She wasn't sure how long she was like that until the door opened. "I told you to stand."

Alex looked up at Lucifer. "Yeah. Like ten minutes ago."

Lucifer reached for the leash and Alex scrambled to her feet. "Sorry, I'm sorry, okay?"

Lucifer took hold of the leash, looking over at her. "Be careful with what you say," he said quietly. "I don't tolerate sarcasm or sass."

Alex said nothing.

Lucifer held her gaze until she looked away. "Come along. It's time to leave." He tugged Alex out of the stall. She immediately resisted, but followed after a small zap ran up the leash and into her body. She ceased struggling, and followed the alpha out of the door and into the street.

...

She soon found herself sitting on a black mare. She watched its mane blow in the gentle wind, ignoring the alpha next to her. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw him fiddle with the silver bracelet around his wrist. It took the place of the leash, and now they were connected as long as he kept it on. And while it was on, he control whether or not she could touch khul'Shalkrum.

She reached for it none the less, recoiling when a quick zap passed through her.

Lucifer didn't even bother looking at her. "Don't," was all he said. He snapped the reins on his stallion, and both his and her horse picked up their pace. Alex shifted as the gait changed. She had never been on a horse before. She didn't think she liked it. She cast a glance up at Lucifer from where he sat upon his large black stallion.

Lucifer must have felt her discomfort, because he spared her a glance. "I don't care for horses either," he said. "Where I come from, we have technology that is far advanced."

Alex tipped her head. "Where are you from?" she asked quietly, eyes lowered in submission. On the inside, however, her stomach boiled with resentment.

If the alpha felt it, he showed no signs. "I come from over the mountains." He gestured broadly to the small line on the horizons. "And that is where we will be returning to."

Alex couldn't help the trepidation that passed through her. She had never been this far from home, and now, her worse nightmares were coming true. She instinctively felt for the Source, only drawing back when she saw Lucifer raise an eyebrow. "Sorry," she mumbled. "Instinct."

"Not for much longer." Lucifer returned his gaze to the dirt road. They had left the town at least a mile back, and were now riding in the open countryside. "Now, tell me. Trained yourself, you say? How? Most omegas can't touch the Source if they haven't been taught."

Alex shrugged. "It was easy. It only took a little bit of practice. I could always feel it, and it was my companion. Now, I just feel alone." She looked up at the alpha pitifully.

He didn't seem to care. "That's not what I asked you. How did you train yourself? Someone must have told you about it so you knew how to touch it."

Alex shrugged. "My father talked about it, but I was too young to touch it. After he died, I could feel it. It was comforting, so I just kept reaching for it. After about a year, I was able to manifest it." She let out a poor excuse of a laugh. "I spent almost all of my time in my cave, so I had plenty of time to practice. I'd practice until I almost passed out."

"How old are you?"

"Seventeen." Alex sat up a little taller. "You?"

Lucifer shot her a glare, and she slumped over again. However, he did answer her question. "I'm thirty four."

Alex knew he was much older than her, but still hearing he was twice as old as her made her shift uneasily. It wasn't uncommon for alphas to bond to their omegas both mentally and physically, and Alex definitely knew she didn't want that.

Lucifer definitely noticed. Thanks to the bracelet, he was acutely aware of the emotions his omega felt. His omega. It had a nice ring to it. He let the trace of a smile grace his lips. His omega. "You're probably wondering why I came so far to find an omega."

Not really. However, Alex politely let out a small sound.

The alpha continued. "Crowley is a family friend. I've been looking for an omega for a while, but no one really caught my eye. That's why I decided to travel down here." His eyes ran down the omega's body. "It's a good thing I did, too. Are you still pure?"

Alex blushed. "I have belonged to no one," she growled. "I never will." She stiffened as a jolt ran through her, but it was obviously not intended to hurt. It was only a reminder.

Apart from that, Lucifer didn't seem affected. "Darling, you belong to me. And I definitely am not no one. But you haven't had sex with anyone?"

Alex huffed. "No one knew I existed until last week," she pointed out dryly. "And I've never been one for slutting around town."

Lucifer smirked. "You've got quite a tongue. It's unfortunate that that'll have to be broken out of you." He reached out, running light fingers through her blonde hair. Alex simply refused to flinch away. "Not the prettiest omega," he murmured. "But strong. I think you'll do just fine."

Just fine? Fine for what? Alex suppressed a shudder. She knew nothing about the workings of an alpha and omega pair, but could easily imagine horror stories that could come out of a such a pairing.

Lucifer noticed. "I won't hurt you," he promised quietly. "Unless, of course, you do something to deserve it. Then I'll punish you as I see fit." He felt Alex's reaction, and let out a breath of laughter. "I'm not as cruel as people think I am. I have a temper, yes, but if you stay on my good side, you'll be fine." He glanced over at his omega. "I see that didn't help calm your nerves."

"Not at all," Alex whispered. Now she definitely didn't like him. She sat stiffly, and, as her mind wandered, she reached for the warmth of the Source. It was purely instinctive; her seeking comfort.

Lucifer sighed loudly. "Why do you keep doing that? Do you know anything about how to behave?"

"I've lived in a cave since I was ten," Alex snapped before she could help herself. "You think I know a damn thing about how I'm suppose to act?"

Lucifer spun his horse in front of hers, and the mare stopped with a nicker. "You will not speak to me in that manner," he growled. "You will not raise your voice for any reason, do you understand?"

"Yes," Alex said meekly.

Lucifer rubbed the silver bracelet on his wrist. "I don't want to have to use this," he warned, referring to the electrical pains Alex had been feeling. "And what you have so far felt is nothing compared to what I can do."

The mare stepped back nervously, and Alex swallowed. "Sorry," she whispered. "Like I said, I don't know . . . what's expected of me." It was at least partially true.

Lucifer narrowed her eyes, determining if she was telling the truth. Then he huffed. "I see what Crowley meant when he said you still needed extensive training."

Alex huffed as well, then lowered her eyes. "I apologize. And in case you were wondering, I - khul'Shalkrum, it's comforting. When I'm . . . scared . . . I, it helps me calm down. I can't help it."

She wasn't sure, but she thought she saw the alpha's posture soften. "The reason we don't let omegas touch khul'Shalkrum is because they could easily use it to overpower us." He turned his horse so it was beside Alex's, and they continued walking. "Crowley told me that you've killed with it." He glanced down at Alex.

"I killed a dog," Alex retorted. "And it was hunting me. It was either me or it. I chose it."

She swore she saw Lucifer smile, but it was quickly gone. Alex turned her attention back to the road.