HAZEL
She made a sound that was almost a scoff. "You already have a taste of what happens when you step outside the norm here. It is much worse for us. I cannot let that happen to me."
"Good," I said.
She blinked. "Good?"
"Good," I said again. I stepped toward the bathroom.
But she went on. "You aren’t secured yet either, So keep your plotting to a minimum."
Two Omegas came in behind her with luggage stacked between them. I paused at the bathroom doorway.
"I’ll be in the shower," I said, ignoring her talk about plotting. "Find me something nice. Preferably Blue. Something that shines with innocence."
"A specific color to pull a specific reaction," Delta said flatly. "You only do that when you are plotting. I don’t think you should be—"
I walked back to her. I stopped close enough that she had to look up slightly to meet my eyes. I leaned in until my mouth was at her ear.
"I didn’t ask for your opinion," I said softly. "Get to work, maggot. Or I’ll find another Omega to be useful to me. If you are indeed so terrified of stepping on toes here, better hold me, the monster you know so well, fucking tight. I am the safest thing in this building for you. You know it."
I stepped back and smiled at her. Then I walked into the bathroom and pulled the door shut and stood under the water until the smell of the night washed down the drain completely.
I stepped out to brush my teeth. A new toothbrush sat on the vanity with a fresh tube of paste, laid out with the careful precision of a place that had done this before, welcomed reluctant women before, installed them and cleaned around them and waited. I brushed slowly and stared at my own face in the mirror and took stock of what I had.
When I walked back into the suite in my towel, Laslo was there. He turned away immediately with a fast and practiced pivot.
"My apologies," he said.
"Is it a problem?" I asked. "You will be with me frequently."
"But not when you are undressed. And not in the dining area. I’ll be outside." He said to the wall.
I watched him leave. Then I turned to Delta, who had laid a sky blue dress across the back of the chair. It was a light fabric. The kind that moved when you did. Simple as it was clean and exactly right.
"Perfect," I said.
"Your hair?" Delta offered.
"Low effort. Dry it and comb it. That’s all."
She worked quickly and we were done just as swiftly.
Once everything was set, I left the room.
Laslo was waiting exactly where he said he would be, with his hands clasped behind his back and his posture straight like he had been carved there.
His eyes moved over me the second I stepped into view. First on the dress. Then my face.
I noticed the slow lift of his brow.
"You’re early," he said. "Record early. Even for breakfast."
"I didn’t realize punctuality was competitive here," I replied.
"It is when it concerns the Alpha."
He let that sit for a moment, studying me like he was trying to decide if I understood what that meant.
"The Alpha will be pleased," he added.
"Will he?" I asked lightly. "That’s reassuring."
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