Page 7 of Consider The Lilies

Before the Auction

Stanley

“The stage looks good,” Bear says from the back of the SUV.

Sitting in the passenger seat, I look up from my phone, taking in the well-constructed stage in the distance. The usual large lights and concrete barriers surround it. The seating in front of the stage is all arranged. Not too packed, but the chairs are close enough to give the bidding alphas a sense of urgency.

I take in the rest of the camp, nodding in approval. Angelica picked a good location.

It’s a shame the whole thing is illegal because there’s so much more I’d like to do with this business. I want to expand, maybe even push south, but it’s safer up north. The laws here are loose at best and rarely enforced. Moving anywhere else would mean having one of the governance boards on my ass and thefees for trafficking unlicensed omegas are ridiculous. I’ll never understand why they care.

Yuki thinks the government just wants to control who fucks who. And maybe they do. But my operation is so much better than theirs. The alphas get to select their mates based on scent and attraction. Not endless surveys and intrusive background checks at some sterile academy for overly trained omegas.

Yes. My way ismuchbetter. It’s more natural, even primal.

“Do you need me for this?” Yuki asks as she parks the car. She hates coming here. She says the scent of distressed omegas makes her sick, but all unmated omegas are distressed. Finding them a mate is the only way to fix them.

“You can stay in the car,” I tell the she-alpha as I check out her tits in her skin-tight shirt and snug leather pants.She always looks so fucking good.

Yuki nods, and her chest falls with relief. It’s funny seeing such a powerful woman so scared of a few frightened omegas.

I pull down the visor, checking my reflection in the tiny mirror. I check that my hair is still brushed back and that my part still looks good. Then I step out of the SUV. “Let me know if you change your mind,” I say to my she-alpha with a teasing lift in my voice. “I’ll gladly come back and hold your hand,” I smirk.

“Fuck off.” Yuki scowls at me, not liking it when I treat her as anything other than the powerful alpha she is. But the black-haired beauty is stunning when she’s pissed, so I keep doing it.

I adjust my tie and button my suit jacket as we walk. Bear is quiet, watching everyone work with a discerning eye. The big alpha combs the underside of his black beard with his fingers. Then he smooths it, making sure he looks presentable. While he doesn't have any interest in the omegas, there’s always a pretty beta that catches his eye. I used to get pissed when he’d fuck the employees, but now I ignore it. The alpha clearly needs to work out some aggression, and this is as good a way as any.

“They set up the medical tent pretty far away this time,” Bear says, looking at the far end of the camp.

“Angelica is simply taking advantage of the space,” I say as we walk past the stage.

Bear’s mouth pulls into a tight line, his big biceps flexing under his thin black t-shirt. He hates it when I defend Angelica in any way. I’m convinced the two had a thing once, but Bear won’t admit to it. It’s a shame. I’d love to hear about the two sexy alphas, covered in sweat and fighting over who got to dominate who, but Bear never shares stories about his past lovers with me. I fucking hate it.

“Mr. Stanley!” Angelica’s sultry voice drifts from the entrance of the display room. It’s not actually a room but a massive canvas tent, filled with the finest omegas for our customers to scent. But if you slap a fancy label on something, people will eventually buy it.

“How are things?” I ask Angelica as she struts toward me. Her dress is extra tight today, showing off her big tits and fat ass. She’s got the kind of hourglass figure most men go wild for.

“Everything is running as smooth as always.” Angelica smiles, flashing her bright white teeth.

“I’m going to check the display room,” Bear says, refusing to make eye contact with Angelica. The man moves through the crowd of betas setting up, his mighty body towering over everyone he passes.

Angelica bristles in his direction, but she doesn’t say a word. Always the professional.

“How is the merchandise?” I push my hand into the breast pocket of my suit and pull out a silver cigarette case. I open it then slip a cigarette between my lips. Angelica pulls a lighter out of her pocket, lighting it for me. The she-alpha doesn’t smoke, but she’s always ready to light mine.

“Dr. Plume is prepping the newest omegas now.” Angelica steps to one side, motioning for me to take the lead. “The pieces for the display room have been selected and dressed, and the catalog for the auction is done.” She smiles with those glossy red lips.

Two betas pass us, ducking their heads in a show of submission. Their arms are weighed down with stacks of white linen tablecloths. I watch them, not taking my eyes off the pair as they make their way toward the display room. They push into the tent, giving me a glimpse of twinkling lights and an impressive chandelier. It’s amazing what you can accomplish with enough scaffolding and a few generators.

“We did get a new piece in,” Angelica says, but there’s something off in her voice. It’s a tone I know all too well.

“Yeah?” I brace myself, taking a long pull off my cigarette. “What’s wrong with her?” Hopefully, not much. Scavenged omegas are rarely in good health.

“Well,” Angelica gives me a pointed look, “he,” she exaggerates the omega’s gender, “arrived this morning. He’s not in the best condition. A bit sickly, but we’ve sold worse.”

“A male?” I’m intrigued. Omegas in general are rare, but male omegas are almost nonexistent in the wild. They’re rumored to be an amazing fuck, but they’re awful breeders. Alphas looking to start a family don’t waste their time or money on males, so they can be hard to sell. “How bad is he?” I ask, hoping the omega can be salvaged.

“He’s thin and underdeveloped.” Angelica grimaces, and my hope dies. “But he’s of age,” she quickly adds. “Once he’s cleaned up, I think he’ll be okay for the auction. He won’t be in the catalog, but we can place him at the end.”

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