She dropped me off at my apartment and I promptly logged into the omega database to see what I could learn about Liora. It didn't take long to find her records, but they were pretty basic. Bonded nearly eight years ago, by the pack I'd just met. Rejected by them after six years. My lip curled at the audacity of those bastards.
There were mentions of what her pack did, so I searched them online and dozens of images and videos popped up from their openings and announcements. In the first few, from four or five years ago, Liora was with the pack, smiling shyly as one or two of them put their arm around her. It painted a picture of a happy pack with their omega.
More recent photos changed. The grand opening video showed Mace's speech and the blonde woman grinning at the camera. At one point the blonde threw a scathing look to the side, so I focused on that area. Liora was there, in the crowd, looking up at the stage. Her face was at an angle to the camera, but she looked defeated.
Scrolling back through the video, I watched as Mace announced a woman and Liora stepped toward the stairs up with a smile. Then Andrea scurried to take her place beside Mace.
The other videos of the event were mainly selfies and showed little of the sad omega, but I found one where you could see her climbing the stairs to the second level inside the office. An idea bloomed in my mind as I watched another video later where Andrea headed up there. When I searched for surveillance footage, it was all gone, the video taken two years ago and scrubbed long ago.
Had the new woman been a lover to the men? Had she pushed Liora out of the nest, so to speak? I frowned. I needed to talk to Liora again. Dig deeper into her first pack. No fault rejections were normal, but that didn't mean they didn't have anotherpurpose here. I'd seen no evidence of Andrea in their home, but that didn't mean they hadn't had her for a while and then split.
I picked up my phone and stared at it. Nova had given me Liora's number, but it would be a breach of privacy if I called her right now. Plus, she was probably still feeling emotionally sensitive after reliving so much abuse.
I shoved the phone in my pocket and headed out to find some coffee and food, though my stomach churned at the idea that she was alone right now. No one to provide her with good food or a hot drink.
Finally, after devouring a slice of pizza and a cappuchino, I couldn't resist any longer. I pulled my phone out and sent her a text.
Geo: Hey, this is Geo from earlier. I wanted to check in and see how you're doing after this morning.
Liora: How did you get my number?
Geo: Sorry, Dr. Nova. I'll leave you alone if you want.
Liora: No, it's okay. I'm tired and my heat is starting, so I'm stressed out. I don't want any alphas.
Geo: There are toys you can use. Do you have one?
Liora: Um, no. This is a really weird topic to discuss with someone I don't know.
Geo: I'm trained in heat management, so it's really more professional than it feels.
Geo: Do you want me to arrange for a knotting toy? Just to get you through this heat.
Liora: …
Liora: Yeah, I think so.
Geo: Np, I'll have it there tonight.
I smiled as warmth spread through my chest. I could take care of this omega, far better than any of the men in her house could. Pulling up a shopping app on my phone, I quickly ordered two options for knotting toys, one with a fixed knot and one with an inflatable knot. Just as I was about to input her address, it occurred to me that I could deliver the toys.
My own address went into the order box and I headed home to wait for it.
The package arrived just before six pm. I quickly checked that the contents were what I'd ordered, then jumped on my bike and headed to Liora's.
Finn opened the door, his eyes panicked. "Shit, what are you doing here? No, wait, this could be good. You're trained for heats, right?"
"Yeah, but . . "
He cut me off. "She's in so much pain, you have to help her!"
I heard a scream rip through the house and I shoved past Finn, heading in the direction the scream had come from. The other alphas were standing outside a bedroom door, looking pained and desperate.
"Geo came by," Finn said, his voice catching. "He can help her. She might accept him."
"Try, please." Mace looked about to crumple, his eyes shining with unshed tears. "Help her."
I nodded and walked to the door, tapping it lightly.
