We move past the back of a stage, the show apparently over. Loud voices echo from the front, a mix of bragging and bickering. I pray they don’t start a fight.
Rounding the corner, I spot a line of alphas behind a concrete barrier. A wall of betas stand in front of them like human shields. Some grip batons. Others have tasers at their hips.
“Hey!” an alpha shouts when he spots me. “Is that omega still for sale?”
Suddenly, all of them turn. Eyes lock on me like I’m meat on a hook.
Fear shoots through me, and I break out in a jog. Thankfully the nurse runs with me, not stopping until we reach a small black tent. We duck inside, hiding from the alphas’ hungry eyes, but I don’t feel much better. I seriously doubt a few betas with sticks could stop a dozen, savage alphas.
“Hey, Brenda,” the nurse pants. It’s dim in here, and mercifully quiet. “I got one for you.”
Brenda looks up from her clipboard. She’s older, with mousy brown hair pulled back into a braid and little glasses perched on her nose. She could be a librarian. A very tired librarian.
“Number?” Brenda asks as she poses her pen to write.
The nurse reaches for my wrist, but I jerk away, pretending to sneeze. “Excuse me.” I forcefully sniffle. “My number is 5223.” I give my correct number, assuming that’s what I’m supposed to do.I hope.
“Here you are,” Brenda says, checking something off her paper. “Congratulations, young lady. You’ve been claimed by the Sesto pack.”
My breath catches, and my heart stops. “What’s the alpha’s first name?”
Brenda flips through a few pages. “Rhett.”
Relief hits me so hard my knees nearly buckle.Rhett. Charlie did it. Itworked.
I can finally breathe again.
“Your new pack purchased a graduation certificate for you,” Brenda continues in a rehearsed monotone. “You are now a graduate of Waverly Hall. A low-dose suppressant was administered earlier, delaying your next heat for approximately one to two weeks. Have you been educated in what happens when mated?” Brenda’s blue eyes drill into mine, and my face flashes hot.
“I know what happens,” I say, even as my cheeks flush. I look at the floor while she explains anyway.
It’s weird. I’m not shy about this stuff, not really. But the way they talk about it here… It’s clinical. Sterile. As if it’s something to endure rather than something to feel.
Once Brenda finishes up telling me to follow my instincts and to be a good girl for my pack alpha, she cuts the bracelet off my wrist. I hold my breath as she turns to a trash can. I’m terrified she’ll double-check my number, but thankfully, she doesn’t.
“Alright,” Brenda leans back, giving herself a better view as she looks me up and down. “You look perfect,” she compliments me. “I think we can take her straight to her pack.” Brenda smiles at the nurse. “The showroom omegas are always so easy.” They both laugh like it’s a little joke.
“Right this way.” The nurse guides me through the back of the tent. As we pass, I catch sight of the other omegas—getting makeup reapplied, hair fluffed, eyes blank. Dr. Plume is here too, crouched in front of a trembling girl with wide pupils and sweat on her brow. She looks really out of it. Pale and shivering.
I hope she’s okay.
We step outside—and this time, the quiet is real. No yelling. No fighting. Just a few scattered alphas waiting patiently near sleek black cars.
And then I hear it.
“Autry.”
My name, spoken low and warm, rolls over the cool night air. I turn toward it like I’m tethered to the voice.
Rhett stands tall and confident, silver hair catching the moonlight, his eyes locked on me. And beside him—Charlie. The beta’s whole face lights up when he sees me. My heart lifts so fast I nearly cry.
They’re actually here.
I suddenly don’t care that I’m tired or that my feet hurt or that I’ve spent hours pretending to be someone I’m not. Because right now, righthere, everything inside me feels like it’s slotting into place.
“Name?” the nurse asks Rhett.
He answers smoothly, offering her a small piece of paper. Probably the receipt or proof of purchase—I don’t really care. I’m too busy grinning at Charlie, who’s wearing that shy, boxy smile that makes my stomach flutter. The moment feels unreal, like a dream I was too afraid to hope for.
