I turn, following his gaze. A slim she-alpha with sleek black hair and deep red lips stands near a gigantic dark green tent. “The she-alpha in the black dress?”
“Yes, sir.” The beta smiles as if relieved to be rid of us.
I move, and Basil and Tristan quickly follow.
The she-alpha—Angelica—scans the crowd, taking in the throng of alphas around her. She carefully watches a few betas, watching the way they serve drinks and smile brightly.
“Angelica?” I glance back, happy to see my packmates giving us a little space to chat. It can be hard to discuss important matters with three alphas breathing down your neck.
“Can I help you?” Angelica looks me up and down, her eyes lingering on the cut above my eye.
“Killian Bava.” I extend my hand. It takes her a beat, before she carefully takes it, shaking once before releasing me. “We’ve just arrived,” I say politely. “I was hoping you could tell me where we could meet one of your lovely omegas.”
Angelica grimaces, giving me an apologetic smile. “I’m so sorry, Mr. Bava, but we’ve run out of omegas. All our inventory for this month has been sold.” Tristan softly growls right behind me, letting his frustration be known. Angelica’s blue eyes narrow at him. “You should have arrived on time,” she says loud enough for him to hear. “You’ll have to wait until next month.” Her gaze slides back to me. “And I recommend arrivingon time.”
I bristle at her cutting tone, but I also understand. We probably aren't the only frustrated clients she’s dealt with today. “Ma’am.” I step a little closer, keeping my voice even and light. “Is there a waiting list of some kind? Something we can sign up for, to ensure we get an omega as soon as possible?” I look deep into the she-alpha’s eyes, making her feel my urgency. “I’m willing to pay for the inconvenience.”
“Mr. Bava.” Agitation rolls off Angelica’s shoulders, and she crosses her arms. “Do you have any idea how many alphas have asked me the exact same thing?”
I nod, knowing full well that this woman has probably given this speech a million times. “I know how places like this work.”I look one way, then the other, making sure no one is listening. “I know you have a surplus. Omegas that are too damaged or injured. Ones that need a few weeks or months until they can be put up for sale.”
Angelica’s light blue eyes soften around the edges and she tilts her head to one side. “Where did you hear that?” Her eyes flicker to Basil, then Tristan.
“A friend,” I say, but, the fact is, I'm just guessing.
It only makes sense that they’d hold a few omegas back each month. That’s how supply and demand works—tell everyone there’s only a handful of mates available, then watch the throng of desperate alphas fight to outbid each other.
“Please, ma’am,” I say with my best, simple southern-boy charm. “Money is no object.” I smile. It’s another lie. My pack isn’t like a lot of these alphas with their luxury cars and three-piece suits. But we work hard and have managed to save a good chunk of money.
“Okay.” Angelica looks one way then the other. “Imight,” her teeth flash as she emphasizes the word, “have something.”
Hope erupts in my chest, followed by a rush of excitement. “Yeah?” I stand a little taller. “Can we see her?”
Angelica’s glossy red lips, pull into a tight smile. “She’s expensive.” Her eyes zero in on Basil as he steps up beside me. “Young, fertile, and very spirited.”
“Alpha?” Basil says and I hold up a finger, telling him to give me a minute.
“Show me the way,” I say, eager to meet this prized omega.
A pleased smile lifts Angelica’s crimson lips. She turns and walks. “Right this way, Mr. Bava,” she says over her shoulder.
“Holy fuck.” Basil’s mouth falls open. “Are we really getting an omega?”
“Come on.” I smack his firm chest, then turn and wave Tristan over. It takes a second for the big alpha to notice. He’s too busy staring at a roast, turning on a spit.
Angelica moves quickly through the camp, away from the crowd. She sways her hips as she walks. She moves like the kind of woman who’s used to getting exactly what she wants. “They’re with me,” the she-alpha says to a very stern-looking beta.
He’s a big fucker—only an inch or two shorter than me—with hard eyes and firm fists. Basil gives him a respectful nod as we pass, but I keep my eyes on the tent directly in front of us. It’s massive—like all the other tents—but this one is a deep shade of blue, and it’s surrounded by dozens of guards dressed in black dress shirts, with guns secured on their hips.Betaguards. Curious, I glance back, noticing several more betas moving through the crowd.
“Right this way.” Angelica pulls the heavy flap to the tent, and a wall of delicious omega pheromones slams into me.
Eager, I rush inside the tent, then scan the large open space. But it’s completely empty. A few cots are lined up against the far wall. Carts loaded down with medical supplies are lined up in the center of the room. A young blonde beta stands over one of them, checking off items on a clipboard. I take in her dark blue scrubs, wondering if she’s a doctor or a nurse.
“Ma’am,” she greets Angelica, hugging the clipboard to her chest. “What can I help you with?”
Angelica glances around the room. “Where’s the female on hold?”
“She’s in the back.” The blonde smiles politely. “Would you like me to take you back?”
