Zane POV~
Anyway," he continued, setting down his brush for a moment, "every Alpha in this mansion has a profession. I, for one, am both an actor and a model."
My eyes widened at that. "Wait… what?"
My job… My real job. My dear, sweet, doomed job. I really love to act, model, walk red carpets and shoot commercials. But not here. Not in this world. On Earth, I was already in deep trouble. A murder charge. That explained just how dangerous fame could be and I'm not interested in getting into trouble here again.
Rhys gave a soft chuckle as he continued. "Cassian was supposed to be one too. But at some point, he got bored and chose politics instead. But then his face still appear on cameras."
He picked up his brush again, swiping color onto the canvas as he continued. "Every Alpha has the right to bring their Omega to work either they're claimed yet or not. They bring them whether to show them off, or to have them do light duties, or just to keep them close. It's part of the tradition. And I have to say, Zane… you've got the look. The body. The presence. You belong in front of a camera."
I narrowed my eyes.
"And since none of my brothers have officially claimed you yet, that gives me a rare opportunity. I would have gladly bring you with me too even though any of my them already claimed you. I mean you're mine too." He smiled again, that same infuriatingly warm smile that made it hard to tell whether he was charming or dangerous. "I'd like you to be the face of my brand."
"What the...?" I muttered under my breath.
You're just wasting your time Rhys.
"Think about it," he said, clearly amused. "If you start working, you'll have less time to be around my brothers. Less chance of them trying anything. No pressure to be with any of them too soon. Working would keep you busy. Independent. You'd even earn money for yourself."
That caught my attention. Not many Alphas would offer an Omega money, most didn't even offer them choices in this world.
And besides I love making money but now I think I prefer my peace over some profits.
"Not every Omega gets this kind of opportunity," he said, this time more seriously. "Not every Alpha gives his Omega a seat at the table. Especially in this society, where Omegas are barely seen as more than breeding tools. But you… I want to break the rules for you. Make you the first Omega who ever worked at my company."
And just like that, the offer became tempting.
But I wasn't stupid.
No matter how nice it sounded, I could see through it. This was just another way to keep me close. Every Alpha I'd met so far was finding subtle and not so subtle ways to trap me into their orbit.
"I refuse!" I snapped, the words flying out of my mouth before I could stop them.
My voice rang out in the garden like a slap, and even Rhys paused, his brush freezing in mid-air.
"You refuse?" Rhys asked, raising an eyebrow in visible surprise. His brush still frozen in mid-air, hovering just above his painting board. But almost instantly, the shock melted away, replaced by that same warm smile he always wore like armor. "And why is that, Zane?"
I shifted in my seat, folding my arms across my chest as I forced my tone to soften. "I just prefer to stay home, Alpha Rhys." I let out a deliberately sorrowful sigh, casting my eyes downward as I continued, "I'm an Omega… which means trouble follows me wherever I go. Everyone knows how Omegas are treated, the constant fighting over us, the possessiveness, the cruelty."
I paused, letting the silence stretch long enough for the weight of my words to sink in.
"I can manage being around you and your brothers here at the estate, but if I step out into the world and encounter other Alphas…" I glanced up at him with wide, solemn eyes. "I might be in real danger."
I'm really not interested in working especially not as an actor or a model. At this point in my life, my only focus is learning how to live among the five Alpha brothers without being claimed by any of them. I want to enjoy a life of luxury and wealth without lifting a finger to earn it.
Rhys's expression softened further. He set his brush down with care and leaned backward, placing his full attention on me. His golden eyes were piercing and sincere, or at least they seemed that way.
"But I'll be there with you," he said gently. "I won't let anything happen to you. I'll protect you."
The intensity in his gaze made me swallow hard.
Okay, that was hot. But then again, Alpha protection was just another kind of control dressed up in nice words and pretty smiles.
Hot?! My own thoughts betrayed me.
That's crazy, I snapped inwardly, trying to shake the strange flutter in my stomach.
Rhys continued, the warmth in his voice never faltering. "And I would never force you to sleep with me unlike my brothers, who are all desperate to be the first to breed you. They want to inherit Father's legacy by producing an heir he acknowledges. That's their obsession."
Oh yeah I know that. There was more to this competition over me than just lust and pride. It was about power. Legacy. Control. And perhaps… something else entirely.
"An heir?" I echoed, my voice quieter now, uncertainty bleeding into my tone. I met his gaze, eyes searching. "But… why me? Why did the five of you choose me? You could've each picked different Omegas."
Rhys chuckled softly, reclining slightly in his chair. "You're right. But you still don't know much about the five of us, do you? In time, you'll understand."
What's left to find out? I thought bitterly. Other than the fact that they're all horny, power-hungry Alphas obsessed with drilling the ass of a weak Omega.
Rhys leaned forward slightly, his voice lowering. "Besides, Zane… you're not just any Omega. You have the highest breeding rate in the entire pack."