Page 94 of Break Me Knot

I lean forward. Zane shifts beside me, his body thrumming. Cole's pine scent remains steady, but his tension radiates through the pack bond. “That's partly why we're here, Ash. What I'm about to tell you... it's bigger than our research. It could tear apart the whole omega restriction system. Are you ready for that kind of storm?”

Asher's expression transforms, his professional demeanor cracking to reveal the man below the badge. “Ready? Adrian, I've spent years watching omegas get treated like property. Watching abused omegas come through our doors only to be turned over to their packs again.” A muscle twitches at his temple as he grinds his teeth.

“They should have rights just like any other person. Being rare doesn't justify locking them away like china dolls.” He sits forward, gaze burning. “I’m telling you this because it’ll go no further, but do you understand how many abuse cases get buried because there are no laws that support them? They’ve been systematically stripped away.

“Last month. I had an omega, barely post heat, come in with cigarette burns all over her arms. Her alpha claimed it was done ‘in the moment of passion’. And you know what happened?” His laugh is bitter, hollow. “I had to release her back into the asshole’s care even when she pleaded with me not to let her go.”

He braces both hands on the table. His gray eyes blaze with intensity. “If you've got something that can break this system, I'm not just ready. I'm fuckingdesperatefor it.”

The intensity in his eyes tells me we've chosen the right person. He's not just a friend anymore; he's a weapon aimed at the heart of omega oppression. And when he hears about Mira, about Mercer, Hardwick, about the facility masquerading as a research center...

I share a look with Zane and Cole. We're all thinking the same thing: Mira's story couldn't be in better hands.

Time to light the fuse. “What I'm about to tell you starts with an omega named Mira, and it ends with bringing down the entire corrupt system.”

Asher's eyes narrow as he takes his seat. “I'm listening.”

The line between Asher’s brows deepens until it's carved valley-deep in his forehead with each detail I share. His scent grows increasingly acidic as I describe Haven, the Basement Mira was sent to after the deaths of her parents and the punishments Mira faced. White lines appear around his eyes when I detail the scars that map our omega's body.

“A death certificate?” Asher's voice is deadly quiet when I reach that part, each word precise with controlled rage. “Signed by Mercer herself?”

‘“No paperwork to trace. No bodies to find. No case to pursue. It’s convenient to sell omegas at underground auctions when they’re officially dead,” Zane says.

My gaze flows back to Asher from my bond brother's serious face. “Our omega will testify. She's brave. Strong. She’s ready to bring Mercer and Hardwick to justice.” Pride swells in my chest thinking of her courage, her resilience. “She's survived things that would break most people, and she's willing to face them again to stop this.”

Asher leans back, running a hand over his face. His scent carries notes of both determination and frustration. “I believe every word, Adrian. And I'll move heaven and earth to build this case. But...” He sighs heavily, the sound weighted with years of fighting this broken system. “One omega's testimony, under current laws, won't be enough. The system's designed to discredit them. We need more evidence. Alphas like Mercer and Hardwick have too many connections, too much influence. We need to make this absolutely bulletproof.”

“Mira told us two other omegas escaped with her that night,” I say, watching his expression sharpen with interest. “Emma and Leah. They lost contact but she believes they’re still out there. Somewhere.” I remember Mira's words, how they split up to increase their chances of escaping. Three omegas running into the night, carrying their stories of horror with them.

“Two more witnesses,” Asher says, already plotting. “Three testimonies, matching details, independent accounts... That's something we can work with. If we can find them, if they're willing to come forward...” His scent sharpens with purpose.

“We’ll find them. We have access to omega databases they think are secure.” Zane’s smile is razor-sharp. “They won't even know we're looking.”

Cole leans forward, elbows on his knees. “Whatever resources you need, Detective. Money, information, protection… name it. We're all in.”

“There’s one more thing,” I say.

Asher’s brows inch into his hairline “You don’t do things by halves, do you Blackwood?”

“Not recently I don’t.” I huff, then. “We have somewhere else you can start your investigations. An omega who can maybe shed some light. Aubrey Turns. Formally Aubrey Richardson, pack Richardson's omega. Pack Richardson beingThomas Richardson’s omega.” The words taste bitter in my mouth, knowing now what that 'disappearance' really meant.

“Are we talking about the late Thomas Richardson, Haven’s former director? Died about a decade ago? And the omega Aubrey who is now Commissioner Turns omega?” His frown deepens, recognition dawning in his eyes.

“That's him.”

“Fuck.” Asher shakes his head. He gets out of his chair and begins to pace, his hands on his hips. “He’s going to be hard to talk to. I've seen him at department functions. He never speaks unless spoken to. Keeps his eyes on the floor, flinches if anyone moves too quickly.”

“Shit. That sounds like how Mira thought she had to act,” Cole says.

Asher’s gaze burns as it runs over me. “Thomas Richardson’s pack died in a car accident, the same as Mira’s parents. Omega’s behavior modified. If here’s a connection, I’ll find it, but if the Commissioner is involved…this could go higher than we suspect. We'll need to be incredibly careful.”

“That's why we came to you,” I say, meeting his gaze steadily. “You're the only one we trust with this. The only one who can't be bought or threatened into silence.”

“Don’t worry. I'll start quietly,” Asher says, his voice low and intense. “Background checks on accident reports, cross-referencing dates. I've got some contacts in vehicle forensics who owe me favors.” He looks at each of us in turn, his expression deadly serious. “But you need to be careful. All of you. Keep Mira safe. If Hardwick or Mercer realize she's alive...They are very powerful people.”

“I don’t give a fuck who they are. If they lay a finger on Mira, they will die,” I snarl.

“As it should be,” Asher says, confirming why I’ve always liked him.

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