Nari returned a few hours later, when it had already gotten dark outside. She had full bags of groceries in her hands. Again silently, she approached the stove and started to prepare dinner. Noah watched her from the side, not daring to speak first. He remained silent while she cooked, set the plates on the table, and served the food. The girl was also silent. She pushed a plate toward him and withdrew to another corner of the room. For a while, she gazed at her communicator again, slowly shifting her gaze between the screen and the boy.
– Listen, Alpha, – she finally broke the silence, – are you really… Adelson’s son?
The young man nearly choked.
– And you figured that out? – he asked cautiously.
– It was suggested to me, – Nari confessed, – so is it true? Are you really his son?
– My name is Noah Adelson, – the boy finally introduced himself, – yes, I am indeed his eldest son.
– You don’t look alike at all.
– I take after my mother.
– So, you’re really being hunted across Katoria?
Noah nodded.
– If so, your face should be in all the news.
– It is.
– But those betas didn’t recognize you.
– Betas? Are you talking about those who nearly raped you?
– Thanks for the reminder. But yes, I’m talking about them.
– It’s thanks to the roar.
– Strange roar.
Silence fell. Noah didn’t touch his plate. This conversation put him on edge; he felt the tension in every muscle. He, an Alpha, was nervous around a weak Omega. It felt unnatural. He was ready at any moment to seize her. It would only take one movement to break her neck. Let her just flinch…
– You could get a nice reward if you reported to the commission, – he began quietly, – perhaps you wouldn’t even have to enter the Arena anymore. Or, you’d be free from the farm.
– Tsk… Alphas… – the girl suddenly hissed, – you somehow think everyone needs something from you! Everyone wants something from you, the great ones.
– Is that not the case? – Noah still spoke cautiously.
– You think I pulled you from under those ruins for that? Risking myself and my friends, healing and hiding you! Just to sell you to the corporation commission?!
– Yes, – the boy said less aggressively, – it’s illogical. I don’t understand your actions.
– I just wanted to repay a debt! – the girl snapped, irritated, – good for good! Haven’t you heard that?! In your Alpha world, humanity is forgotten?! But imagine! You can help someone not for money or services, but just for nothing!
– I understand, just calm down!
– Why should I?! Can you imagine what will happen if they find you here?! Even in this state, you could escape! And me, in the best case, they’ll send to the farm! In the worst case, it will also affect my friends! Maybe even the whole house; they won’t care!
– Why did you decide I would run away?!
– Oh-ho-ho… good question! Why? Maybe because you just accused me of intending to turn you over to the commission?! Or because I’m just an unfamiliar Omega to you, to whom you owe nothing?! But the main reason is different. I decided this because you’re an Alpha!!!
– I didn’t choose to be born an Alpha!!! – Noah suddenly burst out, – I’m not guilty for being this way!!! If I… if I could choose, I wouldn’t choose this rotten clan! But no one asked me! Do you understand?! Alpha, alpha, alpha… damn! What difference does it make anyway?! I’m human!!!
He fired this so painfully that Nari fell silent. Now she didn’t know what to say. It didn’t seem like he was lying. It seemed to genuinely hurt him. A mix of resentment, sorrow, and pain crossed his face. What he said struck him deeply, as if she had touched an open wound. And now, Nari felt a bit ashamed. Although she didn’t think she had said anything untrue.
– You don’t know anything about me… – he said, – while I was a beta to you, did you have a different opinion about me?..
– Who would be crazy enough to pretend to be a beta while being a dominant Alpha? – Nari mumbled, looking away.
– I didn’t plan to pretend to be a beta, – Noah said, – you didn’t react to me at all. And you decided for yourself that I was a beta. I simply didn’t deny it.
– Men… – the girl muttered, sliding the plate toward him, – it’s getting completely cold. Eat.
Noah didn’t refuse. This dialogue had exhausted itself. He didn’t know what else to say to her. So they simply began to eat. Nari moved closer to him, offering a pack of soft biscuits. Noah assumed she was trying to apologize this way. On the one hand, it was even somewhat sweet. He broke off a piece of the roasted potato on his plate and tossed it into his mouth. It must be admitted, the food she cooked was delicious…