Chapter 3

Third Person's POV 

Nadja's eyes are open, but it's so dark that they might as well be closed. The fact that he's a vampire is useless in his state. The Elder is so weak that none of his abilities work—not his strength, speed, or sight. 

Even though the blood had stopped flowing from his wounds, the elder was still too weak to move. He licked his dry, parched lips and wished for water. 

“N-Nadja?” A timid, soft voice calls out from the darkness. 

The elder's heart clenches at the sound of the young, soft, and scared voice. 

“Yes, Roman,” The ancient Elder replies. His voice is quiet and weak.

“C-Can you t-tell me about o-outside, please? T-tell me again w-what s-sunshine f-feels like? A-and what r-rain s-smells like?” Roman asked 

“Of course I can, Roman,” Nadja answered softly. Then he took a moment to gather as much strength as he could to answer a question that should never have been asked—a question the young one should have known but didn't since he was born in this hellhole.

Nadja took his time explaining every detail to the young boy lying in the darkness inside one of the cells not too far away.

He explained how the sun felt on his skin and the many scents he could smell. From the flowers to the animals and the scent of the Earth when he scooped it into his hands. Nadja tried giving as much detail as possible and could hear the hybrid's heart slowing its rapid beats from fear of starvation and the loneliness of the complete darkness surrounding them. 

He told Roman of the trees that towered so high and how the leaves blew in the wind. He described rivers and lakes and the sound of birds singing their songs. 

He told the lonely hybrid about the wonderful people he had met through the years and what living in a pack was like. He explained in great depth the beautiful details of the coven, including every extravagant picture hanging from the walls and vases standing atop pedestals. 

He told Roman of his son and the love he found with a wolf. 

“D-do y-you think someone c-could ever l- love m-me?” Roman asked, and a lump formed in the elder's throat. 

“Yes, Roman. I think there's someone out there for you. And they will love you more than anything. You will be the sun in their sky. The reason for their heart to beat. You'll be cared for the way you were always meant to be. The way every Omega is supposed to be cared for.” 

“I-I don't d-deserve love.” 

“Yes, you do, Roman! I love you! Not romantically, but I do. I love you like I love my son or that silly white-haired Omega.

One day, we'll get out of here, and I will take you with me.” Nadja hated the sound of the little Omega crying in the darkness. He wished no walls were separating them. He wished he could comfort the little Omega, but he couldn't. He could only listen as he cried in the darkness.

                                                   ~

“Yes! I've told you a million times, I'm fine!” Evelyn said, wishing Ezra and Grayson would stop asking. With her fingers tucked into her pockets, the Omega kicked a stick in her path as she let out a breath. 

“I'm sorry, we just worry about you.”

“Well, I'm fine! I'll be better if you have news on a new location,” Evelyn glanced at Ezra. 

“No. They kept me away from their office and refused to discuss any information their scouts have brought in.” 

Evelyn frowned, and her head dropped as she looked at the ground.

“But,” Ezra said when he saw Evelyn's reaction. The Omega's head popped back up. 

“I've been working on the spell they have keeping me out of their office. I almost made it through a week ago, but…” Ezra paused, scratching the back of his neck, and Grayson snorted, remembering when he had to help Ezra. 

“But what? Spit it out already!” Evelyn was beginning to lose her patience. This wasn't a time to laugh and drag your feet. 

“Well, I kind of got halfway through it, and then… I got stuck.” Ezra looked away, and Evelyn looked at Grayson when he began laughing. 

“You should have seen it! This idiot was literally inside the wall! The shit was glowing all around him, and half of his body was sticking into the conference room on the other side of Nadja's office!” Grayson braced himself against a tree when he began to laugh harder, picturing the shocked look on Ezra's face. 

Evelyn's mouth opened as she looked between the brothers. Her mouth closed, unsure of what to say. The Omega sighs and shakes her head. 

“Well, try not to get stuck next time,” Evelyn said, and Grayson grunted as he was shoved by his brother, who wasn't amused by his laughter.

As they step out of the tree line, Coal, Tate, Lidia, Wyatt, and Luke come into view. 

Music can be heard from the speakers on the patio, and laughter becomes louder as Wyatt and Coal wrestle on the ground. 

Evelyn smiles when her eyes land on Lydia, and she runs off. The girls collide for a hug, and Luke shifts in his seat uncomfortably when the two kings glance at him. Luke isn't sure why they make him so uncomfortable, but they do. 

Luke is relieved when Rose walks out the back door with Joey. The Omega jumps to his feet and races toward his friend. Joey's hands become animated as he begins rapidly signing to Luke. Luke is careful of Joey's bad leg when he hugs him. 

As soon as they pulled away from their hug, Joey began signing excitedly. 

The Omega couldn't believe he had aced his test today. Joey studied so hard all week, and it finally paid off. He didn't care that he was so far behind. The only thing that mattered was that test he aced. 

Joey limped as he followed Luke to the opposite side of the patio, which was quiet and away from everyone. The Omega opened his large pad of paper and flipped several pages before proudly presenting his newest drawing.

Luke gasped. His hands slowly reached out and took the drawing. His eyes raked over the very detailed drawing of his wolf. It looked like a professional artist had drawn it. It almost looked like a real picture. 

“Joey, this is, this is amazing! It's Beautiful! You're so talented,” The Omega praised the other Omega, and Joey blushed. 

Joey took the pad full of his drawings and carefully pulled out the drawing of Luke's wolf. His hand moved as he signed “for you” and handed it to Luke.

“Thank you! I will frame it and hang it up in my room!” Luke spoke as he signed the words and then pulled Joey into a hug. 

Joey looked up at the sound of deep voices approaching, and his stomach dropped when they landed on the two intimidating men approaching. Joey grabbed Luke and tried hiding behind him, causing Grayson and Ezra to look his way. 

“It's okay. They're not coming over here. They are going inside.”

The Omega peaked over Luke's body and was relieved when he saw the scariest one reaching for the door. The Omega's body tensed again at the sound of another voice calling out while running toward them. The Omega ducked behind Luke again, and Tate came to a stop.

The large and intimidating Alpha bear cocked an eyebrow at the strange Omega, who never spoke. He doesn't see him often, but when he does, the thing is limping and cowering. He's never seen the Omega open his mouth, and he's even gone as far as to cover it.

He knows the rumors of the freak Omega, and his eyes rake over Joey, trying to figure him out. The Omega peeks over Luke's shoulder and then quickly ducks down again, causing Tate to roll his eyes and let out a breath before continuing toward the back door. 

“Those guys are scary,” Joey signs when the door shuts, and it was once again quiet. 

Luke lets out a loud sigh, “ Yes, they are!” The Omega agreed. 

                                                   ~

The voices in the kitchen were loud as the young adults raided the fridge. The Omegas, who had just finished cleaning the kitchen after breakfast, frowned as they ducted out, knowing all their hard work would be undone.

The first Omega to exit stopped to look back, frowning when he saw the mess they were already making. The Omega was startled when fingers gently gripped the underside of his chin and turned his face to meet the person in front of him. The Omega's heart raced until his eyes landed on bright blue eyes with a soft smile. Fingers ran through his hair, and he smiled back at the Omega. 

“Don't worry about the kitchen. I'll make sure those boys clean up their mess.” Noah said before kissing the top of the Omega's head as he walked past with a little bounce in his step. 

The Omega stepped into the kitchen, and the chatter faded as everyone looked at him. Noah leaned against the counter, his ankles crossed one over the other as he folded his arms. 

“Oh, Don't stop on my account! Carry on,” Noah's lips tug up when even the two kings look nervous. 

Noah rolls his eyes and lets out a breath as he pushes away from the counter. 

“I have an important lunch date with my Alphas. I trust you two will still be here in, say, an hour and a half, maybe two if they get a little too carried away.” Noah said, and every male in the kitchen looked ready to vomit.

“I want to talk to you two before you leave. There are no ifs, ands, or buts about it. If you leave without talking to me first, I'm hunting you down!” Noah said as he pointed at Ezra and Grayson. Both groaned, and Noah laughed as he turned and walked towards the stairs. 

“Your dad is repulsive at times,” Ezra said, a look of disgust on his face.

“Oh, come on now. You and I have both experienced a lot worse than that. How many times have we walked in on our parents? No, wait, how many times have we caught Sid trying to take a bite out of our father's ass? That shit right there is funny!” Grayson laughed, and Ezra looked like he wanted to vomit. 

“Your sense of humor is repulsive! You need a new one!” 

“No, you need to stop acting like Silas! You hang out with him too much. Sometimes, I wonder if he's not your father. 

“Hey!” Ezra frowned, his shoulders slumped. 

“I'm joking!” Grayson wrapped his arm around Ezra's and tried to hug him. The hug was successful for about two seconds, and then Ezra shoved him before straightening his clothes. 

Grayson threw his head back, laughing at his brother's reaction to affection. The only affection Ezra takes willingly is their dad's. The Vampire King is a sucker for Julian's hugs and cuddles. 

Ezra walked away from the chaos. He stood in a quiet area and closed his eyes, taking a deep breath and focusing on his sweet blood. The vampire took a satisfied breath in, and his body disappeared from where he stood.

Ezra's heart skipped a beat when he saw the towel drop, and his beautiful, creamy body stood on full display in front of him. 

Dylan's body bent forward over the bed as he grabbed his clothes. His round ass tempted the vampire, and Ezra strained in his pants. Faster than could be seen, the future vampire King was naked, his body pressed against Dylan's backside as his arms snaked around the Omega, pulling his body up and against him. 

The Omega screamed, startled. One moment, he was alone, and the next, a naked man was pressing against his backside and holding him. The sound of Ezra humming and his intoxicating scent quickly told the Omega, who had him wrapped up in their arms. 

Ezra doesn't know why he's so drawn to this Omega, and the Omega doesn't know why this specific vampire doesn't terrify him like he should. Especially after everything he's been through. 

But even after the years he spent abused and used as a blood bag, the Omega has never feared Ezra.