Page 60 of Chosen Beta

“We’ve been speaking to the Alpha Alliance about finding psychologists who never worked with Warren or went on one of his courses. It’s apparently a tall order. I think they know at least one guy, but we might need more than one, considering how far this brainwashing project looks like it went before he was locked up.”

“I literally asked the Alliance this morning if they had someone they could send out here to help one of the women they rescued.”

“Did you hear back yet?”

“Not yet. I kind of thought it might take a minute.”

“It probably will, but if we can give them the whole list of Omegas affected at the academy, they’ll have a good reason to get someone out there faster to help them.”

My face warms at the idea of Brooke coming here with that list.

“There’s something you should know,” I start, knowing it’s something I’d have to tell him anyway.

“What is it?”

“There might be someone at the academy who wants to hurt me or threaten me in some way.”

It sounds so dumb saying it out loud. I might have made enemies when I took the job and starting changing things, but I can’t imagine anyone who works with me setting up that camera and taking out those lights, never mind waiting around for the right moment to do something nefarious.

He sucks in a breath. “What? Who? How can we help?”

“It’s probably nothing. Something a little weird happened. I just … I wouldn’t want Brooke here while it might not be safe to be around me.”

That’s true, but it’s also true that seeing Brooke right now would be hard.

“So, that’s why you haven’t called her?” he asks, his voice softening.

Shit.He’s asking me about that? It makes all kinds of questions flood my thoughts.

Does she talk about me? Do they know we were almost a thing?

“Uh … I’ve been busy and that whole thing definitely hasn’t helped.”

“I know Brooke wants to wait until you’re ready, but you get that our pack are cool with you dating our Omega on the side, right?”

“On the side?” I squeak out, feeling totally mortified.

“Well, we know you don’t want to be pack. But Brooke had feelings for you before we came along, and those feelings are never going away. She chose you, before she said yes to us.”

What he’s telling me is crazy.

Brooke wants to be with me, still, even if I say no to being with her pack?

I don’t think I’ve ever heard of that kind of relationship working out.

But if there’s anyone I’d try it for, it would be Brooke.

“Are you okay, Lana?” he asks, sounding vaguely amused.

I clear my throat. “No, I’m in shock. I just … I thought Brooke had moved on. I didn’t think she was still even thinking about me.”

“Well, you’d better get over that shock quick, because I’m going to bring her out there with that list, and you two are going to figure the last name out together while I keep watch for anyone who might be trying to attack you.”

“You really don’t have to …” I start.

“It feels like I really do,” he says. “I owe you a favor. It just might not be the favor you thought you were getting. It’ll be way better. Trust me.”

“I do.”