Charlie’s gaze flickers to my face, concern deepening in his eyes. I can tell he’s worried about me. It makes sense—we only see the doctor when there’s a problem.
“I’m getting my cast off today,” I say softly.
The tension in Charlie’s shoulders immediately lifts, and he takes a deep breath. “That’s so exciting,” he says, his smile genuine now. His eyes crinkle at the corners, and I can’t help but feel a flutter in my chest. He has a way of making everything seem a little less daunting.
“Come on,” he says, taking my hand. His touch is warm, grounding. He leads me back into Dr. Plume’s office, and I glance over my shoulder at the triage room. I strain to hear any sound that might tell me the omega is still alive, but all I catch are a few hushed voices.
“What will happen to him?” I ask as Charlie cleans the exam table with a disinfectant wipe, then pats the top. I shimmy up onto it, smoothing my nightgown over my legs with my good hand.
“What will happen to who?” Mrs. Danner asks as she steps up next to me. She fusses with her hair, trying to tame the salt and pepper flyaways sticking up around her ears.
“We got a new patient in today,” Charlie says to the older beta. “Dr. Plume is working on him right now.”The pair share an intense look, and Mrs. Danner nods as if understanding something grave.
“I wouldn’t worry about it, dear,” she says to me with an overly polite smile. “Everything will be okay.” She turns her attention to Charlie, not giving me a chance to say anything else. “Can you remove Ms. Autry’s cast since Dr. Plume is busy? Angelica will be here shortly, and she wants to see all the omegas ready for market.” Her voice drops to a whisper despite the fact that there’s no one else here. “I need to check on one of the other girls, but I’m pretty sure Autry is the only one.”
Ready for market.
This is what I’m here for—to be taken to a black market where I’ll find a pack of alphas to love and care for me.
I’ve had two months to get used to the idea, but I’m still scared. Deep down, I know that I have to find a pack. After all, I’m twenty-six years old. I only have a few years left before being unmated starts to affect my health. But I no longer have the safety of an academy to help me find suitable alphas. I’ll be stuck with the highest bidder, no matter what.
Why didn’t I take mating more seriously when I had the chance?
“I’ll keep an eye on Autry.” Charlie gives me a wink before smiling at Mrs. Danner. It’s a sweet, boxy grin that usually makes my knees weak. But not today. I’m too worried about the omega in the next room.
“Charlie?” I whisper the second Mrs. Danner rounds the corner.
He hums in response, glancing over his shoulder with a soft smile. “Yeah, sweetheart?” His voice is low, gentle. The pet name isn’t new—but today, it wraps around me like a hug I didn’t know I needed.
He crouches next to a nearby cabinet, opening one of the lower drawers. The scent of warm bread rises from his skin, settling into my chest like a balm. It makes my mouth water—and my eyes sting.
“Tell me the truth,” I say, watching as he pulls out a strange, handheld saw. It’s a little bigger than a drill with a circular blade on the end. My stomach tightens. I press my cast closer to my chest, pretending it’s protection from the thing he’s holding. “What will happen to that omega?”
Charlie’s usually bright eyes dim, and he exhales through his nose, the sound heavy. “Once he’s stable, they’ll transfer him to one of the hospitals down south.”
My heart sinks. I’ve seen omegas in worse shape—some still barely clinging to life—but none of them have been moved. “Is he that bad?”
Charlie hesitates, then shakes his head, lips pressing into a grim line. “It’s not that. It’s because he’s…” He trails off, searching for a softer way to say it. “He’s male.”
I frown. “Why does that matter?”
He stands, coming closer. “You remember what I told you before?” He unwinds the long cable wrapped around the saw. “About how omegas leave here to find packs that’ll care for them?”
I nod.
“Well, the omegas go to a kind of market where alphas come from all over the country.” He rests the saw on the counter, giving me his full attention. “Those alphas pay good money to meet potential mates. They hope to meet an omega that will be a good fit for their pack. But most don’t want to meet male omegas. They want… breeders.”
I balk, mouth hanging open.
Charlie notices, and his expression softens. “It’s not fair, and it’s not right. But it’s how the system works. Since maleomegas don’t bring in much money, they’re sent away. It’s too expensive to keep them here.” His voice lowers, tender and apologetic. “We stabilize them, then hand them off to a proper hospital. Once they’re better, they’re moved into government care.”
I shake my head, quietly furious. “That’s horrible. Male omegas deserve good packs too.”
He steps closer, allowing me to feel his warmth and the comforting sweetness of his scent. “They do,” he says softly. “I love that you care. You always care. That’s one of the reasons I—” He stops himself, smiling gently as if trying to lighten the mood. “That’s one of the things I like about you.”
My face burns under his intense gaze. I shift, feeling suddenly too hot and restless at the same time.
“Why don’t alphas want male omegas?” I ask, barely above a whisper. “I thought alphas were known to rut anything.” It’s true, not that anyone would dare say that to their face.
