Page 19 of Forget-Me-Nots and Apricots

For a long moment, Collins says nothing, just watches me with those penetrating blue eyes. I can almost see the calculations happening behind them—weighing all his options. Then he sighs, glancing around the deserted street before focusing back on me.

"This isn't the place to discuss it," he says quietly. "But you're right—you deserve some answers."

"Gabriel!" Reeves interjects, his voice tight with warning. "Protocol—"

"Can be bent under extenuating circumstances," Collins finishes firmly. "Ms. Reed has been cooperative. She's involved whether we like it or not."

I clutch the flash drive tighter, not yet willing to hand it over. "So talk."

Collins's eyes meet mine, steady and direct. "Elise Thompson went missing since last week. No signs of struggle at her apartment, no unusual activity on her accounts. She simply vanished." His voice remains calm, but there's an undercurrent of tension.

“So she went missing a week after Jensen did?” I asked, a frown on my face. That didn’t sound good at all.

"That's right," Collins confirmed, his expression grave. "And we believe the disappearances are connected, though we're still piecing together exactly how."

I digest this information, turning the flash drive over in my fingers. "And what does this have to do with my shop? Why was Jensen buying flowers here every two weeks under a fake name?"

Collins hesitates, glancing at Reeves, who looks like he'd rather be anywhere else. "We think the flower shop was a meeting point," Collins says finally. "Somewhere public but not too crowded. A place where they could exchange information without drawing attention."

"Information about what?" I press, sensing he's still holding back.

Collins steps closer, lowering his voice even though there's no one else around. "Elise Thompson was working on a highly classified project at Teria Pharmaceuticals.”

"Something to do with hormone regulation," he continues, choosing his words carefully. "Specifically, a new type of suppressant."

My mind races back to the research paper title I'd seen on her profile. "Neurochemical Inhibitors and Their Effects on Secondary Gender Expression," I murmur.

Collins's eyebrows rise slightly. "You've done more than a basic search."

"I'm thorough," I reply, not backing down from his gaze. "So what was special about this suppressant? There are dozens of brands on the market already."

"This wasn't just another brand," Collins says, his voice dropping even lower. "Thompson was developing a formula that could permanently alter secondary gender characteristics. Not just mask them temporarily like traditional suppressants."

The implications hit me like a physical blow. A permanent suppressant would change everything about our society, the carefully constructed hierarchy that placed Alphas at the top.

"Permanently alter?" I repeat, my voice barely above a whisper. "You mean..."

"I mean a single dose could potentially suppress Alpha or Omega characteristics forever," Collins confirms, his expression grave. "No more ruts, no more heats. No more pheromones capable of influencing others."

The implications are staggering. In a society where secondary gender determines everything from job opportunities to legal rights, such a drug would be revolutionary—or catastrophic, depending on which side you were on.

"That would upend the entire social order," I say slowly, thinking it through. "Alphas wouldn't be able to..." I trail off, looking at Collins, suddenly acutely aware that I'm speaking to an Alpha about removing the very traits that give his kind their power.

"Wouldn't be able to dominate through biological means," Collins finishes for me, his voice neutral. "Yes."

"That would change everything," I whisper, almost to myself.

"Exactly," Collins says grimly. "Which is why certain parties are very interested in making sure that research never sees the light of day."

Reeves makes a noise of frustration. "This is classified information…”

Collins looked over at Reeves, “Which she is already in the middle of because her shop was chosen as a meeting place. She would have been involved regardless.”

Reeves glares but doesn't argue further. I look between them, mind racing to process what Collins has just revealed.

"So Elise Thompson was developing a drug that would effectively neutralize secondary gender characteristics," I say, trying to keep my voice steady despite the implications thundering through my mind. "And now both she and Jensen are missing."

"Yes," Collins confirms, his eyes never leaving mine.

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