Page 72 of Omega's Formula

“We fulfilled the Bureau’s requirements.” My voice comes out clipped, corporate. “Beyond that, there’s been no need for contact.”

“I see.” Another note. “And living arrangements?”

“I’m at my penthouse.” I don’t mention that I also still own the apartment I evicted Nolan from, that it’s sitting empty because I couldn’t bring myself to do anything with it.

“I have accommodation.” Nolan’s tone is flat.

“Ah yes, this is the apartment where you fulfilled your requirements.”

I want to slap him. Sun clearly knows that Nolan is no longer there.

“No,” Nolan says.

Sun’s pen pauses. “Mr. West, the Bureau’s records indicate that housing was to be provided as part of your arrangement. Is that no longer the case?”

I feel Nolan’s gaze land on me, sharp and cold. He folds his arms. Clearly, he’s going to let me take this one.

“There was a change in circumstances,” I say carefully.

“I was evicted.” Nolan’s voice is pleasant in a way that makes the words land harder. “Thirty days’ notice. Very professional.”

Sun looks between us, his expression shifting into something more assessing. “I see. And where are you currently residing, Mr. West?”

“I have a room.”

“The address?”

A pause. “I’d rather not say.”

“The Bureau does require—”

“It’s temporary housing while I look for something more permanent. I’ll update my file when I have a stable address.”

Sun writes something down. I resist the urge to lean over and see what it says.

“Let’s discuss your plans for the future,” Sun continues, moving on with the practiced ease of someone who deals with hostile interviewees regularly. “The matching agreement requires you to maintain your legal union for a minimum of one year. How do you envision that proceeding?”

“Legally, we have fulfilled our requirements. I expect that we will dissolve the union at the end of the year,” I say.

“Agreed,” Nolan adds.

“You understand that the Bureau’s preference is for matched pairs to develop their connection over time. The prime match designation indicates exceptional compatibility. In our experience, couples who invest in the relationship—”

“We’re not a couple.” The words come out of Nolan’s mouth sharp and sudden. “I fulfilled the cohabitation requirement. We should be done here.”

Sun’s expression doesn’t change, but something in his posture suggests he’s recalibrating his approach.

“Mr. West, I understand this process can feel coercive. That’s not the Bureau’s intention. Our role is simply to facilitate connections that might otherwise never occur.” He turns to me. “Mr. Nilsson, how would you say you’ve treated your omega during this adjustment period?”

“He’s not my omega.”

“Your matched partner, then. Has the relationship been characterized by respect and consideration?”

I open my mouth to try answer as best I can, but before I can speak, Nolan laughs.

I flinch. I can’t help it.

“It sounds like there are some unresolved tensions between you,” Sun says mildly. “Perhaps couples counseling—”