Page 65 of Dream Mates (Into The Parallel Omegaverse #2)

Chapter Forty-Two

Spencer

H eart in my throat, it took all of my willpower not to chase after the Office of Designation Management van as it drove away from the hotel with my mate. Her panic seared through me and my heart stopped as I remembered the last time I’d felt panic like that so deeply in my soul.

It was the moment Elaris died in a car crash on her way to the airport after a conference. I hadn’t come with her because I’d stayed behind to handle some negotiations.

Not that I would have been able to stop the wreck had I been with her.

Still, once again, I was helpless while the woman I loved panicked.

My phone buzzed with texts on the group chat, reminding me that I had to keep it together–at the very least so that I didn’t overwhelm Grace with my fear. I had a mate bond again and needed to get back in the habit of being mindful of my emotions.

As I walked back to the cabana I let the pack know everything. While I had every intention of going to her, I needed a plan. Also, pants.

My phone rang. Wes. “I’m so sorry that she was taken.”

“It's not your fault. How can I help? Evan’s attempting to get an advocate to her. Bren's calling the pack lawyer. Jett’s trying to get those background checks,” Wes said.

“The documentation seemed to be in order, but what do I know? One of the big issues is that right now, you’re the only one legally connected to her.

I can’t even have a say as a pack member because she’s not actually part of the pack.

No judgment, because we could never anticipate this, just facts.

” At the cabana, I quickly stuffed our things into the beach bags.

“You’re going to her anyway, right? Do you need me to fly out?” Wes asked.

“I’ll be on my way momentarily. I’ll stand in the parking lot if I have to. Right now, stay in Rockland, though feel free to leave the office,” I replied, making one last sweep, the unfinished sand castle visible through the door sending pangs through my heart.

“I can get on the next flight,” he offered, voice shaking.

Shouldering the bag, I set off for our villa. “We might need your, um, particular skills, and that would be easier if you weren’t on a plane.”

“Oh. That makes sense. Yeah, if I’m doing that I should probably leave the office.” His voice stopped wavering.

“Don’t worry about work today, just focus on her,” I stated.

“Got it. What do you need?”

I thought for a moment. “A copy of the court order. I especially want to know why her and why now. Also, ask Bren if the genscan came in.”

Unlocking the villa door, I threw the bag on the couch. I headed straight for the bedroom, which still smelled strongly of our lovemaking.

I’ll get you, Grace. I promise.

“Why did we have a genscan run on Grace?” Confusion flowed through Wes’ voice.

I took a suit out of the closet. Appearances had power.

“The resemblance between Creed and Grace is odd. Even though I don’t think that the professor was one of my father’s omegas, we’re missing something,” I replied.

“Yeah, someone thinking Grace is an illegal designation is both strange and worrisome. Bren's calling, I’ll be in touch. We’ll get her, Spence.” Wes ended the call.

That we would. Pulling on the suit, I texted Evan.

Me

Do we know where she’s being taken?

While I waited for a response, I finished getting dressed. Evan sent an address.

I called a car, then threw some clothes and things for Grace in a bag, considering she was taken in only a bikini.

While waiting for the car, I texted Grace that I loved her, still sensing how scared and confused she was.

Grace would have no idea what was going on.

She literally never had the assembly in school where the Office of Designation Management did their education talk.

Growing up in another world meant she had no reference, no idea what to expect.

“Thank you so much,” I told the driver as I got in, then put up the privacy screen between us while I started making discreet inquiries of my own. I needed our mate bond to populate in the system sooner rather than later, so I could be with her.

My phone rang. Brennan.

“What did the lawyer say?” I asked.

“I think this is my fault, and I’m so sorry,” Brennan blurted.

I helped myself to a glass of wine from the car’s bar. “What are you talking about? I’m the one who asked you to run the genscan. That’s where this is coming from? Something strange popped up, causing her record to be flagged?”

“I’m pretty sure it’s my mother’s doing.” Brennan sighed.

“Your mother ? I know she’s on the rampage, but why would Siobhan do something like that?” I frowned as I took a sip of wine. It was subpar but fine given the circumstances.

Brennan exhaled sharply. “Retaliation? Ian Murphy, her lawyer, was served today.”

“You think she might have called in a tip on Grace as retaliation?” I wasn’t sure about that.

“My mom probably knows that Grace’s record is a fake, because she knows everything. Knowing someone has a fake record is often enough for them to be tested,” he reminded me.

“True. What did Grace’s genscan say?” Honestly, I wondered if it was someone associated with Nate’s pack. Adriana Thorne’s surety bothered me.

“I don’t know. I saw the notification this morning but haven’t checked yet.

Do you think that’s what’s caused them to take her for testing?

Things have been a little hectic this morning beyond Grace.

Hold on,” he said. “Shit. I… I have no words. It says Nathaniel Thorne, that professor, is her father.”

I sucked in air through my teeth as my mind reeled at the possibilities, the probabilities.

“How? How, Spence? You’re the genius? How? ” Bren prodded.

“We’re missing something. Unless his backstory is that good and Nate really is one of the resettled omegas? Who does it say for mother?” I polished off the glass and poured myself another.

“The record is locked .” Brennan sounded like he was moving. There were muffled voices.

My belly sank. “Locked records aren’t good.”

“The lawyer is on the other line, I’ll call you right back,” Brennan said.

Taking another sip of wine as I stared out the window at the trees, I mulled this over. Nate Thorne was her father and her mother’s record was locked. What had her mother done to warrant that? Records weren’t locked for no reason.

This got stranger and stranger.

I helped myself to some snacks and tried to distract myself from Grace’s anxiety by replying to emails, following up on things, checking in at work, and responding to the group chat.

Evan

Mrs. Beekman is in touch with the local Center. They’re aware of what’s going on and are dispatching someone.

Finally, the phone rang again.

“What did the lawyer say?” I asked Brennan.

“The documentation is valid. Also, the Office of Designation Management is trying to get a judge to unlock Grace’s maternal record,” Brennan told me.

“Can we somehow delay the order until Wes hacks the record, so that we know what we’re dealing with?” I asked.

There were muffled voices.

“Yeah, whatever you need,” Wes’ voice interjected over the line.

“Grace’s mother’s record is locked. Can you hack the record and tell us why? Also, any luck on the court order?” I asked. “Knowledge is power.”

“Still working on it, trying not to get arrested,” he responded. “Here, Bren wants you.”

“Okay, what should I say to the lawyer that’s not weird?” Brennan asked.

“I’ll handle that. What else did she say?” I prodded, wondering if a third glass of wine would settle my nerves or make things worse, as I tried to send more reassurance to Grace.

“The lawyer said it was important for you to show up there. They might not let you wait inside until the bond registration populates in the system. But them knowing that she has someone waiting will help. Hey, I forgot to tell you congratulations,” he added.

I rubbed my chest. “Thank you. I know it was a little soon, but…”

“I’m glad she has you,” Brennan told me, voice a little wistful. “The lawyer reiterated full cooperation, being respectful, and that there really wasn’t much we could do other than hope.”

“That’s what I thought. But thank you so much. Wes invaded your office?” I asked. Probably better than him alone at the house.

“Yes. Jett and Riley are here, too. I wanted us all together. Evan’s still at the Center. He says that he can monitor the situation better from there, especially once the advocate arrives,” he added.

Riley was there. Okay.

“Keep me updated on what Wes finds,” I replied.

The guards opened the doors, and I walked through the sensors, into the small, dreary lobby of the bleak Office of Designation Management office, which had been a bit of a drive.

I should have looked to see if it was on the path of a train, but everything was better in hindsight.

Given how few illegal designations there actually were percentage wise, the testing centers were spread much thinner than Omega Centers.

A lot of what they did was investigation and education.

Her fear still shot through me.

“Can I help you?” The man behind the desk eyed my suit. Fear and sadness hung heavily in the air.

“Yes, my mate is here for testing. Grace Ellington,” I told him, trying to hold myself steady and send her all my love.

He typed on his computer. “You’re Wes Lawson?”

“Spencer.”

Frowning at the screen he kept typing. “Sorry, I can’t find you, so I can’t confirm or deny anything. You’ll have to wait in the parking lot.”

“Please note that I’m here and waiting.” I went back out into the parking lot.

While a mate bond registration usually populated in the public record within the day, I needed it now.

I opened my contacts. Ah, yes, he owed me a favor.

I’d cash in every favor ever owed to me if it got her back to us safely.