Page 15 of Dream Mates
I pushed the tissue box to her. “Oh, Mrs. K. They were involved in something? Moving people from one world to another? I know that they’d actually discovered parallel worlds. I didn’t think they knew how to move through them. That is what you’re saying?”
Network? They were working with other worlds? A shiver went up my spine. This was very bad indeed.
And so different from what I’d thought they’d been doing, what I’d helped with.
“They were approached by a group of scientists from another world. They asked them to be part of a network of worlds that offered sanctuary and new lives for omegas from places where being an omega was illegal or dangerous. It seemed noble, and they were able to tap into the Omega Protection Program that the Omega Center has. They gave them new lives and identities here where they could be happy and safe.” She grabbed a tissue and dabbed her eyes.
“There are worlds where being an omega isillegal?” The very thought baffled me. Omegas were treasures.
“We were one of many worlds accepting omegas through the network, so that no one was overwhelmed. Mostly we got male omegas, since many worlds in the network didn’t welcome them,” she sniffed.
“I see.” That was a lot to take in. I understood some designations being illegal, butomegas?
And not wanting male omegas? Evan was my packmate, my best friend. While they weren’t as numerous as female omegas, I couldn’t envision a world where male omegas were unwanted.
“It seems like a noble thing, to give shelter to omegas. Did they do the same, send our illegal designations to other places?” Illegal designations had become quite rare, but the fate of those few was unkind, and in my opinion, quite unnecessary. It’s not as if they chose to be an illegal designation.
Mrs. K opened the folder. “That had been the idea, taking in omegas and sending our illegal designations to safety, but it didn’t work as planned. Still, they made a difference in the lives of those omegas.”
“I’m proud of them for that. They must have saved so many lives.”
“They did. I only met a couple of the omegas, but they were so lovely.” Her hands hesitated on the folder, then she pushed it forward. “Please, be proud, even though they hid so much fromyou. The mapping research they were doing was also important. They loved it; it wasn’t just a cover for the other operation. On that end they were mostly just a receiving depot . They’d just get omegas and help them. They never went elsewhere or got much knowledge about other worlds or how their technology worked.”
I took the folder from her. “Thank you, I appreciate you being honest with me.”
She left and returned to her desk. That had been enlightening. My father had been smuggling omegas to safety. Huh.
I ate my breakfast and went on with my day. My mind kept wandering as I wondered who else I could call, what else I could do. But it wasn’t as if the Temporal Police had an office here that I could march into. They had no permanent presence here at all that I had been able to find.
If I wasn’t going to do my work here, I should be working on a cover story regarding Grace’s disappearance, so no one thought that we’d harmed her. The easiest would be to say it didn’t work out with Wes and she went home.
But Mrs. Beekman would want to talk to her. While I could possibly pull off texts, I didn’t sound anything like Grace. The integration team from the Center, who was helping Grace assimilate into our pack, would want to know what went wrong and if they could do things differently. The Center would ask for her new address so that they could put her in touch with her local one so that she could continue to receive healthcare and educational opportunities.
No, it wouldn’t be easy at all.
“Spencer, just go home. Or go to your club and work it out on small balls or something.” Mrs. K came back in, concern etched on her weathered face.
“You’re right. I have no meetings anyway.” I closed my laptop. While I didn’t want to go home, I wasn’t doing anyone any good here.
She was right, I’d go to my club and work it out on the court. Then I’d return home, de-scent an area, and drink myself to sleep, hoping that I didn’t dream of Grace.
Chapter Five
Grace
Once again, I was locked in some room, with weird food, not knowing what was happening. My phone was dead and tucked in my bra because the latest dress Agent Weigmier had brought for me didn’t have pockets. Heathens.
At least it wasn’t itchy like the last outfit.
Time seemed to have no meaning here in the interdimensional police station and I wasn’t sure how long I’d been gone. Days at least. My very soul ached for Wes.
The black kitty jumped up on the table, as if coming out of nowhere. But then again, who knew what powers otherworldly kitties had?
“Hi.” I scratched the kitty’s ears. “Still hiding or did you escape again?”
His eyes gleamed as if to sayDon’t you want to know?
“Do they have you chasing interdimensional mice in the basement or something? I hope they’re nice to you.” The desire to go home to Wes and Evan raged inside me. Especially since I’d given my testimony at the other trial and we were just waiting on verdicts. Or something. No one would tell me anything.
