“Then you already know this isn’t our skill set,” he said. “We’re interrogators. We don’t babysit omegas.”
Her pen stilled.
“Command indicated you’ve acted in a handler role,” she said, lifting her gaze to his. “Multiple times, for various informants and witnesses. Is that not correct?”
“Yes, it is—”
“Then how is this any different?” she cut in.
Silence stretched for a beat.
“You need intel from her,” Dr. Hampton continued. “That makes her an asset and a valuable witness. Which means you both will act as her handlers.”
She set her pen down, folding her hands neatly on the table.
“Alpha handlers build trust, establish control and regulate her omega responses. Your goal is to keep her stable, cooperative, and willing to give you intel.”
Her expression remained clinically calm.
“It's the same job. Just more hands-on than you may be used to.”
She turned her attention to me.
“Handler Knox, you were right in your notes to suggest a change in tactics,” she said. “Based on her file, this omega will not respond to violence or threats.”
I shot my brother a smug smirk as the doctor's stern gaze flicked back to Silas.
“If you want her to talk, you’ll have to earn it,” she said, pausing briefly to stare my brother down.
“I’d like to see her now.”
Silas groaned. “I’ll get her.”
“I’ve got it,” I said, already moving. His patience was wearing thin, and mine wasn’t far behind.
We all headed for her room. I turned the key and pushed the door open. Silence greeted us as I scanned the nearly empty space, searching for the runt.
Then I caught movement. She dove, scrambling under her bed.
“All you, brother,” Silas said with a smirk.
I crouched beside the bed and spotted her curled beneath it, eyes locked on me, tracking every move.
“Come on, runt,” I said with a sigh. “We’ve been over this. I’m not going to hurt you. There’s someone here to see you.”
Lena didn’t move. Didn’t make a sound. Exactly as expected.
I didn’t bother trying to reason with her anymore. It was awaste of time. Instead, I reached under the bed, grabbing for her leg. Her teeth snapped, narrowly missing my hand, but I managed to hook my grip and drag her out in one swift motion. She fought hard, thrashing and twisting, trying to break free, but I held her tightly so the doctor could see her clearly.
“Let her go,” Dr. Hampton ordered calmly.
I released her immediately.
The omega scrambled across the room, putting as much distance between us as possible, before flattening herself against the far wall. Her eyes darted between me, my brother, and the psychologist.
Dr. Hampton didn’t step toward her. She moved sideways instead, increasing the space between herself and Lena.
“Lena,” she said gently. “My name is Dr. Bethany Hampton. I’m here to assess you.”
