He didn’t touch the pint, though, simply focused on Zander. “What’s up?”
“Intel broker got word about a group trafficking omegas, for the specific purpose of birthing human babies and then selling them to the highest bidder.” Zan’s voice sounded grim.
“Hmmm … Is that right?” Ronin’s voice might sound casual if you didn’t know him, but Nix did, and his friend was pissed. “They’re selling off omegas like Anton was doing?”
“Yeah, except the whole goal is to get human babies and get them adopted out. It’s some major trafficking shit, and we heard there’s a branch going on up in Rose Hills.” Zander’s tone was grim.
“And of course, you know shifters don’t carry as long as humans, so turnover is high.” Maddox looked liked he wanted to rip someone’s throat out.
“Fuck.” Ronin cursed. “What’s the world coming to?”
Zander laughed, but the sound held no humor. “You’re still surprised even after the shit we’ve seen.”
“Yeah, but omegas, man, it’s our job to protect them, and it looks like we’ve been failing. This shit has been happening right under our noses for Goddess knows how long.” Ronin’s words hit him, and all he wanted to do was wrap River in his arms and keep him safe from the world and all its dangers.
Nix didn’t blame Ronin. He was pissed too. It was barbaric. A bit belatedly, the name of the town Zander had mentioned sunk in. “Rose Hills, you’re sure?” he asked.
“Positive,” Zander replied.
Thoughts flooded his mind. Could it be?
“My question is how the fuck do they know they’re not sending shifter babies into the world?” Dax asked. And they all shared a worried look at that. They wouldn’t be so careless, would they? One thing shifters the world over agreed on was the need to keep their existence a secret. Humans had proven over time that they just couldn’t be trusted with that particular knowledge.
“They wouldn’t be so careless,” Maddox said.
Dax’s face was grim. “Which can only mean one thing. There’s some sort of doctor involved, and they are actually selectively breeding out the shifter gene somehow.”
Why did a chill go through his body at those words?
When Nix was eighteen, he’d joined the human army. He didn’t know his family; he’d grown up in foster care, never got adopted. The minute he could escape, he took the chance, joining the military and never looking back. He’d left Rose Hills in his rearview.
And the military had been a blessing because there he’d met the men around this table, and for a time, he’d believed that he’d never need anything or anyone else. Until River.
He shook his head. Rose Hills was his past, and Wildwood was his present and his future. River and their baby both were. Their child would be safe, and he would never have to know what it was like to grow up as Nix had done. Fuck. For the first time since it’d been placed in front of him, he lifted the beer to his lips.
This was a mission; it had nothing to do with the past.What if you could get the answers you’ve always wanted?
“How long has this been going on?” Ro asked.
“Years, I’d imagine,” Dax said. A pit grew in Nix’s stomach. But he chalked it up to him not wantingto imagine the pain those omegas were going through.Which you don’t. But that’s not the only reason.
“I’m guessing we’re taking the job?” Ronin said.
“Not a job technically since no one is paying,” Zander pointed out. “But fuck yes, we are.”
“Well, gentlemen, count me in.” Dax had that smile on his face Nix knew meant trouble for anyone that crossed him. “Y’allhad all the fun taking down Anton; I might have to tag along. Especially since these two are recently mated.” He nodded to him and Ronin.
Nix looked over to Ro as he spoke. “You’re talking about something bigger than what Anton had going on. And Ollie needs help with the twins.” Even as Ro said all this, he knew that his friend wouldn’t stand by and let omegas get hurt.
Zander nodded. “We’ll understand if you have to sit this one out; I’d say you have reason to stay back, but as for the rest of us …”
He knew his brothers. They would be going in.
Nix shot a look at Ro. Like him, Nix had a family to think about. Sure, none of the guys knew River was expecting and that Nix didn’t exactly want to leave him now that he’d found him. But he knew without a doubt his mate would tell him to go.
“Well, you guys might as well know this,” Nix started. “River and I are expecting, and as much as I don’t want to leave him to chase after the bad guys, I can’t imagine not helping.” Even though there was a part of him that never wanted to go back to Rose Hill, his tiger was telling him to go even as the beast wanted to stay with their mate. Still, something told him this operation might bring him the answers he’d been searching for, a chance to find out where he came from. The thought scared him.
Zander turned his gaze on him. “Congratulations, bro. It would be a shame to lose you and Ro.” Zan looked over at Dax. “Could Finn join in? We may need the help.”
