This is the exact place of my uncle’s failure. Because of his failure, I am free.
I drift into thought, my eyes fixed on the company logo showing two hands clasped together.
What was the end for him is the beginning for me…
Anzo, my parents’ murderer.
He was the firstbeta capoin the Ferro family, and immensely proud of it. He wanted to fight anything he saw as a potential threat to the beta community. That is where his attack on Blue Lowen came from, the main architect and expert behind the Beta Activation program, designed to awaken fertility in betas.
However, what Anzo failed to grasp was the program’s entirelyvoluntarynature. So when the program opened, it turned out there were more than enough betas willing to sign up!
That only made Anzo angrier. He decided to make an example of the program’s creator, Blue Lowen, sending a message, a warning, that no one should dare continue or join it.
Four days ago, he attempted to assassinate Lowen and miserably failed. The attack took place at this very company, the one whose flyer I’m holding.
Fate’s Choice matchmaking agency.
I think about it all for a long time, playing with the flyer and rolling it between my fingers.
Those beta issues never concerned me before. My world was endless training sessions and sparring, preparing for the next fight, trying to survive.
As I spread the flyer out one more time, something catches my attention.
The Fate’s Choice address turns out to be surprisingly close, about a ten-minute walk from where I am standing.
Interesting.
They are holding the fair just a few days after the attack? They must be desperate. Maybe this is actually a good moment to approach them and offer help promoting their company. Surely, their reputation has taken a hit. A Ferro helping them? That’d be a twist.
I reach the location after about twelve minutes of calm walking.
The size of the place impresses me immediately.
A massive parking lot, a gigantic hall, and next to it an administrative building. I instantly know where the bomb attack took place. The windows are covered with huge banners of state senate candidates, clearly meant to hide damaged and shattered glass. It is not entirely effective. Cracks are still visible at the edges.
"Congrats, Anzo," I mutter under my breath, a trace of satisfaction in my voice. "Such a mastermind, and yet you’ve played yourself."
To be fair, the satisfaction is somewhat muted. Two days ago, I would have seen this place differently, as part of my path to freedom.
Now I feel less optimistic, though not completely down. After all, I am young and healthy. I know I will find some kind of job. The real question is whether I will vibe with it. But that is secondary, and I should not be picky. The most important thing right now is finding something toeat.
The damned alpha’s high-calorie needs…
In front of the building, a massive line of people waits to enter the hall where alphas, betas, and omegas offer their marriage contracts for sale, and where auctions take place when multiple candidates compete for the same contract.
The line is extremely long. I doubt I could get in this way, but maybe there is a back entrance, or a side door for staff.
I circle the building and notice a fenced-off area at the back where a group of elegantly dressed people are standing.
They look like contractees, at least that’s my guess. They are separated from the rest by tall barriers. There is no open entrance here, the only door is guarded.
I mutter a curse under my breath.
How do I get inside? Maybe I should try the administrative building. It is damaged, sure, but maybe someone is still sitting at the reception desk.
I am just about to head that way when I notice a small door behind the fenced section, next to a row of dumpsters. The door opens, and a short beta comes out, pushing a cart loaded with tied garbage bags.
From a distance, a pleasant smell hits my nose. Bread rolls, broccoli soup, some kind of fruit.
