Like Lucifer had predicted, they had almost reached Tar Sons when the sun disappeared behind the mountain. "Come." Lucifer clicked his stallion into a trot, and Alex felt compelled to follow. She swallowed nervously as she realized the mental bond between them was growing stronger. Damn that bracelet. She followed still at a walk, not sure how to move Ruby into a trot. She kicked at its flanks, clicking like Lucifer had done, but the mare only snorted, speeding up into a slightly faster walk.

Up ahead, Lucifer paused looking back. "Alex. Come."

Alex pulled her lips into a frustrated snarl. "The damn horse won't speed up," she yelled back. She kicked the mare again to prove her point. The mare pinned its ears back, and Alex immediately stopped. She knew very little about horses, but she knew that was a bad sign.

Lucifer returned to them, chuckling slightly. "We'll work on that." He reached out, touching the mare gently. The horse visibly relaxed. "Come along." He pushed Alistair back into a trot, heading towards the town. Alex sat back, and let Ruby follow. After a few steps, the mare's gait changed, and soon they were close behind Lucifer.

...

Once in the town, they slowed back into a walk. A few people were still in the streets, which were lit by glowing lamps. The town was very large, and Alex made sure to say close to the alpha. The streets were wide, and signs hung in the windows. Not wooden signs, but signs that glowed with luminescent colors. The buildings weren't made of wood either, but were much more similar to Crowley's building. Lucifer dismounted, motioning for Alex to do the same. She obeyed, patting Ruby on the nose as she pulled the reins over her head.

"Here." Lucifer handed her Alistair's reins. "Stay here, okay?"

Alex nodded. She didn't want a repeat of last night. As Lucifer disappeared inside a tall building, Alex sat down on the curb, sighing. Alistair approached, snorting. He dipped his wide head, and Alex raised her hand, smiling as the large stallion licked her hand. It was a strange feeling. Alex pulled her hand away with fake disgust, scratching the horse on the forehead. She stood, running her hands up his face and down his neck until she reached his soft black flank. Lucifer must like black horses.

"Alex." Lucifer exited the building. "We have to take them to the stables. Follow me." He briskly set off around the corner, leaving Alex to lead both horses after him. She tugged them in through a door to where Lucifer was standing, waiting patiently. He took his stallion for her and led him down and into a stall. Alex followed suit. With Lucifer's instructions, she unfastened the saddle, awkwardly carrying it over to a peg on the far wall. Lucifer followed, less affected by the saddle's weight.

He finished far before her, pausing to watch. With a few careful words, he made sure everything was done properly before handing her his saddlebag. Then he led her back into the inn.

...

Their room was several floors up. Alex stood looking out the window while Lucifer changed. A hand on her shoulder brought her back out of her thoughts. Lucifer looked down at her appearance. "I'm sorry you don't have a change of clothes. When we arrive at my place, we'll get you something. Until then, you can borrow one of my shirts."

Alex looked up at him. "Thanks, I guess. But I've worn the same shirt for weeks on end. I don't need to change."

Lucifer frowned. "My omega will not wear the same clothes for weeks. You will wear fresh clothes every day, understand?"

"It's a waste," Alex muttered. "I only need one shirt at a time. When it gets old, I get a new one."

"That's not how it works anymore. You're my omega and you will follow my rules." Lucifer handed her one of his shirts. "You can sleep in this."

Alex took the shirt. When Lucifer didn't move, she blushed. "You gonna turn around?"

"No."

Alex sighed, so she turned around instead. She shrugged off her jacket, then quickly pulled off her t-shirt. She opened the clean one before she froze. Lucifer had placed his hands on her side, drawing her close. "You said you got your clothes from the town? You stole them?"

Alex tried to answer, but her voice caught in her throat. "Yeah," she finally got out.

"You stole a bra?" Lucifer ran his fingers along the fabric. "I'm surprised you knew you what they even are considering you-"

"Crowley gave me one," Alex snapped, trying to pull on the shirt. Lucifer dipped his head, pressing a kiss on her neck before he stepped back, letting Alex finish. She didn't turn around, knowing her face was still flushed. Lucifer kissed her neck again, this time running his teeth along the sensitive flesh. Alex jumped slightly. "Would you stop?" she hissed.

Suddenly she was shoved forward into the wall. Lucifer pinned her there, frowning against her ear. "Do not talk back to me," he growled. "And don't tell me what to do." He ran a hand down her side, curling it around her stomach. Alex flinched at his touch. "Now. I'm your alpha. And that gives me the right to touch you however I wish. Do you understand?"

When Alex didn't immediately respond, he pushed her farther into the wall. "Yes," Alex gasped out in pain. "Yes sir."

Lucifer loosened his grip, satisfied with her answer. "Good. Now make sure you remember it." He ran his eyes over her figure. "However, I promise I won't touch you like that until I have your trust. After all, that is what our bond requires." He stepped back, and Alex turned around. She walked over to the bed, eyes trained on the ground. Lucifer pulled out a thick leather bound book and sat down on the bed. He opened it to a marked page.

Alex watched him curiously. She knew it was a book, but reading wasn't her strong suit. Eventually the curiosity overtook her, and she sat down next to him, looking over his shoulder.

Lucifer glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. "Do you know how to read?"

"A little. I haven't read in almost a decade, though. My dad taught me, but he didn't really think reading was important. After he died, I just stopped." She shifted farther into the mattress, getting comfortable. "What are you reading?"

Lucifer smiled. "Paradise Lost. It's an old book.I enjoy reading it. I find that I can very much sympathize with the main character." He reached over, taking her hand. Alex simply let him, too interested in the book to really care. Even though she read at half the speed Lucifer did and only understood half the words, she sat there with him while he read.

...

Eventually, Lucifer closed his book and put it on the nightstand. He looked over at Alex. Her eyes were closed, and her breathing shallow. She looked peaceful. Lucifer looked over at the light switch on the wall, not sure if he should get up. He was already under the sheets and comfortable. And if he moved, he would wake her up.

He gently shook Alex awake. Her blue-grey eyes flickered open, coming to rest on Lucifer. He opened a channel between her and the Source, and her eyes lit up. "Turn off the light," he ordered her quietly.

The omega's eyes narrowed, but she did as he asked. The room fell into darkness, and Lucifer lay down. Alex settled down next to him, still not fully awake. Within a few minutes, she had drifted back off. He kissed the top of her head, closing his eyes.