learning the ropes

Vanessa’s pov,

I walked into a room that looked like a chemical lab from a movie. I saw some omegas mixing different substances and liquids. Others were pressing things into shapes or rolling cigars. There were a few putting everything in carefully wrapped packages with the logo of a wolf on it. Lianna came to me when she noticed me standing at the entrance a bit lost.

“Hi, Vanessa, come on let’s get you started.” She handed me a lab robe and glasses for protection. “So, there are 3 different areas to work, the mixing area, the pressing area, and the packing area. You will start at the mixing area and then rotate to the next area when you get the hang of it. We want you to be able to work in all areas. That way everyone is as flexible as can be.”

She walked me to a guy that I remember was called Connor. He was busy mixing different liquids into a flask. Lianna patted his shoulder and said, “Connor will get you up to date on the mixing process.”

She walked away and Connor gave me a kind smile before bombing me with information. He told me about all the different liquids and substances. Then he showed me that every drug has a specific recipe with different methods of mixing and heating. My head was dazzled by all the information but luckily, I had a good memory. He only had to tell me something once for me to be able to remember it. So, by the time he was done talking and told me to make XTC as a test, I did it flawlessly in one try. Connor had a hard time hiding his surprise and then let me try all the other recipes as well. There were about 20 different recipes, and I didn't make a mistake with any of them. While I was still busy, I saw Connor walk to Lianna and whisper something in her ear.

I made a mental note that Lianna was clearly in charge of this omega group. Luckily, I already liked her anyway. Lianna and Connor came back, and she said, “I heard you are a bit of a natural talent Vanessa. Let’s get some lunch and afterward, you can go to the pressing area.”

I gladly walked after her because I was actually starving. I made every one of the omegas some nice BLT sandwiches and sat down next to Lianna. She looked at me and asked, “Have you done this work before?”

I shook my head and took a bite, “No first time. I guess I just learned to process information and notice details. When you are always on your own you learn to read your surroundings.”

Lianna squeezed my hand, “Most of us had a rough life so you are not alone. To us, it doesn’t matter what your past was. We will judge you on your current behavior and character. If you are hard-working and a team player there is definitely a place for you here. However, the pack is not perfect.”

Lianna doesn’t elaborate further on what she meant with the last sentence, and I felt it wasn’t the right moment to ask. So instead, I decided to gain some information about the betas. “What can you tell me about the betas of the pack?”

“Tomasso is a great beta. He is strict and doesn’t tolerate disloyalty or laziness, but he is fair and always wants to do what’s best for the pack.” She hesitates for a bit, “With Allesandro you should be careful. Let’s say his way to power wasn’t the cleanest. You should be careful who you ask about him and try to avoid him. He has an eye for beauty and won’t hesitate to use his position to get what he wants.”

I nodded and decided that I would try to stay as far away from Allesandro as possible. After lunch, I worked on the pressing and packing area. Both areas were easy for me to learn as well so by the end of the day I could work the whole lab. I felt Spirit already getting excited about the pack run later so at 5 I quickly went to help with cooking so we would have time to run. The pack run felt amazing again and it felt good to have Spirit satisfied and happy. By the end of the day, I fell asleep quickly.

The rest of the week I worked as hard as I could at the lab. Because of me, production increased by 30 percent in our omega group. I actually didn’t mind the work it was relaxing for me to work with my hands. The daily pack runs also helped immensely to reduce the stress I noticed. The increase in production didn’t go unnoticed so at the end of the week, Tomasso came by and asked Lianna why they were doing so well. Lianna told him in front of the whole group about my hard and precise work and I couldn’t help but blush from all the praise. Tomasso seemed pleased and told me he would let Alpha Don Lorenzo know.

The next day I was just mixing some ingredients when Allesandro came in. I immediately felt a shift in the air, and I could smell the scent of fear coming from the other omegas. Allesandro walked to Lianna but didn’t even look at her when he said, “The Alpha wants to see Vanessa. Now!”

Lianna had a worried look in her eyes but gave me a nod to approve that I should go. I took off my lab coat and walked after Allesandro. I followed him through different halls but hesitated when he disappeared into a dark corridor. “Allesandro?” I asked a bit unsure. I doubted that the Alpha’s room would be at the end of some dark corridor. Allesandro’s voice sounded annoyed when he answered, “Hurry up. You don’t want to keep the Alpha waiting, do you?”

I sighed and walked into the corridor but before I knew it I felt a strong hand against my throat. Allesandro pushed me against the wall and pressed his body against mine. He held my throat so I could barely move, “Listen to me carefully little bitch. I do not believe this cursed nonsense for a moment. You may have fooled the Alpha but there is no reason why I cannot have you.” I felt his hand searching for my breast and he squeezed it hard. I could feel him breathing down my neck and with a raspy voice he said, “I have power you know. I can make sure you gain status in this pack, or I can make sure your life will be a living hell. Your choice.”

I felt his hard erection against my thigh and suddenly anger took over me. I was so done with these disgusting men thinking they could just own me and do with me whatever they wanted. I let Spirit take some control and growled, “I would rather die than have your filthy hands on me. Now fuck off!” And I lifted my knee with all the force I had and kneed him in his crotch.

Allesandro howled from pain, and I quickly ran out of the corridor bumping into Tomasso. Allesandro hurried after me with a furious look in his eyes but stopped when he saw Tomasso. Tomasso his eyes went from my red, heated face to Allesandro still holding his crotch. He towered over Allesandro, and his voice was full of authority, “I will bring Vanessa to the Alpha myself. Come to my office later it seems we have some pack rules to discuss.”

Allesandro gritted his teeth from the humiliation, and I could see in his eyes that he would stay true to his promise to make my life miserable. I looked up at Tomasso and said, “Thank you.”

He gave me a short nod and replied, “We must go now. The Alpha will not be pleased that we are late.”

He led me to a big dining hall where Don Lorenzo was sitting at the head of the table. He was eating a lobster and drinking red wine. He looked up displeased when we came in, “Why did I have to wait Tomasso?”

Tomasso bowed his head in respect, “I didn’t pay close enough attention to the time, Don. My apologies it won’t happen again.”

Don Lorenzo took a sip of his wine, “It better not. Now, Vanessa, I have heard that production has increased since you started working for me. I do appreciate a wolf that can work hard. So as a reward, I will give you a chance to prove yourself. If you do the task successfully you will be promoted to the normal pack members.”

My heart skipped a beat because I felt proud that I already got a chance to work myself up after one week. However, I did like the group of omegas, and leaving them would be sad. Besides what would this task even be?