Page 106 of Knotting the Firefighters

Bastards.

Absolute bastards.

"Wendy only maintained the relationship because she thought she had no choice." Calder's voice carries a bitter edge now. "And in our society, what choiceisthere for Omegas? Government policies, social expectations, biological imperatives…everything conspires to limit autonomy, force dependency, ensure Omegas can't exist independently regardless of competence."

The silence that follows is heavy, an acknowledgment of truth we all recognize but rarely articulate.

When nobody responds, Calder continues, passion building as he articulates thoughts he's clearly been harboring:

"She drowned herself in work, not simply because of passion for firefighting, though that's real, but because it's all she's ever had control over. Every other part of her life, she's never been in the driver's seat."

He runs his hand through his hair with a frustrated gesture.

"She grew up in foster care—government always ready to steer her in directions they deemed appropriate rather than what she wanted. Moved between homes, between cities, between families that viewed her as a temporary burden. She never got a chance to lead her own life, make her own choices, exist as an autonomous individual."

The picture he's painting is devastating—childhood of systematic disempowerment, adolescence spent learning that safety is temporary and control is an illusion.

"So I assumed—" Calder's voice cracks slightly. "I assumed by stepping back, by not adding my obvious feelings to her already complicated situation, she could find a pack that not only loved and cherished her, but where she'd finally be in control. Where her choices mattered, where she'd have agency the government has systematically denied."

Fuck.

He was trying to sacrifice his own happiness for hers.

Trying to give her freedom by removing himself from the equation.

That's either incredibly noble or spectacularly stupid.

Possibly both.

They're all quiet—Aidric's fury deflating slightly, Silas's expression softening with understanding, the tension in the room shifting from confrontational to contemplative.

Calder runs his hand through his hair again, nervous energy needing an outlet.

"But when we…when we made love last night, like it was the last time—" His voice drops lower, an intimate admission that feels almost voyeuristic to overhear. "In that heightened moment, I really couldn't envision what life would be like without my powerhouse Omega."

His Omega.

He's claiming her verbally now, not just through bond.

"I didn't want to accept that it was our finale when I've enjoyed every moment at her side. Sure, I love the empowered badass woman who makes the world tremble with her confidence and competence?—"

He pauses, gaze still fixed on Wendolyn's sleeping form. We all follow his attention, studying her peaceful expression, the vulnerability evident in complete relaxation.

"But you know what's also beautiful?"

The question hangs rhetorically, none of us attempting to answer while he gathers thoughts.

"Seeing her comfortable enough to rely on another person. For her to be vulnerable not out of injury or necessity, but because she trusts and feels safe enough to let guards down completely."

Truth.

Profound truth that resonates deeper than expected.

Because Wendolyn Murphy in professional mode is formidable—commanding, competent, capable of intimidating grown Alphas through sheer force of personality. But Wendolyn is vulnerable, sleeping peacefully in my lap, trusting us to protect her while she's defenseless?

That's precious.

That's a gift she's giving us through her trust.