Chapter 20

I had grown too comfortable in my routine, too confident in my ability to evade detection. The close call at the estate was a reminder of the dangers that lurked around every corner. It was a simple mistake, a momentary lapse in judgment, but it was nearly my undoing.

I had been in the kitchen, refilling my thermos with coffee, when one of the other staff members entered. Maria, known for her sharp eyes and disregard for boundaries, always made me uneasy in her presence. She was not one to be easily fooled, and her presence was an unwelcome distraction.

As I turned to leave, my thermos slipped from my grasp, the lid popping off and the contents spilling across the floor. The scent of the coffee, laced with the beta pheromones, filled the room. Maria’s eyes narrowed as she watched the dark liquid spread across the tiles, her nose wrinkling subtly at the overpowering aroma.

“Jin, are you feeling alright?” she asked, her tone laced with suspicion. “You seem a bit… off today.”

My heart raced as I scrambled to clean up the mess, my mind racing for a plausible explanation. “I’m fine, Maria,” I replied, forcing a casual smile onto my face. “Just a bit tired. Haven’t been sleeping well lately.”

Maria watched me closely, her gaze lingering on the empty perfume bottle I had inadvertently left on the counter. “You know, you’ve been using a lot of that cologne lately,” she said, her voice carrying a hint of accusation. “It’s not like you to be so… preoccupied with your appearance.”

I felt a cold sweat break out across my forehead as I mopped up the last of the coffee. I had to deflect her suspicions, to maintain the facade that had become my prison. “It’s a new brand,” I said, my voice steady despite the fear that gnawed at my insides. “A gift from a friend. I guess I’ve been a bit heavy-handed with it.”

Maria seemed to accept my explanation, but her eyes continued to bore into me, a silent challenge to the lies I had woven. “Well, just make sure you’re taking care of yourself,” she said, her tone softening. “We wouldn’t want anything to happen to you.”

As I tiptoed out of the kitchen, my heart thumped loudly in my chest, a deafening sound that served as a reminder of the close call I had just experienced. The incident with Maria had been a wake-up call, a reminder that I was playing a dangerous game with no room for error.

I redoubled my efforts to safeguard my secret, scrutinizing every aspect of my persona for potential weaknesses. I altered my route to and from work, varying my schedule to avoid any semblance of a pattern. I took greater care in applying the de-scent lotion and beta pheromone perfume, ensuring that not a trace of my alpha scent remained.

But even as I fortified my defenses, my thoughts inevitably turned to Darcy. The need to protect her was a relentless force, driving me to ever greater lengths to ensure her safety. I found myself watching her more closely, my hidden cameras capturing every moment of her life within the confines of the estate.

It was a bitter irony that my obsession with her safety had become my greatest vulnerability. The more time I spent monitoring her, the greater the risk of being discovered. I knew that I was teetering on the edge of a precipice, that the slightest misstep could send me plummeting into the abyss.

Yet, despite the danger, I could not bring myself to step back. Darcy was my anchor, the one constant in a world that was rapidly spiraling out of control. I would do whatever it took to keep her safe, even if it meant sacrificing everything I had worked so hard to build.

I was cleaning the guest room adjacent to Mr. McCarthy’s office, the scent of lemon polish mingling with the lingering aroma of his expensive cigars. The walls were thin, and his voice carried easily through the ornate wood paneling. At first, I paid him no mind, focusing instead on the task at hand. But something in his tone made me pause, the rag in my hand stilling on the polished surface of the mahogany desk.

Mr. McCarthy was speaking to someone on the phone, his words cloaked in a satisfaction that turned my stomach. “Yes, the charity ball will be the perfect occasion,” he said, his voice dripping with avarice. “I’ve arranged for everything to be… conducive to our agreement. My daughter’s heat will be induced, making her… more amenable to the arrangement.”

My heart, already pounding in my chest, threatened to burst free. Induce Darcy’s heat? The very thought of it was monstrous. To induce an omega’s heat is not only traumatic but makes the heat significantly more painful for the omega. My grip tightened on the rag, the lemon scent now a sickening reminder of the bile rising in my throat.

“The financial and political benefits are substantial,” Mr. McCarthy continued, a hint of glee creeping into his voice. “This alliance will be permanent, and Darcy… well, she will serve her purpose.”

A red haze clouded my vision as a surge of protective fury coursed through me. How could a father speak so callously of his own child? My thoughts raced, a vortex of anger and fear. I knew I had to act, but the weight of my own precarious situation held me back. If I were to reveal myself now, not only would I fail to protect Darcy, but I would also put my own life in jeopardy.

That evening, after the last of the staff had retreated to their quarters, I made my way to the Omega Underground. The familiar faces and hushed voices provided a semblance of comfort, but the news they shared sent a jolt of adrenaline through my veins. They were planning to extract Darcy at the upcoming charity ball—the very same event Mr. McCarthy had spoken of with such vile excitement.

A part of me wanted to revel in the serendipity of it all. The Omega Underground was ready to act, and I had the knowledge and the means to aid them. But another, more primal part of me rebelled against the idea of entrusting Darcy’s safety to anyone else. She was my responsibility, my scent match, and I would be damned if I let anyone else risk their life for her.

I made my decision then and there. I would help Darcy myself, and I would do it in secret. The Omega Underground could play their part, but I would be the one to ensure her escape. I would use my position within the McCarthy estate, my knowledge of the layout, and my access to Mr. McCarthy’s plans to my advantage.

As I left the meeting, a sense of resolve settled over me. I would need to plan carefully, to anticipate every possible obstacle. I would need to be vigilant, to act without drawing suspicion to myself or to the Underground. But most importantly, I would need to be there for Darcy when she needed me the most.

I would not fail her. I could not fail her.