Cool, crisp air fills my lungs as I mill about the office building. By now, most everyone has packed up and gone home, leaving me a moment to myself. Everything is quiet, silent, as if all of Sector Five holds its breath.
Year two. Same song, different verse.
Glancing through my phone, I skim the messages between the other five and myself. Since Canis, our leader, has now become Adam the homemaker, it’s up to another one of us to take up the mantle. I sure as hell don’t want that responsibility.
All I want to do on this game night is fuck and rut my brains out. Closing my eyes, I tip my face up toward the heavens as violent images run through my brain. Even now, I feel the tingling in my synapses as my excitement grows.
Freedom. It’s what every Alpha wants. It’s what every Alpha demands.
Being chained like wild animals by a government with all the capacity of being corrupt is just unreasonable. Especially now with omegas flourishing as they do. My fingers grip into fists as a soft chuckle flits through my lips. Honestly, at this stage, it’s either laugh about the current situation or rage about it.
Seeing as I’m not granted the freedom to rage, as my dynamic is born to do, laughter it is. Soon, I’ll be free to do whatever I want, however I want to do it. Glancing back at my phone, I note the time. Almost there. So close to feeling the chains of oppression slipping off.
Soft skitters prick my ears, drawing my attention back to the street in front of me. Cracking an eye open, I glance about as omegas shuffle to and fro, fear shining brightly in their wide eyes. And they should be afraid. Not of me, of course.
I have far more restraint than most. But I’ve heard ribald tales from other Alphas of the carnage they plan to inflict tonight. If only the government had more forethought. By giving us this one night to do whatever our hearts contend to do, the Alphas concentrate all the anger, all the aggression, and all the foul intent into one night.
By trying to save and bolster the omega population, they are, in fact, crippling it with this one night. Granted, all I need is one omega, but multiply that with however many Alphas decide to play, and it could have disastrous results. Not that I’d give up this night for anything.
If last year taught me anything, it was how fucking good it felt to hold someone’s life in the palm of my hand. Such a heady feeling, and one I cannot wait to revisit. Another chuckle slips through my lips as the other omegas scatter in the heat of my wake.
Poor, sweet, innocent doves. Ripe for plucking. This year, they know what’s happening. They know what’s coming. If they’re caught out and about, then they have only themselves to blame.
I slip back inside the office building as I stroll to my desk. There, in the bottom drawer, lies the two things I need to make this night a success—my mask and an invitation. Looking over the gold, glossy invite, I can’t help the laugh rumbling in my chest. As if we need all this cloak and dagger shit.
It’s just Leo trying to keep things mysterious. But as our appointed leader, I suppose I can begrudge him a little fanfare. Though they say there’s security in numbers, I’d still much rather just hunt on my own. I fear no other Alphas on this night.
They will all be far too busy capturing their own omegas to give two shits about me. Shaking my head, I gather my things and click off the light. My footsteps echo in the empty building, bringing a smile to my face. Come tomorrow, all the omegas will look at me with renewed unease.
Just like last year, there will probably be a period of transition as the omegas are forced trust that the impulse control system is firmly back in place. And I, the ever-gentle, ever-magnanimous leader of floor eleven, will help guide these lost lambs back to heightened productivity.
Say what you will, omegas and betas yearn to be led.
They crave the structure we Alphas provide.
My grin only grows wider as the elevator takes me to the basement level. Mask firmly in place, I step out of the gilded doors and into a nearly vacant underground lot. A few others mill about. Leo, of course, stands in the middle, strong and stoic, as if he takes his duties personally.
Off to the side, Naja fiddles with his needles, and Draco plays with his lighter. The urge to roll my eyes at their antics races down my spine and into my fingertips. Whatever happened to just a good, old-fashioned take down and fuck?
Minutes go by as the others stroll in. Finally, all six of us are in one place. Granted, this isn’t where we’re playing. Not by a long shot. But at least we can all get to our meeting place as one.
“Have you seen the omegas?” Naja asks, his green eyes glittering behind his gold serpent mask.
“No,” Leo booms. “Just like last year, we will not know who they are until time to play. At least this year we don’t have to drug them. They will be fully alert and cognizant of what is about to take place. This makes it all the more imperative that your masks stay on. I know Canis broke the rules, and now has a bound omega of his own. If you tie yourself to one, you will not be allowed back next year. I am resolute in my decision.”
As if any of us want an omega. Canis was a special case. As it was his stepsister he ended up with, he did what he felt he had to do to protect her. The fact that they seem happily mated is just a bonus.
“We are not drawing names this year,” Leo continues. “All omegas playing with us tonight are up for grabs. Think of it as capturing the flag. Whoever nabs an omega and fucks her first gets to play with her. Agreed?”
“Agreed,” we all say in unison.
“Let’s go then. Our playing field awaits.”
* * *
The tree line looms before us. We certainly are far away from the city center. Somehow, the air smells sweeter here, cleaner. But then, that’s not surprising as so few buildings lie here to pollute it.
Other Alphas meander about, their wary gazes following us as we take our positions on the field. Soon, another vehicle pulls up. The unmarked, white van seems out of place for the location but eerily in character for what we’re planning. On either side, I feel the restlessness as the others shuffle about, doing their best to keep things under control until the government lifts our tethers.
My skin crawls as the night goes deathly quiet. Everyone waits. Everyone refuses to breathe. Not even insects or animals make any noise. So close. So close to freedom I can nearly taste it. Saliva gathers in my mouth as the women are dragged from the van.
All of them have sacks covering their faces, but their bodies are on full display. Nearby, other Alphas circle near, their cocks jutting against their pants as they look at our conquests. The urge to kill, to maim, and to rip them apart at the seams floods through me, but only for a second.
It’s not time yet. I don’t want to be incapacitated for even a minute. And so, I breathe in through my nose and purge the oxygen through my lips. Leo strides over to them, far more in control of himself than the rest of us are at the moment.
“These omegas are ours. We have bought and paid for them. If one of you chooses to touch even one strand of hair on their heads, we will kill you in the most agonizing way possible. So I suggest you turn your hunt elsewhere.”
Though they rival him in size, they slink away, their eyes wide with a tinge of fear. It wafts on the air like tar dripping from a construction vehicle. All it does is ramp up my hunger even more. Turning my attention back to the omegas, I scent the air, taking in their unique smells as I determine who I’m going to go after first.
Each omega shivers in the chilly evening air, only protected by a lacy bra and a thong. Certainly not enough to keep them warm, but then, that’s what we Alphas are for.
My gaze touches on each one, stopping when I get to the center of the line. The omega in the lilac ensemble tenses as she drags her hand over to the opposite arm. It’s as if she’s hugging herself. Such a sweet, innocent action. One that’s as familiar to me as her scent.
If only I can place it.
The beta who drove them to our location starts at the far-left end and removes the sacks one by one. Each omega is pretty in their own right. However, my body tenses as he comes to Lilac. As he removes her sack, my stomach plummets.
Why is it that my secretary is here tonight? As Sophie looks over us, there’s not even a hint of fear or confusion in her face. She meant to be here. She meant to offer her body up as a sacrifice.
“Omegas,” Leo booms out, striding in front of the line of women. “In just a few minutes, the alarm will sound. You will be ours until we are done with you. The rules of this game are rather simple. At the sound of the last siren, you will run, and we will hunt. The first Alpha to mount you, claims you for the evening. Whatever this Alpha wishes to do to you, it is permissible.”
A soft smattering of gasps and titters wash over the omegas, but Sophie stands firm in her resolve.
Leo holds up his hand to silence them before continuing. “There are, however, a few caveats. We will not mutilate you in a way that causes loss of life or limb. We will not leave marks where someone else can see. Granted, we are outdoors, so accidents may happen. We Alphas will not take off our masks or in any way give you knowledge of who we are. Consider us your benefactors, and nothing more.”
Benefactors. That’s laughable. I resist the urge to snort as Leo makes his way back to the line. Though I can’t see his mouth beneath the mask, I get the sense that he’s smiling as he pulls out a small device. He sets it on the ground in front of him so both sides of the line can see it.
Ten seconds.
The omegas shuffle about, their excitement and fear nearly palpable on the breeze.
Nine seconds.
I stare at Sophie, my cock twitching as she finally looks around, her gaze a touch anxious.
Eight seconds.
Next to me, Naja looks over at her too before turning to me.
Seven seconds.
“Lilac looks rather pretty. I think I’ll take her tonight.”
Six seconds.
“Touch her and I’ll rip you limb from limb,” I snarl. “She is mine.”
Five seconds.
“I suppose you’ll have to catch her first, then. We didn’t claim dibs.”
Four seconds.
“I’m claiming them now. Sop- Lilac is mine.”
Three seconds.
Naja slips his hand into his pocket and pulls out a needle.
Two seconds.
Like hell, I’m going to let him inject her with whatever crap it is he has in there.
One second.
Everything primes as I crouch down, prepared to spring into action.
A calming voice chirps out over the speaker.
“The UGC acting in accordance with the verdict cast forth from the ABOSSD has declared a trial. The unrest amongst the Alpha Elites has been brought to the attention of the governing body. As a result, you will be granted one night in which your cerebral monitors will be turned off. This will allow you to experience all the emotions, drives, and aggressions of an Alpha. You are free to act on these impulses as your aggression center will no longer be short-circuited, inhibiting your actions. This freedom will last for a period of fourteen hours from 7:00 pm Eastern Sector Time on Oct. 31st until 9:00 am Eastern Sector Time on Nov. 1st Note: This is for Sector 5 only. Any Alphas from other sectors that wish to participate will need to be processed at any one of our border control hubs by Oct. 29th at the latest. Since the number of registered omegas in Sector 5 have far surpassed critical level, it is now safe to suspend Alpha Ordinance 12: ‘Dynamic Interbreeding Permissions Act’ for this one night. It is our goal that this one night of reprieve will help with the growing unease and allow you to bleed off your need to hunt and capture. May you find freedom in this Game Night and make this experiment a success.”
After her voice stops, a siren sounds throughout the area. If last year was anything to go by, there’s just two left. The omegas turn toward the tree line, their bodies crouched to run.
I just need this damned switch to flip so I can get to my secretary and fuck her until she’s safe. One more siren to go. In the silence, the omegas screech out as they take off as fast as their bare feet can take them.
Right now, I’m not concerned with Sophie. I’m more concerned with Naja getting a hold of her. Instead of taking off after her, I shove hard to the side, sending Naja stumbling onto the ground. Hopefully, that’s just the few seconds' lead I need to get my prize.
