Page 16 of Consider The Lilies

“Do you have any questions?” Dr. Plume looks up at me expectantly.

“No,” I say firmly, unable to hide my impatience. I’m ready to get the fuck out of here.

Sensing my agitation, Angelica opens the tent flap, poking her head inside. “Item 4101 is ready to be picked up.”

My ears prickle at the hushed sound of voices. There’s movement within the tent, the shadows shifting about. Then the male omega comes into view.

He’s beautiful. I can’t deny that.

His pale skin and soft, plump lips beg to be touched, and the innocence in his wide eyes calls for my corruption. I take in the rest of his slim form, admiring the way the dress shirt hangs off his shoulders. My gaze drops lower, and excitement bursts in my chest at the faint outline of his limp omega cock.

Maybe this will be fun.

But I’m honestly not sure if I should fuck him yet. He’s clearly underfed, and the dark circles under his eyes are concerning. He needs to be seen by a more qualified doctor. Plume does a decent job here, but he’s a general physician. I need someone who specializes in omegas. Someone who can tell me if this boy is even worth the hassle.

I refuse to waste any time on a chronically ill omega.

“Come here,” I say to the omega. He flinches, but he doesn’t move. He just stands there, shivering under my gaze. “Now.” I push my alpha command into the air, and the omega’s feet move. He shuffles to me with his head down.

Eager to see his face, I place my finger under his chin, then tip his head all the way up. He looks to one side, unable to meet my gaze.Good. He knows his place.I scan his face, taking inhis flushed cheeks and blown-out pupils. It’ll probably be a few more hours until all the drugs are out of his system.

“What’s your name?” I ask.

“Um,” he bites his bottom lip, “Stefan.”

I narrow my eyes, watching the vein beneath his ear throb and pulse. Is it excitement? Fear? It might even be lust from being so close to an alpha, but it’s hard to tell with so many conflicting aromas floating in the air.

“You can call me Mr. Stanley or just Stanley,” I say. “But I think alpha would be best.”

“Okay, al-alpha,” the omega—Stefan—stutters, looking everywhere but my face. “Um. Are you…” He glances past me, almost as if searching for someone. “Where are we…” His voice trails off. The boy is clearly too overwhelmed to think straight. It’s a bit annoying.

“Are you ready?” I ask, and the omega flinches once again.What the hell is wrong with him?I sniff the air, trying to find any trace of illness in his scent, but there’s nothing there but floral honey. Maybe he’s one of those nervous omegas who jumps at every little sound. “Come.” I grab his wrist, then tug him forward.

Angelica and Dr. Plume offer their congratulations on my purchase as I walk off, but I don’t bother answering. I’m too eager to get the fuck out of here. I don’t want anyone else to try to talk to me or offer their well wishes. I’m a shit liar, and I don’t want someone to think I didn’t ask Bear to claim this fucking omega for me. That would start all kinds of rumors. People would assume my pack was falling apart and my packmate was trying to take over. Some people would take it as a sign I am weak and could be easily overpowered.

A fresh wave of rage pours over me at the mess Bear has made.

Marching past the stage, I pick up my pace, and my omega stumbles, almost falling over.

“Be careful,” I warn, giving him a stern look. “The last thing I need is for you to hurt yourself.”

He curls his shoulders inward, letting out a faint whimper in response. The delicate sound cuts through me, making me tense at how fragile he is. Weak. A goddamn burden.

What the fuck was Bear thinking?

I see the bearded alpha as we make our way through the parked cars. He’s standing next to the SUV, pacing as he looks one way and then the other. I know he’s eager to get his hands on the omega. His desire for the boy must be intense to have purchased him without any thought of me or Yuki. I understand how intense an alpha’s lust can be, but he fucked up, and he has to pay for it.

I have no intention of making this easy on him.

“Alpha,” Bear says respectfully when he finally sees me. Then his attention drifts to the omega at my side, and his eyes go wide with shock. Did he think I’d leave him behind?

Bear takes a single step toward me, and I give him a stern glare, silently telling him not to move a muscle. His big body jerks and his fingers flex, but he stays in place next to the car. I see the way his brown eyes flash with excitement as we near, staring intensely at his new purchase. The omega keeps his head down, refusing to look at anyone.

“Can I sit next to him?” Bear asks as we step up to the car.

I consider it. After all, it would be painful for him to hold the omega the whole way home, then have him ripped away the second we walk through the front door. But I’m not that cruel.

“No,” I bark, cutting a look at the front passenger seat. “Get in the fucking car.”

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