by Leann Ryans
Her father nodded as her mom began to rub her back.
“Why don’t you go home. The baking is done for the day. I’ll take care of everything so you can go relax. Get some fresh air. Explore the town. Maybe you’ll find some young ladies your age to spend a little time with.”
Shailyn gave her mom a weak smile and nodded, heading through the kitchen and out the back door to their house. Going into her room, she decided to take a bath to calm down. Stripping out of her clothes, she settled into the tub, trying to block out the things Luke had said to her, but they kept replaying in her head.
In the city, suppressants had become common enough that everyone accepted them. The Alphas didn’t like it, but most of them understood why they were necessary. An omega going into heat in a public place, or somewhere that she was unprotected, could cause major issues. Alphas could, and had, killed over an omega in heat. The pheromones from the omega’s slick would send them into a frenzy.
When Shailyn couldn’t get her mind to stop spinning, she gave up on the bath and climbed out. Drying off, she decided to lay in bed, snuggling in and burying herself in her blankets. Her scent surrounded her, and the nest of blankets and pillows gave her a sense of security that finally allowed her to relax.
4.
Shailyn wasn’t asleep long, but she felt much better when she awoke. Climbing out of the nest of blankets, she decided to do as her mother suggested and explore the town. She slipped into her favorite dress and left the house, heading toward the market.
They didn’t have open-air markets in the city, and it had fascinated her since they arrived in town. The brightly colored stalls were close to the bakery, and Shailyn had snuck a peek at them any time she got a chance. Usually, she didn’t see it until later in the evening after the bakery had closed, and it surprised her to see how many people were out shopping. Half of the town seemed to be packed into the square lined with stalls.
Shailyn was browsing through the different wares a while later when she heard a whimper from an alcove between two of them. Curious, she moved closer and picked up a low, male voice before she could see what was going on. Her deep breath let her realize exactly what was going on when she caught the scent of an Alpha and omega fear lacing the air. Though the male wasn’t physically restraining the girl, or touching her at all, he had her caged in against the wall with his arms.
“I d-don’t know when I’ll g-go back into h-heat,” the girl whispered.
With a growl, the Alpha leaned closer to her as she whimpered again. Shailyn couldn’t leave the girl, but also didn’t have the strength to stop the Alpha herself, and her interaction with the guards earlier didn’t leave her with any confidence in them, even if she could find one.
Thinking fast, Shailyn came out into the opening between the stalls, raising her voice to be sure the Alpha knew others would hear her.
“Hey, there you are! I’ve been looking for you. Sorry I was late.”
She tried to push a cheery note into her voice, but she was worried that it came out strained.
The Alpha moved back, dropping the arm that separated her and the girl. Shailyn continued as she gave her a bright smile and held out her hand.
“Sorry to steal you away, but we have to hurry. My parents will wonder where we are. I don’t want my dad to come looking for us. You know how Alphas can get.”
The man glared at Shailyn as the girl slipped out from between him and the wall. Shailyn took her hand and gave the Alpha her fake grin as she pulled the girl away.
“Sorry about that, but we have somewhere to be.”
Wrapping her arm around the younger girl, she hustled her away from the alcove where the Alpha stood with his fists balled by his sides. Whispering, “Just play along,” Shailyn steered them toward the bakery.
The girl didn’t relax until they turned the corner out of sight of the Alpha. When Shailyn looked over her shoulder, she noticed Luke watching them with his arms crossed, a dark smirk on his face. Scowling at him, she turned a corner and stopped.
“Thank you for that,” the girl said, breathing finally returning to normal as the scent of fear faded.
Shailyn released her, giving her a soft smile.
“No problem. Omegas have to stick together, right? I’m Shailyn,” she said, holding out her hand.
The girl took it, returning her smile. “Mindy. You don’t smell like an omega,” she said, tipping her head to the side.
“That’s because I take heat suppressants. It changes my scent. Makes it less potent so I don’t attract Alphas as much.”
“You don’t go into heat either, right?” Mindy asked, looking excited. “I’ve heard about suppressants before, but no one has any information about them here. Or they won’t talk to me about them anyway.”
“Yeah, it seems not to be very well known out here, but it’s used a lot in the city where I came from,” Shailyn said. “I’ve been using it since I was eighteen so I wouldn’t have to worry about going into heat and being claimed.”
Eyes focusing on the ground, the girl blushed.
“I’ve gone through one heat, but my mother took me out to our cabin in the mountains so there weren’t any Alphas around to claim me. Casir was angry when he found out. He wants to know when my next one is so he can keep me here.” Mindy looked up with a frown on her face.
“I take it you don’t want that to happen?”
Looking away again, Mindy shook her head.
“Casir… He’s much older than me. And he’s scary. I was hoping someone else would claim me, but if he gets to me first…” Mindy trailed off with a shrug. “That’s just the way it is I guess.”
She turned back to Shailyn and her eyes lit up.
“Unless… Do you think you could get me some of the suppressants?”
“Absolutely,” Shailyn nodded. “I can order double when I get mine.”
Mindy frowned again.
“They’re probably expensive though, aren’t they?”
Shailyn deflated a little because the medication was expensive, and she doubted the girl had a job with the way this town was. With a thoughtful hum, she remembered something her mother had mentioned.
“It is a little, but we need some help at the bakery. If you’re interested, I’m sure we can work something out.”
Mindy’s excitement returned and she threw her arms around Shailyn.
“That would be perfect! My mom won’t mind if I’m working there since you’re an omega too.”
Laughing, Shailyn said, “My mom is as well, and she’s there almost as much as I am. We can go talk to her now and get it figured out.”
Mindy bounced in delight, and the girls continued toward the bakery. Shailyn’s father was outside dealing with an overgrown hedge by the door and gave Shailyn a curious glance when he saw her with the other girl. Scenting Mindy as they passed, he gave them a small smile before they disappeared inside.
They found her mother behind the counter cleaning the decorations from their old bakery and sitting them out.
“Hey, Mom, I want you to meet Mindy. Mindy, this is my mother, Karen,” Shailyn said as she pulled the younger girl forward. “I told her you were talking about needing a little help, and she’s interested in working with us.”
Her mother reached out and took the hand that Mindy offered, giving her a smile.
“We have been getting busy in the mornings, and since Shai is busy baking then, she can’t help me out here. Her father tries, but he seems to intimidate the women that come in and I’m sure people would think it was nice to see a familiar face here. We don’t need any help in the afternoons, though, since I’m sure you can see it’s slow,” she said to Mindy.
“That’s fine. I have chores at home too, so having afternoons free would work out perfect. I’ve never had a job before, but I’m used to helping my mother and I’ll do whatever you say,” Mindy responded.
She was so eager she was almost bouncing in place, and Shailyn had to swallow a chuckle.
“We start ear
ly,” Karen warned her, but it didn’t seem to dampen Mindy’s spirit any.
“That’s fine. I can be here any time!”
Shailyn’s mother gave in with a laugh.
“Ok then, be here at five tomorrow morning and I’ll show you where everything is.”
Shailyn laughed at the stunned look that crossed Mindy’s face, but the girl didn’t complain.
5.
Dragging Mindy into her room, Shailyn opened a small blue box on her dresser.
“These are the pills. Try to take them at the same time every day because it leaves your system fast if you miss a dose. I take mine as soon as I wake up every day. They are bitter, but I drink a whole glass of water with it and it’s fine. It will take a couple of days once you start for them to kick in, but after that, you won’t have anything to worry about as long as you don’t miss a dose. I used to buy another bottle when I was down to five pills, but since I have to get it shipped now, I planned to order more when I have about ten pills left, just to be safe.”
Shailyn counted out the pills she had and divided the pile in half, giving twelve to Mindy.
“Here you go. Might as well get started on them, and I’ll place the order for more in the next day or two.”
Mindy shook her head, trying to push the pills in her hand back at Shailyn.
“I couldn’t, these are yours,” she said.
Giving her a smile and closing her hand over the pills, Shailyn told her, “Don’t worry about it. The sooner you start them, the better. Especially if you are going to be working at the bakery, because we get Alphas in all day.”
“I can’t pay for them now,” Mindy said looking up at her with watery eyes.
Shailyn pulled her in and wrapped her arms around the younger girl’s shoulders.
“Don’t worry about it. These are my gift to a friend in need.”
Fighting to hold back tears, Mindy gave her a smile when Shailyn released her.
“Thank you so much! You don’t know how much this means to me.”
“Oh, I do, trust me! If you have any other friends that want some, tell them to come let me know before noon two days from now. I’ll order some for everyone. It should only take a couple of days for them to get here, and it’s easier to order them all together.”
Thanking her, Mindy told her goodbye and left to head back home with the pills wrapped up in her pocket.
Since she was up before dawn every day, Shailyn was used to eating and going to bed early, so even though it was only mid-afternoon, she went into the kitchen and started making dinner. Usually her mother cooked, but she figured since she was already home, she could do it and give her mother a break. She had done the same for Shailyn by letting her leave the bakery early.
Pulling out meat, potatoes, and the other things she needed to throw together a shepherd’s pie, Shailyn got to work. It was a meal they had frequently since it was cheap and easy to make, and they all enjoyed it.
She was reading on the back porch when she heard her parents come into the house about an hour later. Rising from the swing her father had installed, she headed inside to pull dinner out of the oven.
“Thank you for cooking, dear,” her mother said as she came into the kitchen behind Shailyn.
She noticed the worried crease between her mother’s eyebrows as she turned to give her a smile.
“What’s wrong?”
With a sigh, her mom came closer to her.
“Mindy seems like a sweet girl, and I’m glad you found another omega to be friends with, but I feel like you’re up to something.”
Huffing, Shailyn turned back to scooping the food into bowls.
“She’s in a bad situation. She wants suppressants, but she can’t afford them without the job at the bakery. You said you wanted help, and she can do it. In return, she gets the suppressants she wants and a little extra money.”
Shailyn felt her mother put a hand on her shoulder.
“Did you think perhaps her family wouldn’t want her to have them? Not every Alpha is as understanding as your father. Especially in a place like this.”
Turning, she looked into her mother’s blue eyes.
“An Alpha was harassing her in the market. An older Alpha that her mother already hid her from once. She didn’t mention a father, but if her mother was willing to hide her during her heat to keep her from being claimed, then I’m sure she will see the wisdom in Mindy taking the suppressants.”
Pressing her lips into a thin line, her mother said, “I hope so,” before turning and going to set the table.
Shailyn’s father came into the room after cleaning up and they all sat down to eat. Discussing things that still needed work around the house and bakery, Shailyn made it through dinner and excused herself to her room.
If she was honest with herself, she hadn’t even considered that the medication may be something Mindy’s family may not want her to have. She hoped that her new friend didn’t get into any trouble. She figured she would know for sure if Mindy showed up in the morning or not.
There was a dislike for suppressants in the town, at least from the Alphas, and though she didn’t want to create waves, Shailyn felt that the omegas should have access to the pills and information about them if they wanted it. It wasn’t right for others to decide that they couldn’t at least have the choice.
Resolved to help any omega that came to her for them no matter the consequences, she rolled to her side and was finally able to fall asleep.
6.
Shailyn had already been hard at work for two hours the next morning when Mindy came in. Smiling in relief, she greeted the younger girl when her mother brought Mindy into the back to show her where they kept everything.
Elbow deep in dough, Shailyn couldn’t do more than nod and say, “Good morning.”
It was a while before she got a moment alone with Mindy to see how things had gone over with her family.
“So, I take it your mom is okay with you working here?” Shailyn asked.
Mindy’s face lit up with a smile.
“Yes, she thought it was a great idea. She already met Karen when she came shopping here after you opened, and she thinks this is better than me sitting home alone most of the day since she doesn’t need much help at her booth in the market.”
“Did you tell her why?”
Mindy nodded, “Oh, yes! She’s happy about that too. She doesn’t want me stuck with Casir either but wasn’t sure what to do. He’s the blacksmith here, and it’s not like she could stop him if he came for me when I’m in heat.”
Frowning, Shailyn paused. “What do you mean?”
Mindy shrugged and looked away.
“My mom is a beta. She’s never said who my father is, but from things she’s said and done over the years, I think an Alpha assaulted her. Hiding me during my first heat is the only thing she has ever done to oppose an Alpha. She becomes very meek and withdrawn around them. If Casir, or any Alpha, scents me when I go into heat, it’s not like she could stop them from taking me. So, using these pills stop the problem altogether.”
She looked back up at Shailyn who was gaping at her in shock.
“You’re telling me that if some Alpha came into your home and tried to claim you while you were in heat, nobody would do anything? That’s considered normal around here?”
Shailyn’s fists clenched, and she was shaking with rage.
“Well, that’s just the way things are. You know an Alpha can’t control himself around an omega in heat.”
The wide-eyed look Mindy gave her didn’t help Shailyn’s temper any. Mindy honestly believed there were no other options for her.
“That’s a load of crap! It may be hard, but they can control themselves if they want to. In the city, they can still hold an Alpha accountable for breaking into a home to go after an omega. Claiming an omega while she is in heat, without stating intent beforehand, is punishable. This backward-ass town and its outdated rules allow Alphas to do whatever the hell they want. Why w
ould they bother to control themselves when there’s no punishment if they don’t?”
Shailyn’s heavy breathing filled the sudden silence after her tirade. Mindy was still looking at her in shock and she knew she needed to calm down before she did something stupid.
“Tell my mom I went to the house to grab a drink,” she told Mindy before spinning around and stomping out of the back door.
She hoped she hadn’t been loud enough for others to hear in the front of the bakery, but she couldn’t believe that Mindy thought it was okay for an Alpha to blame his actions on an omega’s heat, and then not be held responsible.
It was obvious that an omega had never held a position of power in this community, and no one else had bothered to protect them.
As she entered the house, she braced herself on the wall to stop from marching all the way to the poor excuse for a town-leader and demanding that he bring this place up to the current century. Just from her brief time talking with him, Shailyn knew it would be pointless. Even in the city, it had taken two decades to get the laws passed and upheld. Without the population and crime issues, it would have taken even longer.
Pulling in deep breaths through her nose, Shailyn got herself a drink of water from the kitchen before returning to the bakery. The back was empty when she entered and she had a brief feeling of relief, followed by guilt. She hadn’t meant to let her temper get the better of her and scare Mindy. She decided she would find her and apologize in a little while, once things had time to settle.
Working on her prep for the afternoon baking, Shailyn lost herself in her routine and almost missed the chance to talk to Mindy. When she saw her come in the back to grab her things from the little shelf where they kept their personal items, Shailyn called out to her.
“Hey, Mindy, I’m sorry about my reaction earlier. I didn’t mean to scare you or bad-talk your home.”
Mindy gave her a smile.
“You didn’t scare me. I didn’t know things were so different in the city. People here tell nothing but horror stories of how bad the city is, I didn’t realize that some things were better. I know our town is behind in certain areas, but hopefully, we will catch up one day.”