Forget : A Dark Omegaverse (Unhingedverse)

Glancing down at my gloved hands, I know that my knuckles are split underneath them. I beat the shit out of Aiden first before I let the others have him. This isn’t the first time that he’s fucked out his problems.

The difference is that Aisling isn’t us. Caelin is kicking himself for suggesting that Aiden be her shadow, and I’m pissed off. She got a late start today, and she’s wearing more makeup than normal.

Foundation and coverup are dead ringers for the puffiness under eyes that she is hiding. She’s also wearing a high-necked sweater that made me smack Aiden over the head when her head was turned.

For fuck’s sakes, our alpha is supposed to have more control than this. Instead, I’m driving her around today. Aisling isn’t speaking to me and I can see how it would rankle Aiden. She also refused to use his first name. She’s being a brat, and that’s why Domh can’t be with her either.

He’ll probably end up spanking and then fucking her too. God save me from alphas.

The only exception might be Caelin, but he’s working across town for the boss today. The network system is having issues at one of his businesses.

“All done here,” Aisling says with a sigh as she climbs into the truck. She’s been running around Minneapolis since early this morning for appointments. I don’t know how she does it.

“You need to eat, so we’re going to breakfast,” I announce as her stomach rumbles.

Scowling at the noise, she nods. “I guess I can fit that in,” she says. “I have an appointment with the Naughty Tote at two, and then an appointment at the University of Lyons. They’re follow ups to previous discussions.”

“The Naughty Tote,” I say slowly. This is more than she’s said all morning, and I’m trying to follow her thoughts. “At their corporate office?”

Glancing at me when she sees I’m not going to fight her on this, she nods. “Yes, please. They’re donating products to Omega’s Haven for the heat center. It’s been working really well over the past few months, giving them a safe place to have a heat for omegas who are without a pack. It’s actually open to anyone who needs it.”

It sounds suspiciously like something she would have needed at one point and my heart does something odd. Keeping the scowl off my face, I nod neutrally. I wish so much that someone else would have created this, so that Aisling wouldn’t have had to suffer.

This center is a labor born of trauma, a way for her to attempt to heal the omega within that was forgotten. I fucking hate our society for their treatment of her and others.

“I’ve heard good things about the Naughty Tote,” I say instead of all the thoughts bouncing in my mind. My index finger twitches as I drive, all of my anxiety focused there. “What kind of food sounds good?”

“It’s still really cold,” she murmurs. “A French onion soup sounds great.”

“Soup it is,” I grunt, driving to a place near her next meeting that’s known for phenomenal soups and desserts.

Finding street parking, I put the truck into park, turning to find her staring at me funny. “What? Is there something on my face?”

I trimmed my beard last night, but it’s a bitch to bend my fingers right now.

“No, not at all,” she says with a small sigh. “You’ve just been really accommodating today.”

“Aisling, I drive your family around all day,” I remind her. “I don’t mind being on the road, in fact I really enjoy being busy. It calms my mind, keeps me out of trouble. Besides, I can connect the dots of what your day to day life looks like better when I’m behind the wheel driving you.”

Aisling turns her body toward me, wearing blue, wide-legged pants today and a high-necked cream sweater. I don’t usually see her in pants and wonder if this has anything to do with her mood. A long, navy coat covers it all and she’s wearing high-heeled boots. Bold, considering the weather.

“And what have you learned?” she asks.

“That you need three clones,” I say honestly. “You’re busy as fuck.”

Smirking, she nods. “Just a bit,” she murmurs, pushing open the door to the truck.

“Watch the ice, please,” I tell her, glancing out toward the street to make sure that I can step out. Seeing a break in traffic, I hop out and close the door, quickly coming around.

I know she’s not helpless, but I still want to make sure that she doesn’t break something getting out of my damn truck.

“Fuck,” I hear her say, and I find there’s a patch of black ice on the sidewalk that she can’t step over.

“Amen to that,” I say, leaning over to wrap my hands around her waist. While she’s tall, I easily lift her over the ice before setting her on her feet. “It’s fucking everywhere right now. I’ve been watching people slip and fall left and right.”

Shutting the truck door, I lock it with the key fob and turn toward her.Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

“You usually drive my grandparents, right?” she asks.

“Mmhmm, they’re fun to drive around,” I say, offering her my arm. “Something to hold onto while we walk.”

Accepting my arm by slipping her hand through, she nods.

“My grandmother makes me laugh,” she admits as we walk. “I wish I had that much confidence.”

“It’s easy not to give a shit when you’re in your seventies,” I remind her. “Miss Evelyn has lived a long time, is well protected, and can piss off whoever the fuck she wants. I will happily put a bullet in her enemies. That’s why I’m her favorite guard.”

Aisling’s lips twitch as I open the door to the restaurant. It’s almost noon, which explains why she’s so hungry. She guzzled down a cup of coffee, without food to chase it with, before leaving the house like a brat. Domh glared at her, while Aisling ignored him.

There’s a fuck ton of work to do with this little omega.

“Grab us a seat, please or we’ll be here forever,” I say. “I’m ordering a cookie with my soup, do you want one? They’ll make a good snack later if you can’t eat it now.”

“Chocolate chip, please?” she asks, looking around for an open table.

“You got it. Book it to the back of the restaurant, Aisling. I can see a table opening up,” I suggest to her.

Being over six-feet-tall has its advantages. Aisling walks quickly even though she can’t see what I do, simply trusting me with this small thing. At least it’s more than the other guys in our pack have going for them.

None of us communicate well, though we try for each other. Granted, Aiden does it better with his dick, but Aisling needs more.

Ordering and picking up the food, I make my way through the crowd. Shit, you’d think this was the only place open in Minneapolis by how busy it is. Sliding the food onto the table, I hand the tray to someone bussing tables who is reaching for it already.

“Enjoy,” he says, continuing his work.

Folding myself into the chair, I watch as Aisling takes a deep breath of appreciation as she looks down at the food. We both take our spoons and begin eating, blowing intermittently. Sometimes, you’re just too hungry to wait.

“This is so good,” she murmurs, her eyes almost half mast with happiness.

“I need to keep snacks in my truck,” I tell her. “I always keep a basket filled with them while I’m driving. Your grandparents are snackers when they’re on the go. Miss Evelyn is also difficult to talk to when she’s hungry.”

Aisling snickers as she takes another bite, swallowing before she replies. “So that’s where I get it from. My mom rarely, if ever, snapped at anyone.”

I rarely hear her talk about her mother, and I hold the small mention tightly to myself.

“I’ve been driving for them for years, and they don’t like change,” I say. “I’m typically with them whenever they leave the house.”

“It’s nice to have normalcy,” Aisling says with a nod. “My days are never the same.”

“I’m gathering that,” I murmur. “You’re finding your rhythm, though, as you set up the structure for Omega’s Haven, right?”

“We are. The host club at the University of Lyon is supposed to be starting soon at the heat center. We had some things to nail down first,” she says, smirking as if she said something funny.

“Like what?” I ask. I don’t like not knowing what people mean, though I doubt Aisling did it on purpose.

“The host club is a group of people who are paid by students who are lonely, or want to learn how to flirt, date, and so on,” Aisling explains, tearing off a piece of bread that came with her meal.

“Sometimes, they have sex for money during an omega’s heat, but there are other reasons too.”

“Isn’t that the definition of a sex worker?” I growl, still confused.

“I won’t be paying them,” she says, shrugging. “They are donating their services to the heat clinic for any omegas that would like to have alphas during their heat.”

Remembering her exact dilemma, I relax slightly. “That’s ingenious,” I admit. “How did you even know they existed?”

“Someone told me about it, and I decided to shoot my shot and propose the idea,” Aisling says. “They’re getting community service.”

A giggle bubbles up in her, and she slaps her hand over her mouth to stifle it. I have no such issues, and I drop my head back and roar with laughter. Getting service hours for having sex is a sweet gig.

“I’m sure the host club is more than happy to help,” I tell her, shaking my head. “Cheers to thinking outside of the box. That’s fucking phenomenal.”

Her cheeks flush with pleasure and embarrassment as she inclines her head, and I wonder when the last time was that someone praised her.

“What’s the deal with your food delivery service?” I ask. “Did that issue get resolved?”

“Dad is taking point and dealing with them,” she says. “He sent food over to fill our fridge and pantry at the shelter. He really went a little overboard, though.”

“Anything he can do for you, he’s going to do that,” I tell her. “He fucking adores you, Aisling. The man has been a bear to be around, and your grandparents find reasons to leave the house.”

“Oh,” she grunts. “Maybe I’ll go over soon. I’m almost ready.”

I believe her, I just wish that Cian hadn’t gotten caught in the crossfire of our deception.

“All done?” I ask her. She’s pulling apart the piece of bread she has in her hands, almost as if it’s something to do.

“Yes,” she says. “I’m good.”

Standing, I make sure to grab our cookies for later. The busboy comes by at the perfect time as we head out, and I drop a ten dollar bill on the table for him. Hand on Aisling’s back, I escort her out of the restaurant, ignoring how stiff she is.

None of us have touched her recently unless it’s to pull her to a stop, or in Aiden’s case, fuck her raw in an alley. Ugh, I’m still pissed at him.

I’m by no means an angel, and don’t pretend to be. The things I used to do to betas was depraved and fucked up. Our omega deserves better, though I’m not reformed enough to give up my gags, paddles, and buttplugs.

Once back in the truck, I take a deep breath as I get situated and pull onto the road again.

“Are you feeling okay?” I ask her, eyes straight ahead. “After what happened with Aiden…”

“I’m fine,” she squeaks, and my eyes dart to her. “Eyes on the road, Evan.”

“Mmhmm,” I mutter. “You keep shifting your weight. Why?”

“My ass is sore,” she answers. “The belt left welts today.”

A growl begins under my breath, and I force myself to rein it in.

“Want to talk about it?” I ask.

“Nope,” she says. “I played a game I didn’t understand and lost. Simple as that.”

“It is not that simple,” I argue. “It would have been different if you were in another place but you’re not. Aiden’s shit with words, and uses sex to fix things. We can usually fuck it out, beat the shit out of each other, and then talk it out. That doesn’t work for you.”

“Why?” she asks so softly that I almost don’t hear it.

“You’re smaller, so it’s harder for you to fight back,” I tell her. “Even if he told you what was going to happen, you’re angry at him and you’re fairly innocent. Angry hate sex is going to be different for you than it would be me. I get off on it, even when he edges me.”

“I fucking hate being edged,” she mutters. “I’m annoyed and frustrated.”

“There are toys in your nest,” I remind her. “Why didn’t you take care of yourself?”

“I… It…” she stammers and I simply wait her out as I drive. “I’ve never used a toy and successfully gotten myself off.”

“So, what you’re saying is that you need a little help,” I say, winking at her as she flushes hotter. “I’m joking, for now, but it’s normal to feel overwhelmed by us. We’re older, ornery as fuck, and set in our ways. Aiden has two black eyes and a sore knot from where Domh kneed him last night. He’ll use his words next time instead of his dick.”

“I kind of like his dick,” she says, again so softly that I almost don’t hear her. “I think that’s what I hate the most about myself.”

“Did you like when he fucked you in the alley?” I purr. I’m not an alpha, but I can emulate it just fine.

“My body liked it, but I kept overthinking it,” she explains, lips pursed in frustration. “It’s really confusing when I think about it. I have a lot of conflicting feelings.”

“That’s okay,” I say. “I often vacillate between wanting to punch them all and kissing them. I think it’s perfectly acceptable.”

Her sweet giggle helps me relax slightly. I’m very nervous about fucking up this conversation and it feels important. As if the health of our pack hinges on it.

“He has an obsession with hearing me say his first name,” she says. “I must be a masochist because I don’t want to give it to him.”

“Nah, baby. You’re a grade A brat,” I tell her. “You enjoy pushing him, it just went too far last night. The two of you need a reset button, I just don’t know how to give it to you.”

She’s quiet as she thinks about that, and I let her, content that she’s willing to at all. Aiden Hayes is a lot of things, but he’s worth the risk of figuring him out. It’s up to them to figure out how.