Lucky
Lucky’s head and heart were jumbled and nothing made sense for long.
Somehow, Chase was sitting next to him, he’d felt a mate bond with Ford, and Jesi was the sweetest, most comforting presence in the room.When Jesi walked in with Scout steps behind, Lucky tried not to react to the feelings that surfaced.This wasn’t Scout, this was an ORTa called Rafe.That may only be a subtle difference, but it was enough.
Ford stood by the bedside table, arms folded over his chest, looking stern and protective.
Rafe stopped at the foot of the bed with an uncertain smile.“Hi.”
Lucky swallowed his fear and tightened his hands around the cover over his legs.“Hi.”As terrified as he was of reliving the last few hours, there was something hurt and broken about Rafe.His only instinct was to lift a hand and invite him closer.
Rafe hadn’t been the one to hurt him—he’d gone out of his way to keep Lucky safe, bringing Ford into his life and protecting him from Lincoln.As Rafe approached the bed, Lucky silently lifted his arms for a hug.He couldn’t speak, couldn’t even understand what he wanted, but Rafe hugged him.
“Thank you for taking care of me.”Today must have been difficult for an ORTa who had sworn to protect omegas.Rafe must have been conflicted—close to capturing a high-up member of the Market, unable to break his cover, yet afraid for Lucky’s safety.
Rafe squeezed him tight.“With the heat hormones, you may not remember, but I did everything I could to protect you.I’m so fucking sorry I took my eye off that bastard.”
Lucky smiled against Rafe’s shoulder, releasing the tears he’d been fighting.“Lincoln’s behaviour and decisions are neither your fault nor mine.If we believe they are, we’ll never get past this.”He had to hold onto that or he’d start doubting everything he’d ever said and done around Lincoln.He’d always feel responsible for something that had only ever been Lincoln’s decision.
Rafe squeezed him and flashed a weak smile.
Jesi patted his arm, consoling without getting close.“That’s a smart omega you got.”He clasped his hands and gestured to the door.“Okay, everyone out.I need to speak to Lucky, omega to omega.”
* * * *
Jesi waited until the alphas filed out, some more reluctantly than others, then grabbed the foldaway chair from the corner of the room and placed it beside the bed.He sat, crossed his legs and folded his hands into his lap.
Lucky sat in silence until Jesi reached into his shirt pocket to remove a small vial.
“This is a single dose of a drug we’ve been developing at the ORT labs.We’re always working to counteract the drugs the Market are using or selling, but this one is only in its third of the eight trial stages.As this is an emergency, I’ve been given approval to offer it to you.”Jesi smiled when Lucky opened his mouth to ask if it was safe, if it hadn’t passed all the trials.Jesi shook his head and lifted a finger to his lips.“Don’t speak.”
Lucky reluctantly shut his mouth, amazed by how this omega ORTa could be so softly spoken, yet command a room of alphas.That was a skill he wished he’d learned.
“This is Fugue, specifically designed to counteract OX, which is one of the most potent drugs the Market have ever released.If this works correctly, Fugue will send you to sleep and eliminate the components of OX in your blood.You’ll sleep for about twenty-four hours, and when you wake up, you should feel more like yourself.For now, I need you to vocally confirm that you understand what I’m saying for the record.”He discreetly gestured to the ceiling.
Lucky glanced up, trying not to be obvious, and spotted a black circular security camera on the wall.“There are cameras?”
Jesi laughed.“This is an ORT-run medical facility.You got lucky with a private room designed to feel more homely.We want you to be comfortable and relaxed, because spikes in adrenaline can make the OX rush through your veins, intensifying your heat.”
Lucky nodded, accepting the information.“I understand that Fugue will put me to sleep for twenty-four hours.When I wake up, I should feel like I’ve never had OX.”
Jesi winked his approval, then pursed his lips.“Because you have your true mate, the OX will function differently.That’s to our advantage.Normally, after being infected by OX, you would have seventy-two hours to complete the requirements of the first heat.”His eyes positively shone with mischief.“The combination of Fugue and a true mate eliminates the heat.We can’t explain why or how, but our tests show that you just need to be treated like an omega in heat, without the physical act of sex.That’s why we created it.For people like you, who have been forced into a first heat before their time.You’d be surprised how many kids we get through here from the Market.Nobody wants a ten or twelve year old going into heat, and this miracle drug could be the answer they need.”
“Could?”
Jesi bobbed his head, uncertain.“Like I say, it hasn’t been through the full trial.Trials on omegas in a real forced heat wouldn’t come until the final stage.If you’re willing,youcan be the first human trial.”
Lucky swallowed his nerves, beginning to understand why Jesi had asked.This could be dangerous.It might not push the heat back, but Lucky was three months from his first heat and almost an adult.He could do this, to protect those children who should never face a heatyearsbefore their time.“Do I need to sign a consent form?”
Jesi nibbled his bottom lip.“Technically, there is a risk of memory loss.You could lose all your memories from the time you were injected with OX to when you wake up, or you might be fine.For that reason, I need permission from your alphas.”
“Can I sign my own consent anyway?If I lose my memories, I want proof thatIconsented, regardless of what my alphas decide.”
For a second, Jesi looked shocked, then gave Lucky a silent, discreet thumbs-up.“I’ll get the paperwork written up, explain to your mates, then come back for your signatures.Honestly, I don’t see Ford protesting, but that Walker kid might.”
“Not if he’s the alpha I think he is.”
“I like you.”Jesi flashed a small smile and laid his hand on the edge of the bed, an offer he couldn’t resist.Lucky clasped his hand, grateful to have another omega here who understood the fear running through his veins.“You’ve had a lot of choices taken away from you, and I’m sorry for that.”
