The doorbell rang. Alex hurried out of the bedroom, tugging one of Lucifer's washed-out t-shirts over her head on the way. She threw open the door, glancing at the clock.

"Hello." Gadreel stood in front of her, a small smile crossing his face.

"Uh . . . hey." Alex ran a hand through her blonde hair. "You're here. Five minutes early."

"Sorry. We're you busy? Nice shirt by the way. You like Led Zeppelin?"

Alex looked down, lips twisting into a frown. "I don't know what that is," she admitted. "It's Lucifer's shirt." She moved back, holding open the door. "Come in?"

Gadreel took her invitation and stepped into the penthouse, looking around. "It's very nice. Lucifer certainly has good taste."

"Yeah. Sure."

"You don't agree?"

Alex shrugged. "I lived in a cave," she said casually. "I'm not one to be consulted on interior decorating."

"Touché," the alpha mused. He walked across the room and sat down in a chair, dropping his bag next to him.

Alex followed, plopping down on the couch. "So. What do you want to know? And you have to be out of here before four. Or, uh, earlier."

"No problem. Now." Gadreel reached into his bag and pulled out a pencil and notepad. He then set a small black rectangle on the table, pressing one of its buttons. "Alex. Omega of Lucifer Novak, one of the most powerful men in the country." He scribbled his words down.

Alex was still staring at the black box, biting her lip slightly.

Gadreel looked up. "It's a recording device." He tapped the table with his pencil. "It records all of your words."

"Oh." Alex slowly nodded in understanding. "Neat." Amazing, actually.

"So, why don't you tell me about your life before Lucifer. You mentioned you lived in a cave?"

Alex blinked, taking a deep breath. "My dad died when I was young, and I lived by myself in the woods. I had a cave near a stream, and I got supplies and some of my food from the town. It wasn't much, but I got by." She shrugged. "I taught myself to channel. No one knew about me. I left them alone, and they did the same. I was found by a couple hunters a month ago. They brought me to a trader . . . uh, Crowley was his name. He sold me to Lucifer."

Gadreel nodded, hurriedly taking notes. Alex shifted uncomfortably, still unsure if she liked having another alpha here while Lucifer was away. "You said you taught yourself to channel." Gadreel broke into her thoughts.

"Yeah. Apparently I'm pretty good." Alex shrugged. "I just did what I had to get by."

"Do you think you could channel for me?"

Alex shook her head. "N-No. Lucifer would feel it. He doesn't like it when I channel."

"Why not?" When Alex lowered her gaze, Gadreel's eyes softened. "What has he done to you?"

"He thinks I'm going to kill someone." Alex fiddled with her hands. "I used the Source on an alpha after he came at me me during a . . . I don't know what it was. A fight, maybe?"

"An omega fight." Gadreel nodded, lip curling into a disgusted snarl. "That should be illegal."

Alex nodded in agreement, then paused. "Yeah," she finally said. "I guess. Lucifer wasn't happy. He . . . he used the bond between us to whip me."

Gadreel put down his pencil. "I'm sorry." His voice was soft.

"It's fine. I deserved it."

"No, you didn't."

"I used the Source against an alpha."

"You used it in self-defense."

Alex shrugged. "Whatever."

"Have you bonded with Lucifer?"

Alex shook her head. "N-No. No way. It's just the partial bond. We've never . . ." She trailed off, not wanting to talk about this.

Gadreel ignored it. "So, what's it like living with an alpha?"

Alex shrugged one again. She fiddled with the hem of her shirt, thinking of an answer. "It's . . . it's different," she finally said. "It's a lot more comfortable than living by myself. I have food and heat and water at my fingertips. But . . ."

"But you're not free."

"Yeah." Alex nodded in slow agreement. "I'm not free."

Gadreel moved, sitting on the opposite end of the couch. "You know, not all alphas are like this. A lot of us think omegas should be treated like equals. Not restrained." He reached over, touching the silver collar around her neck. Alex flinched away, and Gadreel let out a quiet breath.

"Lucifer's not that bad," she defended. "He . . . He lets me channel sometimes."

"Then why don't you siphon right now?"

"I can't! He doesn't let me channel when he's not here. I'm cut off, and he'll know if I try." She added in a quiet whisper, "He might hurt me for trying again."

Gadreel shook his head sadly. "Alphas. They think they deserve to own omegas. If anything, owning one should be a privilege."

Alex let out a small laugh. "Thanks."

"I'm serious." Gadreel bit his lip, thoughts flying through his mind. Alex watched, running her forefinger up and down her thumb nervously. Gadreel noticed. "I'm sorry. Am I making you uncomfortable?"

"It's fine. I just . . ."

"You just what?"

"I just don't know if we should be doing this. Lucifer won't be happy."

"Lucifer won't find out."

Gadreel shifted stood up, guilt prickling at her skin. "Please. T-This isn't right."

Gadreel stood up as well. "Why? Why isn't it right? I thought Lucifer wasn't your alpha."

"He's not."

"Then why do you keep acting like it? Why should you care what he thinks? And why he dictate what you do?"

Alex opened her mouth, and it hung open as she tried to think of an answer. When nothing came, she closed it again, looking away.

"Do you like him?"

"What?"

"Do you like him?"

Alex scoffed. "Like him? Hell no!"

"Then why do you act like it?"

"I don't!" Alex crossed her arms defensively. "I, I mean . . . I like him a little, I mean it's none of your business!"

Gadreel's eyes flashed, and he rolled his shoulder back, but he didn't say anything for several seconds. Then he nodded. "You're right. It's none of my business."

Alex relaxed.

Gadreel looked over at his things. "Perhaps I should come back another time," he suggested. "You seem a little tense right now."

Alex nodded. "Maybe that would be better."

Gadreel motioned to his card that was laying on the table. "Perhaps tomorrow? I'll be in the area again, so if that works for you . . ?"

Alex hesitated, then nodded. "Yeah. I guess."

"If it doesn't work, please give me a call." Gadreel walked over and began packing his things. "If not, I'll be back here around eight." He turned to Alex, who was watching him nervously. "Remember. You're not doing anything wrong." He slung his bag over his shoulder and stepped over to her, reaching out and taking one of her hands. "There is nothing wrong with talking to a friend, okay?"

Alex nodded for the third time, not sure if she believed him or not. "Okay."

Gadreel held her gaze for a second before letting out a small nod. "Okay," he echoed. "I'll see you tomorrow." Then he was out the door. Alex quickly locked it behind him.