But I stay professional. Barely.
“That’s interesting,” Ash suddenly says, his voice tight. “Because research actually shows that Omega intelligence and capability are identical to those of Alphas and Betas across every measurable metric. The only biological difference is reproductive function.”
Reed turns to stare at Ash with barely concealed condescension. “It might be hard for you to understand as a Beta, but try to keep up. We’re talking about instinct, not intelligence. Omegas can be smart and still be naturally submissive. It’s not an insult. It’s biology.”
The air on the deck goes tense.
I see Jasper’s hands curl into fists.
I feel my own anger rising, hot and protective.
No one talks down to my staff. No one.
“Dr. Reed,” I say, my voice pleasant but with an edge underneath that anyone with half a brain would catch. “I’m curious about your radio show. You mentioned helping Alphas reconnect with dominance. Does that include teaching them basic respect for the people around them? Or is that too advanced for your curriculum?”
Reed blinks at me, clearly trying to figure out if he’s just been insulted.
Rex nervously glances between us.
Jasper makes a sound that might be a choked laugh.
“I… what?” Reed finally says.
“Just wondering about the scope of your teachings,” I continue smoothly. “Respect seems like it would be foundational to any leadership model. But maybe I’m wrong.Maybe dominance and respect are mutually exclusive in your worldview.”
Reed’s face is starting to flush. “I think you’re misunderstanding?—”
“Oh, I understand perfectly.” I smile, but there’s nothing warm in it. “You believe hierarchy matters. And in my hierarchy, on my boat, we don’t talk down to anyone. Alpha, Beta, or Omega. Clear?”
Before Reed can respond, his reel suddenly screams, the line peeling out fast. “You’ve got something!” Jasper calls out, all business now. “Hold on!”
I move to help Reed, showing him how to fight the fish without losing it or snapping the line. It’s a decent-sized striper, from the feel of it, putting up a good fight.
But the whole time I’m helping him, all I can think about is how much I fucking hate this guy.
If he wasn’t paying the highest rate we charge for private charters, if his money wasn’t going directly toward maintaining the boats and paying my crew, I would have turned this booking down the moment I knew what kind of asshole he was.
Hell, I still might refuse his business in the future because there are some things more important than money, like not compromising your values for a paycheck and protecting the people who work for you from condescending pricks who think being an Alpha gives them the right to look down on everyone else.
And like making damn sure that when we finally claim Anita as ours, she never has to deal with assholes like Reed who think she’s somehow less than because of her designation.
The fish breaks the surface, thrashing and silver, and I help Reed bring it alongside the boat, where Jasper nets it efficiently.
“Beautiful catch,” I state, because it is. A solid twenty-pound striper.
Reed is grinning now, all his earlier tension forgotten in the thrill of the catch. “That was incredible!”
“Welcome to Wilde Charters,” I say, and my smile is genuine. Because whatever else is true about Reed, I can’t deny he looks truly happy right now.
And making people happy on the water, showing them the raw beauty and power of fishing, that’s why I do this job, even when the people are absolute garbage humans.
I glance over at Ash, who’s photographing the fish, the catch, the whole moment. And for just a second, I swear I see something in his eyes.
Something that looks almost like approval, or maybe I’m just projecting what I want to see. Either way, we’ve got three more hours of this charter to get through.
18
ANITA
