Doppelgänger: Hidden Gems Dark Omegaverse Series Book One Read online

  Doppelgänger

  Hidden Gems Dark Omegaverse Series Book One

  A.R. Ford

  Doppelgänger

  Hidden Gems Dark Omegaverse Series Book One

  A.R. Ford

  Copyright 2020 A.R. Ford

  All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced, transmitted, photocopied, scanned, faxed, or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the author except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. Please contact the author to obtain permission to use parts of the book for other purposes.

  Printed in the United States of America

  First Printing, 2020

  www.authorarford.com

  [email protected]

  The characters, places, and events in this book are figments of the author’s imagination. Any similarities with persons living or dead is merely a coincidence.

  Warning:

  This book is a dark omegaverse m/f story. If you are unfamiliar with the omegaverse trope, it is highly recommended you research it before purchasing this book.

  The book contains mature content and sexual situations as well as potentially triggering material (kidnapping, physical violence, power exchanges) intended for adults 18+. If you are offended or triggered by such material, please do not buy the book.

  Dedication

  I dedicate this book to the absolutely amazing Indie author community who I am blessed to be a part of. Your encouragement, wisdom, willingness to support other indie authors, and talents inspire me to continue to grow.

  Chapter 1

  Tanya

  Only a few more days. A few more days until I could take the one step that held me back. Leaving Baron Michaels behind me. It was an easy decision, actually. Baron was demanding, dark, dangerous. When Richard Quinn, Baron’s nemesis, asked me to dinner six months ago, it felt like home. Richard was everything I needed. Rich. Doting. Vindictive. He wanted revenge on Baron as much as I did. What better way to drive the knife into Baron’s back than to jilt him for his sworn enemy?

  The crux of the problem was simple, really. Baron preferred work and business over me. What once had been a heated, steamy relationship gradually turned cold and lifeless. It was no different than making dinner for an errant partner, only to have them show up hours later when the roast was now cold. I could no longer stand the thought of being with my fiancé.

  Now, as I sat in a fancy restaurant having dinner with him, I smiled and laughed, pretended everything was alright. Until the alert for a message came from my phone. Only one person would message me knowing that I had a dinner date with Baron. As I suspected, it was Richard.

  Richard: I miss you already. Once is never enough.

  Tanya: I feel the same way, darling.

  Richard: Tell me you will be mine forever. Tell me when I can hold you.

  Tanya: As soon as I find a way to escape. Must go. He’s here.

  The instant I glanced up, Baron’s gaze caught mine. There was no way to fathom what lay in the dark depths of his eyes. I felt almost like a bug on display beneath a microscope. Trying hard not to panic, I smiled, reaching out for his hand.

  “Problems?” Baron inquired with an arched brow.

  “No, just a new intern asking for the hundredth time when she needs to be at the launch party on Saturday night. Nothing I can’t handle.” The lie sounded convincing to my ears. I relaxed when Baron nodded and smiled.

  I knew better than to cross Baron. It gave me great pleasure to do so. We were the power couple on Jade Island.

  The island was one of nearly two dozen outposts established hundreds of years ago by One World to ensure the survival of the human race. Nuclear war nearly destroyed the world. One World sought to take control. A single government ruling the entire world. A government with nefarious purposes, controlling every aspect of our lives. Until the resistance fought back with the likes of the legendary Hunter Luca Walker and Healer Donovan Fitzpatrick. The only good thing attributed to One World was the establishment of outposts.

  Hundreds of years later, humanity evolved into three classes. Alphas were the dominant, aggressive, protectors of society. Alphas were always male. They were strong fighters, intelligent, mercurial, and dominant. Alphas tended to have two solitary purposes: to rule and procreate. Only with a fertile Omega could an Alpha procreate.

  Betas, both male and female, were common. Females did not experience estrus. Male Betas did not experience the rut--an overwhelming need to mate with an Omega in estrus. They found love and had children without the complications of estrus or rut.

  Then there were the Omegas. Small, submissive in most cases, intelligent, filled with motherly instinct. Always female. And only an Omega in estrus could procreate with an Alpha. Omegas were beyond rare. None existed on Jade Island, or in other outposts for at least the past thirty years. It increased their value in ways that most cannot fathom.

  Part of my trickery came as I played with the fate the gods gave me. I was born a beta but through chemical compounds bore the scent of an Omega. Baron sought to marry me simply because he was fool enough to believe I was an Omega. In the two years we were engaged, I had yet to enter estrus. He did not question the failing, believing that I took heat suppressants to avoid estrus until we were married.

  Baron’s voice drew my attention back to the present.

  “I’m sorry I can’t be there for your launch of the fall collection,” he murmured. Baron glanced at his phone, tapping a reply to a message.

  The remainder of dinner passed with talk about nonsensical things such as the weather, the latest Jade Island news, and our plans for dinner Sunday. I replied with practiced ease, smiling, and nodding, even as a writhing tendril of betrayal bore deeper into my heart.

  At the end of our dinner, Baron walked me to the limousine. I presented my cheek for his kiss. A murmured, “I love you,” pacified the man I knew would destroy me if he learned of my plans. By the time he knew, I would be on my honeymoon with Richard Quinn. Just desserts.

  After the limousine door closed, I continued the text message exchange with Richard. Richard knew I was a beta. Although he was a powerful Alpha, he assured me the shortcoming did not matter. Baron was the farthest thing from my mind on the drive home. My mind was made up. Betrayal was always best when served cold.

  *****

  The coffee shop across the street from the office gave me a place to escape the ongoing chaos in TR Designs. I sighed, attention focused on the text message exchange I had with Richard. It was Friday. I was no closer to an escape plan than I was several months ago. Time was ticking away, and with it, my future with Richard slowly disappeared with it.

  Slender and dark-haired with sapphire eyes, the girl wore a threadbare sweater. She approached the counter, eyes darting furtively over the menu board. Once the girl turned toward me, I knew I’d found a solution. A body double who could take the fall. The girl’s clothing led me to believe a bit of money thrown in her direction would easily sway her. The thin sweater she wore was threadbare. A hole in the knee of the jeans was covered with a patch, most of which was ripped away. The girl’s shoes had holes over the toes. Part of one sole flapped freely as she walked.

  Without a second thought, I approached her. “Hello.”

  The girl’s reaction was instantaneous once her eyes turned toward me. “Oh my gosh! We look so much alike!”

  “I was astonished when you walked in. Would you care to join me? It’s not every day I come across my twin.” I laughed with practiced ease. The barista approached the counter with the girl’s coffee. “Please, let me
get that.”

  The girl was easily swayed into joining me at the back table. “Thank you for asking me to join you. This is surreal. I’m Hailey Knowles, by the way.”

  “Tanya Russo. Good to meet you.” I shook the girl’s hand before continuing. “Yes, it is an odd experience seeing someone who looks so much like me,” I offered. If I could just get Hailey to agree to meet me tomorrow night, everything would be set. “You’ll think I’m crazy when I say this, but please hear me out. I own a company that produces my fashion and makeup line. The photographer for the publicity shots had this crazy idea. He wanted to find a body double to stand in and make some of the shots looking into a mirror more realistic. Is there any chance at all you’d consider working for me? It’s only for a couple of hours. Everything you need would be supplied. I’ll even arrange a transfer of credits to your account today. I’ll do whatever it takes to convince you.”

  “Photo shoot? Oh, no, I’ve never done anything like that. I’m afraid I wouldn’t be a good choice for your body double,” the girl stammered. She took a sip of coffee before standing up. “I should really be going. I’m looking for a job today. I still have a few places on the list. Thank you for the offer. It was a pleasure meeting you.”

  Desperate to seal the deal, I blurted out an offer. “I’ll give you a thousand credits. Right now.”

  Hailey paused. Her eyes widened. “That’s too much. I couldn’t possibly accept.”

  I dug into my wallet, grateful for once to have the money on hand. I held out a thousand credit note to Hailey. The effect was immediate. My decoy reached hesitantly for it. “It would help me out of a jam. There’s no obligation to continue. Just meet me tomorrow night at TR Designs headquarters across the street. It’s the silver and black building with TRD over the door. The first floor has a space set up just for the photo shoot. I’ll meet you in the lobby at quarter to seven tomorrow evening. I’ll get you set up. The photo shoot will take place in a private patio off the first floor. What do you say, Hailey?”

  “Thank you. I’ll see you tomorrow at six forty-five.” Hailey carefully placed the money in a wallet. With a cheery wave, she moved toward the door. “See you tomorrow, Tanya!”

  I sat back in the seat with a satisfied grin. Richard was pleased to hear my report via text message. His reply was straight forward. I did not provide details. The fewer people who knew of my treachery, the better.

  Tanya: Plan in place. After the launch party?

  Richard: I’ll see you in the limo parked on Chatterly Way. Don’t be late.

  The trap was set. Now it was time to set the wheels in motion.

  Chapter 2

  Baron

  I sat behind the massive oak desk in my study waiting patiently for the information I sought to arrive. Tanya thought I knew nothing of her treachery. I suspected days after she began to have an affair with Richard Quinn. My nemesis.

  The study was my safe haven. I retired here often throughout the day, craving the solace, the uniformity of the room. Golden oak paneling covered the walls. A matching golden oak flooring lent a continuity to the room. Two sofas sat near the fireplace set in the far wall. The solitary windows on either side of the fireplace could be covered in seconds with electronically controlled blinds. The faint scent of cigar smoke lingered in the room. Any event of importance took place here.

  A knock at the door gave me hope that I was in luck. Vince Carver entered with a briefcase in hand. The investigator came highly recommended. He promised delivery of the information I sought within a month.

  Vince was short and lanky, a beta in every way. His bald head was always covered with a black fedora. He wore a trench coat today. It was a valuable item of clothing considering the cold rain that settled in for the day. A hawkish nose and brown eyes set beneath bushy brows lent character to his thin face. He didn’t know it yet, but he now belonged to me.

  “Mr. Michaels, it’s good to see you again,” the man said in greeting.

  “You have the information I requested?” I asked, one hand motioning to a seat in front of the desk.

  “Yes, sir, Mr. Michaels.” Vince produced an optical drive and a manila envelope from the briefcase. He hesitated for a second before placing the information on my desk. “Everything you requested is in there. I have text message transcripts, cell phone records for the past six months, copies of the transport tickets for tomorrow night. I included optical files of the recorded conversations from the tap on the landline.”

  I leaned forward, taking the manila envelope without an iota of emotion displayed. My gut twisted when the photographs fell onto the desk. Everything I suspected was verified when I saw photographs of Tanya with Richard Quinn. Regardless of modern technological advances in data storage, those methods did not pack the punch of photographs.

  The photographs of Tanya with Richard Quinn did just that. A punch in the gut with devastating impact. Flipping through each one, I saw everything I suspected. Tanya and Richard having dinners together, of them entering and leaving hotels together. A few contained compromising photographs taken through an open window in Richard’s home.

  Bitter resentment soured my mouth. I pinched the bridge of my nose, breathing deeply in an effort to calm the rage that nearly roared out of control. I tossed the envelope containing a large sum of credits onto the desk near Vince.

  “My people will be in touch. You’ve completed the job exactly as I requested. There will be more work for you, if you’re interested.”

  “Absolutely, Mr. Michaels!” The investigator shoved the envelope into an inside pocket of his jacket. “I look forward to your call.”

  “You can go now.” I waited until the door closed behind the man before losing control. The first victim of my rage was an empty shot glass on my desk. It shattered against the far wall, littering the floor with hundreds of pieces of broken glass.

  Vito entered the study. He stood quietly near the desk for a few minutes before speaking. “You wanted me to come see you as soon as Vince left.”

  I glanced at Vito, my face twisting in some semblance of a grin. “Tomorrow night at seven, you’re to take a couple of the boys with you. Bring Tanya back here. I want a hood over her head so she can’t see, and her mouth taped shut. If you have to sedate her, do so. Take what you need. We’ll use the quiet room.”

  “Do you need anything else, sir?”

  Vito was the perfect right-hand man. He did as he was told without question. I desperately needed loyalty at this moment. Tanya thought to betray me with Richard Quinn, the only competition that existed on an island of this size. She would learn the error of her ways. Richard would pay the ultimate price for his role in the betrayal.

  “Rig Richard Quinn’s limo with an explosive device set to go off when the ignition turns. He thinks he’s getting away with this. I’ll kill two birds with one stone.” My voice was devoid of emotion. The rage was in control for now. Tomorrow night I would set it free when I punished Tanya.

  I had not gained the position of power I held by shaking hands and kissing babies. It took cold, brutal force to rise to power on Jade Island. With power came reputation. My reputation was that no one betrayed me and lived to tell about it. Two rats would learn that lesson. The remainder of the island would understand by Sunday morning.

  Chapter 3

  Hailey

  Jade Island was so different from the outpost I came from. Well, crash-landed while escaping from, to be more accurate. Withershear Garrison stood in the southern part of what was the United States. For whatever reason, One World chose to neglect the outpost. It fell into ruin and stopped working as it should have. We were no longer able to purify water or produce enough food to sustain us there. Everyone died around me, including my parents. The only choice I had was to board an aging transport carrier and pray the craft would make it to Jade Island.

  The island wasn’t a random selection. Fading paper maps, an outdated method of guiding travel, held the locations of several nearby outposts. I only used
the paper maps after the COMM unit shorted out. I suspected rodents chewed into the wiring. That did not matter. The only thing that mattered was escaping to somewhere other than the outpost where I would die if I did not leave.

  The faded map contained legible coordinates for only one outpost. Jade Island. Programmed into the transport, I managed to bring engines online. A few miles from Jade Island the transport shuddered. It began spewing smoke and lost altitude. I fought with the controls as best I could. Managing a transport without a co-pilot is difficult in perfect conditions. I somehow managed to maintain some semblance of control. Flying beneath the advanced quantum-laser-equipped sky shields was easy. The crash was not.

  I survived the crash with only bumps and bruises. The transport landed on a bluff just above a pristine beach covered in white sand. I regretted not being able to stay longer. It was so beautiful and serene. Something a deep-seated place within my heart craved. Stripping the craft of anything of use, I ventured toward the city. Within hours of arriving, I knew the city’s name. New Ivormoor. It was more beautiful than the outpost in so many ways.

  I was grateful for the credits scrounged at the outpost before undertaking the flight. It gave me the means to rent a cramped efficiency apartment in a failing area of the city. I could blend in, become one of them, and hide what I really was.

  Born an Omega, my adoptive parents helped me hide what I was. Heat suppressants kept my estrus at bay while at the outpost. Only a few remained in the supply I kept in a faded pink backpack along with clothing and a few other necessities.

  The formative years of my life spent at the outpost led me to understand the harsh realities of life. When someone died, we placed the body in a zippered pouch specifically designed for that purpose, loaded it into the ejector chute, and launched their body into the stratosphere. I wondered if those bodies continued to orbit our world, or if at some point, they entered the atmosphere again only to be incinerated before striking earth. There were no siblings to bond with. My parents told me I was an only adopted child. As the population at the outpost dwindled, I learned forming lasting attachments were foolish, useless endeavors. Why get attached to someone if they left your life without warning?