Page 79 of Omega on Fire

"She means Beaux," he says, stalking toward her with predatory grace, coming around the side of my bed to scoop her into his arms in one fluid motion.

Charlotte fucking beams, and I'm struck dumb by the sight. In all the years I've known her, I've never seen her look at anyone the way she's looking at this man—this Alpha. How, despite everything, this looks good on her. She's practically glowing, her scent reflecting contentment and something else. Something I never thought I'd see from either of us.

I never thought either of us would ever have a pack. But if anyone deserves one, it's her.

I've accepted my loneliness. No one wants a maleOmega. I resigned myself to that fact years ago when my family tossed me away like garbage.

"Nice to meet you all," I manage, my voice still raw. "I get to thank you in person finally. Thank you for saving my bestie."

My gaze shifts to each of them, taking in their varied appearances but similar intensity. The one Charlotte called Teagan stands with his arms crossed, his posture screaming authority. Moses’ presence feels calmer, but no less powerful. Josiah's slender frame belies his strength and power, evident in his place within the pack.

Then there's Beaux, who's still holding Charlotte like she weighs nothing, his eyes never leaving her face. The way he looks at her makes something twist in my chest—not jealousy, but a bittersweet ache of witnessing something I've convinced myself I'll never have.

"Thank you for saving me," I add, the words inadequate for the magnitude of what they did.

"Like Beaux said, you're family." Josiah's voice is lighter than I expected, almost musical.

"It's nice to meet you as well, Brookes." Moses dips his head slightly, a gesture of respect I wasn't prepared for.

Teagan, clearly the leader of this little group, stepsforward. "We're going to make sure nothing like this happens again. To either of you."

After the introductions, I listen as Teagan recounts the fallout of the shootout and rescue. Everything was written off as a random gang incident, even though everyone in this room knows differently. That's the story the NYPD fed to the public, complete with manufactured evidence and witnesses who mysteriously came forward.

Of course, Senator Blaine wasn't mentioned in any of the reports. His hands remain clean, at least on paper.

"They're fucking covering for him," I spit out, anger momentarily overriding my pain. "A United States senator orchestrates the kidnapping and attempted murder of an Omega, and they just what? Pretend it didn't happen?"

"Welcome to America," Charlotte says dryly, but I can see the fire in her eyes. She's not defeated—she's planning. And then she tells me exactly what that plan is.

My jaw drops as she outlines her strategy to expose Senator Blaine by going live and telling her story. Not just her story—our story. The story of every Omega who's suffered monstrous actions.

"Josiah has been collecting evidence for weeks,"she explains, gesturing to the Beta, who pulls out a tablet and shows me files upon files of documents. "Bank records showing payments to known traffickers. Email correspondences carefully coded but explicitly discussing 'merchandise' that's clearly meaning Omegas. Surveillance footage of meetings with criminals wanted in multiple states."

"It's enough to bury him," Josiah adds, his eyes gleaming with something that looks a lot like vengeful satisfaction. "But her testimony will be what makes it impossible for people to look away."

"It's risky," Moses says softly. "He has powerful friends."

"He also has powerful enemies," Teagan counters.

Beaux, who's been unusually quiet, finally speaks. "And he's about to have three very pissed-off Alphas and a Beta publicly calling for his head." His voice drops to a growl. "No one touches what's ours."

The possessiveness in his tone should make my Omega instincts bristle. I've spent my life fighting against that kind of thinking. But there's something different about the way he says it. It's not about ownership. It's about protection. About family.

Charlotte meets my eyes, and I can see she understands exactly what I'm feeling. "We're doing this, Brookie. We're taking him down."

And just like that, I'm all in. If anyone can take down a corrupt senator, it's Charlotte Matthews with an army at her back. I want him to pay. For what he did to me. To her. To all the Omegas he's hurt.

"Charlotte. You badass superhero-ass bitch, I love you." The words burst out of me, raw and honest.

"I love you too, Brookie." Her smile is fierce, determined. "Now let's go cause some mayhem."

The men exchange glances, and I swear I see Teagan fighting back a smile. These Alphas have no idea what they've gotten themselves into with Charlotte. But judging by the way they're looking at her—with respect, admiration, and yes, desire—they know exactly how lucky they are.

And for the first time since I woke up in this bed, I feel something other than pain and fear.

I feel hope.

CHAPTER 30

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