Page 11 of Foxy Filthy Omega

I hated how hard she’d clocked me but I shouldn’t be surprised when we’ve worked together more closely than anyone else in my pack other than Lucy.

Auntie Lauren was a shrewd, calculating beta who had the patience of some ancient mythological entity and she had this really unsettling insight into people. I took after her in that regard so I really shouldn’t be mad, but I was.

No one knew how fucking stupid I was more than me.

She cleared her throat, no doubt sensing my mood. “Why don’t you give him a tour of the building?”

Yeah, me and every other detective in the agency.

“We can do a tour later.” I jerked my chin toward the door. “Why don’t we head to the gun range first?”

The commander sighed, but she didn’t argue with me. “I’ll push the paperwork through and get him an assigned weapon.”

I nodded and turned on my heel, heading for the double doors without looking back.

Soren would follow me without complaint if he had any sense and it annoyed me that I was one hundred percent positive he would. I wanted him to give me a reason not to like him, because otherwise, I might just end up liking himtoomuch.

I didn’t want that. I didn’t want to like the person the commander had chosen as Lucy’s replacement even if my aunt was playing the same game I was – pretending everything would go back to normal whenever she decided to come back.

No one could replace Lucy.No one.

I’d done everything for her – became a detective when she showed interest in cybercrimes and left my pack behind when she insisted on doing things without the Lopez name just so she wouldn’t be alone and unprotected. I’d kept her as safe and as healthy as I could despite her unique composition.

Lucy was now healthier and happier than ever, and safer than anyone else in the city.

I’d done my job and I had to admit, I’d done it flawlessly.Iwas the one who’d made sure she could become whoever and whatever she wanted until she found someone worthy of her time and attention.

In return, she’d given me the comfort and security I needed so desperately.

She was the best partner I ever could have asked for and she’d helped me turn this agency into what it was today. We wouldn’t have the clients and notoriety we had without her genius by my side.

But she didn’t need me anymore.

I’d done my job and now I had to figure out who I was without her, but I’d be damned if I let some random rookie take her place.

Analphaof all people.

I pursed my lips and practically stomped through the building toward the gun range in the basement, not bothering to hide how annoyed I was. If Soren Hart couldn’t handle my attitude, then maybe I’d get lucky and he’d resign.

Slapping my hand against the palm reader, I took a deep breath to try to calm down and then slowly let it out.

That wasn’t fair.

I didn’t want him to resign. I just didn’t want him to think I needed anyone other than Lucy.

When his training period was over, he would be assigned his own partner. It was my job as his senior to make sure he wouldbe a good addition to his team because if he got someone killed, that’d be on me.

“Once I finish my assessment of your skills, I’m going to send you over to the IT department,” I informed him. “They’ll scan your hand and assign you an ID number. You’re going to use that number for everything here – checking out weapons, using the facilities, and even accessing the database.”

The door to the gun range slid open after the scanner gave a happy little beep, granting me access.

I walked up to the receptionist who sat behind a reinforced steel cage with a wall of bullet proof glass that ensured even the strongest alpha couldn’t get through to our armory. She wore one of our latest gas masks that filtered out all pheromones as well as smoke and chemicals. No one was going to be able to bully this omega into handing over the keys to the armory.

Alicia pushed the tablet through the metal drawer and activated the mechanism. I opened the drawer on my side and grabbed it, taking the stylus on the counter so I could enter in my information.

“We’re required to spend at least seven hours a week in the gun range,” I explained as I put in my ID information, noting that I was bringing in a guest. “Ten hours minimum in the gym, and there are puzzle games we have to do every week to keep our minds sharp.”

I tossed the tablet back in the drawer and waited for Alicia to get the two Sygs I’d asked for.

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