Page 48 of Feral Alphas

She runs a hand through her hair. “Any alphas who agree to take in an abused omega are subject to a lot of checks and rules.”

A strange clarity floods me. “I understand your concern, but I think I’m in the perfect position to help her with these issues.” I’ve nursed Luka through a similar process, and while he’s not a shining example of integrating into regular society, he has found a happy normal which he never thought possible.

Leslie consults her touch screen and scrolls through a few pages. “Yes, your training in omega protection stands you in good stead. According to your application, you also have the necessary emergency funds, and own a house, so that checks out.”

I swallow down a lump of fear. If I’m being honest, I should tell her the money I had when I applied is all gone, but I can’t bring myself to do it. I can’t jeopardize the chance of bringing Rose home.

“So, let’s talk about the elephant in the room.” All the gentleness in her expression fades as she leans her elbows on the desk. “You currently have a former criminal in your household, and the rehoming protocol for abused omegas expressively forbids releasing an omega into a situation where she could be endangered.”

I suck in deep breath. “I understand your concern, Leslie, but I can assure you Luka Nesters is no danger to an omega.” I dig into my bag and pull out a set of folders, dropping it onto the desk with emphasis. I knew this could be a problem, so I didn’t come empty-handed.

“I’ve brought Luka’s psychological assessments and rehabilitation reports here. Now it’s my turn, as his rehabilitation officer, to ask you to sign a non-disclosure.” I hold her eye, silently begging her to come to the party.

Her lips puff out with a long breath. “Alright, Colt. In for a penny, in for a pound.”

I slide a form across the table, ready to go into battle for my family.

I grip the arm rests of the chair as I wait for Leslie to bring Rose to me. As per instructions, I’ve loosened my top button, and remain seated even though I want to pace—I’m to appear as non-threatening as possible. Still, a few jitters run through my leg, and I bounce my foot on the ground to steady myself as I wait.

Leslie’s not a hundred percent convinced, but she said she’ll allow the matching to continue while she consults with a superior, which is a maybe. If I know anything about the Omega Center, it’s that they bend over backward to settle an omega, so Rose is going to get the biggest say in this. If she wants me, she needs to accept Luka too, warts and all.

The door opens and I jerk around, forgetting the instructions to remain calm. Leslie raises her palm in warning, and I nod. Someonewalks in behind her, shielded by the nurse’s body, and another burly beta guard follows them in and shuts the door.

Leslie turns. “Rose, this is your first scent match. If you’re comfortable, please approach him and confirm if you like his scent.”

The woman whose face is burned into my mind walks out from behind her handler and her tiny bow of a mouth purses. “Colt?”

I lean toward her, all the movement I’m permitted. “Hello, Rose.”

“You’re late.”

Fuck! I want to laugh and pick her up and plaster her legs around me like we did at the arena. “I came as fast as I could.” I swallow hard as her scent hits me. Not as powerful as her heat scent, but just as fragrant.

She walks straight across the room and climbs onto my lap to bury her face in my neck. “Don’t ever be late ever again!”

My heart sputters as she clings to me once more. Her admission she wants a future with me makes my vision swim, tears spilling from my eyes. “I’m sorry I was late, Rose. May I touch you?”

“You better.” She hiccups.

I glance over at Leslie for confirmation, and she nods.

I close my arms around Rose’s waist, and it feels like I’ve come home after a long journey. “But you know, I might need a few get-out-of-jail-free cards, because my job’s really demanding.” It’s the dumbest thing I could ever say, but with her scent floating around me I’m mostly operating on animal brain.

She braces her hands on my shoulders and pushes back. Her beautiful green eyes are clearer than the day I found her, and they sparkle with mischief. “How many?”

I count back the number of times I’ve kept Luka waiting this year. “About eight per year.”

She tilts her head, making dark blonde hair cascade over one shoulder. “Four.”

“How about six?” I counter as I tuck the silky strands back over her shoulder.

“Deal.”

I smirk, because I started higher than I needed and ended up with what I wanted, but she leans down and kisses the smile right off my face. My cock jumps, remembering how good it felt to slide inside her and I grip her hips, forcing myself not to grind up into her, since we have company and she’s not officially mine yet. Her hot breath washes over my face and I move one hand to cup the side of her face.

“I want to be yours,” she murmurs, thumbing away one of my rogue tears.

“I want that too,” I reassure her. “More than I know how to say, but I hope you can hear it anyway.” I move her hand onto my chest, where my heartbeat pounds beneath my ribs.

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