Forget : A Dark Omegaverse (Unhingedverse)

It’s been three days, and I’m ignoring my guard as I walk up the street in Minneapolis. Could I have been driven? Yes, but I don’t want to be surrounded by Domh’s scent today. I need the ice cold breeze, the snow blowing in my face, everything that will distract me from his presence.

“Where are we going, Aisling?” Domh asks me. I told him I had shit to do today, and told him where to drop me off, hoping he’d do exactly that.

Instead, he’s dogging my every step.

“I have errands,” I sigh, turning toward a store that has toilet paper and groceries not far from Omega’s Haven. My house mom for the shelter is sick, and I need to take care of things.

“Okay,” he drawls, following me into the store. I’m getting annoyed by his questions because I’m not used to having a keeper. My own father doesn’t bother me this much.

The reminder of how many calls and missed texts I have on my phone makes me wince. I’m avoiding a lot of people right now. I don’t have the emotional bandwidth to handle it, and I just got my phone back yesterday.

Pushing a grocery cart, I grab toilet paper, tissue boxes, and paper towels as I walk through.

Looping around, I also get coloring books because we’re running low, crayons, and plain paper. Lips pursed, I stalk through the store as I shop, ending with actual groceries. I’m going to put Domh to work if he’s going to insist on being here.

“Please tell me you’re going to let me help carry this?” Domh asks, to which I grunt with a nod.

I’ve been giving a lot of one word answers, because I’m tired, annoyed, and my mind is racing. I’ve slept a lot the last few days, which means that my soul is tired. The only thing that sometimes helps is serving others, so I’m going to throw myself into work.

I canceled my next appointment with Dr. Alys, because I don’t know how to explain what’s happening right now. The level of devastation that I’m feeling is too much, even though I’m still in motion, doing the things that people expect me to.

Taking a breath, I force myself to head toward the check out line.

I pull my card out that’s linked to Omega’s Haven, to pay for this, sighing heavily when I see Domh swipe his ahead of me.

“I’m right here,” he says mildly, putting away his card. “Don’t thank me, this was just easier.”

“Okay,” I tell him. I need a second to sit alone. I just need to get to the shelter, drop this off, and hide in the alley for awhile. Domh can’t come back that far, since his scent can’t be near the shelter. The last thing I need is someone to panic over an alpha’s scent who shouldn’t be there.

Grabbing a few bags, I let Domh carry the rest as we leave the store. I’m going to need to call in a larger order later in the week, but the shelter will be fine until then.

“Please don’t talk to me,” I say as he opens his mouth. “This is going to sound really bitchy, but I am really close to snapping at you. Don’t speak, breathe in my direction, or go farther than the alley when we get to Omega’s Haven. You can wait until I’m done, whenever that is. I just need time to get my shit done.”

Inclining his head toward me, he allows me to march ahead of him. I feel… overstimulated. I’m anxious, depressed, and my skin feels as if it’s buzzing. I just want to be left alone.

“Stay here,” I grunt as I walk down the alley to the shelter. It’s at the back of the building in order to give people more time to leave if there’s an emergency.

I’m not Pollyanna by any means, as much as I try to provide every possible opportunity for safety and security, it is possible for it to be breached. I can’t guarantee complete safety.

Those who stay here understand that, but it’s still a port in the sea of uncertainty.

Wren and I get to be that for people.

Knocking on the back door with my arms full, I wait for someone to open it.

“Hey,” I say with a smile as it does and Bernie appears. She’s one of my betas who works at the shelter and does intake paperwork when we have new people come in.

“This should get you all through till the bigger shipment comes in on Wednesday.”

“Why didn’t you park closer?” she asks, taking bags from me. “Kayla, come help Miss Aisling!”

An omega in her mid-thirties comes running, and she also works here with Bernie. They’re both equally capable of running the shelter today.

“I walked,” I explain. “Long story, I’ll be right back.”

“Do you want me to come with you?” Bernie asks.

Sighing, I decide that would be more efficient.

“Yes, please,” I call out behind me.

Bernie raises her brow when she sees Domh, and I shake my head.

“Stalker alphas,” I mutter, taking things from him to divide it up between Bernie and I.

“I know you told me to shut the fuck up, but I’m not going to have the police called because you’re pissed off at me,” Domh drawls as I roll my eyes. “You are, after all, wearing my mark on you.”

“Tomato, tomato,” I grunt, walking away.

Bernie glances in my direction, and I shake my head. “I’m fine,” I sigh. “It’s complicated. I’ll shoot them all if they become too much of a pain in the ass.”

“That’s the response that happens when your daddy is a mafia man,” Bernie says with a giggle, opening the back door up for us.

Smirking, I can’t help but agree as I help put away the food. Walking through the shelter to the outreach part, I throw myself into work at an office with a door. Most of the time, I work amongst everyone else, but my control isn’t the best today.

I have appointments only I can make, phone calls, and people to see. The door at least allows me to close it and take a break when and if I need it, though my anxiety is less here at Omega’s Haven.

The damn alpha is the one who’s presence pisses me off.

My phone buzzes, drawing my attention, and I see it’s Wren. I’ve spoken to her once since I got my phone back to reassure her that I was okay. She asked how my date went, and I told her that I was kidnapped by Pack Hayes.

She of course went ballistic, and Shaw sent me a photo of his gun and knife asking if I needed either. It was so sweet, I burst into tears. That’s about where my mental health currently is.

Wren:

Come have dinner with us tonight. We need proof of life.

Me:

Sorry, I’m a little slammed today, getting caught up at work. Hazel is out today, so I went grocery shopping.

Wren:

We need to talk to her, see if we need to break up her duties into two jobs. She’s been missing a lot recently.

My lips twitch. This is one of the many reasons that I love this girl. Instead of saying that we needed to discuss if she needed to be let go, she figured there had to be something wrong. She’s right, this is a recent issue, and there has to be a reason for it.

Grabbing a sticky note, I jot a reminder to call Hazel on a conference call with Wren to find out what’s going on with her.

Me:

Sticky note created.

Wren:

Coming back to the subject, will you be at your dad’s house tonight?

Sighing, I drop my face to my hands. I’m avoiding that man so much. I don’t know what to believe, and my brain is very loudly telling me that he’s not who I thought him to be. Standing, I close the door, so I can cover my mouth to swallow back a sob. I’ve been avoiding thinking about Dad for hours. Fuck.

Swallowing hard, I let the tears fall down, because there’s no way for me to hold them back. Returning to the desk, I push away my phone and turn on the computer to answer my emails. I can be productive and cry, dammit.

I only get to answer two emails before I get another text from Wren.

Wren:

Are you working and ignoring me? Stop answering emails, that’s my job! Aisling!

Me:

I can’t do this right now.

The phone rings and I shake my head, sniffing. Dropping my face to the desk, I quietly cry, just to allow myself the outlet. I have too much to do, too many people depending on me to completely fall asleep.

Grabbing some tissues, I dry my eyes, though I know they will be red for a while after this.

Me:

Pack Hayes is my scent match, and they’re liars. I’m depressed, pissed off, and threw my knife at Hayes when I found out. Now, they’ve decided to be my shadow.

The phone is quiet for a moment, and I breathe a sigh of relief before I pick up the office phone and make a call. I have maybe another hour left here before I need to head across town to talk to Gabriel about having him teach a more specialized class. I could call him, but I need something to do.

It’ll also piss Domh off to follow me onto a bus as I ignore him.

Shaw:

I don’t suppose you’re just being a brat right now but agreed to formally be their omega, did you?

Pursing my lips, I calmly have my phone call before calling him back.

“Do I sound like someone who would do that?” I ask when he answers.

“No, but you’re being stubborn and wouldn’t answer your phone earlier to Wren,” Shaw grunts. “I figured shocking you would be a better option. What the fuck, Aisling? They just submitted paperwork yesterday. We can’t help if you don’t talk to us.”

“I feel really dumb,” I wail. “Fuck, this is why I didn’t want to pick up.”

“A few tears are not going to scare me away,” he says with a sigh. “It’s probably going to lower the chances of survival for whoever is causing them, though. You’re on speaker. Spill, Aisling.”

“I’m working,” I complain, dashing away the tears. “Our bonds aren’t even completely formed, and I’m pissed off that Dad knew this entire time that Aiden Hayes is my scent match. I didn’t sign anything that said I wanted to formally accept them as my pack, that’s for damn sure.”

“They’re not playing fair,” Wren says with a sigh. “If they put in the paperwork, any other packs will be expected to back off.”

“There aren’t any other packs,” I mutter. “That’s the entire reason that I’m in this mess. No one wanted to help me through my fucking heat.”

“That’s not exactly true,” Flynn chimes in. “If you’re throwing yourself a pity party, please make it an accurate one.”

His words make me snort out a laugh as I lean back in my chair. The tears are still flowing, but I can have conflicting emotions. Amusement tinges the edges of my sorrow, helping to buoy my spirits a little.

“I can’t go anywhere without a shadow, which means that going out to the house isn’t a smart idea,” I explain. “One of them will insist on driving me. I don’t even know where my damn car is.”

“I’ll track it down,” Ambrose says. “There may be a tracker on it from the last time you came to visit. It was at a restaurant when I last looked, which is about the time that Wren started blowing up your phone.”

Well, that solves that mystery at least.

“Honestly, I’m just a mess,” I tell them. “I’m going to be shit company, and I’m throwing myself into work in order to be able to cope.”

“You said that there’s half formed bonds?” Everest asks, surprising me. I thought he’d have chimed in before this.

“Mmhmm,” I say. “That’s why you can’t kill them. I don’t really know how it’ll affect me.”

“It has nothing to do with the fact that you like some of these guys, right?” Wren teases me.

“Babe, I have shit taste,” I remind her. “Domh is making me insane. I’m too independent to have someone ask me where I’m going, why, or what I’m doing every step of the way.”

“That would be enough to piss me off,” Wren agrees. “I mean, I’m usually at home working, but the guys are more likely to come hang out while I do things, than ask me twelve thousand questions about it.”

“I acknowledge that you’re a busy omega doing big things,” Everest croons, making me giggle. Someone is looking for brownie points. The subsequent kiss makes me shake my head, blowing out a breath.

“I’m really irritated and overstimulated,” I continue. “I haven’t had an issue while working, but Domh’s face annoys me.”

Snickering, Shaw says, “For the health of your fake pack, please come see us tonight. Are they restricting you from doing things?”

“They won’t let me permanently leave their house,” I grumble. “I have to stay there while we ‘work shit out’. I think it’s more likely for the world to end than for that to happen to be perfectly honest.”

“I’ll come get you,” Everest says. “Text Wren when you’re done for the day. I’ll pull the crazy out.”

Ugh.

“When you sweet talk a girl like that,” I tease him, “how can I say no? I have a few more errands, and then I’ll be done. I need to talk to Gabriel.”

“Why don’t you see if you can get some sparring in?” Wren asks. “It may help with this energy you’re carrying around.”

“I don’t have any clothes…” I trail off when I remember I have a duffel bag I keep just in case inside the bottom drawer of the desk. “Nevermind, I actually do. I somehow forgot that I have a change of clothes in my office.”

“I’m not surprised,” Wren says. “You always try to keep a go bag, just in case. I’ll see you tonight!”

She’s right, I guess old habits die hard.

Saying goodbye, I hang up and make the rest of my calls before going to the bathroom to wash my face. I need to make sure no one needs me before I leave, and my nose is all stopped up from crying earlier.

Blowing out a breath, I gaze at myself in the mirror once I’m done. While my eyes are a tad red, and my face a little blotchy, I can blame it on a cold if necessary.

Tossing the paper towel, I walk out into the main outreach area. People are busy, and I stand with a smile on my face. There’s something so powerful about watching your dream in action.NôvelDrama.Org is the owner.

“Aisling, do you know any lawyers?” a volunteer asks next to me, pulling my attention her way.

We’ve been trying to get lawyers to donate their time, and while some have, it really depends on what the situation is. Fuck, I hate red tape so much.

“I have one outside,” I find myself saying before I can take back the words. “He’s an alpha.”

“You just have an alpha outside?” Dee asks, amused.

“Long story,” I sigh. “I can bring him in if anyone who may have an issue with him wants to go to another part of the building.”

“Can he control himself?” an omega asks carefully.

“Yes,” I reassure her. “There are few instances where an alpha would lose control. Someone who loses it often is a bad alpha.”

“Bold words, yet true,” Dee says.

“Anyone need to leave?” I ask.

A few of the omegas look anxious but shake their heads, and I smile encouragingly. While I’m unhappy with Domh, I doubt that he’d act badly while inside of these walls.

Choosing to walk out the front door, I pop my head out to smile at the guard outside.

“I’m going to be right back with an alpha,” I tell him. “We need him for his law degree.”

The beta chuckles under his breath. “That’s the first time I’ve ever heard that one,” he says as I grin.

Walking out, I see Domh leaning against the wall, playing on his phone.

“Can you help me?” I ask. “I have an omega who needs some law counseling, and you’re the one who happens to be standing outside.”

“Am I going to bother anyone?” he asks, pocketing his phone.

“Everyone has said that they’re willing to see what happens,” I say carefully. “You’re an experiment in exposure therapy in a sense for some of them.”

“Well, that’s just grand,” he sighs, shoving off the wall. “Let’s see how I can be of assistance. You still mad at me?”

The change in subject makes me blink, trying to catch up.

“Yeah,” I grunt.

“Fuck. I shouldn’t have asked. I hate these one word answers,” he says.

“How is this? After this, I’m going to spar with my friend Gabriel, and then I’m going to Pack Mohan’s house,” I say. “You don’t get a say.”

“We’re taking the SUV, Sugar,” Domh says. “We aren’t going to talk about how you’re not wearing enough clothing in this weather, I guess?”

“That fancy law degree is serving you well,” I praise him, ignoring his growl.

Wrapping his arm around my waist, he stops me by pulling me tightly against his chest. “You’re making me hard as a rock, Sugar, with all of your sweet words,” he says. “I have a praise kink, Aisling. I fucking get off on it. Give me some more and see how long it takes before I’m knot deep in your cunt.”

I shouldn’t, but everything fucking tingles at his words as I shiver. The little whore inside of me, that everyone accuses me of being, wants to climb him like a tree, but instead I tap his arm to let me go.

The beta guard is glaring at Domh, his stance extremely protective. This alpha is more likely to piss me off than hurt me.

Even I can see that.

Domh releases me, following me as I open the door again. Holding up a finger to him, I step inside.

“I have an alpha coming in,” I announce. “I know this is the first time we’ve done this at Omega’s Haven, but we’re ever evolving, and he’s a fancy lawyer for my father.”

Domh makes a noise behind me, which I promptly ignore.

“Come on in, Domhnall,” I tell him, moving aside. Yes, I’m an asshole for using his full name, but he just smirks as he walks in, taking everything in.

“You’re a bonded alpha,” an omega says shrewdly, surprising me. “Your scent isn’t normal, though.”

“Yes, well, I managed to land myself in the doghouse with my omega,” he says. “Who may I assist today?”

Dee raises her hand to signal him, and he makes his way over. Folding himself into a chair to speak to her and the omega she’s helping, I walk over to the omega who made the earlier comment.

“How can you tell that there’s something going on with his scent?” I ask.

“I can see auras, diagnose people according to their scents, and such,” she replies. “People typically don’t believe me, but when you’re right as often as I am, you’re bound to ruffle some feathers.”

“I thought the observation was pretty amazing,” I say before someone signals me for help.

An hour later, I grab my duffle bag and call Gabriel to make sure he’s going to have some open gym time today.

“Hey, stranger,” I tease him. We’ve both been really busy, though he has a biweekly defense class at the outreach center.

Everyone is always excited for his class, and his presence doesn’t bother a soul. That’s just how Gabriel is.

“Mmhmm,” he laughs. “I haven’t seen you at class, but I’ve heard you’re off being amazing.”

“I think that’s a stretch,” I tell him. “I have been busy, though. Can I come spar at the gym today by chance?”

“Yeah, I’ll be here,” he says. “See you soon.”

Walking out into the main room, I look around, seeing that Domh is done and waiting for me.

“Bye,” I say, lifting my hand. I don’t like to disappear without saying something, in case someone is looking for me.

Nodding toward the front door, I decide to go out this way instead of the alley. Just because the outreach center was okay with his presence, doesn’t mean the shelter will be.

“I’m driving,” Domh says as I nod at the beta guard.

“Fine,” I sigh, snuggling into my coat. I’m so ready for spring. The snow needs to go away.

“That was too easy,” he says suspiciously as we walk.

“I don’t know what you mean,” I say innocently.

Domh

Gazing at the gym, I follow Aisling inside. I feel on edge because I don’t know the owner, and I don’t know what to expect.

“Hey, Aisling,” a man says, walking up to her with a wide grin. He’s a beta with a tight fade haircut, deep caramel skin, and is wearing a tight gray shirt with athletic shorts.

“Gabriel,” she says with a smile, hugging him. My chest growls almost unconsciously, and they both steadfastly ignore me.

Gabriel must be around a lot of alphas to know when to take the threat seriously, and when to brush it off.

“I’m going to change real fast, and then I’ll be back,” Aisling says, lifting her duffle bag. At his nod, she lopes off to the locker room.

“If you’re going to hit me, you may want to rethink that,” Gabriel says innocently. “I’m an ex fighter.”

“I’m not going to hit you,” I sigh. “I’m trying to figure out who Aisling is.”

What I’m really thinking in my head is that none of us have seen her come here before.

“What she is can’t be put into a box,” Gabriel snorts. “Aisling solves problems, finds ways around the bullshit red tape, and she’s very independent. She likes to do things herself. If you’re actually interested in her, get on board, because that omega is a force of nature.”

Aisling comes out again in a sports bra, shorts, holding a water bottle, and Gabriel meets her at the mats.

“Tape your hands,” he grunts. I watch them, folding my arms over my chest, as they go through the ritual of preparing to spar, and then my jaw drops.

Aisling is really good. Gabriel is a professional, stopping her jabs, pushing her back, jumping over her leg swipes, but that doesn’t change how fast she is as she spars. Over and over, she ends up on her back, breathing hard as she stares up at the ceiling, yet that doesn’t stop her from getting back up.

The tension in her body that’s been plaguing her is gone when they sit down on the ground and start talking as if it’s the most normal thing in the world.

This woman is going to give me white hair.

Seeing the water bottle she brought over earlier on the ground, I pick it up and place it in the ring within her reach. Aisling glances over and nods with a smile, taking a sip, and then her attention goes back to Gabriel.

“We once talked about sending people who wanted to learn how to professionally fight to you,” Aisling says. “I have an omega who might fit that description.”

Leaning forward, Gabriel nods. They both ignore the way I’m eavesdropping on them, completely unbothered.

“Send her over,” he says. “I heard you’ve been wanting to expand your reach as well for the haven. Leave me some business cards, and I’ll put them up front. You never know who may see it and need it.”

“Thanks,” she says gratefully. “I really needed that session. I’ve been wound really tightly.”

Thinking back, I have to agree. She’s been explosive, angry, and irritable. I remember the way she broke things in that rage room, and the way her father told me she tends to hold onto her emotions.

Speaking of which, I pull out my phone with a sigh, stepping away to text Cian.

Me:

Hey, boss.

The Boss:

Would you like to tell me why my daughter is ignoring my communication efforts?

My lips twist to the side as I read his message, because I can practically hear the irritation in his words. May as well pull off the bandaid.

Me:

She found out who Hayes is, and that we lied to her. Aisling thinks, by association, that you also lied to her. Things are pretty rough right now, but she’s upset. I think she’s avoiding you.

The Boss:

No shit, Sherlock. I need to speak to her.

Me:

She’s going to Pack Mohan’s house tonight. I got a text from Shaw threatening my knot if I refused to bring her or let him pick her up.

The Boss:

It doesn’t happen often, but sometimes Aisling gets in her head and falls off the face of the earth. Wren calls in her need for ‘proof of life’ when that happens.

I remember when I once experienced just that, and I start to see the pattern. Aisling is responsible for a lot of people and moving parts. The omega I spoke to at the outreach center has an aunt who is trying to take her kids from her.

I don’t typically do family court, but I can manage the chaotic waters well. I promised to show up for her in court and get it thrown out.

I also decided then and there that I was going to call a few law offices in different practices who take new lawyers to ask them if they need pro bono hours. Omega’s Haven’s clients need representation badly.

Me:

I don’t think she’s handling things very well, boss. I’m worried.

The Boss:

If you fuck up, you fix it. Give Aisling an outlet for her anger, or she may throw her knife at you.

Me:

Hayes is going to have a new scar. She ran from him.

The Boss:

You kidnapped her and thought she’d take it lying down? You have a lot to learn about my daughter. I hope she takes your knots and hangs them from a necklace.

Cupping my knot through my pants, I wince. Jesus, Cian is savage.

Me:

The vote of confidence is appreciated.

Stuffing my phone away, I look up and see that Aisling is gone. Brows knitting, I tense, eyes on the locker rooms.

“Have some patience, man. She’s taking a shower and changing,” Gabriel says as he passes me.

I don’t relax until she comes out, hair wet and thrown into a messy bun. I want to fuss at her for not blow drying it, but hold my tongue. If she gets sick, I’ll just make her let me take care of her.

I spend the rest of the day driving her around, the temperature dropping. It’s only when we drop off bags full of clothing, from a thrift store, for the Omega’s Haven emergency closet that she throws in the towel.

“I’m done,” she groans, stretching her legs out in the vehicle. “I can call Shaw to drive me out to their house if you don’t want to⁠—”

“Nah, I’ll do it,” I tell her, pointing the SUV in that direction. I changed cars today, switching with Aiden in deference to his all weather tires. I had this odd feeling this would be the better option.

“Do you want to see your father on the way?”

I feel for the old man, because he got caught in the middle of Aiden’s bullshit. He thought he was doing what was best for her, but she doesn’t know what he was thinking.

“No, thank you,” she says primly, looking out the window. “I don’t have anything to say to him right now.”

Deciding to leave it for now, I spend the rest of the drive in silence, noticing the way she relaxes the longer I’m quiet. I’ve been asking her anxious questions all day long. Aisling is an empath, and she’s been feeding off of my energy.

I feel like an idiot right now.

Promising to do better, I drive to Cian’s after I drop Aisling off. If I can help my scary fucking boss while trying to repair what my pack broke, then I will.