Omega’s Gambit by Flora Quincy

Viola

By the graceof our Goddess, Syon had not noticed the difference between the real Iris and myself. Any number of reasons came to mind. It had been dark, Syon had been angry, or perhaps something as simple as my disguise being effective. Most likely because he had no sense of smell. Still, like a pathetic omega, I fretted. I hardly knew what had happened between him and Iris. My foolish twin had brushed the incident aside and said only she had told the duke she was not wooing the countess.

The next few days signalled a return to my new normal. Nothing so easy as the first weeks with Syon. That comfort had long gone after the kiss. How could I look at him and not think about the kiss? Dream about his taste and the way he felt between my legs. Dammit. I’d never believed in heaven until that moment—only a fool wouldn’t dream of heaven once they’d experienced it. Instead, I couldn’t concentrate and I had an itch along my mate gland into which I rubbed peppermint oil. I crushed the seeds of Queen Anne’s Lace for tea until my aunt discovered and grew agitated that I might take too much and trigger my heat. I had never heard that it could increase fertility and nearly stopped drinking my tea altogether. Instead, she ordered her doctor to procure Wild Fernweed.

“It is an old wives treatment but far more effective. Your Papa… He was the one who used to find it for me before I was married. He always looked out for me as if he were an alpha instead of an omega.”

It was the nicest thing she had ever said about my father. Once again I wondered at the strangeness of my uncle and aunt mating when they seemed so incompatible. She was young, I realised. Certainly not in her forties for she had been much younger than my father. While my uncle would have been older than my father if he had still been alive.

“Why do you look at me like that?” she huffed.

“Do you mind it?” I asked. “Being mated and married. To need to follow an alpha’s needs. To have your world…”

“Do you think I am unhappy? La, niece! You mistake things. How could I be unhappy?” but her laugh telegraphed her bitterness. “I have everything an omega is meant to have. A husband. A mate. What more could I want?”

Children, the word popped into my head but I caught it before it slipped out. Every omega desired children. An alpha might desire them—especially an alpha child—to inherit, but omegas had a need for children. I knew it myself. So easy to smile distractedly when little ones skipped about in the Park with their nannies attempting to manage their excitement. A desire I had only considered natural. Never had I thought about the possibility of never having them. The image of the house on Weymouth Street when I left… Quiet. No voices, not even those of my aunt and uncle. Unless they happened to run into each other on the stairs or were forced to go to some social gathering together. What of her heats? I wondered if they were happy then or if it was yet another duty as mates that they felt the need to fulfil.

* * *

I remembered the conversation the next morning as I sat in the library staring at Syon’s golden head bent over some letter or other. He was squinting. Not for the first time, I wondered if his eyesight was as poor as his sense of smell. My tongue grew thick in my mouth as I sought the words to ask him… Ask him for reassurance that when he married the countess he would not mind if she could not have children. Whether he would cast her aside. She had not produced for the late Earl.

“Looking severe, Hartwell,” he tutted me when at last he looked up. “Why so serious? Is there ink on my face?”

I was in no mood for teasing and shook my head.

“I…” I faltered, for I could not ask the question. “Perhaps it is indigestion. May I go?”

A frown drew his brows low. I’d never given it any thought to his eyebrows being darker than his hair. Now, I fixated on them in hopes of distracting myself. But Syon could not leave well enough alone. He crossed to where I sat. It was the closest we had been since the night I had kissed him. No, he’d spanked me, but I’d not enjoyed that at all no matter that I’d flushed all over. I watched, entranced, as he reached out and placed the back of his hand to my brow. “You are not hot. No fever.”

“I said indigestion, not that I felt feverish,” I mumbled.

“Of course,” he withdrew his hand so quickly it was as if he had been burned. “I can have Horne bring you something.”

“A walk might do me well.”

“Go then. I’ll see you tomorrow,” he returned to his chair and fixed his eyes on whatever he was reading.

“Syon. I am sorry. I did not mean… I think,” I tugged at my cravat in hopes that it would loosen the noose which tightened by the day. “I am not used to spending so much time in the city. I am not used to so many people.”

“Then we should go into the country. Retire to Ayleigh for a few days. I admit I too miss the country. You must think me a hermit. I hardly spend any time in my clubs.”

“Perhaps you should visit Ayleigh,” I said in a soft voice. “But I cannot go to the country. I must think of my sister and your suit with the countess. The bill for omega property rights. Your interests in town…”

“Damn my suit. Hartwell, you are not thinking clearly. Come to Ayleigh with me. Rest for a few days. Ride, shoot. Whatever takes your fancy, I’ll provide for it.”

My refusal sparked an argument punctuated with stretches of hostile silence. But the sum of it: he would not let me leave the house if I did not agree to spend at least a week at Ayleigh with him. The stalemate was brought to an abrupt end when Horne intervened with the information that Syon had agreed to attend a card party that evening in Richmond and should Horne call for His Grace’s carriage. I tidied my desk with unnecessary vigour. “I am glad Your Grace has decided to go out more.”

“It is a card party... It is all politics and no matter.”

“Politics do matter! What do you think I have been striving to do these last weeks but demonstrate how very much politics matters,” my chest heaved as I drew in deep breaths. His scent, his alpha scent inflamed me. My temper heightened and my need to... I did not know. There was no need beyond him standing by my side, at my side. To do what? I slammed my fist into the wall then shook it out. “Dammit.”

“Claws in, Puss. What’s put you out? You’ve been unruly of late and not just in refusing my invitation.”

My cheeks grew hot when Syon called me Puss, and it made my breasts feel heavy and my pussy ache with need.

“I will see you tomorrow,” I almost shouted as if raising my voice would prevent an alpha from arguing with me.

I rushed from his presence. Angry, confused. Part of my soul demanding I return, go to my knees, and beg his forgiveness. Then again, I wanted to rip him apart for being so high handed, for making me want him to take me in hand, to master me. I was never so needy outside of my heats.

* * *

When I reached Bond Street, I froze. Paxton stood on the corner with a gentleman I did not know. I hesitated a moment too long. Paxton looked up, saw me, and signalled for me to go to him. I had dreaded seeing him again.

“Young Hartwell. This is Colonel Fordom,” he motioned to the other alpha, who doffed his hat but made no move to leave. I’d thought Paxton’s silvery handsomeness broody but this Colonel Fordom hinted at dark secrets, dark thoughts, and dark passions. Yet I experienced a ghostly familiarity, long ago memories paired with hazy recollections that I should know him… Inexplicably he smelt like Bea. I pushed away the thought. There were no military men in our circle of acquaintance and the only Fordoms I knew were in Edinburgh, a family of beta printmakers. I could not imagine these two alphas tempered each other but rather urged one another towards greater heights of depravity.

“Good day, Sirs,” I bowed and attempted to move on.

“Viola. Stop,” he snapped.

I froze. How could he know who I was? I had been so careful. For sure, he had not known me the first time we met at the club, but since then had he met the real Iris? Because for all of our similar colouring, up close there was one very obvious difference. My twin had dark brown eyes. Damn Iris, when had she met Paxton? Had she met him that same fateful night she’d spoken to Syon? What a mess. I made up my mind to have Iris only come up to town if summoned. Damn alphas and their freedoms.

“You have no right to use that name,” I hissed. “And I have no problem in calling you out for speaking of my sister like that.”

“Dammit. Stop!” His alpha bark made me wince but did not have the power over me as an alpha’s bark might have had before I began working for Syon. I’d built some immunity to them. “You think I want to be entangled in another public scandal with your family? Enough that I have to deal with your shrewish sister—“

“Leave the fair Beatrice out of this, Pax,” Fordom admonished. “You know you don’t mean it.”

“Enough. Both of you. Viola, consider the dangers of your foolhardy prank. If Orley, if he finds out what you are doing...”

“You have no right to that name. Nor do I know why you believe I am my omega sister,” I spat. “I know what I am doing. I am his secretary—”

“We do not live in a forgiving society. I know you to be a sensible and clever young woman. Risibly young for this farce.” He hissed his next words, “You are an omega. You are Viola Hartwell. But, I won’t have... Your sister hates me enough, but if she knew what you were doing and that I did nothing to stop it?”

I blanched, then flushed with anger. “You think... You presume to care for my reputation?”

“It seems no one else in your family will, child,” Fordom interrupted before Paxton could respond. “While I do not know your story, if I were you, I would pull out. Just tell Orley you are going home to Hertfordshire or back to Oxford.”

”You have no right,” I snapped. I would have loved to scream but could not afford to bring more attention to us.

“You’d be surprised what rights I have,” Fordom said with a grim smile.

“You’ve no notion...” Paxton growled on top of his friend’s words.

I looked back and forth between the two alphas and wondered why I had not heard about them from my sister before. Hard as I tried, these two men brought forward no memories. Yet their every action, their every word spoke of an intimacy with Beatrice that surprised me. She spoke her mind freely and if she did not like these gentlemen, surely she would have warned me of them when I came to town. Instead, I had a near violent run-in with Paxton the first time I met him.

“You could ruin me... I promise to... I promise not to be too reckless. That is what I told Iris,” I bit my lip and gave them the same look that I’d used on my Mama on far too many occasions for her to have been fooled every time. But the two alphas before me seemed convinced that it would do something to hold back my more wild schemes… If only they knew.

“I shall keep an eye on you, Viola. As if I were your brother, since it appears your alpha relatives are incapable of doing so themselves,” Paxton glared.

“He’ll keep an eye, I’ll keep two. Take care, Miss Viola Hartwell,” Fordom flicked my cheek. “Come Pax. I believe you promised me a quiet afternoon, yet so far you’ve only caused the lovely Miss Hartwell…”

He drew Paxton away. I watched them longer than I should have, glad they were not my alphas. I preferred Syon’s quiet teasing and flashes of dominance compared to Paxton’s intensity and the quiet mockery in Fordom’s eyes.

* * *

The following Saturday, I was once again visiting with Olivia. The more I came to know her, the more I grew to admire the very qualities I had so rejected in the early days of our acquaintance. Her book learning was not great, but from lack of opportunity rather than application—her father and mother hadn’t the resources to give her beyond the basics of education. In its place was a natural ability to play whatever instrument came her way and a beautiful singing voice. There were many days when I found myself longing to listen her to play and sing, for they soothed ruffled nerves and these were the moments when she blossomed. I liked seeing her happy. Today was one such day. I sat next to her, turning the pages of some new piece of music she had received that morning.

“Without your company these past weeks, I do not know how I would have managed,” Olivia confided when she’d finished and we’d returned to her favourite sofa by the fire. “The weather has been so grey...”

I took her little hand in mine and squeezed it. “Soon it will be Spring and then Summer. You will get to see flowers...”

“No, my dear friend... You are my friend, you know. My dear friend, I need you to know that I have no expectations to enjoy... You are so sheltered from society. You remind me of myself when I first married. Though I confess there are times when you seem to have seen more of the world than I. You must understand that without the expectation of a husband I shall be dependent on the charity of Caroline’s family. She has my interests at heart, I know. But her father is not so kind, and I do not think he will desire another mouth to feed.”

I bit my tongue at the mention of Caroline.

“What if there were a marriage?” I asked instead. “What if... Oh, I don’t know. Someone like the Duke of Orley were to propose? You have heard me say that my sister, Iris, is his secretary. And I have never heard—“

“The duke! He is a... The late earl liked him. And I...” she swallowed nervously. “I do not think I could love someone like him.”

“But Olivia, if you require a husband, and I swear on the honour of my father, on all that I hold dear. The duke is a good man. He is a man of honour. He would never force himself on you. Please, please believe me. I know no ill of him. He is the best of alphas!”

“Have you met him?” She asked.

I absently traced the bracelet she wore on her wrist. “If I say I have, then know that if... There are alphas in the world who would lie down in the mud rather than allow your foot to touch the ground. Think on it, Olivia. If you could have your most perfect life what would it be?”

“I’d rather hear yours first...”

I frowned. Her bracelet was very pretty, and I was so enamoured of it that it took me a moment before I answered. “I would want... I would want to marry, to mate with someone I could always be myself with. To always give an honest answer. Even if we lived the simplest life, I would be happy with the person who—“

“That is how I feel.”

I looked up to see her face so close to mine that I could feel her breath on my cheek. Her scent had thickened with the strength of her emotion. “Olivia, I should probably—“

“Don’t leave me,” she begged. “I was just going to tell you what I dream of. A quiet life. Away from the city. I am so shy around strangers. I want warm arms to sleep in at the end of the day. To rest my head against a pillow-like breast...”

She trailed off at the humph from her ever present chaperone. I’d seen her sneer at Olivia, at me, but there was no way to be rid of her.

“Do you take issue with what we are speaking of, madam?” I asked.

“You omegas are so full of yourselves. Your perfect little dreams lack any understanding of the realities of the world. You have been put on this earth to temper alphas nothing more. An omega is worth the price of their holes. If that cannot—“

“Enough!” I roared. “How dare you speak so? Do you think that there is no equality...”

“I am a beta. I am not ruled by those urges,” she sneered. “The urges turn you into snivelling beasts. Rather be born a beta than an omega. The basest and lowest of all dynamics. We’d be better off without any of you.”

I did not notice myself moving but I felt the moment that my palm connected with her cheek. The crone recoiled with a scream as if I had stabbed her.

“You are a creature that deserves a muzzle like the bitch you are,” the beta screamed so loud I winced. “Do you think you will get away with this, you dirty whore!”

“That is enough!” Came a deep bark from the door. It was Caroline, looking every inch the powerful alpha in her dark suit. “You are no longer needed. Leave this instant. Your things will be—“

“You cannot. I was hired by your father, the vicar, not you.”

“And I will tell him exactly what you said. And do not expect a reference. Out!” the alpha shouted.

“I shall take this up with the relevant authorities. Alphas always bowing and scraping to the delicate omega needs. Betas are the oppressed! We shall overthrow you here as we have in France! There will be revolution and alpha and omega heads will roll.”

“I do not care what dynamic you are,” Caroline said with deadly calm. “I do not care what dynamic these ladies are. You are discourteous. To your employer, to her guest. Leave now while my temper is...” I marvelled that Caroline allowed the bitter woman to leave without throwing her out. Syon, I knew, would have thrown her out. Perhaps as a woman, she had a kind of control that a male alpha might lack.

“I’m leaving, you bitch!” She shoved me so that I tripped over my skirts and fell hard to the ground.

The door bounced on its hinges but that was the only noise until a tremulous sob broke the silence.

Olivia sat on the sofa, her hands clutching her skirts and tears streaming from eyes that were scrunched closed. Caroline moved first, falling to her knees at Olivia’s feet. But she hesitated to touch the crying omega, and I knew why. It would be a gross overstepping of alpha authority. No matter her instincts to soothe and protect, she was held back by the courtesy that she was not Olivia’s alpha. Caroline looked to me, begging for assistance. I struggled to my feet and sat next to Olivia, a hand on her back and a gentle kiss on the wet cheek.

“Has she done anything to you, said anything that made you uncomfortable before tonight?”

The small cry and the hands going to cover her face told us enough. Olivia’s companion had been... I did not know what.

“That bitch,” Caroline hissed.

Olivia flinched in my arms. “Olivia, you are fine. We shall find someone else... Someone kind.”

I looked up at Caroline. I had no authority to say as much but in that moment I would have said, would have done everything to protect the fragile creature in my arms.

“Let her take you to bed, Olivia,” Caroline pleaded. “Let her help you.”

Olivia safely in bed, I rejoined Caroline in the drawing room.

“You could move in,” was the first thing she said. “You could be her companion.”

“I thought you hated me.”

“I hate to see her unhappy. I hate knowing that my estate is so far beneath hers that there will never be a chance for—“

“I understand.”

Caroline’s gaze sharpened. “Perhaps you do... If only I had known what she was suffering!”

“The beta has been here since before the Earl’s death,” I said calmly. I was better at handling alphas now. “There is nothing you could have done without her exposing herself.”

“Was Olivia… Was she physically...”

“No. There is no sign that Olivia was harmed in any physical way,” I assured her. I did not reveal how thin the omega had been as her maid as I had helped her into her nightgown. She’d looked skeletal underneath her clothes. I had been surprised to see she wore a wig and that her hair was thin and cut short to her head. I could not reveal that to Caroline, I could not imagine that Olivia would want me to. “Perhaps you should be the one to move in. I know that she would feel safer with someone here. You could be that someone.”

The alpha sagged against the back of the small settee. Her head tilted back until she was staring up at the ceiling. “I sometimes envy betas,” she said as softly as if confessing some sin.

“I never would have thought that,” I said confused at the change of conversation.

“I envy them,” she continued as if I hadn’t spoken. “I read your mother’s book. Your father’s too. I know the kind of omegas and alphas there are in your family. There is cruelty within every dynamic. I’ve seen it. Over and over again. You’ve been raised differently. Above the fray. I envy you too. I wanted to join the cavalry. My commission was bought. But when Lord Clare died, Olivia needed me, so I stayed. But I… Goodnight Viola. I think… I hope we can be friends.”

* * *

I left the house with my mind so full that I stumbled as I stepped onto the street.

“Syon,” I whispered, needing my friend, and moved on instinct. By the time I’d arrived at his door, I’d been running. My blood pumping through my veins, my breath coming in short pants. I patted my cloak and drew forth the latchkey I’d been given by Horne. I headed straight to the library where I knew I’d find him. I just needed to see him, though I did not understand why.

“What racket... Hartwell? What is this?” he asked when I stormed into the library.

I pushed past him. “It is late. I am sorry.”

“Where have you been, pup? You smell… You are dressed as Viola!”

“I’m sorry,” I waved a hand as if to dispel the scent. “I needed… It isn’t my story to tell.”

I could see a frown on his face. Concern. The last thing I wanted. “Would you like a drink?”

It did not take long for me to get drunk. I refilled my glass liberally and soon lay sprawled in a chair in front of the fire that burnt in the library.

“What were you doing up?” I asked.

“Thinking. I am allowed to do that.” He sat stiff in his chair, though I couldn’t understand why. Or why he was taking such shallow breaths.

“Of course you are. I do not want to think,” I admitted. “Thinking... Hurts here.” I slapped a hand over my heart. I wanted to wipe the image of Olivia’s gaunt figure from my mind. What had she suffered? What had happened to her before the earl had died? I felt powerless to help her when the abuse had been body and mind. What could I do? What could Syon do? Would he do anything?

“The wine you have been drinking blurs your mind. Stop... Hartwell, stop.”

“You have no say of my actions.” I snapped and picked up the bottle to drink from the source.

He growled and stalked towards me. “Give me the bottle.”

“You do not own me,” I slurred then drained the bottle to prove my shallow point.

“Hartwell, you will do as I command,” he barked. I jumped up, clumsy on wine drunk legs. He steadied me with a hand on my shoulder. I looked up, craning my neck. For the first time, I felt small. Our sizes had never concerned me. Yet here I was, a tall omega, and I was a dwarf compared to him. If I was a real omega—if I was dainty like Olivia—then he would never have been duped.

“I am unnatural,” I murmured. “I am unnatural and every time I am with you I realise how unnatural I am. I want to be a proper omega.”

The hand on my shoulder tightened painfully and a whimper escaped my lips. “What did you say?” He growled.

My eyes felt heavy and they closed of their own will. “It does not matter. I am foxed, the drink has taken hold. Pay me no mind. Words will not change things no matter… No matter that I wish I was an omega like—“

My mouth was stopped by warm lips. Lips that were firm yet did not press.

“Goddess, but I love…”

My eyes closed and everything faded to black.

* * *

I woke up the next morning fully clothed in the bedroom I regularly used. My mouth was full of cotton and my head felt like an anvil being pounded by a hammer. I tried to remember how I’d got here, but other than the disaster with Olivia I could not think of how I ended up in one of Syon’s beds and fully clothed, except someone had loosened my dress.

But my head throbbed too much to think on it, so I rolled over and went back to sleep.