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Steppe laughs. “He does, doesn’t he?”

It’s my turn to blush. That isn’t exactly a compliment. I know I should work out like he does and watch my weight. Both Steppe and I are unable to bond to omegas because of what our captors in the breeding pits did to us. Lots of omegas flirt with Steppe anyway.

None of them even notice I exist.

I stand up. If Steppe wants to keep Buddy a secret, it would be better to leave sooner rather than later.

“Can you text me the address? We should get going,” I say.

Buddy swallows hard, a plastic Adam’s apple bobbing up and down in his throat. The details of each of his emotional reactions are spot on. “I offended you.”

“No, Buddy. I’m fine.”

He clasps his hands in front of him. “I think it’s nice that you’re like a teddy bear. I can’t think of anything better than an alpha like that.” His gaze drops to the ground. “I’m really sorry. I won’t run my mouth again.”

Fear radiates off him. I’ve seen it with so many of my patients I can sense it easily now. He’s genuinely afraid of what I’ll do in response to his comment.

He seemed to respond well to Steppe touching his shoulder, so I gently grasp his upper arm. “It’s okay. I may be a little sensitive about my weight. I apologize.”

His eyes meet mine. “Why?” He grits his teeth. “Sorry, I promised not to run my mouth. I know I ask too many questions—”

“Hey, hey, hey,” I say softly. “It’s okay. You can ask me as many questions as you’d like. I’m sensitive about my weight because it makes me feel unattractive.”

It’s funny. When faced with a situation where I need to calm a patient down, I can explain anything succinctly, even my body image problems.

Buddy’s eyes narrow. “Why?”

Before I can answer, Steppe pulls out his phone.

“Sorry to interrupt, but the two of you should get going. The beach is just north of the Pallisade Ice Baths.” He pulls out his phone. “Sending you the address as we speak. Do you have your emergency bags packed?”

This isn’t the first time we’ve had to respond to an emergency situation, and travel is a regular part of the job. I always have a bag packed in the trunk of my car, just in case. So does Steppe.

“Yeah. I have everything I need. Am I able to order groceries from the beach house?” I ask.

“The fridge and pantry should be stocked by the time you get there.”

I give Steppe a quick hug before we head out. He and I have been through a lot together. We were both rescued from the same red wolf shifter breeding pit twelve years ago. He isn’t normally an affectionate guy, but he’ll always take a hug from me.

Buddy pulls his hood over his head and tucks his hands back into his pockets. It looks a little suspicious, but it completely hides his plastic skin.

My phone beeps, and as we walk through the halls of the sanctuary, I slide it out. Steppe sent me the address, just like he promised, but he also sent me another message.

Candlewick warned me that Buddy will go into a mini heat every night at sunset. You won’t need to tie him down or anything to prevent him from seeking out an alpha. He can handle the heat on his own. But he should take the bedroom in the basement of the beach house so you can’t smell his slick. Candlewick said it’s very strong.

I’m grateful Buddy’s hood is blocking the view of my phone screen. I hurry and shoot off a question to Steppe.

Is that what he is? A sex doll?

If that’s the case, Buddy’s neediness would make sense. It would be terrible if he was created that way, of course. But at least I would know what to expect.

I walk through the exit to the parking lot with Buddy and nod to the two bodyguards standing on either side. Every entrance of the sanctuary is heavily guarded, and we have a state-of-the-art security system. A big reason why governments from all around the world are willing to send displaced red wolf shifters to our sanctuary is because we are able to keep them safe.

Given an omega red wolf shifter’s monetary value in the human trafficking world, that’s quite a feat.

Steppe sends me another message just as I unlock my car.

Candlewick wasn’t sure. All he said was that Dorian, Buddy’s supposed owner, didn’t want anything to do with him. Buddy was supposed to stay hidden in a closet every time Dorian was home.

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