Dad waves that part of our discussion away, like he’s satisfied with Koz’s resolution. “We need more deets on the Hayes shit, Raney. If he’s a risk, you shouldn’t be alone with him.”
I drop my head to the side, rolling my eyes in response. “I don’t believe he’s a risk to me. I just did a heat with him and there is not one mark on me that was not invited. He could have done anything, and if he was going to act that would have been the time, when Puck was wiped out, when you were both locked away. He is not a risk.”
“Then what are we dealing with?”
I can keep most of the intimate specifics of what happened to Hayes from the conversation, but we do need to take precautions especially if I’ve got my girls coming into town for the gala. The gala will be like calling bees to honey, the perfect opportunity for any desperate alpha looking for a quick fix to grab an omega. Although that’s me being cynical because there’s a lot of good alphas out there who are looking for an omega to be more than just an insurance policy.
“I know you’ve already heard, every one of my Scorned Girls are coming.”
“Ah, shit, Raney, Heidi’s coming, isn’t she?” He drops his shoulders in defeat.
“She’ll have a full team with her, and I already had an argument with her when I asked her not to come. She reminded me in not so friendly terms about the promise we Scorned Girls made to be there for each other when we pack.”
Heidi Holmes is the only child of Dr Allan D Verdune and his late wife, Margot. And Dr Verdune’s father is the very famous and extremely rich man responsible for the discovery of his namesake ADV, alocasia diplotaxis verdune, although everyone knows it by the common name of alpha deteriorating virus.
Every person alive knows the symptoms to look out for—hell, we’ve got an entire mandatory semester of learning at Unity about the virus. I doubt there’s a person alive who would not be able to instantly name off at least the majority of symptoms: blackouts, a distinctive grey skin rash, excessive mood swings, migraines, insomnia, and food intolerance are some of the warning signs. Everyone is aware, because an alpha with ADV is more dangerous than an alpha in a feral episode or rut. And everyone knows because no one in our society wants a repeat of the first outbreak where an alpha tore through his whole pack before escaping into the community for a few short and tragic hours.
After Dr Verdune’s father discovered the disease, Heidi’s dad locked himself away until he found a cure. And that’s where he made his millions and also cemented himself as brilliant a scientist as his father. Although he went one step further and became the only manufacturer of the test and the treatment, taking him from rich to uber rich. And still to this day his pharmaceutical factory is the only treatment for ADV medication, Omara. Unless of course, you’re okay to gamble with the black-market version—Dempara.
Using Dempara is a complete gamble, most alphas get addicted to something in it while in others, the chemical compounds they use screws with their brain, making them as feral as what they’re trying to avoid. The government uses the few cases of an alpha having a complete chemical transition into a beta designation as the surest way to sway people to only use the expensive brand, Omara. Because while an alpha doesn’t want to get ADV, they sure as hell don’t want to be a beta either.
There are numerous avenues for omegas and alphas to find suitable matches and packs. Galas are only one way of finding your pack. Heat clinics and dating apps are also gaining in popularity. No matter how you do it though, once you find your pack you have to formally and publicly announce it, and that’s really the only thing I’m desperate for.
Dad taps his toe, waiting for me to continue about Heidi coming.
“Heidi is more stubborn than I am, just as well protected too,” I say, looking at Koz. Because it’s true.
“You still haven’t explained the earlier link to Hayes,” King says wearily.
“I’m going to ask her to run an ADV on Hayes,” I offer hesitantly before I rush in with the rest of my feelings on the topic. “I think it’s a setup. Complete bullshit really, and the test is going to be the quickest and most decisive confirmation we can get.”
“Raney,” Koz hisses, his voice low in warning.
“Let’s stick with what I can share. He apparently has a kid. I feel fine with him and a test is going to give me a clear direction of which way our enquiry needs to go. Which is going to be straight back to Sharlene.”
“And what about Talon?”
“Yeah, well, he’s another chapter in the saga of my life that we should officially call: How Fucked Up is Fucked Up?”
Dad laughs out unexpectedly. “That’s actually pretty funny.”
“I know, right.” I smile at him before hurrying along. “He’s not as much a concern if I’m honest. He tipped Hayes off about the raid, giving me time to share it with everyone at the compound, and got me past security to see Puck. He apparently pulled strings to get Koz out. But Sharlene has also supposedly got her fingers in his life, which is why…”
“We’re on the same page, Raney. But I have to tell you, Koz and I have already come to an agreement that what needs to happen will happen, and you might not be involved.”
“Why?”
“Like you just said, she’s taken enough from us. Given the chance, I’ll happily do what needs doing but not at the risk of it being pinned back on any of us. Phoenix Group owe me a favour, and I’ve already reached out to them.”
Phoenix Group are the people you call on when you need something done without anyone knowing that something is being done.
“Koz?”
“Phoenix Group get my vote.” He flicks his chin expectantly, and I glide right back into his arms. “What about Hayes and Talon? Is there any option with you packing with them? And I’m only asking because you were adamant before, but I can feel the way you’re cooling off on the idea.”
“I’m leaning more towards us not packing today.”
“Why?” King asks, clearly confused.
