Page 82

“Nice to meet you,” Dawson says, his voice gruff as he sets down the plastic bag by us before retreating to the doorway.

“H—Hi,” I say, giving him my attempt at a wobbly smile. “Thank you.”

“We have a good chunk of your stuff in our car. We can drop it off at the center after this,” Charlotte says, letting out a huff as she stands straight, holding her belly.

I blink at Charlotte, my heart falling. “The—the center?” I know the likelihood of going back to the Ward pack house was slim, but there was still a desperate part of me that hoped that Charlotte would be able to do something to help me.

“Shit,” Charlotte mutters under my breath, seeing my crestfallen expression. She turns to Jess, who’s made her way back into the room. “Are you sure there’s no way she can spend her timewith the Ward pack? She’ll be more comfortable there than the center.”

“I’m sorry, ma’am,” Jess says, wincing slightly. “But that’s not a possibility.”

“Even though I’ve documented her injuries the moment she arrived at the Ward pack house and can testify that they haven’t laid a single finger on her? Shouldn’t my testimony as a doctor be worthsomethingin this situation?” Charlotte pushes, her apple pie scent picking up hints of spicy cinnamon as her irritation grows obvious. “I’m a doctor, that should count for something.”

“I’m sorry, ma’am,” Jess sighs again. “That testimony could be valuable in Luna’s case in general, and it could be helpful in making sure the Ward pack is eligible to court her, but she’s still unregistered. She has to go through the registration and courting process just like any other omega.”

“Will my examination count, at the very least? That way, she doesn’t have to go through another one?”

Jess purses her lips in thought. “I’m not sure. That’s not in my control. I can bring it up to the higher-ups, though.”

Charlotte’s head drops to her chest. “Fine.” She turns to look at me. “I’ll try and visit you at the center as much as I possibly can until we fix everything and get you back to my brother’s pack, I promise.”

Tears fill my eyes as I thank Charlotte.

“Please just text or call me if you ever need anything,” Charlotte says.

“I—I don’t have a way to do that,” I say, shifting nervously, growing more aware of how little I actually have to my name.

“Included in your stuff is that tablet Madden gave you. It’s got its own cell service plan, so you can use it even if you don’t have wifi. I’ll bring you shopping to go get a phone when you’re allowed to leave the center.”

Charlotte’s kindness hits me again, making my chest twist. How will I ever repay her or the ward pack for their kindness?

“Talking about the center,” Jess says, cutting into the conversation. “It’s best if we get you registered so you can settle into the center without it being too late.”

“What time is it?” I ask her, standing from the table. I don’t really have a good concept of time right now. I know it was around noon when I was taken here.

“It’s five PM,” Jess answers. “How about you take a second in the bathroom down the hall to get changed into something more comfortable before you go.”

I slide off Jess’s jacket, handing it back to her with a grateful smile.

“This is where we part ways, for now,” Jess says. “Officer Stone is going to drive you over to the center.”

Everything is a blur after I step out of the bathroom in my favorite baby blue sweatsuit and puffy jacket. There are so many people and so many scents in the police station as they have me finish up some paperwork that I’m grateful for the quiet of Officer Stone’s police car.

He walks me into the big multi-story building with the words “Omega Center” in big block letters on the concrete sign outside of it.

There’s a pretty receptionist, an omega too, according to her lavender scent. Her eyes narrow a bit when she sees me walking behind Officer Stone.

“You must be theSouthsideomega,” she says, standing from behind her desk. The way her face twists instantly takes away from how pretty I thought she was at first.

It seems most omegas are attractive. It also seems most omegas aren’t very nice. Granted, this is only the third omega I’ve met, but out of the three, the only one that’s been kind to me has been Charlotte.

I take a deep breath. I’ve faced worse than another pissy omega. And I’m still alive.

“I am,” I say after swallowing hard. “My name is Luna.”

“Mhmm,” she says, quickly typing something into the desktop in front of her. “The doctor will see you now.”

I bite the inside of my cheek so hard I can taste blood. “The—The doctor?” My head whips towards Officer Stone. “But Charlotte already examined me. Can’t that examination be used?”