Devil's hill
Only a week had passed since her forced pair-bond but it already felt like months, Molly decided it was for the best to safe Lori the 'big news' and reserved her new partner acquisition to herself. Lori already had a lot on her plate to worry about her, too. Also, she wasn't ready to talk yet; somehow she felt like if she said it out loud it will become truer than it already was.
She preferred the bond to be like dust floating in the air after an avalanche, Molly knew it had to settle down eventually and face the chaos it created but right now she only wanted to refugee in the floating tension.
The good thing about living hiding her omega side was that nobody noticed the oddities her body stop doing. No more heat-suppressants, no more cold showers in the middle of the night, no more hid her scent every time she entered a crowded room. She was saving a lot of money usually wasted in medication which she cleverly disguised as a pay rise to Lori's eyes –of course, she had a pay rise she was now the boss's whore– but that money enable her to help more in the house which always put a smile on her face.
At least there were good points to this, but on the other hand still couldn't place him in her scale of decent and mean. When she thought she had him figured out, he made something that pushed her mind back to the opposite side.
Like the day they pair-bonded, after he let her go with a sordid menace and a 'See you later, Molls' she never thought he actually meant it.
Near midday, he crashed down on her work floor with a shining smile plastered on his face –oh how she was starting to hate that smile– and, a cocked blond eyebrow peeking out of his copper tinted sunglasses confirming her fears that the day wasn't over yet.
He wandered in the hallways passing from room to room closely followed by two of his faithful reaver dogs and all the nurses sighed with illusion by the mere fact of having him on the same floor. Molly did her best to continue her file filling data like if nothing happened but the deep sighs and the giggling were cracking her nerves, every piece of information she typed down echoed throughout the office at how hard she was hitting the keyboard.
After doing a scarce check out of the patients, he signaled for his men to make a double round while he walked down the hall directly towards the nurse's station to ask for a file, Molly quickly volunteer to search for it as the perfect excuse to escape his hot gaze and quickly dove inside a secluded four wall closet full of archives while Berenice –a hot blooded artificial blonde with overkill make up which by the way was 'miss popularity' among the guards– went straight to entertain him while Molly pretended to be busy.
"Mr. Pierce, I know how valuable your time is, if you want once we find the file I can personally deliver it to your office." Berenice suggested batting her eyelashes sensually while innocently playing with a pen she found over the desk.
"So nice of ya..- " Donald paused waiting for her to introduce herself, he only knew the relevant staff inside the facility and even when his men consider her relevant he never gave her too much mind at least no to learn her name.
"Berenice, my friends called me 'Bery'" Pierce grinned charmingly cocking his head to the side.
"I bet they do, gorgeous, but actually I need them right now." Berenice's eyes gleamed and her chest went up and down with excitement at the petname rolling out of his tongue, energetically nodding and with a big cheshire smile threw Molly out of the file closet, for her to look for the file.
Molly stumbled out of the file room after an 'Out of the way, Jones' and ended up in front of him who stared at her with a cynical smile twisting his full lips, a smile she was becoming very familiar with.
She felt tempted to ignore him and go back to her post but Gabriela was lurking around and she always demanded politeness from her nurses even for the brutes they work with, as she eloquently put it.
"It'll be just a moment, sir." she did her best to sound polite but bitterness poured out of her in waves.
Sensing her ill feelings toward him made his smirk grew wider and powered his need to screw with her just for the fun of it, which led him to ask.
"Sir?...such good manners maybe ya can 'sir' me later on." He winked at her and her cheeks flared up. Somehow, she assumed they had a mutual agreement to hide the state of their new relationship, her not wanting to lose her job and him, well, him just humoring her. But apparently she took it for granted and that made her extremely nervous. She desperately needed this job and he was jeopardizing everything.
Her nostrils flared with anger at his lack of tact and he seemed to be enjoying it. Probably he doesn't care at all what she thought and that awful fact angered her more than pained her; Molly downplayed him by focus her gaze solemnly on the floor like if there were the most important thing she have ever seen and let the tense silence reigned between them until he lowered his hand and sure that she catch a glimpse of his metal fingers he motioned for her to look up.
It took her a stubborn minute but eventually she looked up.
"Out in two minutes."
Knitting her brow at the command eagerly denied with her head but it didn't help her cause for he ignore her tempered state and swiftly said.
"I'll take your kind offer, Bery." Berenice peeked her head out of the closet smiling widely and dreamily nodded to then watch him go until he abandon the building. He strolled out to the courtyard and after the high lived commotion wore down; Molly resigned to follow him.
Once she was sure no one was paying attention ventured to where she saw him go and reaching the gardens, she was pull into the shadows by a hand that clutched her mouth muffling her cry of surprise, quickly follow by his trademark metal arm snaking around her waist with a vicious grip, a position too tight for comfort. Luckily, they were under the cover of the darkness some trees blissfully provided.
"Miss me, gorgeous?" Donald whispered deliberately sensual in her ear and Molly shifted her head to the other side getting rid of the hand over her mouth.
"So, you call everyone gorgeous is good to know you don't discriminate." she groused trying to kill his good mood, her instincts warned her of his devious tricks to have his way and it frighten her that he tried to fucked her again. Mainly because her thunderous heartbeat sheepishly announced the lack of resistance he would face if he purred, actually Molly could melt at his touch again just for the fact that she was still clinging in the post-dazed knot lure.
That freaking purring sound was like paradise in a pill and she was a junky waiting for her next dose –when he shook the pills canister– she paid attention.
"Someone is jealous, I know exactly what to do to relieve yar foul mood."
She tensed in his arms and waited for the worst, being…he fucking her in the middle of the courtyard drawing everyone's attention and depriving her of any trace of dignity she could have left.
The moment she felt his hand on her neck, shut her eyes tightly to endure the coming torture, Donald slid his flesh hand inside the collar of her uniform and continued his caress down, she was ready to ask him to stop when heard a canister opening and out of the sudden felt surprisingly relieved.
Performing tender circular motions over her skin the crude leader rubbed an ointment over the curvature of her sour shoulder successfully mitigating the pain his rabid bite had made earlier. His rubdown earned him a relieved sigh and a content grin. She melted with each precise and uncharacteristically gentle rub and she feared her enthusiasm would lead to a sexual outcome, reason why she stopped her noises all together.
Perceiving her worries his rough voice assured it was free charge and she let him carry on until she was almost sleep in his arms. He was right in one thing and that thing was he had the gift to bring her so much peace it was painful to the rebel inside her.
He was like balm for her aching soul. Little by little she realized how important he was to her omega part and how rebelliousness worked against her own happiness but still, giving in hurt her more than a dagger twisting her flesh.
She can't remember what happened next for she woke up alone curled in a couch inside the facility feeling calm and loved. Two feelings he didn't deserve and she guiltily blocked.
After that, she didn't saw him for the rest of the week.
Cero communication.
Nearing the end of the week Molly heard a couple of nurses babbling about how most of the reavers –how he called his gang of merciless mercenaries– was out in an important mission and that they hadn't a specific date to come back, joy washed over her knowing she would have some alone time to think about her current situation.
It was Friday night and her shift had just ended, she hurried to the locker room to change into civilian clothes when Rebecca entered making a fuss.
"Molls are you ready for a wild night?!" she beamed at her dancing and lifting her arms like in a club and Molly felt a weird pang of similarity at the pet name she was used to have once reserved for her more intimate friends, quickly shook that thought away, smiled and chuckled when Rebecca rubbed her ass against her side instigating her to follow.
"Do I look like I am ready?" Molly answered lifting her leg to show her weary jeans and shrugged her shoulders tugging at her long sweater which covered until her thighs.
"That can be easily fix if you say 'yes captain, I fucking am'" Molly let out a weak giggle and denied her head to what Rebecca cease her teasing taking a sit next to her to start changing, too.
"Maybe some other time, Becks." She muttered lacing up her boots, deep in thought which was nothing new to her friend.
"You've been awfully quiet these week, is something wrong?" probably tired of pretending, Rebecca addressed the pink elephant in the room. Indeed, she was quieter than usual and more than one noticed. But, she wasn't ready to let the steam out and burned everyone in its way.
"Tired that's all, no need to worry." She insisted putting on her best fake smile.
Rebecca was a direct and conscientious person who didn't like to go around the bushes and preferred straight confrontation to avoid misunderstandings, and despite her strong character, she was understanding and kind. A complete contradiction in a sexy package of tan skin and long legs.
"Save your sorry excuses for someone else, Jones. I know there's something fishy but you can tell me when you are ready; just answer me this, would you?" Molly glanced at her and Rebecca asked in a strained tone.
"Should I be worried?" concern peeked out of her green eyes and Molly felt bad for being the cause.
Yes. Run and never talk to me again, I'm cursed and if I don't behave you will be too. Molly itched to reply but instead.
"Of course not, I'm just having a hard week, nothing too bad though." she lied.
"It will be ok Molls, whatever it is, it will be ok." Molly felt a knot in her throat and tears moistened the corner of her eyes.
Turning around, she weighed on telling the truth but choose not to, Rebecca wasn't a sheep and she would lash against him like a crazy woman, probably end up calling human rights and creating an abysmal chaos that will end on him collecting some favors in the big spheres where he moved and then obliterating brave Rebecca out of her life.
So, she settled for smiling and thanking her for her good wishes.
After asking Molly another ten times if she wanted to join and receive the same negative answer, Rebecca joined other nurses and waved Molly goodbye; they were going to the most crowded club in town and Molly only felt like drinking a bottle of wine in the solitude of her room but a text from Lori quickly crashed those plans when telling her, she invited some old friends to have dinner at home and she was invited if she wished to attend.
Molly hastily replied, was going out with Rebecca and other nurses to the best club in town and that she'll be coming home late. Lori was so happy to hear it, she texted her right away wishing her a fun night and to be careful and then typed like ten happy faces and hearts.
Poor Lori, she was another victim of her changing humor.
Her web of lies was growing bigger and found herself stuck in her own mess; after an hour of feeling sorry for herself in the nearby park, swinging lamely in the swings finally got fed up with her defeatist attitude and decided that it could be her last free night of fun.
Taking off her pants and packing them in her bag, loose her hair from the bun and painted her lips red. Now, she looked ready for a party, her red long sweater reached her thighs and the knee boots made her look quite sexy.
That was Molly's magic; she was a natural beauty and didn't need make up or fancy clothes to look breathtaking.
Ready and with a new attitude set to catch up with her friends in the club but the place was far away from her actual spot. She deliberate about calling an uber but she lacked funds.
Reaching in her purse found some money, enough to take her there if she found a decent ride.
But first she made a quick stop on a drugstore to buy some booze with the few dollars she had on her, it was going to be lame to arrive and ask Rebecca for a loan to get wasted –not that Rebecca would mind– yet, she preferred to arrive already spirited.
Buying a six pack and a couple of bottles of wine, packed the booze in her bag and set to search for a cab. Lurking the horizon with her eyes nothing caught her eye.
The dim light of the drugstore parking lot illuminated her silhouette creating a bigger shadow of herself against the walls and she was mesmerized with the big shadow her petite body created, making her feel bigger than her problems. Nearing the point of spiritual revelation her dreamy moment was destroyed by a gruff voice calling and a car horn ringing, disturbing her playground.
The intense light from the car dazzled her making her feel like a deer trapped in the headlights.
"Hey kiddo, out of my way." A man shouted from inside a black limousine while attempting to park right where she was daydreaming.
She stared at him, puzzled and then realized what he wanted quickly jumping out of his way; He parked his vehicle and got out of the car stretching his back noisily, Molly could almost swear she saw some metallic splinters coming out of his fists but when fixed her gaze to corroborate, the fierce looking man was already inside the store.
She returned to her cab hunt and cursed her luck when not even one passed her way. It was getting darker and with every minute, dangerous. The streets were safe to transit freely in a reasonable hour but nearing the dawn things got nasty. And, dressed as she was…was like ask for trouble.
Time passed and she began to feel anxious, usually could take the bus and be home in less than half an hour but busses stop passing two hours ago and her options were limited. She thought about walking home but it flashed a red light in her head, maybe call Lori to come pick her up…but she'll know she lied and they'll fight successfully ruining both their nights.
Deeply sighing, sat down on the pavement and took out a beer from her backpack urgently needing a drink to relax, it wasn't the best idea to get drunk in a parking lot but at the lack of any other clever ideas this one shone like a diamond among coal.
She drank alone and unbothered until she dry down her fourth beer.
"I wouldn't follow that path, kid. You are far too pretty to get wasted alone." That gruff voice rang a bell and turning around found the limousine guy leaning on a post near his car. Glancing at her from time to time.
"Things can't get worse." She lamented, opening her fifth beer to take a sip when heard him mumble something close to 'she's not your problem' before he went back inside the store.
Molly drank down the beer like water and quickly felt light-headed. She was setting to open the sixth when a tall guy with slicked black hair and a leather jacket approached her in deliberate smug manner.
"Hello Beautiful, looking for some fun? Maybe add some new flavors to your life." The lanky guy asked with a toothy yellowed grin and a putrid breath. She flounced away and he pulled closer, unbidden taking a sit next to her.
"I have the best shit in town, it's almost pure." He fanned his jacket, shanking a small plastic bag full of white powder and flashed it in front of her face. "First taste is free, second…we can find a way to pay-" his offer was left incomplete when someone snatched him from his jacket pummeling him against the wall of the drugstore.
"Get lost, scumbag!" the limousine guy had him cornered against the wall holding him from the collar of his jacket while fuming.
"It's not your problem, grandpa! Go back to the nursing home." the lanky man sarcastically mocked him. He was taller than the older guy probably easy to defeat. But, when he launched the first punch the older man dodged easily and landed a punch so hard in his stomach, he doubled over throwing up.
Molly witnessed everything from her sitting spot, too dizzy to stand up without stumbling. And, the hammering of a shotgun was what caught everyone's attention.
"All of you out of my store! If you don't go I'll call the police, fucking junkies."
Probably, Arabic or Indian middle age man –screaming 'I'm a cliché store manager'– came out with a shotgun pointed at the ones fighting and like rats abandoning the ship everyone left the parking lot without another word.
The scraggly bearded man entered the limousine and speed up down the road while the drug dealer dragged himself away stumbling over the wall. Molly ran to the other side from where the lanky man went and kept running until her lungs ached from the cold night air.
Soon, she found a bus stop and decided to rest on the bench. She got more spirited than intended and didn't remember which way to go.
After fifteen minutes of swinging on the sidewalk glimpsed some lights at the end of the road and without asking for a ride the car halted near her, following her in slow motion.
"Kiddo, enter the car already." She heard that familiar gruff voice again and glanced through her shoulder finding the limousine driving next to her.
"Why? I don't need a ride to the nursing home." She barked back letting out a cute chuckled which mixed with a hiccup and she heard the man release an amused chuckle from inside the car.
"Ha, ha very funny; now get in." He opened the passenger door and patiently waited for her to make her decision.
She pondered; the street, alone and dangerous with a lurking drug dealer locking for revenge or the old man who already helped her and even came back to do so yet again.
Well, he actually didn't look so old.
Shrugging her shoulders in defeat got inside the car dropping her bag at her feet.
"Well thought, this is the first thing you do right tonight." He chided at her lack of common sense and speeded up down the lane.
Playing with the automatic windows Molly missed when he asked her name. And, he had to poke her to borrow her attention.
"Stop that" he scoffed, blocking the window controls on her side. She kept pressing the buttons and when nothing happened, gave up finally glancing his way.
"What was that?"
"What's your name, kiddo?" he asked again. Side glancing at her.
"Molly but my friends call me, Molls." She replied and a bitter taste treat to taint her happy hour, somehow she felt she wasn't the author of that specific line but not giving it to much mind bend down to grab her bag and took out the bottle of wine she was reserving for later.
"Nice to meet you, Molly." He stated, fixing his eyes back on the road and tried to ignore her fumbling with the bottle of wine.
"What's wrong with this? Why it isn't opening…" she inquired more to herself than to him. He glanced her way noticing the bottle had a cork and not a cap. But, she was too drunk to avert it.
"Maybe, it's a sign you should stop drinking." He sputtered, reaching for the bottle.
"Get your hands off my bottle," she pouted. "I was going to share…when I could open it," she complained, tilting her head to look at him while maintaining the bottle in hands reach.
He grinned at how naïve she looked and snatched the bottle from her hands.
"Too late, now is mine and I don't share." He said and put away the bottle by throwing it under his seat.
"That was plain mean, Mister-" she waited for him to share his name but he stay quiet.
She poked him, expectant and he swatted her hand away. "You are better off without it, kiddo."
"How unfair, I told you mine." He reduced to grin at her childish display and took out of a plastic bag a mineral water handing it over to her.
"Life's unfair get used to it."
She accepted the cold can and her eyes grew sad. He had aimed that comment to be funny or at least sarcastic but she took it to heart. Now, he was nervous; the last thing he needed was to have to deal with a weeping drunk girl.
"I'm getting used to it." She grunted low and opened the can taking a sip to wet her lips.
He glanced her way every five minutes to verify her state and always found her utterly lost in the blackness of the night.
He doesn't know why he did it but was unable to stop himself once it was said.
"Care to share?"
A timid smile surveyed her features and took another sip from the water to then turn his way and tilt her head down, pondering on something.
"How good are you keeping secrets?"
An amused smiled bloomed on his lips making him looked handsome; probably, he was very attractive in his early years.
"As good as a stranger you'll probably never see again."
She felt strangely pleased with the answer and without realizing it her lips started moving.
He listened to her problems, wrongs and lack of luck feeling sorry for the young girl. She was far too young to be already bonded and worst of all, it was not consensual. This society really disappointed him.
Who was the bastard that forced himself upon someone's life?! It was outrageous, primitive and abusive. Probably a poor bastard who thought himself king of the world.
He better not cross his way because he'll be in trouble.
Molly spilled everything and felt finally at ease. All was in the light and now that she said it out loud didn't feel worst as she thought but certainly better.
The man driving next to her, only made a few questions but he mainly listened to her letting her loose some steam and offered a sober squeeze on the shoulder once she finished.
And, out of nowhere he felt contempt to offer some advice.
"Nothing lasts forever."
The words coming out of his mouth sounded wise, almost like an old truth or a mantra he had well learn; somehow, his eyes told an older story than his body…like an vintage soul trapped inside a younger vessel.
Molly decided she liked him immediately –he was kind and awkwardly funny– a curt nod was enough for him as the acceptance of his advice and really hoping to know him a little more, she dared to ask.
"Humor me?"
He side grinned and shared. "He wants to make you believe you are his but that's not true…you are your own until you decided to give him power over you, no bond not even nature can will you against yourself," he opened a mineral water and drank half in one gulp sending her a meaningful stare.
"Don't allow it, Molly."
Molly felt like if a warm veil covered and protected her, supplying her with courage which filtered inside every fiber of her body and infected her with strength. The heavy burden hooked inside her womb became lighter, less possessive and the solid design carved on stone signaling her fate blurred at her new enlightenment.
Hope…that was what it was, a new raising hope enveloping and destroying his power over her. All his words and threats seemed hollow; danger was very real but submission was a choice.
For the first time, she felt in peace and happy didn't want the moment to end and packed with a renewed spark, suggested.
"It's almost sunrise, do you know devil's hill?"