PRESENT
Gasp!!!
Daniel was awakened by a thunderous slap that descended upon his cheeks, jerking him out of whatever world he had been in.
"Ouch, that hurt!"
He rubbed his cheek countless times, massaging the spot where the sturdy hand had landed, trying to make sense of reality.
Not again.
He looked up, and this time what he saw made him tremble and crawl backward on his butt.
The woman he had encountered earlier in the room stood before him—and she wasn't smiling.
Surrounding her were men with heavy muscles and hardened faces.
Oh crap, what did I do again?
Okay, let's start over. I'll explain myself, and maybe—just maybe—I might get out of whatever hell this is.
"My name is Daniel Lanca—" Daniel tried introducing himself, but the enormous woman scowled so loudly it sounded like the growl of a rabid dog.
"We don't care about your name or where you come from. You're a worker here. I'm supposed to be making money, not losing it, and that's exactly what's happening with my potential clients!" the woman spat furiously.
Money? How the hell am I supposed to make money here?
"Madam, maybe you've got the wrong person. How is a person like me supposed to make you money? That's impossible," Daniel replied, still clueless about where all this was heading.
"Just let me go. I want to head home," Daniel pleaded, still trying to salvage the situation.
But the truth clawed at him—he no longer had a home. They didn't need to know that.
When he thought he was making progress, the woman let out a sadistic laughter that boomed like a gunshot through the building.
"Oh, he didn't know…" The woman smiled wickedly at her cohorts.
The terrifying men all nodded at once, casting lust-filled gazes at him—gazes that reeked of hunger, ones Daniel had noticed in every set of men he met. He wouldn't blame them—his body was irresistible.
Oh goodness, this isn't the time to be proud.
"Your family sold you to us, dear. You're now our worker, and your duty is to service a man." The woman's voice thundered.
Omegas were rare—difficult to find—and to see one up close was an expensive luxury. Their scarcity in the market was profound. Now, a particular one had been shipped in, and not only that—he was of the highest grade.
The type that could give birth. And with actual scans, it had been proven true. Daniel wasn't only stunning and ethereal, he was a valuable commodity desired across the world.
Daniel's face, pale and drained as if his blood had been sucked dry, pondered silently.
His family hated him, yes—but to actually sell him, and worse, expose him as an omega? That wasn't them.
They were already rich. So why did they need the money? Why all this?
"Stop trying to confuse me. You're a liar, woman. My parents wouldn't stoop that low!" Daniel responded in disbelief, still disoriented.
The woman, seated on a chair, watched him intensely, like a product that was supposed to bring her wealth but had ended up disappointing her.
"Madam Helen, should we give the newbie some teaching on how to cooperate?" a giant-looking man among the cohort proposed.
At the sight of the brute who wanted to hurt him, Daniel trembled slightly.
Was this really a good decision?
But he wasn't a whore, and God forbid he used his body for others' amusement. The very thought was despicable.
Shifting her chair closer, Madam Helen leaned so close their eyes met.
Daniel, still seated on the cold concrete floor, looked up at her unflinchingly.
He stood by his words. Selling him to the slums or wherever they liked didn't change who he was. No matter how hurt he might be, nothing would bring him down or strip him of his dignity.
"If you didn't hear, I am Madam Helen, leader and overseer of this brothel. And this isn't my only establishment—I own a deadly mafia zone. Dealing with insects like you is just a hobby. So, dear, go now and service the next customer…or face my wrath." Helen thundered.
Her breath hit his face, and the only thing he could perceive was fish—rotten fish.
Yuck. Doesn't she brush? he thought, disgusted. Here I was thinking I had problems, but Madam Rotten-Mouth leaves her breath like a pit of poop.
"That's nice to hear. And about my parents—let them eat my ass." Daniel declared as he stood, ignoring the malicious glare Helen gave him.
"By any chance, if you collected any cash from them, I suggest you return it. Because I would rather die than ride that dry bone!" Daniel blurted, eyes darting toward the door with burning determination.
He was going to run. His family might have abandoned him, but he wouldn't let his life be ruined. He would have his revenge—one by one, they would pay.
Daniel shuddered silently, tears threatening to fall. The words they had always said to him echoed in his mind—how they never wanted people to see him, how he never went outside. Despite their wealth, he never enjoyed real luxury. He loved dressing up, that was true, but he never had the opportunity.
Life had thrown pepper into his eyes, and being an omega had been nothing but a nightmare.
"Rot in hell, devils!"
And like a flash, he dashed for the door, yanking the handle and throwing it open at once.
Foolish people. They left the door open and expected me to be docile. Over my dead body.
Madam Helen shrieked like a deranged beast, her voice echoing through the walls.
"I want him brought back at all cost! Then carry him to the cell for fifty strokes of good flogging and lashing. After that, we shall see if he dares question my orders again!" Helen commanded.
Immediately, the group of men ran after him.
A blaring alarm erupted throughout the brothel, followed by a thunderous announcement over the speakers.
"Find that son of a bitch with blond hair, emerald eyes, and a slender body! If not, you all will be punished if he escapes! Now go!!!" Helen's voice thundered through every microphone.
******
Through the crowd in the brothel, Daniel struggled to make his way out. He ran through corner after corner, but every road was a dead end.
No, this can't be it. If they catch me, the punishment won't be little.
He had disrespected the madam, and if she truly was a mafia lady, then he was screwed—definitely screwed.
Running for his life, he passed by figures who immediately recognized him and began chasing after him. The way the crowd swelled behind him proved it—the announcement of his disappearance had spread like wildfire.
Now the main issue was locating the exit—the main gate that would lead him out of this sinful abode.
Spotting a window that revealed the exterior surroundings, Daniel gasped within himself.
This is it. I'm going to make it—
But he spoke too soon.
A gigantic man stood in the doorway, his pheromones oozing out in thick waves—the aura of a dominative alpha.
One Daniel despised.
"Come here, little ant. You have nowhere else to go," the man commanded, his voice laced with alpha authority.
But to his shock, Daniel didn't budge. Instead of crawling to him, Daniel twisted his face in disgust.
His pheromones were revolting.
Daniel just gaped at him, as if the man were spouting nonsense. The alpha's face flushed—he felt humiliated. An omega resisting his control?
" Aren't you an omega? Come here—let's find out!"
The man lunged.
But Daniel was ready. He swiftly dodged, and instead of grabbing him, the brute's sheer size sent him crashing into a pile of tables stacked with exotic drinks and wine. Everything crumbled at once.
Seizing the chance, Daniel bolted again, running until he was out of breath.
His worst nightmare was coming true. A sex slave? Over my dead body.
Finally, he reached the exit door and pulled desperately at the handle.
"No! No, please open!" Daniel begged, voice cracking.
But the door wouldn't budge.
Sighing in terror, he began hyperventilating as the sound of several footsteps drew nearer. He was about to be bundled up again.
When he thought all hope was lost, he noticed a flicker of light in the distance—it came from a room.
Having no other option, he ran straight to it.
Turning the knob, his eyes fell on a paper posted boldly across the door:
DON'T YOU DARE DISTURB.
Shrugging the warning off, Daniel yanked the door open and slipped inside—only to be met by the sight of a stark naked alpha male.