“What do you know about the market?”
Autry’s eyes dart to me, then back to Angelica. She clears her throat and tries to sit straighter. “It’s, um…” Her voice cracks, but she pushes through. “It’s a place where…where alphas come to find mates.” She pauses, unsure, then adds quickly, “They bid on omegas.” Her hands grip her arms tightly, trying to steady herself.
“And what do you think of that?” Angelica asks coolly.
Autry’s brows pull together. “I…I don’t know,” she says, shrugging a little too fast. “I guess…it makes sense?” But the wobble in her voice says she’s not convinced. “Omegas need alphas.”
Angelica’s expression hardens. “Doyouwant an alpha?” she presses. “Do you want to be claimed by a pack?”
Autry straightens and nods quickly—too quickly. “Yes. Of course,” she says. Her voice is almost too cheerful. “I’m excited.”
Liar, I think to myself. She’s terrified. I can smell it.
“Um,” Autry starts again, biting her lip. “Are the…” She hesitates. Her mouth opens, then closes.
“Go on,” I say gently. “Are they what?”
Her voice drops to a whisper. “Are the alphas…good people?” She swallows hard. “Or are they…mean?”
Angelica laughs, short and sharp. “All alphas are a little mean, darling. It’s in our nature.”
Autry shrinks under the sound, shoulders folding inward. My hands twitch at my sides, and I have to dig my nails into my palms to keep from stepping between them.
“It’s okay.” I try to soothe Autry, tucking a strand of her long hair behind her ear. “I’m sure there are lots of nice alphas there.”
Angelica watches me like a wolf watches a mouse. Her smile is slow, deliberate, and thin. She nods slightly when Istep back, and only then does she turn her full attention back to Autry.
“You’ll need to be on your best behavior to attract the nicer alphas,” she says, like she’s talking to a child. “Can you do that?”
Autry nods again, chin lifting. “Yes, ma’am,” she says, with more confidence than before—but it’s a brittle kind. Like glass stretched too thin. “I can.”
Before she can be grilled further, Dr. Plume bursts into the room, red-faced and exhausted.
“I’m so sorry, Angelica.” He yanks off his surgical cap. His dark hair sticks up in all directions, and there are sweat beads along his flushed brow. I’m thankful his scrubs are black, otherwise the dark splatter of blood across his chest would be unmistakable. “We had a rough case come in,” he sighs.
I wonder if the omega made it.
“Yes. Mr. Pullson told me.” Angelica’s frosty gaze slides from me to the doctor. She always looks like she's five seconds from snapping someone in half.
“I see you met Autry,” Dr. Plume says, moving toward the omega.
I step back to give him room. Autry stiffens, but doesn’t flinch as he gently takes her arm.
“Yes,” Angelica says, watching like a hawk. “We were discussing what she can expect today.”
Dr. Plume’s eyebrows lift as he looks over her newly healed wrist. “Yeah?” he says, forcing cheer into his tone. “What do you think, Autry? Are you excited to finally be mated?”
Autry’s eyes dart to me—for a split second. Then she straightens her spine, swallows visibly, and nods. “Yes,” shesays, her voice surprisingly firm. But her hands are clenched in the fabric of her nightgown, knuckles white.
Dr. Plume claps his hands together once, obviously pleased. “Excellent.” He gives a firm nod before turning back to Angelica. “I think we have one more omega for the Morder, but I’m not sure.”
“I’ll speak with Mrs. Danner.” Angelica gives Autry another slow once-over. “Have this one ready in five minutes.” Then she pivots and her heels click down the hallway like she owns it. The tension eases the moment she disappears, like the air itself was holding its breath.
“Charlie?” Dr. Plume says. I instinctively push my shoulders back. “I know it’s been a while since you worked at the Morder,” he gestures toward the archway, “but Jacci’s arranging transport for our new patient, and I need to get cleaned up before I head that way.” He glances down at his bloody scrubs. “Would you ride with Autry to the Morder? She’s taken a real liking to you. I think it’ll help keep her calm.” He lowers his voice. “Frankly, she looks like she could use a friend, and Angelica isn’t exactly a soothing presence.”
My heart skips. “Yeah. Of course.”
“Thanks.” He pats me on the back. “Why don’t you take her out front? Let her get some fresh air before the trip.”
