Page 183 of Chosen Beta

“I … I was told she died, but I didn’t understand.”

“That place where you were born, it wasn’t your home.”

She sniffles, and I pass her a tissue, reacting without thinking.

I’m starting to realize what’s going on here, and I can’t quite make myself believe it.

I’ve heard about Omegas with special abilities like this, but those stories always read like urban legends. They’re too good to be true, and they can never be traced back to a single source.

Jane Doe wipes her nose with the tissue, one handed.

“It’s my home!” she protests, as tears stream down her cheeks. “It’s where I live!”

Despite her emotional response, she doesn’t try to pull her hand away from him.

He shakes his head slowly. “It was never your home. It’s where you were kept. Those people who let your mother die, they were her captors. They hurt her, like they hurt you, and worse. I’m sorry, Robin, but she’s not hurting anymore. She just wants to make sure you’re safe now. You weren’t safe in that place.”

Something changes in her eyes, and she lets out a soft gasp. “I … I remember being looked at when I was young. By men. In a fancy room. I didn’t know what was happening. I think someone asked if they could buy me. But then … I think they realized I was a Beta.”

“Yes,” Dr. Morgan says, nodding. “That’s what saved you that day. Your mother was an Omega, but you weren’t. I know you’re afraid of her, but Colleen is the one who kept you safe from bad people when your mother died. She rubbed nettles on your skin to make it ugly and she eventually decided that feeding you too little was the easiest way to make you unappealing. Those abuses were her way of protecting you. There was nothing else she could do to help.”

She lets out a sob. “She’ll be so mad at me! I’m not where I’m supposed to be. I’m not keeping the kitchen clean. I’m not feeding the cats. I shouldn’t be here!”

“It’s okay,” he murmurs. “You’re right where you should be. Colleen is happy that you were rescued. She pushed you out of that door where the Alphas could find you. She knew what she was doing.”

“I … I don’t know where home is if it’s not there.”

“I know. And that’s okay. You’re safe. This place is safe. You need to get healthy. That’s all that matters right now.”

She looks uncertain, but it’s clear to me that he’s using a healing touch on her.

All Omegas have the ability to calm people down with their touch.

It’s an energy-healing ability linked to their sensitive nature.

This guy is using that alongside his less usual abilities to help her understand what’s going on.

I can understand why Damian didn’t want to explain before we came into the room.

His pack brother is a Zeta.

It’s a classification of Omega that isn’t officially recognized, and it could make him a target for traffickers if it was discovered by the wrong people.

He’s taking a huge risk letting him do this.

“Dr. Clarke and his team have been helping you get stronger,” he goes on. “They only want you to get better. Do you understand?”

She looks at me, her gaze anxious.

“You’re safe here,” I tell her. “You can rest. It’s okay.”

“What happens when I’m better?” she asks, her voice trembling.

“You’ll be asked if you want to stay here.”

“And if I don’t want to?”

She just asked the million-dollar question.

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