Anger like he’d never known, coursed through him like wildfire. Eli would’ve endured the humiliation, the pain for a little while longer but it wasn’t just his life at stake any more.
He had his baby to think about. Eli couldn’t imagine bringing up a child in this kind of awful environment.Worse, what if the child growing in his belly ended up being an Omega? Could Eli subject his son or daughter to the same upbringing he endured?
“Enough,” Eli whispered.
Once again, he couldn’t make up his mind. Eli only had two choices. Stay or go. Eli had pondered escaping numerous times. He’d gone as far as packing a suitcase filled with his valuables. Nothing more.
In the end, he always unpacked everything. He’d chickened out. Eli was always terrified of the tales his family and Steve told him. Omegas who ventured into the outside world without protectors ended up being prey to larger predators.
Omegas fell at the bottom of the paranormal food chain. They were no better than defenseless humans. Eli’s kind was largely sought after for their ability to give birth to pure-blooded shifter children.
Besides, Eli had a mountain of chores to do. He shouldn’t be daydreaming about his escape plans. Steve refused to hire extra help because he expected Eli to take care of all the household affairs.
Eli turned on the old computer in the living room. His hand shook as he clutched the mouse. Eli didn’t know what exactly he was looking for. He pictured himself far away from this awful house, this city he grew up loathing.
He came from a well-to-do family. He was better off than most Omegas who didn’t have anyone else to protect them. Steve and his family always took the opportunity to remind Eli how lucky he was, how he owed them for looking out for him.
Honestly? Eli preferred to rough it out on his own somewhere out there in the real world as opposed to remaining in his gilded prison forever. Eli scrolled through numerous far-flung locations on his computer.
“South Pine, Montana,” he whispered.
The town was a three-hour drive from Nestor City.
He clicked on a picture of a dreamy and picturesque mountain lodge that was situated in that town. Grizzly Mountain Lodge.
Eli didn’t know why he automatically reached for his wallet, only to remember his credit cards were under Steve’s name.
Stupid Eli. He couldn’t afford to make a single mistake. Eli made a booking under a false name and opted to pay cash upon arrival. His heart was beating rapidly after what he did.Was he really doing this?
Steve punching him in the face was the wake-up call he needed. Eventually, Steve would hunt him down. His entire family would disown him and that was the best-case scenario.
Screw them all. Eli’s number one priority was the survival of his unborn child. He turned the PC off and started to tremble.
Eli had never done anything like this before. He’d always been the good and obedient son who couldn’t afford to embarrass his family. He let other people make decisions for him his entire life. Now that he finally chose his own path, uncertainty filled him.
What would he do next after he arrived at the lodge? He could stay there for a couple of days, a week at the most, and find a new location.
Eli shook his head. He didn’t have the luxury of time. He could entertain those questions later. If he was truly considering leaving, then he needed to get going.
Eli dragged himself out of the computer chair. Returning to the bedroom, he pulled out his rollaway luggage from his closet. It was the same one he used when he first moved in with Steve. It was battered but still serviceable.
Steve and he never took trips together—which was fine with Eli. The last thing Eli wanted was to find himself stuck with his abuser in close quarters 24/7 in some far flung location.
Eli bet it would be a torturous experience. He propped the luggage on the bed and unzipped it. Eli returned to his closet. He needed clothes that were warm and comfortable.
He threw in a couple of sweaters and pants, along with two warm coats just in case he needed them.Eli’s heart raced the whole time he was packing. He couldn’t believe he was finally doing this.
Once he finished packing, he rolled his luggage to the first floor. Eli made himself a warm cup of tea to calm himself down. He glanced at the wall clock in the kitchen.
2 pm. Steve usually came home late. The Alpha liked to go to clubs or parties hosted by his asshole friends. Eli made himself a sandwich and forced himself to eat even though he wasn’t very hungry. He didn’t want to stop to eat during his drive. His goal was to get to the lodge as soon as possible.
His stomach did strange flops. This was his first solo road trip. Some would say Eli lived a sheltered life, but Eli preferred to call himself a prisoner.
Growing up, his parents vetted his friends and didn’t allow him to go on school trips. They said they were big overprotective for his good because Omegas couldn’t survive in the outside world on their own.
What bullshit. His parents and Steve never thought to cut away internet privileges. They knew Eli needed some kind of simulation. Eli had stalked famous Omegas on social media who made it on their own. They didn’t need keepers.
A nasty voice, Steve’s voice, spoke in his head. What do you think a big and bad monster would do after he sees an unprotected Omega all on his lonesome? He’ll decide you’re prey.
A thousand awful scenarios rose up in his head. What if Steve and his family were right? What if Eli ventured out on his own, only for bigger and worse predators to zoom in on him?
Omegas were weaker than the average shifter. Even if Eli
