*Omario POV*
I am still trying to make sense of what just happened. How is Abi able to hear my whispers like this and why did she not shock me when she held my hand earlier?
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
I turn around to find Terrence on his knees. I am to blame for putting his life in danger, he should not be thanking me.
“Leave us,” I instruct the servants and they immediately disperse, including Abi. I offer Terrence my hand and pull him up.
“These walls have ears, walk with me.”
He silently walks besides me until we are out of the castle into the woods.
“You have questions.”
It’s easy to guess. A servant had never bee chosen to be a Gamma before.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“I chose you because you are a good men and simply deserving. I know your strengths, I have seen you train. I know your weaknesses too and they are commendable. Did I answer your questions?”
“Most, Your Majesty.”
“You are free to ask anything.”
“What if I don’t want to be your Gamma?”
His question takes me by surprise. It’s the complete opposite of what I expected. I can’t help but be reminded of my interactions with Abi. I thought she would be thrilled to eat my food and wear the best clothes but I was wrong.
“I would rather remain and die a slave than become the tormentor, Your Majesty.”
“Your commendable weakness. I don’t expect you to torment anyone, Terrence.”
I don’t blame him for thinking like this. That’s what I have portrayed.
He hesitates for a moment.
“You are free to speak your mind with no consequences.”
“I can not truly and honestly serve you while you are oppressing and exploiting my own.”
This is exactly why I chose him. He knows that I could crutch his neck for saying that but he still has the courage to say it anyway.
“I have not exploited anyone, Terrence.”
He looks at me with disbelief before making a proclamation.
“Abi is my friend.”
Those four words carry so much that I can’t help but exclaim out loud.
“Ha! I should have known!”
An uncomfortable feeling steers inside me. The way Abi was flustered earlier should have alerted me of this but it does not matter.
“It’s nothing like that, Your Majesty. I swear.”
I really should not be this relieved by this because there is absolutely nothing between Abi and I.
“Does she say I exploit her?”
He shakes his head and clenches his fists.
“She will never tell me. That’s the person she is. She keeps it all inside.”
I, unfortunately, understand his melancholic voice too well. I have seen him helplessly watch her run out every Friday night when she gets hunted. I have also seen him going out to find her numbing herbs after that. He tries to protect other servants but he definitely cares for her more than the rest.
“I will let you in on a secret simply because I know the kind of man you are. I have not touched any servant and I have not touched your friend. I have no intentions to but this shall remain between us. Do you understand?”
He nods. “Yes, Your Majesty and it will be my honour to serve you.”
That’s a relief. I would definitely be a laughing stock amongst dad’s okes if I was turned down by a servant.
“In that case, why don’t you show me what you have?” I challenge him before shifting into Titan and start sprinting. I know that he can keep up to my speed because I have seen him run before.
It takes a few seconds before a pitch black wolf with white ears and black eyes cashes up to me. Terrence’s wolf is quite massive for a servant. If dad did not kill all the heirs beside Abi, I would swear that he has royal blood. I increase my speed and head towards the steep hill and he is right besides me. Air blowing through my fur, sounds of the birds singing and the trees swaying. Pure speed and adrenaline pumping through my veins. This is absolute freedom. It’s two hours later when we finally slow down and head back. Terrence is a definite good choice, I hope Floyd will be able to keep up with this insane pace because I have no intentions of slowing myself down.
“Great! Go take care of your injuries and get some rest. We will start training tomorrow.”
Terrence nods before shifting back and not a sign of his injuries is on sight. The cracked lip and blue eyes he had earlier are completely gone. I frown at him. That’s very fast healing.
“It’s my mutation, Your Majesty,” he says when he notices my surprise but does not explain further.
I nod and he disappears, leaving me wondering what exactly I am doing. I have managed to fool everyone into thinking that I am just like dad, but I have risked it all for a servant whose beast hate me. I need to get away for a few days to clear my head and try to understand myself better.
I am walking past the servant’s quarters when I hear my name being mentioned and realise my mistake. I quickly turn back and budge in without knocking…..