Tess

He breathed roughly, his dreams and reality not yet separated. He rolled his eyes to survey the room. Fortunately or unfortunately, he was alone. He tried moving his fingers, clenching and unclenching his fist to confirm his body worked properly. Then, supporting himself with his arms, he barely managed to sit up. His body trembled as if he had been running all night.

“Ugh, hnn…”

His rapidly beating heart confirmed he was alive, but how was reality any different from nightmares? The real world was more horrific than bad dreams. Asking to be saved? That was what he should have been saying.

‘Please, someone… save me.’

But there was no one to tell. He couldn’t speak to anyone. The leader had become engrossed in his new toy game. Iliya had no choice but to seek him out, despite his fear. He was more afraid of his true nature being discovered than of the leader’s actions. After fully satisfying his desires, the leader tossed Iliya a pill. Even more miserable than picking up medicine from the floor was having to take it in the first place. Though he wouldn’t acknowledge it, he couldn’t deny it either: the fact that he was an Omega.

*

*

Oblivious to others’ struggles, Nancy pouted whenever she saw Iliya. She was displeased that the leader’s attention focused on Iliya while she was pushed aside.

“I’ve been thinking.”

The leader called both Iliya and Nancy. One must soothe and coax unpredictable children.

“It might be good to postpone the wedding for a while.”

At those words, Nancy’s previously sullen face brightened. Conversely, Iliya’s expression darkened.

“Why so suddenly…”

“I’m concerned about the strength of evil spirits. Young, pure souls like yours are easily attacked by evil spirits. That’s why you must focus more on purification.”

“Yes, Leader!”

Nancy clenched her fist like a soldier resolving before battle. How ironic her pure reaction was in this situation. A bitter taste spread in his mouth.

“Don’t you think so too, Brother Iliya?”

When the leader cast his gaze, Iliya quickly came to his senses. It meant he should acknowledge the leader’s actions with his own words.

“Y…yes.”

The leader, wearing a completely satisfied smile, patted Iliya’s shoulder.

“Yes. I knew you would answer that way.”

As the fingers that had gripped his shoulder firmly slid down to dig into his armpit, Iliya instinctively shrank. He tried to twist away, watching for Nancy’s reaction, but the leader enjoyed the situation and pressed harder.

“Keep your body and mind pure and wait. When God answers me, I will call you then.”

“Yes, Leader.”

Nancy answered with sparkling eyes. Though unsure whether this instruction was for Nancy or himself, Iliya avoided eye contact and didn’t respond. He hoped Nancy wouldn’t be subjected to the same treatment, yet simultaneously hoped the leader wouldn’t come to him. No, to be honest, he hoped the leader would go to her instead. Even if that made him demonic…

As Nancy and Iliya left the office, watchman Doug immediately entered. The look Doug gave Iliya as he passed was chilling. Iliya kept looking back, pulled by an ominous premonition. Nancy was already walking far ahead. Though knowing he shouldn’t, looking back was a foolish human instinct, and Iliya’s walking pace gradually slowed. Then suddenly, his steps quickened again as he turned around and headed back the way he had come.

*

*

“So, what does that Alpha bastard want?”

Having heard about the complaint, they sent Doug to Central City to investigate the situation. The police chief was recommending leniency rather than prosecution, but reported it wouldn’t be easy.

“Are you sure? That damn old chief isn’t just trying to get more money?”

“They said it’s troublesome for them too since he’s a well-known Alpha.”

“Hah, what a pain.”

The leader clicked his tongue, sinking deep into his chair. Because of Nancy, that little thing, matters had become complicated.

“There’s talk of forming an investigation team, and that journalist seems to be poking around everywhere.”

“Damn it, I should have dealt with her father definitively from the start.”

“Should we eliminate him now?”

“Is your head so dull that you’re in this state?!”

The leader yelled at Doug, who flinched.

“If we kill that journalist now, don’t you know suspicion will only grow? Even those we’ve paid off will abandon us and heap blame on us if things go wrong!”

To maintain his kingdom, he had joined hands with powerful figures. Politics, media, law enforcement. He shared his possessions with them, and they returned the favor. Holding each other’s leashes, there was no fear of betrayal. But occasionally, those who mistakenly thought they had the upper hand angered him. How dare these worthless humans defy him, the representative of God!

“First, contact him secretly. Money or whatever might change things. If that doesn’t work, we’ll deal with him then.”

“This is a different matter, but there’s a lot of discontent about you monopolizing the virgins.”

“Hah, old men. They make a fuss wanting more even when they’re spoon-fed. If they’re dissatisfied, they should sit in my place.”

“Michael.”

“Call me Leader!”

As the leader growled, Doug quickly lowered his tail, disproportionate to his large build. Holyland no longer functioned without Michael. He had tamed not only the believers but also the guards and watchmen. The criminals, set in their ways, didn’t refuse the easy prey he provided. With a sigh, the leader calmed his temper and gave instructions to Doug.

“The day the investigation team comes, put drugs in the communion wine. Sleeping pills for the men, and as usual for the women. Make sure they’re as young as possible to avoid complaints.”

“Yes.”

“Make sure to record videos.”

In case of emergency, he needed at least one weapon to hold against the other’s throat. Malicious smile lines formed at the corners of the leader’s mouth.

“What are you thinking of doing with that Omega?”

When Doug brought up Iliya, the leader’s brow furrowed sharply.

“Omegas are abundant out there; would they be interested in him?”

“Then, at least among ourselves…”

The leader briefly looked at Doug with a contemptuous gaze. Well, men with records of assault and rape wouldn’t fail to smell it. Though possessiveness momentarily clouded the leader’s expression, he soon changed his mind. Since the same pattern might become boring, giving them new prey wouldn’t be bad. That would increase the loyalty of these dog bastards.

He picked up the medicine bottle on the table and rolled it in his hand.

“When the drug wears off, heat will soon come. Then he’ll be begging us to do it.”

“Then that medicine is…”

Instead of answering, the leader snickered. There was no need to say it explicitly. That the medicine wasn’t what it was supposed to be.

“As a generous leader, I should let him maintain his health, even if he’s an Omega.”

The original suppressant had long been thrown in the trash. Doug, who had been watching silently, suddenly flung the door open.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, I just thought I heard someone.”

After looking around once, Doug went outside. The leader, following behind, gestured for him to leave. Until Doug’s footsteps faded and the door closed, Iliya covered his mouth with both hands, not letting even his breathing be heard.

*

*

“Devote yourself to the upcoming communion service.”

Following his father’s admonishment about his recent laziness, Iliya bit his lip. He wanted to ask his father if he knew the hidden meaning. That he had to regularly offer his body to the leader and his henchmen. Would his father believe him if he told what he had experienced? He would probably kill him before a public trial, claiming he was possessed by an evil spirit.

Both his father and Nancy, those he wished to save and wished would save him, were furthest from him. A bitter smile, as acrid as the taste of blood in his mouth, emerged. Though he knew the medicine he had begged from the leader was useless, he had no choice but to seek him out to avoid suspicion.

“Got something to say, pretty one?”

The leader pretended not to notice Iliya’s entrance. After a while, he looked up with a sleazy face, taunting him. Iliya instinctively stepped back.

“Your body is quite eager, isn’t it?”

The leader stood and approached. Finding amusement in his prey’s trembling, he licked his lips with a snicker. Iliya’s voice became faint as he lowered his head.

“Please stop this now. Please…”

“This? What are you talking about?”

Cornered, Iliya curled up. The leader roughly grabbed Iliya’s chin.

“Spreading your hole and devouring my dick?”

“Hic!”

Speaking vulgarly, the leader seized Iliya’s dick. The grip was powerful enough to crush them.

“Could you satisfy a woman with this?”

As the leader’s rough breath reached his ear, Iliya tightly closed his eyes. A sticky tongue crawled over his cheek.