Page 21 of The Omega Project

“Destroying his nest,” Finn says from behind me, and when I glance at him, he’s sitting at the table, his gaze fixed on the polished wood. “There’s no scientific name for his condition, but in simple terms, he’s caught in a mid-switch. At all times, he has the urges of both an omega in heat and an alpha in a rut. Sincehe can’t satisfy either, it causes him extreme pain, which results in bouts of uncontrollable rage.”

I can feel the blood drain from my face as I slump into the nearest chair. “For how long?”

“Since Vast Horizons kicked him loose from the program. He’s been here, in this facility, for nearly a year.”

I try to control the thoughts crashing through my mind, but it’s impossible. I’ve never experienced a heat or a rut, but I know that going untended through either is torturous. How the fuck has he survived a year or more of being in this state? Do they sedate him? How close are they to finding a cure? I can’t imagine suffering like that for a day, let alone a year. “What about Creed? He’s his mate, isn’t he? Why isn’t he here, helping him through it?”

My own history with alphas might be a mess, but it’s scientifically proven that the bond between mates is one of the strongest, most nourishing connections in the natural world.Where the hell is Creed, goddamnit?

A pained sound from Langston makes me jerk back to the window, but he rests a comforting hand on my shoulder. “It’s okay, he’s wearing himself out now. He’ll fall asleep soon.”

I look past Langston to find Soren curled up in the foetal position on the floor. His nest is a torrent of feathers and fabric scraps, but his rapid breathing is slowing, and his eyes are drooping shut. He’s still a long way from calm, but at least he’s not in a rage anymore.

“Tyler will have to tell you his story himself,” Finn says, still staring at the table. “What we’re here to discuss is your role in the study. Lang is the only alpha Soren can tolerate, and that’s only if he keeps his distance. Omegas are also a trigger for him, and to put it bluntly, he either tries to fight them or fuck them.”

I guess that makes sense, given he’s got the instincts of two designations burning inside him. “But he didn’t seem to mindyou.” I look curiously at Finn, since despite his calm exterior, he’s clearly affected by what’s going on in the next room. “I mean, other than the sarcasms and sneers, he talked to you quite normally.”

Finn lifts his eyes, and the pain in those grey depths makes my heart clench. “That’s because I don’t give him a choice, Emily.”

I sit back in my chair, replaying the encounter in my mind. I’d been enthralled by Soren’s scent, his appearance, by his sharp wit, and predatory attitude, but I wasn’t so distracted that I missed the wave of alpha authority coming off Finn. “You were commanding him somehow, weren’t you? Not with words, but I could feel your dominance directed his way.”

“I can regulate some of his more extreme reactions, but it’s not pleasant for either of us.”

He doesn’t elaborate, and I feel too heartsore to push him. I remember the prickles of jealousy I felt towards this pack, and a wave of shame washes over me. It also makes me more committed than ever to help them, because if they really are working towards a cure for Soren, I can’t imagine a better use of my time or skills.

“Okay, so what do you need me to do?” At Finn’s startled look, I shrug. “I’m a beta, a scientist, and Soren obviously has some interest in engaging with me. You brought me here to help him, right? Then I want to get started right away.”

“Even after what you saw in there?”

“Was it scary? Yes. But so are bees, in certain circumstances.” I turn to study the scene beyond the window. After all that sass and fury, Soren looks so fragile and alone. “Did you know that the so-called killer bee is a genetically modified species? They’re smaller than other honeybees, have shorter wingspan, and carry less venom, but their defence of their nest is unmatched. Instead of ten percent of the colony leaving the hive to defend it, theypretty much empty it out. With each sting, a pheromone is released, signalling more bees to join the onslaught, until the swarm can number over half a million. All because we wanted a bee that could produce more honey and survive in warmer climates.” I turn back to find both alphas staring at me and blush a little at my rambling. Derek always says that once I get started on my pet subject, I can talk the birds out of the trees. “I’m just saying that nature tends to make sense if you leave it alone. It’s only when we get involved that complications arise.”

“I agree,” Finn replies, his gaze hardening. “Which is why I’ve been dismantling the Vast Horizons program ever since I became aware of Soren’s condition.”

“Really?” I haven’t delved into them much yet, but if Soren’s pain is a product of their experiments, then I hope he shatters them down to the last test tube. “And the army is okay with that?”

“I didn’t ask their permission.”

No, I bet you didn’t.I think of how my father and his cronies must have reacted to a man like Finn Visser taking offence at their program and fight a smile. “I hope you make them regret every moment of it.”

Instead of smiling back, a flash of pain tightens his mouth, but he just takes a tablet from the table and passes it to me. “If you agree to it, I’d like you to take charge of Soren’s daily routine and observations. This device is loaded with his schedule, case notes, past observations, and progress reports. Lang will advise and assist you in any way you need, but as I said before, we’re interested in new eyes on the subject.”

“New eyes onSoren, you mean.” I glance between the two alphas. “I just want to be very clear that I haven’t worked with human subjects before. I’m not sure I have the clinical… detachment that this situation might need.”

Finn Visser leans back in his chair, looking more relaxed than I think I’ve ever seen him. “Since you entered this basement, you’ve smelled frightened, aroused, curious, intrigued, amused, sad, sympathetic, and determined. Soren has advanced senses, akin to the most powerful alpha, and he knows all this, just like I do. You treated him like a human, not a subject, and that’s exactly what this situation needs.”

I try to ignore the heat climbing my neck, but it’s not easy after a speech like that. “Then I’d be happy to take over his observations.”

“Thank you, Ms. Nash. I appreciate your help more than you will ever know.”

After the heavy mood of the basement – a term that needs correcting fast, since it’s Soren’s current residence – Finn leaves without another word, and Langston takes me back to my desk on the project floor. I spend the next few hours reading through the tablet’s contents, my heart growing heavier with every report. It’s not like clinical findings are new to me, but the language feels painfully cold after having met Soren in person. Reading about his struggles with weight loss, dehydration, insomnia, and night terrors feels intrusive instead of informative, especially after he invited me to hear his story from the horse’s mouth, as he put it.

The next time Langston passes my desk, I ask, “Can I go down and see him again?” I hold up the tablet. “There’s a few things I need to check on here.”

“It’s nearly seven. You don’t want to head home soon?”

“Is it really?” I look around and realise that most of the floor has cleared out. “Wow. Okay, I should go check on Derek. Is there a bus around here that goes into the city?”

“Creed will set you up with a vehicle to use while you’re with us. If you’re ready to go, I can walk you down to the security floor and talk to him about it.”

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