March 22nd, 2020 at 06:11pm
The ballroom was like something out of a movie. Like a fairytale. Men were dressed in their best suits, their hair perfectly set into place, talking amongst each other as they eagerly awaited.
Ames found it odd. In this new world, omegas were treated like dirt on the bottom of an alphas shoe. They were the bottom of the barrel. Most were homeless or lived in despicable living conditions, and yet... Here alphas were lined up to buy one. It must've been too much hard work to go pick their own off the nearest street corner. It was a dangerous time to be alive for an omega. There were no laws set in place to keep them safe, they had absolutely no rights.
This whole event was a charade. Omegas that had been found sleeping on street benches and others that had been sold by their own families, were dressed up in ritzy gowns. Some omegas were here by choice, as a way to provide for their poor families, but most were being sold against their will. They had been told to put their best foot forward, that the last thing they wanted to do was disappoint. The puppet master's behind this operation were making a fortune off of selling people, and it was clear they spared no expense making it a whole thing for the alphas in attendance.
Ames scanned the crowd of men, feeling the fabric of her dress scratching at her legs, her mask hiding most of her face. She was huddled in a corner with some other omegas, waiting to be dangled in front of the hunters that preyed on them. It was terrifying to wonder about the kind of alpha that might put a bid out. Would they be a kind, somewhat gentle alpha, or a complete monster? Her eyes fell over the crowd of men, until they stopped in a familiar face.
Jack? She had never seen him so nicely dressed. The few times she had ran into the alpha on the streets, he had always been in his uniform. A bullet proof vest covering his solid muscles, usually sunglasses hiding his blue eyes. Seeing him here, dressed in a pinstripe suit, a tie hanging around his neck. It was surreal. ...He was wanting to buy an omega? The soldier had never once seemed like that type of an omega. After all, he had never turned her in even when he knew she was a homeless omega sleeping in abandoned buildings and alleyways.
Bristan rolled his eyes as he casually glanced around the room. His tie was a bit too tight, but did he look good? Of course. He thought it was stupid that an operation like this tried fronting with some big party, like it was a celebration. They were offering garbage as far as he was concerned. The hardened man had been to one too many of these auctions, had purchased one too many of their omegas.
They never seemed to last long.
Pulling himself away from the conversation he had been sucked into, he brought his glass of scotch to his lips. The bitter smooth taste burnt the back of his throat, but it didn't register on his face. His eyes lingered over each omega that was brought out to the floor, watching as the skittish women and men tried to look important in their pretty dresses and suits. Polished trash.
None of them were catching his eye and for a moment, he wondered if he would be going home empty handed. His shoulders slouched and he turned to hand his glass to a nearby attendant. Fully intending to leave early. Until, a certain omega caught his attention from the corner of his eye. Her skin was flawless, her hair a light brown that fell over her shoulders. Catching her scent, Bristan felt as if a shock had been sent through his body. Straightening his posture, he kept a firm grip on his glass and turned away from the attendant. Instead of leaving the auction, he found himself staying, following the scent of the mysterious omega.
The omegas were being led around on leashes by different stewards, being dangled around like fresh meat to a pack of lions. "And who would this omega be?" Bristan smirked once he had caught up to the girl, his hand running up her leash, gently tugging it away from the man who led her around.
"Lark Mathews," the steward introduced the omega, before allowing Bristan a better look by moving out of the way. "Caught working, suppressants were found in her system."
Bristan felt his brow pull together upon hearing the information. "Suppressants?" He looked down at Lark, barely able to see her beauty through the mask she wore. "You thought you could pass as a beta, or something, sweet?"