It was clear that there was something wrong with August since he was born. No one around him could ever guess what his second gender would be. He was nurturing, but he was never obedient.

In his later years, once it was discovered that August was an omega, it was still not noticeable. Besides, he never wanted to abide by any alpha's words. The only control they had over him was when he was in heat. That's why he took suppressants anyway.

No one ever made his heart skitter. No one but you. The cute beta barista who was annoyingly insistent on only dating betas. You never exclusively told August, but c'mon now. He knew everything about you.

Truly, it was your fault for not giving in to August's advances. Had you said yes to a date the first time, you would probably be in a happy and fulfilling relationship with him. Yes, maybe you would be distanced from your family, and maybe one or two people would've gone missing for doing more than August deemed appropriate, but at least you wouldn't be cuffed to him 24/7, now would you? And besides, now you're the missing one. The ramifications you're facing are simply on you.

You'd been given many chances. He'd come in every day, make some idle chit-chat while ordering, leave you a good tip, and ask you out, and you, in turn, would turn him down. August had patience, but everything had its limits. And a few months ago was the Omega's tipping point.

So, after one of your night shifts, which were Monday, Thursday, and Friday, he followed you right into that narrow alley you always passed as a shortcut, grabbed you, drugged you, and carried you to your new house.

One of your hands was always cuffed to his. Always. While eating, taking a leak, when August was working, showering. Well, he'd take it off for showers, but he was the one bathing you, so it didn't truly matter. Omegas were meant to nurture, and since you couldn't give him any pups, ascribed to being a beta, he took care of you instead.

Not cuffed to him? He cuffed to a pole in his basement instead.

You could barely remember the last time you saw anybody. He broke your phone while waiting for you to wake up, and that was it. Delivery guys? He made you wait in the basement until they were gone. Acquaintances looking for you? He'd already made sure to stage your death.

"But I took a day off. You have me all to yourself. Ain't ya exhilarated?" August mused while cooking, having cuffed you to the fridge handle

You'd stopped trying to escape. Maybe you hadn't lost all hope, but you surely were tired. The bruises on your body and the memory of your scalp aching after your hair is maniacally yanked on were proof enough that you shouldn't.