Page 93 of Wild Omega

My alphas are my coping mechanism. I clench my teeth against the words. I’ve already exposed myself too much today. No need to give her more ammunition.

I smile as nicely as I can muster. “So, what is this, a ten-step program or something?”

She smiles and slots her glasses back on her nose. “We can figure something like that out, if it helps you to visualize it as steps. But you have to be open to an organic process. It might take some time.”

I still consider this place a prison, but the way to escape it is different than the House of Bitches. Even if I continue to run away, they’ll drag me back until I get their approval, and the whole world will side with their logic. Protect the omega; even if it’s against her will. I need a different kind of escape plan.

“Can I see my alphas?”

Her lips purse. “If they make themselves known to the Center and pass our verification process, then yes.”

I turn away to hide my grin, tapping my teeth in victory. They’ll come for me. I’m surer than ever. If it’s just a matter of dotting and crossing some letters with this woman, then I need to create the character who can do it. Someone like the Joker, someone who’s so good at emotional dissonance that I can fool even this psych doctor.

“All right. I can see I was being stubborn,” I murmur, rubbing my lip. “So long as you promise you’re not trying to keep me captive here.” The person known as Red dives deep inside, to be locked away. Who do I need? Someone softer, someone delicate as a flower and vulnerable as a rabbit—a Daisy.

The sooner Daisy gets the doctor’s tick of approval, the sooner I can go track down my missing alpha. And I’d better hurry, because a shivery fear deep in my belly says he’s not doing well.

Chapter thirty-nine

Rickon

The heat of the day disappears as the giant blue nest’s sliding doors swallow me up, but sweat still runs down my spine as I approach the reception desk. I resettle my boring navy suit. No corsets for me on the day I apply to officially be a pack alpha. I did wear my lucky thong, though.

A woman in an Omega Center uniform smiles up at me, but her smile falters as she takes a second look. Probably realizing I’m not the omega she first thought, or maybe catching traces of bruising around my throat under my scarf.

“Hello, how can I help you today?” she asks.

I swipe my tongue through my dry mouth. “I’m Rickon Jones. I’m here for an appointment regarding my omega. Red Jones,” I add in a hurry, feeling a thrill to hear my name attached to hers. If she called herself that, I can too, right?

While the woman brings my appointment up in her system, I look around. The building feels a little too cool and oversized, so I cross my arms and rub my skin, wondering if this is why Red doesn’t like it here. Although now I know more than I should about her past, thanks to Callisto’s work on the cases, I can’t imagine she’d feel safe anywhere.

“Yes, I see you, Mr Jones. Please follow me.”

She leads me up a hallway and I take in each happy-family painting on the wall, the corporate carpet underfoot, and even the neutral scent of the place as I follow. I’m aching to see Red, and I want to be able to discuss everything with her. If that’s what she wants. But maybe she won’t want to talk.

The receptionist knocks on a door and then swings it open. “Mr Jones is here.”

Two women wait inside for me, both betas. I wipe my hands on my pants. Everything feels like a job interview, but with much higher stakes. “Hello,” I offer. “I’m Rickon Jones.” These women will decide if I’m officially fit to be Red’s alpha.

They introduce themselves as Samantha and Marilyn, the older woman giving off the distinguished air of an academic. I’m sure I heard Red swear aboutSamantha, so I sneak a few more glances. She’s a tall, slender woman with a high ponytail and bony cheeks. But she has a calm aura.

Marilyn invites me to sit down. “We’re glad you’re here, Rickon. We understand you spent some time with Red and we’d like to hear more about it.”

“I didn’t just spend time with her. I’m her alpha,” I correct quickly.

They exchange a glance I don’t like the look of. “Did Red tell you that?”

Shit, no wonder Red wanted out of here as fast as possible. I sit up straighter. “My soul told me that the moment I laid eyes on her. You can probably tell I don’t have a strong alpha presence, but I scented a lot and—” Oh, damn.

I clamp my mouth shut. Will Red get into trouble if they find out we had sex? It’s like walking through a minefield.

Samantha smiles. “It’s okay. We know Red stayed in your home and had consensual sexual relations. We’re not here to chastise you, Rickon. We’re just trying to get the full picture.”

I nod grimly. “I went into rut after meeting Red; my first-ever rut. If that doesn’t say how strongly her presence affected me, I don’t know what else I can tell you. I know I’m her alpha, and she also confirmed it.”

Marilyn nods and laces her fingers together. “We wanted to speak with you because Red is not like other omegas. From what we can gather, she was a captive at an illegal omega hub for ten years, and experienced multiple travesties.” She holds my gaze. “The human mind cannot sustain such abuse and remain intact.”

I press back into my chair, not liking her tone. “And yet she’s strong enough to pursue her dreams and not let that shit hold her back.”

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