Page 18 of All That We Keep
"All the major donors, their new Omegas, some Hearthstone board members, and probably whoever has been facilitating the cover-up." Kai meets my eyes. "It's going to be a room full of people who either participated in trafficking or are unknowing accessories to it."
There’s still so many questions I have but it’s clear that Kai is telling the truth and that fear is fueling this new version of him. “So, you called…”
Kai finishes my sentence. “Ward. Detective Ward. He’s the main one on the case now with the precinct being reoutfitted. He takes it to the chief but fuck, they’re overwhelmed with everything Hudson did and I should have listened to you guys the first time you came to my house. Look, I won't be reachable for a while. I'm taking my pack out of town." The desperation in his voice catches my attention. "I don't trust whatever is going on and I'm not losing my Omega because some Alphas decided to fuck around with the system. She doesn't need to suffer again because of their mistakes and their bullshit."
I nod in agreement. Protecting my pack comes before everything else, even justice or doing the right thing. If I thought my mates were in immediate danger, I'd make the same choice without hesitation.
Maceo hums in agreement, though his mind is already working in a different direction. "Legally, though, where does this leave all the other families? The ones who might not know what they've gotten involved in?"
"I don't know." Kai pulls a thick manila folder from the booth seat at his side and slides it across the table to me. "I've made copies of my documents. Everything I could findabout the donation process, the paperwork we signed, contact information."
I pick up the folder and feel its weight. This represents serious risk on Kai's part. "You're putting a lot of trust in us."
"I'm leaving town immediately after this meeting. It's safer this way for my pack, and I hope that you'll find whatever closure you need. My pack’s name isn’t in any of those, although they might trace it back to me at some point anyway. By that time, I hope to be nowhere near here." Kai checks his watch, clearly anxious to be gone. "Do what you have to do."
Something in his tone makes Maceo study his face more carefully. "What really spooked you? Because it wasn't just Hearthstone closing down or the police corruption. It was something else. What's going on?"
Kai leans in closer, lowering his voice even more. "Hudson came to my house three nights ago and tried to steal my Omega back. Said she'd fetch a higher price now that she was settled and bonded, that I owed him money or some bullshit. I thought that fucker was locked away, but whoever is up there playing games with our lives won't be playing with mine and my pack's."
The blood drains from my face. Luca is definitely a target, probably theprimarytarget.
"Do what you have to do with this information." Kai stands up from the table as he points to the packet. "Just leave my name out of it."
He's gone before either Maceo or I can respond, leaving behind only the folder and more questions than we started with. I flip through the documents quickly, scanning contracts and donation receipts that paint a disturbing picture of systematic Omega trafficking. Except, it all looks suspiciously legal.
Because how could it not?
A family pays a donation to an Omega center and then sends in their scent cards with their requirements as they promote theidea of rehabilitated Omegas. And then in just a few months, they’re given the very Omega they’ve been waiting their entire life for.
There’s no telling how far this goes or how many Omegas have been stolen away from families or the lives they were living. Hell, how many Omegas were sold by their own fucking parents like Luca?
Anger swells in my chest, immediately dissipating when the waitress from earlier approaches our table. "Can I get you gentlemen something to eat today?"
"Yes, please." I don't look up from the papers. "Two coffees and whatever your lunch special is."
After she leaves, Maceo shakes his head. "This is a lot of information just dumped in our laps."
I continue reading through Kai's documents, each page revealing more details about how the donation system worked. "Hudson seems desperate, which means there's a buyer or multiple buyers waiting for their goods. If Hearthstone is closing down, that means high demand and low… fuck,product.Or maybe he's just a greedy bastard in need of a fix. Either way, I'm sure something in these contracts will give us insight into what Hudson was truly part of."
Maceo glances around the small café. "Are we really going to sit here and eat lunch while processing evidence of a trafficking ring?"
I grin at him, the expression probably looking more predatory than reassuring. "I ordered groceries delivered to the house while you were shopping earlier, but yes, you'll need your energy when we get back." I pause, letting the implication settle. "It felt like a bonding was in order."
Maceo grins back, understanding immediately what I'm suggesting. The temporary bite Grayson gave him this morning was just the beginning.
"It's about time you become official pack and properly take Grayson." I continue flipping through documents while talking.
"I want your bond too, Luther." Maceo's voice is serious, no trace of the earlier playfulness. "It might not be a sexual relationship, but I'm still yours. Your Gamma."
I look up from the papers to study his face. The request isn't unexpected, but the directness of it catches me off guard. Pack bonds aren't just symbolic, they're legal and biological commitments that tie us together permanently.
"Welcome to the family, then. Not that you weren’t already part of it." I extend my hand between us, and when he takes it, I can feel something shift. Not romantic or sexual, but the solid foundation of pack loyalty that will anchor our unusual family structure.
11
Luca
I wake up from a nap feeling groggy and disoriented, my belly heavy with the twins who seem determined to use my bladder as their personal soccer ball. I’m more than ready for them to come out and at the same time, want them to stay in there until I know that the world is safe for them to thrive.
