“I can work with Amirah on that,” Clementine said. “She has a lot of connections inside the senate.”
The conversation turned logistical as everyone offered their ideas on the next steps to uncover Glen’s and Jericho’s actions. But my mind still reeled with the news of how much Glen had targeted me… and me alone. It made sense now that I thought about it—of course, not everyone had experienced the same thing I had. I’d never met another person with a device. But it made me feel even more isolated.
“Hey.” Cam’s lips met the shell of my ear. “Come here, sweetheart,” he murmured.
I looked up and realized he was kneeling in front of me. He gently pulled me into his arms. I felt hot with embarrassment—this meeting had been my idea and now I had nothing to contribute—but his arms were strong and steady around me, and I couldn’t find it in myself to disentangle myself.
I rested my head against his chest, his cinnamon scent swirling around me. Each beat of his heart in my ear reminded me I wasn’t alone, really. The others didn’t have my same experience, but they were all here with me now. My friends had responded to my text, and my alphas had followed along with my plan, even though it scared them.
Jewel met my gaze over Cam’s shoulder and gave me a nod. I didn’t know what she’d gone through as a female alpha, but she certainly knew what it was like to be singled out. I smiled at her. We might not know the path forward, but we would face it together.
* * *
Iwalked out of the boutique’s bathroom, still disoriented after the meeting. Jewel appeared in front of me in the hallway, startling me out of my mental spiral. She pulled me aside, her eyes flicking to where my alphas were talking with Maximo, Emir, and Luc.
“Angie and Amirah wanted me to pass along a message to you,” she said, her voice low.
I raised my brows. She was acting shifty.
“Angie said you know about the serum the team in Sol is developing to nullify the effects of the device without removing it.”
I nodded.
“Good. The first batch is ready, and they need an omega to test it on.” She arched her eyebrow and something like hope cut through my fog.
“They really think this will work?” I asked.
“Yes, and even after the device is removed, it should protect you from ever fully having to submit to an alpha’s bark.”
My stomach filled with butterflies as I imagined the possibility. I would never be completely helpless just because of my designation.
“I’ll do it, if that’s what you’re asking,” I blurted out.
A slow smile spread across Jewel’s face.
“I told them you’d say that. You’ll need to get your alphas on board.”
“Why wouldn’t they be?” I asked, scrunching my nose. “They don’t want me to be subservient to them. They’re not like that.”
“Oh, I know that. But the injection is apparently excruciatingly painful, and the serum hasn’t been tested on anyone except one of the omegas who created it.”
I blinked at her, my resolve wavering for a split second. My omega was a complete baby when it came to pain, and what if the serum had some dangerous side effects? Even with my hesitation, I knew there was no way I would turn down this opportunity. I would do anything to not feel helpless.
“Alphas can be so overprotective,” Jewel continued, rolling her eyes.
I bit my lip to keep from smiling. I was positive that when Jewel found her pack, she would eat her words.
“I’ll convince them,” I said, glancing over at my alphas. As if he could sense my eyes on him, Ben looked over at me. I couldn’t stop myself from blushing under his intense gaze.
Fuck, he was hot.
Ben made his way over to us, and Jewel cleared her throat. “I’ll be in touch,” she said before turning on her heels and walking away.
“What was that about?” Ben asked.
“Nothing,” I said, leaning into him and letting his scent settle me.
I wanted to tell him what Jewel said, but maybe it was better to wait until it was a sure thing. I didn’t want to get my hopes up too much that it would work out. Life had taught me it was better to prepare for disappointment.
