Riley POV
I'm so confused. He doesn't want me, but he acts so possessive when somebody lays their hands on me. He was so angry when that boy touched my ass, he looked like he was going to rip them to shreds. As I reentered the kitchen, after that dramatic declaration and show of authority, Sandra and the others were agog at what had happened.
"I have never seen Alpha Jaxon so furious on behalf of the omegas before" one whispered, a hand to her mouth "he completely lost his temper."
They eyed me. I ducked my head while Sandra harrumphed. "I don't know what caused him to lose his temper, all I can say is it's about damn time. I'm sick of those unmated males thinking they can get away with groping the young female omegas and get away with it. Now that Alpha Jaxon has spoken up, it's less likely to happen again. He should be showing an example to the whole of the pack, not just caring about the higher positions in the hierarchy" she said with some satisfaction "now hurry up and start gathering the plates up so we can serve dessert" she admonished all of us as I started at her mutely, silently pleading not to go back in there. Not after what had just happened. She pretended not to notice my beseeching eyes and I silently sighed, regathered my composure, and walked back in, taking Alpha Jaxon's empty plate as he silently sat there, his eyes on me the entire time while I trembled, trying not to drop the plates.
We emptied the table and then began to put dessert in front of everyone. My stomach growled with hunger, causing Alpha Jaxon to look at me. "Sandra" he called out, causing everybody to turn their heads.
Sandra walked out of the kitchen and viewed Alpha Jaxon curiously "Yes Alpha?" she asked quietly.
"The omegas should eat when we eat from now on in the kitchen," he said with a pointed glance at me "it makes no sense for them to have to wait until we are done. Everybody will eat at the same time starting tomorrow."
If Sandra was surprised she didn't show it. She merely bowed her head. "As you wish Alpha. I will inform the cook" she said softly.
I hurried from the room. Sandra showed me where the food for omegas was placed. Instead of separate plates, it was more buffet style along the kitchen wall on a table for us to help ourselves from after everybody else had eaten. I gratefully helped myself to food and sat down at the small kitchen table, devouring my food. Today had been busy and I was starving. Sandra joined me. I could hear the distant sounds of voices in the dining room, as the Alpha and his pack members quietly spoke to each other.
"You know, it's strange that Alpha Jaxon is relaxing so many of his rules" Sandra mused, gingerly nibbling on her own food as she stared at me hard "especially today, when a certain new omega has entered my service."
She couldn't know. She didn't know. She had to be trying to make me slip but of course, I couldn't speak so she was out of luck. She was just conjecturing. I stared at her and then looked down at my food, eating it and trying to look carefree.
"You did good today" Sandra finally admitted, her voice low "A lot of omegas give attitude or slack off when they think I'm not looking. You worked hard and you didn't let up or lower your standards. It's impressive."
It sounded like a compliment. I nodded slowly, trying to convey my gratitude. She sighed. "The Alpha is having a party next month and it's going to take a lot of organizing. As the head of the omegas, it's going to fall to me to ensure that the party is of the highest standard and doesn't embarrass our Alpha. I think that I might be using you a lot in the future to help me with the tasks along with some other omegas. There are rumors he's going to choose a chosen mate at this party" she divulged.
I tried not to let my feelings show. She peered at me "Omegas are generally not allowed to attend the party unless they are there in a professional capacity such as serving drinks or waiting tables."
I stared down at the table, my heart beating miserably in my chest. I took a gulp of my water and let it trickle down my throat. For once the water did not satiate the thirst that seemed to be overwhelming me. All I could think about was water and how badly I ached to be near it. How much I longed for it. My body craved the feeling of being surrounded by the liquid, of feeling the water caress my skin, of feeling it over my head as I swam in the depths of it. Nothing seemed more important at that moment. It had been a long time since I had been able to go to a lake or even soak in a bath. It was like my body was on fire.
I searched frantically for something to write on and then seized a nearby paper and pen. Sandra looked taken aback as I began to frantically write.
"Lake?" she read. "We actually have one of those," she said surprised "It's a little deep in the forest though. North of here, about two miles in" she finished.
I was up on my feet within seconds. A lake. A gorgeous lake to swim and lose myself in. Right now I was almost irrational. The urge to run towards it was so prominent that I forgot all about Jaxon and his stupid party, the way he was treating me. My mind was on water and the best way to get to the lake. Sandra glanced at me, looking slightly concerned.
"Riley," she said as I stared intently outside "Riley, can you hear me?"
I could almost picture the water now. The soft sounds of it as it sloshed and the noise it would make as I splashed in it. I closed my eyes, imagining it, my mouth parting in ecstasy.
"Riley," Sandra said, a little shriller now.
My head turned instinctively and I began to walk, towards the back door of the pack house as Sandra stared incredulously. I couldn't really hear her. It was like her voice was coming from far away.
Water, water, water. The words continually echoed in my mind as I made my way outside. "Riley" shouted Sandra.
I failed to hear her. I could feel the softness of the grass as I walked, my body beginning to make my way towards the lake, almost by instinct. I had never been there before, but it was like my body knew where to go. I felt like I was moving incredibly fast, my hair billowing behind me. The lake was beckoning me. It called to me. I heard music in my head and it made the sweetest sounds that caused tears to come to my eyes.
The lake was up ahead now. I could see the water shimmering beneath the moonlight. I had never seen anything so beautiful. So mesmerizing. I kicked my shoes and socks off, still staring at it. My hands undid the buttons on my shirt, slowly pulling it down over my shoulders and dropping it to the floor. I undid the button, slid the zipper down off my pants, and stepped out of them, leaving myself clad in nothing but my panties and bra. The water was calm but so clear and so clean. I touched a toe to the water and felt the coldness as it chilled me.
I held my hands above my head, breathing in the freshness of the air, my heart beating fast and rapidly. My eyes were fixated on the center of the lake. Without hesitation I dived, my body propelling itself forward. The water surrounded me as I dove deep, into its midst, my eyes wide open as I took in the beauty beneath it, before I surged back to the surface, my lungs burning for air. Home. I was home. Tears pricked the corners of my eyes. I trod the water and then dove back down, my hair flowing behind me, like a curtain, spreading out on the lake behind me as I continued to sink deeper than I ever had before, my lungs burning, and yet, I was not afraid, nor inclined to surface. The water was familiar to me. The only thing that reminded me of a simpler and happier time. The water soothed me. It reminded me of who I was. I was not about to relinquish its hold on me now. I surged to the surface once more and lay on my back, floating, my eyes glancing up at the sky, a look of contentment on my face.