Page 13 of Worth Fighting For

“Yes and no.” Coleson cocked his head as if considering his words. “According to Lowen, their beliefs are much like ours. They don’t believe Omegas should be treated any different and many of the traders are Omegas, not Alphas. But because the roads are no longer paved and often deeply rutted, it makes the trip too difficult to do more than twice a year.”

That made no sense. “Then why do it? Especially Lowen. Traveling the river has to be easier than going overland with a heavy load.”

“Because Lowen is one of the good guys. He believes, as his Alpha father had before him and his Omega dad also feels, helping Omegas who are just trying to live their lives as any Alpha would is too important not to do.” The challenge in Coleson’s eyes was unmistakable.

He was waiting to see how Renzo would answer and would be judged based on that. “I agree. It just seems like a lot of effort when there are easier ways, especially if he has such a big farm to work with only his dad for help.”

Those blue eyes narrowed as Coleson stared at him for several long moments. Renzo let out the breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding when Coleson nodded once. “That’s true, but, like I said, he’s one of the good guys.”

One day, Renzo hoped he’d been looped in on that assessment. He’d always tried to treat everyone as if they mattered, because in his eyes, they did. That said, as he was realizing, sometimes more was needed.

Omegas were oppressed. If he truly believed they shouldn’t be, just treating them as equals, which they were in his opinion, wasn’t enough. Minds had to change in order for the situation to alter. Otherwise, Alphas would always feel they had the right to do what they wanted, while Omegas suffered at their hands.

A shift under his feet alerted him something was happening. Coleson’s hand was suddenly on top of his on the railing. “We’re turning into the Des Moines. Another fifteen minutes at most and we’ll be completely out of sight.”

Renzo felt his body begin to relax. They may not be completely out of the woods, but if no one was following them already, they should be safe. He just hoped the rest of the Omegas in Sanctuary would accept them because the longer he was around Coleson, the less inclined he was to return home.

Hopefully, his Omega felt the same.

CHAPTER 9

The moment they’d gone around the bend, shielding them from the Mississippi, Coleson felt his entire body sag with pure relief. That and sheer exhaustion. It had taken less than a week, but it had been one of the longest weeks of his life, and that was saying something, considering it had taken at least that for them to get from their home in Indianapolis to Sanctuary.

He was certain he could sleep for a week, but first they needed to unload their cargo, get it to where it needed to be, and work on sleeping arrangements for those they’d brought with them. All of that was long and tedious but easily doable except for one factor. The Alphas.

He had no clue where to put them. That Renzo was a doctor meant he really needed to be in town close to the hospital in case someone needed him. Which was likely since many of the newcomers were trying out new jobs, including the ranch, and often got hurt. They tried to keep injuries down to a minimum, but that wasn’t always possible.

Then there were those they’d rescued recently who were malnourished, as well as the few who had been injured in the fight with the Alphas. Even some of those who had been here a few months after being rescued from Memphis were still suffering the effects of malnourishment and bones that had healed incorrectly, making it difficult, if not impossible, to use that affected limb.

When they’d docked, Oxley instantly picked Fennec up and carried him to the gangway. “Which way to the hospital?” he demanded more than asked.

Coleson turned to Lowen, who was busy hugging Ford, who had rushed up the gangway the instant it was in place. “Can you two deal with unloading the ship while I take those needing medical attention and Dr. Grealy to the hospital?”

They both nodded.

As they left the ship, Maxon was there to greet them. He turned to Renzo. “This is Maxon. He was one of us who started Sanctuary. He also is a skilled nurse.”

Renzo instantly smiled and held out his hand. “Maxon, a pleasure to meet you. Please feel free to call me Renzo.”

But Maxon shook his head and leaned in to order to speak quietly. “Actually, it has been my experience both as an Omega and someone they trust. It is easier when an Alpha doctor is treating them to not feel as apprehensive if we use your title. But I’d be more than happy when it’s just us conferring or around our friends to call you by your given name.”

Coleson had never considered how just calling him Dr. Grealy might put the Omegas at ease. But if anyone would know, it was Maxon. His Omega dad had been a nurse and Maxon spent much of his youth in the hospital with him, as well as once he’d gotten his degree.

“That’s perfectly acceptable to me,” Renzo assured Maxon. “I did not know it was easier on anyone, but then again, other than to tell me what’s physically wrong, most Omegas didn’t confide in me.”

Coleson gestured for everyone to keep following him as Renzo and Maxon kept speaking. “I think it has to do with already being scared because they are hurt or sick. Having to see you, an Alpha, makes that situation much worse, but if they’re able to first see you as someone who is going to make them better, they aren’t quite so frightened.”

“Huh,” Renzo said as if he was thinking about what Maxon had just said. “I’m willing to do whatever it takes, but hopefully, with time, the residents of Sanctuary will learn to trust me and not just look at me as either an Alpha or a doctor, but as a person.”

Coleson was so stunned by his words he stumbled and would have fallen if Renzo hadn’t reached out to steady him. “Careful, Coleson,” the Alpha said softly near his ear. “I’ve quite a few patients already. I wouldn’t want to need to add you to the roster.”

Why did that make his stomach flutter? Was it because Renzo was worried about him or because he’d been the one to keep him from falling? Or was it because the reason he’d lost his footing was Renzo appeared to be staying in Sanctuary? With him?

No. Not with him. But there. Where Coleson lived. Permanently. He feared that was the true cause for the sudden mushy feelings he was having toward the Alpha.

The need to bolt was too strong to ignore. “Maxon, you can show them what rooms are available and give Dr. Grealy a tour. I need to get back and help with unloading the ship.”

Not giving anyone a chance to call him out on his bullshit, Coleson practically ran from the hospital back to the docks. Now if he only could figure out what he was supposed to do with his feelings? Before coming to Sanctuary, Coleson hadn’t been averse to finding an Alpha and starting a family. He just hadn’t wanted to become some sort of baby factory with no life but that of taking care of his Alpha and children.

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