forgotten.

August took his time in his shower. When Sophia came tiptoeing back into his room, the water running could still be heard and steam was rolling out of the crack he had left in the door. August made sure to clean himself well, not being the type of alpha who liked to be scented himself. The man had never had a permanent omega and he didn't plan to start smelling like one now. Scrubbing his body down vigorously, he washed the conditioner from his hair and finally shut the shower off.

He stepped out of the bathroom a few moments later, a thick, comfortable gray robe tied loosely around his body. His eyes immediately fell to Sophia, happy to see her in her rightful place, kneeling on the floor. "I see you managed," he spoke as he ran a hand through his damp hair, pushing it back away from his forehead. Stepping in front of Sophia, he glanced down at her as he grabbed his beer bottle from the table. "Did you get help, my sweet?" He fell into his chair, he knees slightly spread apart as he made himself comfortable.

Without her answer, he could tell the omega had found help. The meal placed before him was a regular one he enjoyed, made often by Nina, one of his servants. He tsked, clicking his tongue against his teeth as he picked the fork up and stabbed it into a piece of chicken. "Can you cook, omega?" He inquired, barely looking at her as he ate. He knew Sophia had to be starving, but he had no intention of feeding her yet. August knew how the men he had acquired her from treated their stock. He'd guess she probably hadn't been thrown scraps in the past couple of days.

@ castle.

Sophia had been hopeful that she had managed to do enough that it would please August but when he asked if she had gotten help, she had a sinking feeling that it had been the wrong option. She had never had much experience in the kitchen so she knew whatever she would have managed to put together for August certainly wouldn't have been up to his standards. "Y-Yes.. sir," she breathed, her body tensing even as August sat beside her.

She started wringing her fingers together, chewing on her bottom lip. Her nerves were beginning to get the best of her, making her second guess everything that she had done. Sophia had thought she'd done well but now she wasn't so sure. She gave a tiny shake of her head, tugging her bottom lip between her teeth. "N-Not.. not w-well, sir," she breathed, already hating herself for the answer that she had to give August. She was an omega, she should have been able to provide for him but she didn't know much at all about pleasing an alpha.

"S-Simple.. simple things, yes. But not.. not like your meal, sir," Sophia added after a moment. Her shoulders sagged as she curled in on herself. "I-I.. I'm sorry," she whined, wishing like hell she could have been the one to cook August's meal. Then she would be a more competent omega instead of barely being good enough to warm his bed.

August refrained from taking another bite of his meal as he looked down at the pathetic omega by his feet. "I think I paid a bit too much for you..." He sighed, his brow pulling together, causing a few wrinkles to appear across his forehead. "No experience, can't cook..." August glanced back towards his plate before popping a piece of broccoli into his mouth. Relaxing back into the seat, he looked deep in thought before he let out an annoyed sigh.

He would have to teach her everything, and he was beginning to wonder if it was even worth it. Pushing himself up from the chair, he abruptly grabbed Sophia by her hair and drug her up on her feet. "What do you think?" He asked as he shoved her back against the wall, his hand dropping from her hair only to be placed around her throat. Pushing her up the wall so she was eye level with him, her feet dangling inches off the ground. "Do you think I overpaid?"

"Thirty-five thousand dollars for an omega who can barely take a knot and then can't even throw a meal together for her alpha?" August cocked his head to the side as he waited for her answer. Truly, it wasn't that big of deal. He had a home chef for a reason, he enjoyed Nina's meals, but he hadn't told Sophia to order his servants around. They didn't take demands from her.

@ castle.

Sophia’s scent began to shift, no longer as strong and enticing as the fresh flowers that she normally smelled like. She start to panic, a sense of dread washing over her when August seemed annoyed that she didn’t know how to cook. She had hardly been a claimed omega for less than an hour and she was already managing to mess up. Tears burned the corners of her eyes but she didn’t start to cry just yet.

Letting out a sharp gasp when August pulled her up, Sophia’s eyes widened as he pinned her to the wall. She had been relatively calm until August lifted her from the ground and she began to dangle. She whimpered, kicking her feet pathetically. Setting her hands on August’s wrist, her face scrunched was she tried to focus on his words.

“I-I... I’m sorry,” she choked out. Sophia wasn’t trying to push him away, only trying to keep herself grounded. “A-alpha... alpha, p-please. I-I’ll learn. Please. I-I want to.. m-make you happy. Please!”

August's gaze narrowed as he listened to her frantically try to calm him. Her scent turned, and he couldn't help how his nose scrunched up when he caught wind of it. He didn't like it, not one bit. "Apologies don't hold much merit with me, omega." His grip tightened on her throat, only further muddying her fresh scent.

"It seems to me like all you're good for, is crying and needing attention." August pulled her away from the wall, only to slam her back into it again. Leaning forward, his nose ran along the line of her jaw, gritting his teeth at her scent. "Is it even worth teaching you? Do you think you could ever make me happy?" His lips tickled her ear as he whispered, his teeth gently nipping along her jaw.

It wasn't the first time he had a scared omega crying and begging with him, promising they could do better, begging for another chance to prove themselves. It was always a fruitless venture. "An omega has never been able to make me happy," he growled, his own scent beginning to turn, smelling burnt as he began to grow angrier by the second. Squeezing her throat even tighter, he ripped her away from the wall and threw her down on the floor, watching her slide until her back connected with the corner of the bed.

The sound she made as she whined out in pain was like music to his ears. "I asked you a question, omega. Do you think you can make happy?" He barked it again, almost daring her not to answer in a timely manner.

@ castle.

It wasn't until August's fist tightened around her throat that Sophia tried to peel his fingers off of her. It was a fruitless attempt and she had known it would be but she was utterly terrified at this point. Him going on about how apologies didn't matter, it made her blood run cold. Her eyes widened, squirming against the wall as August snapped at her. Her grip on his fingers went slack when August nipped at her jaw. She whined, tilting her head to the side as much as August's grip allowed her to. She hoped it was clear that she was trying to please August as much as she was capable of.

Yelping as August slammed her back against the wall, Sophia arched away from the wall, into his chest. Sophia had been so focused on the pain she was in that she hadn't been able to answer his question.

Before she knew what was happening, Sophia's back connected with the corner of the bed frame as she slid across the floor. She let out a pained yelp, arching forward as tears streamed down her cheeks. Sophia openly sobbed as she slumped against the floor. She gasped, struggling to even breathe through the pain. She whined as August spoke to her, her body shaking as she tried to remind herself to breathe.

Sophia pushed herself up, shaking as she moved to her knees in the same spot she'd landed. Her head hung as she shook, her arms wrapping around herself as she tried to find the proper answer to give August. "I-I.. I will," her voice came out a bit more solid than even she had been expecting. Sophia sniffled, biting back a sob. "I want to make you happy. Alpha, please."

August sneered, looking down at Sophia in disgust. He didn't believe her. He couldn't believe any omega on the planet had the ability to please him, to make him happy. "You can try." What could Sophia do that all the ones before her could not? August was already willing to bet she would fail. An inexperienced omega who had already managed to fuck up serving him was going to make him happy? It was laughable.

Rolling his eyes as he made his way back to his meal, August sunk back into his chair and sighed. She had cost him such a pretty penny and her scent had been promising, but it looked like he had made a mistake. He should've known better, picking an alpha who had been left there for so long. It was an obvious warning he had ignored.

"Don't beg me," he growled, "I can't give you permission for such things. It's up to you to make me happy, omega." August picked up a grape off of the table, before tossing it into his mouth. He almost wondered if he should've kept his last bitch around a little longer, wondering if the headache would be worth it. "Do you know what happens to omegas who can't please me?"

August turned to face Sophia fully, squaring his shoulders as he glared her down with his piercing blue eyes. The bulking alpha decided to leave it to Sophia's imagination as the evil smirk rose to his face. "You're the fifth, little omega." August's voice dipped as he watched her, trembling on her knees. "You're the fifth pathetic bitch I've brought into my home. What can you do that they didn't?"

@ castle.

Sophia hated how much of a failure that she felt like. It was clear that August was disappointed in her and her abilities and she wanted nothing more than to change that. Her situation wasn’t ideal by any standard but Sophia was an omega. August had claimed her. Every instinct Sophia knee was telling her to make August happy. That was what she hated because she understood how awful the situation was and yet she couldn’t ignore her instincts.

Sniffling, Sophia reaches up to wipe her tears away. Her eyes were swollen and pink, she was tired and she wanted nothing more than to rest. “Y-you’re my alpha,” she pointed out, whining at the thought of not being able to please August. He may be cruel but he was still the only alpha that Sophia had ever known so intimately.

“I’m... it’s my job... I should make you happy,” Sophia tried to supply, as if she thought her words would hve any sort of an affect on him. She hesitated before starting to crawl toward August. She had no clue what she was doing but she knew that when she had presented for August it had pleased him. She could try something similar to show she was willing to do what it took to prove to August that she wasn’t lying. She wanted to make him happy.

Sophia knelt in front of August, chewing nervously on her bottom lip. He was the alpha, she shouldn’t just assume. She knew that but she couldn’t beg him either. She needed to show a willingness to make August happy. Sophia took a deep breath before she pushed the robe off of August’s lap. She didn’t dare look up, afraid August would be upset with her for having touched him without permission.

Leaning forward, Sophia wrapped her lips around the tip of his cock. Her face scrunched at the unfamiliar taste. She squeezed her eyes shut as she lowered her mouth on his cock, hoping she had picked right.

August was ready to throw Sophia from his room. To demand the pathetic thing to rid herself from his sight. As far as he was concerned, he was done with her for the day. All she had been doing was begging and crying, and it hadn't been anything he hadn't heard a thousand times before. Every omega before her said the exact same thing, and every omega after her would too.

None of them ever delivered.

Letting his head fall back, August sighed, bringing his hands to rub down his face. "Get out-" his words were pulled from his lips by a quiet gasp, feeling Sophia's slender fingers pushing his robe out of the way. Lifting his head, he looked down with one brow arched, to see what she was up to. He barely had the opportunity to, before his head fell back again in pure ecstasy. Sophia's soft lips wrapped around the head of his cock felt like heaven, a touch he hadn't enjoyed in quite some time.

His calves tensed and he couldn't help but buck his hips slightly, pushing another inch or two into her mouth. But for the most part, August was willing to let her keep control, to see if she could please him without any help. So far, it had been a pleasant surprise. "Omega," he groaned in a low, sultry voice, his hands moving up to tangle in her dark hair. Her tongue swirled around his shaft, her mouth wet and warm, a perfect place to sheathe his hardening cock again.

@ castle.

Sophia nearly pulled herself away from August when he started to tell her to get out. She had clearly disappointed him already. She didn't want to make her situation any worse than she had already managed to. Tears welled in her eyes as she tried to sort through her thoughts. Should she just leave August and wait for the punishment she was sure would be coming her way? She couldn't help but wonder if his punishments would be worse than the ones when she was in the warehouse. When she didn't sell, when she needed a spray down because she'd wet herself one too many times. When she'd fallen ill at one point. The thought alone was enough to renew her efforts, gagging slightly when August bucked his hips.

When August uttered her title, it was a relief to Sophia. She was relieved that it seemed like she had done something properly. August seemed happy with her and that had been all she wanted from him to begin with. She sagged forward slightly, trying to think about how she could continue to please August. This was only something she had only ever heard of, she had never done it before so she was basically winging her actions.

A chill ran down her spine when August's fingers wrapped around her hair and she realized that her hopes weren't just that. She squeezed her eyes shut as she swirled her tongue around the tip of his cock. Lowering her mouth on him, Sophia gagged as his tip touched the back of her throat. She realized she couldn't take more of him so she reached up a shaky hand to wrap her fingers around the base of his cock. She settled into a rhythm, allowing out her cheeks. .

August hadn't expected this from Sophia. She had been so timid and scared, stumbling over her words, too terrified to move without his direct order. He never would've seen this coming, from her. Enjoying himself, he kept a loose grip on her hair, gently tangling it around his fingers. His toes curled when the tip of his cock hit the back of her throat, a low grunting noise the only sound he'd give Sophia to let her know she was pleasing him. August wanted to buck his hips again, to slam her head down on him and force his cock into her throat, but he restrained himself.

Sophia was learning, there was plenty of time for that. Perhaps, this pathetic little thing could learn to please him. With her hands wrapping around the base of his cock, August shuddered, keeping his eyes locked on his prize as she worked. "Mmm," he sighed, finally over his sudden shock, "I bet you're starving, my pet..." Biting down on his bottom lip, stopping the smirk that threatened to show. "Make daddy cum and maybe you can have what's left of my dinner. How does that sound?"

Not like the bitch needed an incentive to work hard sucking him off, but maybe a little positive reinforcement was exactly what she needed. August's back arched slightly away from the chair, the muscles in his legs tensing as Sophia's tongue explored his length.

@ castle.

Sophia was so focused on pleasing August that she hardly even reacted when he offered the possibility of getting to eat the rest of his meal. She couldn't remember the last time she'd had a proper meal though and even the offer, Sophia needed to show her thanks for it. If she didn't there was the chance August thought she didn't appreciate his offer and that he wouldn't offer it in the future.

She quickened her movements, her eyes lifting for the briefest of moments. August wasn't giving her much feedback at all so Sophia had simply wanted to make sure that what she was doing was at least okay. A low moan slipped from her when she realized August was enjoying this. Or at least he was pretending to. Sophia had to follow through on this because if she didn't, she was sure it would have an awful outcome.

The thought of having to swallow August's cum hadn't even crossed her mind until his thighs started twitching, his breaths coming in far more ragged than they had been when she had first started touching him. Sophia's face scrunched slightly at the thought but she forced herself to continue, August's pleasure and his happiness enough of a reason for Sophia for her to want to do whatever it took.

August woke the next morning, feeling completely rested. It probably had something to do with how many times he had came the night before. Sophia had been such a good omega and just after forcing his cock down her throat, making sure she took every last drop from him, August had allowed the little thing to lick his dinner plate clean.

He stretched, rolling over onto his back, not yet having opened his eyes. Through the thickness of sleep, August could smell her. Her scent completely filled the room. It was heavy and seemed to be everywhere, the sweet spring scent causing his cock to twitch underneath the covers. "Omega," he grumbled, forcing himself to sit up and rub the sleep from his eyes. Once he had a moment to wake up, the realization hit him like a ton of bricks.

"Omega," he gasped, quickly turning to face where she had slept next to him in the bed. August ripped the sheets away from her body, seeing her curled up into a tiny little ball. The sheets under her were completely soaked with sweat and she was shaking. The only answer he was met with was a gentle sobbing. It was... Absolutely pathetic. Maybe it had something to do with how she had tried so hard to please him last night, but August couldn't find it in himself to throw her from the bed. He was torn, partially pissed off that the sheets needed cleaned, and that she had only been here for one evening and now already would need such care, but that wasn't all. August felt the need to take care of her, something he had never felt for an omega in heat before. "fuck...," He grumbled under his breath.

Leaning down next to her in the bed, his hand gently slid down her side, forcing her out of the tiny ball she had curled up in. Her skin was burning hot and tears leaked down her face. August knew how heats were treated in the warehouse. Omegas were beaten mercilessly during them, an attempt to break them from nesting and needing attention. "Mmm..." He pressed his head into the crook of her neck, noticing how her scent was much sweeter... His cock was throbbing, begging to feel her. But now wasn't the time. Forcing himself away, he hurried from the bed. Placing his hand on the doorframe, he leaned out into the hall but saw no one. August shouted, demanding fresh sheets, ice water and food for Sophia.

"Don't get used to this, omega." He warned her, a sharpness in his voice as he picked her up from the bed. Packing her into the bathroom, he sat her down on the toilet and began to draw a cool bath for her.

@ castle.

Sophia had woken in the middle of the night to a sharp, stabbing pain that originated in her lower body before spreading out. She had arched forward, tears welling in her eyes as she realized what was happening. Her last heat had been three weeks ago, there was no way she should be having another for nearly two more months. But here it was and it was so much worse than her last few. Sophia's eyes welled with tears as she lifted a shaky hand, nearly convinced she should wake August. But that was being needy and it was wrong. It wasn't August's problem that she was an omega, he should be able to rest comfortably regardless of what she was going through. Biting down on her lip, Sophia curled into a tight ball, shuddering as the blanket encased her. She wanted to push it away but every time she thought she might be able to, another spasm of pain rocked through her body.

Her lips parted as she let out a quiet sob, her nails digging into her arms in a week attempt to distract herself. Sophia wanted so badly to bury her nose against August's back, let his scent fill her senses but she was afraid of waking him. That was damn near the equivalent of nesting and Sophia knew that was wrong. Anything that would have offered her comfort was bad. She didn't need to told that any more.

Managing to keep herself quiet for the most part, Sophia's panic only started to intensify when August began to wake. She knew she was sweating through her little outfit, the sheets beneath her completely soaked through. Sophia wanted to get up, she wanted to move away from the bed so it wouldn't get worse but she couldn't bring herself to move even the tiniest bit. August was going to be so mad and he was going to hurt her and... Sophia visibly flinched when August yanked the blankets away from her. Even as she tried to look up to him, Sophia's eyes were glazed over and unfocused.

Sophia was ashamed of the whine she let out when August forced her to straighten. She was only relieved that her skin was already flushed, the blush that settled on her cheeks undetectable. Forcing herself to settle against the mattress, Sophia's thighs started to spread on instinct. If August took her, she knew it would help ease her pain. But... but that was wrong. She knew that, too. Sophia couldn't stop the purr that she let out when August lifted her into his arms, her body melting against him as she buried her face into the crook of his neck. Her eyes screwed shut because she one what was coming. August would punish her for trying to find comfort in his scent and for ruining the sheets and for... being who she was. It wasn't something she could hide from even if she had wanted to.

"I-I.. I'm.. 'm sorry. Shouldn't.. i-it shouldn't.." Sophia bit back a groan as she pulled her legs up on the toilet, trying to make the pain as little as possible. "L-Last one.. it was.. o-only three weeks ago," Sophia attempted to explain to him. "I-I'll.. change the sheets." Even as she tried to apologize, tears rolled down her cheeks. Sophia set her hand on the counter beside the toilet and tried to use it to brace herself so that she could stand and do as she had said she would.

August raised an eyebrow at the new information Sophia was giving him. He had always heard omegas could be thrown into their heats when around their true mate, and vice versa, but... No. Letting out a huff, August clenched his jaw and immediately covered Sophia's hand with his own. "Stop," he demanded, aggravated with himself. The alpha wanted nothing more than to take her, and he knew that was something that could bring her relief, but something was telling him to take care of her in other ways first.

"You're not going to be doing anything," August helped Sophia up from the toilet once the bath was running, "except relaxing." It was weird to hear the words fall off his tongue. August wasn't being incredibly gentle, but it was far more than any other omega had ever received from him. Helping Sophia into the bath, he tilted his head to the side when he heard the bedroom door. Not wanting to leave her side, he peeled his hands away from hers and straightened up. Glancing down at her once more before heading to the bathroom door, he acknowledged the maid bringing the things he had shouted for.

The beta pulled the soaked sheets from the bed and bundled them up on the floor before placing the fresh ones. She had also brought a pitcher of ice water and a glass. "Food is being prepared," she whispered without so much as looking at August, too afraid to.

"More blankets. And pillows." August frowned, barely able to believe what he was asking for, knowing what it would lead to. Turning back into the bathroom, August shut the door behind him to give Sophia all the privacy she could want. Except from him. Kneeling down on the floor by the tub, he leaned over her and brushed her damp hair away from her face. "Just calm down, breathe, omega. Can you do that for me?" His thumb gently brushed away the tears that still trailed down her face.
.

@ castle.

Sophia was half bent over as she pushed to her feet, her free arm wrapped around her lower stomach in an attempt to ease the pain when August demanded that she stop. She froze, her brows pulling together as she glanced toward him. Why? He was going to let her relax instead of punishing her? Or was it because he wanted her to relax a bit first? She couldn't stop the panic that she felt but still, Sophia nodded her head as she raised her arms to pull the nightgown from her body. When she slid into the water, Sophia let out a low, appreciative moan.

When August returned, Sophia was all but buried into the water, just her head above. Her head rested against the side of the tub and her legs were brought up slightly. Her breathing was still sporadic as she winced every so often, trying to focus on calming herself down. It wouldn't do to start crying and begging August for relief. Sophia's eyes travelled to the door when August stepped back into the bedroom and she couldn't have stopped the whine that fell past her lips if she had wanted to. Sophia wanted August. She wanted him to wrap his arms around her, she wanted him to climb in the tub with her and just simply exist for a moment. But she knew better than to ask for such comfort

Sophia practically leapt at August's hand, pressing her cheek into the palm of his hand as her eyes fluttered shut. The bath was working to help lower her temperature and it was enough for her to start to be able to think a bit more clearly. Her eyes remained shut as she listened to August's instruction, giving a tiny nod of her head. "Yes, alpha," she mumbled, trying to resist the urge to reach out to him.

"I-I.. I don't know.. what's going on. 'm sorry, alpha. I'll.. I'll make it up to you. I'm sorry. P-Please.. please don't.. s-send me back," she forced out the words, surprised by just how afraid she was at the prospect. If she ever returned there, Sophia was sure that she would never see the light of day again.

August remained silent at her pleads, his brow scrunching together as he listened to her. So afraid, almost shaking like a leaf. "Did I not just ask you to relax?" His voice coming out a bit harsher than he had intended. Pulling away for a moment, August closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to understand what was going on himself. A battle was raging on inside of him, the side of him that he knew all too well, wanting him to throw Sophia in his basement until she rode her heat out, like he had done with all his past omegas... But now there was a new side surfacing, one that wanted to stay by her side through the whole thing and help her through it. And it was winning.

"You're not going anywhere, omega, I promise." August forced himself to breathe, to soften the tone of his voice. "Stop crying, okay? Soak as long as you want..." His hand ran down the side of her face. He couldn't believe how hot she was, feeling like a fire was lit from within her.

Rising to his feet once more, he crossed his arms over his chest. He needed to put up a bit of space between them, until he could clear his head. Figure out what was happening. "When you're ready, I'll have food for you, okay? Everything will be okay, stop worrying." August had never returned an omega anyway, that was the least of her worries. Without so much as another word, he turned his back on the girl and left the bathroom.

He left the door slightly cracked, wanting to give her privacy, but also wanting to be able to hear the slightest noise. The maid had done just as he had asked, extra pillows and blankets folded up on his bed. Cursing under his breath, he moved around to the bed and began to undo the blankets, pushing them around the bed in such a manner that he began to create a nest. It was something he had never done before, but he had seen a few nests in his time. When omegas made the mistake of nesting in his presence, they had always been beaten to the ground and then forced to dismantle their own nest by hand. It wasn't something he felt sorry about, but he remembered how they had been built and he was doing his best to recreate that.

@ castle.

Sophia bit back a whimper when she listened to August leave the bathroom. She wanted so desperately to call out to him and ask him to stay but she felt the words to herself. August was being far kinder to her than she ever thought an alpha could even be. Especially while she was going through her heat. Sophia's eyes fluttered shut and she laid against the tub for the better part of half an hour before she realized she probably shouldn't keep August waiting much longer.

Pushing to her feet, Sophia shivered as she climbed out of the bathtub. She pulled the drain before reached for the towel that was hanging from the rack beside the tub. She pulled it around her body, relieved that she was in heat right now. The chill in the air hardly bothered her as she moved to step out of the bathroom.

The sight that Sophia was met with chilled her right to her core. August had built a nest on his bed and every fiber of her being wanted to crawl into it. She wanted to wrap herself in the blankets and just be safe there. She knew she'd be happy and she'd be comfortable. The sheets and the blankets did look so warm and inviting. But Sophia wasn't supposed to nest. Nesting was bad. That had been beaten into her to the point that even thinking about nesting scared her. It made her feel like she was about to be in trouble.

Sophia's bottom lip wobbled as she stood rigid in the bathroom doorway, her breath caught in the back of her throat. She stared at the bed, trying to stop her tears from falling. SHe knew that crying never did any good, she knew it would upset him. He'd told her to be calm when she was in the tub. Sophia knew alphas didn't like to be reminded of anything. "I-I.. a-alpha.. please. I-I... I'm.. s-sorry," the words started tumbling out, her knees giving out beneath her as she fell to the ground. Sophia remembered the first time she'd gone into heat after she went to the warehouse, how badly she'd been beaten for just using her sweater to wrap it around herself and try to find some comfort. If that had been bad, actually nesting would be so much worse.

A panicked whimper sounded from her as she all but shoved the towel from her body. August was mad at her and she needed to calm him down. She had presented the night before, she'd touched him. Both of those things had been the right thing to do. But she couldn't think enough to even turn herself around to present because she knew what nesting and needing attention meant for omegas. "P-Please.. please.. I-I'll.. I'll clean up. I won't nest. I-I'm sorry I took a bath. It w-was wrong.. I shouldn't have. 'm sorry," she stumbled over the words, her head hanging as tears burned the corners of her eyes.

August stepped back as he admired his handiwork. It wasn't the best nest, but he had done enough and truly...he didn't really care beyond the point of knowing it would bring her some comfort. He had even scented every pillow before placing them neatly inside the blankets, reminding himself omegas loved the scent of their alphas. It brought them comfort, relief.

A knock on the door pulled August from his thoughts, "Come in." His voice was low and rough, barely batting an eye towards the door because he knew it must've just been Sophia's food. A maid scurried into the room and placed her meal on the nightstand, strawberry creme crepes. A sweet breakfast would be the very last thing August would ever have offered an omega, but he was hoping the sugary treat would help.

"Do you need anything else, sir-" August cut the maid off with just a wave of his hand. She left the room and almost at the same time, Sophia exited the bath, only to fall into a crumpled heap on the floor. August sighed, rubbing his hands over his face as he listened to her crying once more.

Dropping his hands to his sides, August slowly approached her, watching as she pushed the towel from her body, what she thought he would want. There it was again, her sweet, floral scent. It was drive him insane. "Omega," his voice dipped, training his brilliant blue eyes on her. "Shh." He pressed a finger to his lips, giving her just a moment to quiet down. Scooping her up in his arms, he picked her up and turned towards his bed, towards the nest. Laying her down in it gently, he fluffed the pillows around her, causing his scent to wrap around her. "You keep crying even though I've told you stop..."

@ castle.

Sophia couldn't picture this going in any other direction other than August punishing her. She had taken a cool bath to help lower her temperature, she had pressed her nose against the crook of his neck. She may not have asked for comfort from August but it still had been provided. And now, it appeared that he had made a nest for her. None of these things was a good idea, they all meant pain to an omega. She had thought she did well the night before. Sophia had genuinely been trying to please August so the thought that she wasn't just caused her to panic even worse than she already had been.

She tilted her head up slightly, trying to catch more of August's scent without acting pressing her nose against his neck. Sophia had already messed up enough, she didn't need to make it worse. Shivering as August laid her down in the nest, Sophia started to pull her knees up so she could be a bit more comfortable. But then August's scent enveloped her and she couldn't help the whine she let out. Sophia twisted on instinct alone, pressing her face into the nearest pillow.

It wasn't until Sophia had calmed down enough to speak properly that she even dared to speak up. "I just want to make you happy. I know I'm not.. experienced and I don't know a whole lot but.." Sophia trailed off, shrugging her shoulders weakly. "Nesting is bad. And you shouldn't have to comfort me. I should take care of my own heats," she added, refusing to look up at August. She was afraid of what she would see if she did, still angling her body so she was facing him. Her bottom lip wobbled but she managed to keep her voice strong. "I don't want to be a bad omega."