common knowledge that I was not allowed many things.

    “Yes, that was the plan,” I replied, sarcasm lacing my words.

    “We could…uhm…well, we could take a car,” he said softly. I just raised my eyebrow at him. 

    “I can’t drive,” I said flatly.

    “But Mikhail and I can. The Luna said we were to do everything in our power to make your job getting ready for the Mates’ Gathering much easier,” he said awkwardly just as one of the silver SUVs pulled up with Mikhail driving. Well, this just went from mildly awkward to catastrophically awkward. If I sat in the back, then it would seem like they were driving me. If I sat in the front seat, then they would be seen with me. “Are you coming, Jaxton?” André said, pulling me out of my thoughts. I saw him holding the back door open. Well, that answered that question. 

    We drove to the store in silence. For the first time I wished I had a phone. At least that would have given me something to do. We got to the store, and sure enough, my escorts were waiting just far enough away so that they couldn’t be closely associated with me, but near enough to keep people from trying to get in my way. I picked up everything that would be needed for the tournaments. Fortunately for me, some of those things would also make good traveling food, and my guards never noticed the extra protein bars and other stuff I bought for me and Lexia. We loaded the car and drove back to the pack house in the same way, me sitting in the back, and the guards up front, and all of us silent. I couldn’t be sure what they were thinking, but I was making my final escape plans.