A perky brunette strides into the room, tits crammed into a too-tight uniform, her ponytail bouncing like it’s been engineered to distract. “We’ve been expecting you.” She pauses at the counter and looks between us. “Patch?” Her smile falters. “Is everything alright?
”Everything is fine,” Rhett answers for him. “He wasjust leaving. Isn’t that right, Patch?” He stares down at the older alpha, not blinking.
“Yeah.” Patch finally takes a step back. The subtle sag of his shoulders signals submission, though he tries to save face.It’s fucking about time.“Just wanted to let you know that the Cessna is ready to go,” he mutters, dragging his eyes over Autry one last time like a fucking creep.
The second the door clicks shut behind him, I spin around.
Autry’s curled in on herself, knees tucked under her chin, arms wrapped over her head. Her hair hangs in a dark curtain around her face like she’s trying to disappear.
Charlie’s beside her, jaw clenched, hands twitching like he doesn’t know what to do with them. He keeps reaching toward her, then pulling back. His whole face screamsmineandhelplessat the same time.
I hate how that bastard scared her. But more than that, I hate the gnawing in my chest, knowing I can’t do anything about it. I need to let it go. After all, in a few minutes she’ll be on that plane and out of my life for good.
Still... it all leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.
“So you need to add two to the flight manifest?” The perky beta smiles brightly at Rhett from behind the counter. He nods once, and she launches into her little prepared speech. “I’m going to need documentation for everyone traveling,” she chirps. “That means updated IDs, full facial scans, fingerprints, and a secondary pat-down clearance.”
Rhett raises an eyebrow, handing over a neatly stacked envelope. “That seems a little excessive.”
The beta doesn’t miss a beat, still smiling as she takes the documents. “Maybe for a northern flight. But you’re heading south. Rules are stricter going down.”
Rhett sighs, keeping his voice even. “Stricter,howexactly?”
She taps at her keyboard, then gestures for him to place his hands on the scanner. “Too many hard alphas like to settle in the North. Less regulation up here. Down south, they like to keep a tighter leash. So—extra screenings, full clearance, and yes, a pat-down. Safety first.”
Charlie grimaces, cutting a worried look at Autry.
I watched Rhett purchase a full background for Autry at the Morder, but how good can their “documentation” be? Fingerprints and facial scanners? That’s an impressive amount of security for the black market to get around, considering they run the whole thing in a fucking field.
“Alright.” Rhett lets out a tense breath, his back rigid. “But my omega has never traveled before, so she might not be in your system.” He pushes one hand in his pocket, then places the other on the scanner. It’s obvious he’s trying to look relaxed. “Will that be an issue?”
“No issue at all," the beta chirps, then presses a button, making the scanner glow bright red. “What academy did she attend?” Her gaze flickers to Autry.
“Waverly Hall.”
The beta’s eyes go wide, her smile pulling tighter. Clearly irritated. “They have a separate system from most of the academies down south.” She taps a few buttons on her keyboard. “It’ll take a few extra minutes. Our system always struggles to connect with their database.”
Rhett says something else, but I’m already bored. I have a feeling the Morder has everyone up here paid off from the academy right now, to the janitor that empties the governance board’s trash.
Restless, I scan the room. It’s so fucking small in here, Ifeel like I’m practically on top of Autry. That sugared-lemon scent is driving me insane.
“Sir?” The beta holds up the small stack of IDs. “I still need your packmate’s ID.” Her gaze flicks to me.
Rhett follows her eyes. “Oh, he’s not coming back with us.”
“Oh, um.” The beta swallows, then straightens her shoulders like she’s bracing for a fight. “Mr. Benes’ name is on your omega’s claiming paperwork.” She holds up the fake certificate from Waverly Hall. “He’ll have to travel back with you.” She smiles like it’s no big deal—and it takes everything in me not to growl.This has been the worst fucking day.
“You can’t be serious.” Rhett’s spine goes rigid, and I stifle a smirk. Yeah, it’s a hassle, but watching this asshole’s plans unravel is almost worth it.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Sesto, but that’s the regulation for southbound flights.”
“Why?” Rhett practically barks, but the beta doesn’t even flinch. She probably deals with rich assholes like him all day long.
“Your claiming certificate is dated as of yesterday,” she says smoothly, like she’s given this explanation a hundred times. “According to regulation, anyone entering the southern territory with an omega claimed within the last thirty days must travel with their entire pack. It helps to ensure the process is legal.”
She takes a breath, then leans in slightly, her tone softening like she and Rhett are old friends. “I know it’s an inconvenience for respectable alphas like yourself, but you’d be surprised how many omegas get snatched up here.”
Rhett exhales through his nose, eyes closing for a brief second. I can see him doing the math in his head.
