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"Already am, Chief."
"That's why I keep you around."
"Reckoned it was because of my charming personality."
“Don’t get cocky.”
The animals are still inside, however, and as I know, they’re going to turn this into a volatile situation.
My crew will have to carry them out one by one. Cats will be the hardest to rescue because they may hide.
Worse, the shelter workers may get in our way. I better check that they don’t.
I march to the huddle of workers who are standing at the back of the courtyard.
A middle-aged Alpha with thinning hair, who is wringing his hands and taking panicked gulps, stares at the flames.
I focus on him. “Are you the shelter manager?”
“T-t-that’s me. Oh, fuck, fuck…what should I…?” Panicking, the manager attempts to dive past me like he’s going to throw himself into the fire.
I grab him firmly by the shoulder. “How many people are working here today?”
“I don’t…I can’t…”
“Just us three,” a firm voice replies. “No one is visiting.”
“Thank you.” I turn my full attention on the Beta who answered. She will be more helpful than the damn manager. “You’re sure that everyone is out of the building?”
I study the young Beta with a silver hoop nose piercing. She is wearing a T-shirt with BOSS BITCH on the front in glitter.
She is hugging a male Omega worker with blond curls who is trembling. She is petting him to keep him calm.
She definitely isn’t being paid enough.
“Certain, Chief.” She narrows her hazel eyes. “Now, are you getting our animals out? Because if you don’t, then as Paige’s sis, I’ll make damn sure to tell her who to blame.” She gives a sharp smile. “Then you can spend her heat sitting on the porch alone with a throbbing knot.”
“Sophie!” The manager chokes out in shock.
The omega who is nuzzling her neck chuckles.
Ruthless.
I should have known I’d like Paige’s sister.
“Ma’am,” I boldly meet her gaze, “you’ve just volunteered. I need somebody to take control of the animals when we get them out.”
Sophie tilts up her chin. “On it.”
“Me too,” the Omega offers, timidly.
“I need somewhere to secure the animals,” I say.
Sophie glances around herself. “The exercise yard.”
“Good. Stay at the gate and count every animal that comes through. Do you have a record so that we don’t miss any?”
“I do,” the manager finally says.
