Page 46 of Captured

Devereux’s eyes settled on Gra’ar. He was a mated alpha so it was debatable whether he remembered how strong the pull could be since he would only respond to his omega’s scent. It was actually surprising that Gra’ar hadn’t given in despite his promises not to claim her, most alphas didn’t have the willpower to resist.

Devereux remained silent as he turned his focus back to Flea. She chewed her bottom lip, hoping he’d take them at their word and drop the subject.

Her fingers twisted in the pink shirt she wore as she waited. Gra’ar had insisted she change before going to the Director’s office, and it was the one with the widest neckline; better to show off her wound. She didn’t have the time to shower so there was still lingering traces of her heat in her scent, it just wasn’t as strong which was what Gra’ar had wanted.

“And you let this happen?”

His brow rose at he stared at her, and she couldn’t help letting out a chuckle. He must have a hell of an impression of her if he thought she could stop an alpha from claiming her while lost in her cycle.

“What was I going to do to stop him?”

His expression closed off again, sending a tingle of worry through her belly.

“Were you forced? Your scent hasn’t changed so the bond may not be complete. If you’re not happy with this…”

He trailed off as she started to shake her head, worry for Gra’ar flooding her mind. She hadn’t meant to imply anything.

“No, it wasn’t like that. It’s fine. He’s the one I’d choose out of all the ones you’ve tried to push me on.”

She didn’t have to lie about that.

Devereux sighed, letting his hands drop to his desk as his shoulders relaxed.

“I’ll have to refund another alpha, but at least I don’t have to worry about this anymore. You’ve caused enough stress.”

Pinning Gra’ar with his dark eyes, he raised a finger to point at him.

“And you’ve got paperwork to do. You can consider her your fee.”

Flea spared a glance at the alpha next to her, wondering if he’d realized what he was giving up to help her. She had no idea what he’d been offered to capture her and bring her back. His expression remained blank, but he nodded as if the news wasn’t unexpected.

“Once you’re done with it I can inform your command.”

“Don’t worry about it. We’ll be heading straight there as soon as we’re done here. Commander wanted me to take a longer leave so I’ll let him know that’s what I’m doing so I can get everything settled for Flea.”

The Director sighed again, nodding as he lifted his hand and flicked it at them.

“Saves me time. Go wait in Meeting Room 1 and I’ll have a tablet brought to you with the forms.”

He glanced up at Flea, pinning her in place before she had the chance to turn and escape.

“You can go up and get anything you want from your room, but I’m having all the locks recoded as soon as you’re gone. Don’t take this the wrong way, but I hope I never see you again.”

Grin tugging up the corners of her lips, she flicked a two-finger salute toward him as she turned to the door.

“Same, Director. Same.”

Striding out into the hallway, she tried to quell the giddiness rising inside her. This was only one of her many issues, but it still buoyed her spirits for it to work out the way they planned.

A large palm settled on her lower back, turning her down the hall toward the entrance. A part of her was itching to run straight out, screw the paperwork Gra’ar needed to do, but she knew it would bring them under scrutiny. She had to play the good little omega mate for a little longer for them to be in the clear.

Gra’ar slowed outside the lift doors, his head tipping down toward her. He’d had his hind eyes closed since they emerged from the stairwell on Fourth-Level, and a part of her missed seeing the glint of all four focused on her.

“We should go collect your things. You’ll need whatever you have.”

She wanted to argue that she could do it herself while he waited in the meeting room, but alphas were the overprotective sort when it came to omegas and it wouldn’t be believable for him to let her out of his sight, even in a building like the Center where there were safeguards in place to protect omegas.

Flea hit the button, waiting for the doors to slide back before moving into the little metal container. She’d never been inside a lift before coming to the Collection Center and she had to say she wasn’t a fan of them, but her thighs were too tired from their long climb to make a fuss and want to climb more.

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