Page 74 of Feral Alphas

On the screen, O-9 wraps an arm around O-11, smoothing the woman’s red hair out of the way. “I’ll make sure she’s looked after, O—I mean Rose.”

I nod and wipe my tears. “Thanks. If you ever find your way to Darinian, get in touch.”

We hang up the call and Leslie passes me a tissue. “You know, Rose, you can ask Colt or Kye to give you a new name.”

I dab at my eyes, then blow my nose. “I could, but I think I’m okay. I was Rose when I met Mufasa and Scar, and I’m pretty sure it does suit my scent.” I chuckle weakly, remembering the effect I have on my men. All of them. “Maybe I didn’t get the best start, but it feels like I’m going to be okay.”

Leslie covers my hand. “You’re so strong, Rose. I’m proud of how you’re taking everything in your stride and telling people what you want.”

She hesitates then nods to herself. “There’s going to be lots of challenges ahead when you move in with your pack. Your scent matches haven’t been a pack before, and the feral alphas may never recover. I don’t want you expecting too much and getting your hopes dashed.”

I laugh softly. “I spent most of my life in a room fifteen feet by fifteen feet, and then weeks in an even smaller cage eating fluorescent green porridge. Anything is an improvement at this stage.”

Leslie laughs with me. “Yes, things are looking up for sure.”

My words might be a bit callous, but truthfully, when I’m with Colt and Kye, they’re all I need. It’s hard to explain how their presence puts me at ease and heals the scars on my heart. I’m tall and feel bony, but they look at me like I’m the most gorgeous thing inthe universe. I touch the galaxy pendant hanging around my neck and smile. I’m the center of someone’s universe now.

Everyone thinks Mufasa and Scar don’t have a future, so it’s up to me to believe in them the same way Leslie believes in me. I’ll be what they need to heal.

Leslie picks up her tablet. “It’s nearly dinner time. Shall we head off?”

I slip off my chair with a smile. Soon I’ll get to move in with my pack and eat dinner with them. I can’t wait.

Chapter twenty-nine

Colt

In the days I’ve been on suspension, we’ve gutted the laundry and got the machines out on the back porch. We have an electrician coming to put a new socket out there, but Luka said to schedule it after my payday, which will only be half the usual amount since my unpaid leave started halfway through the pay period.

Fucking suspension!

And now, after two weeks, it’s time to face the music. I pull into the basement parking spot under the OCB and check my uniform’s in place. Not that Luka’s ever missed cleaning and ironing it. He can even get blood stains out, not that I ask how he knows.

I enjoyed the days spent with him at home doing physical labor, and every step we achieve to prepare for our omega feels like a form of promotion as we get closer to Rose’s arrival.

Kye wanted to know why we didn’t hire a renovation team, showing his head lives in some fantasy land filled with dollar bills, but after a few complaints and going out to buy gloves for his precious musician’s hands, he pitched in to help haul the ripped-out cupboards and sink outside.

The elevator hums like my nerves as I ride up to my floor so I can present myself to Minstrom’s office and learn my fate. I’m preparedto get on my knees and beg, because if I lose my job, I’ll lose my rehabilitation license. I couldn’t bear Rose’s disappointment if that happened and seeing her react to their scents made me strangely sympathetic to those abused alphas. Well, to the dark-haired one, anyway.

As I step out through the open doors, a voice assaults me. “Ah, Colt, can I have a word?”

My spine stiffens automatically at the sound of Liam Andrews’ voice, but I plaster on the barest of smiles as I turn. “Sure, Agent Andrews.”

I can do this much, since this man holds my fate in his hands. If he presses charges, I’ll go before a hearing to decide my fate, but if we can settle it in-house, then it’s Minstrom’s decision. I might not be his favorite agent, but I have a good track record.

Liam leads me into one of the empty project rooms and leans on a desk, looking oddly ill at ease. Fuck, I hope that’s not him feeling guilty cos he’s pressing charges.

“I went to your house, but no one was there.”

I jolt with alarm. That would have scared Luka. He must have forgotten to tell me someone came by.

Liam runs a hand through his hair. “Um, the thing is . . .”

I hold up one hand. “Maybe I should go first. It was wrong of me to take out my frustration on you that day. I punched one of my colleagues, and a senior agent at that, and that’s unforgivable. I know you have no reason to forgive me, but I need this job, so I hope you can overlook it.”

I bow my head, which costs every bit of pride I have as an alpha and an OCB agent. “I hope you can forgive this old man’s lack of control. It won’t happen again.” It hurts, but not as much as Ithought it would. Rose’s existence has altered my perspective on life to such a degree that everything else fades in comparison.

“Damn, Colt! You’re a great agent, and you’re not old!” He straightens and holds both palms up. “I shouldn’t have taunted you, because the fact is I admire you as a professional.”

---