Page 16 of The Violence of Love (The Black Market Omega #2)

Autry

My face hurts. I’ve never smiled this much in my life. And the fake laughing….my jaw is going to lock up.

I’m too tired to keep doing this. The fog in my head has mostly cleared, leaving me restless and sore and aware of how uncomfortable I am. At least the suppressants are working. They allow me to think clearly, even with the scent of sharp dominance hanging in the air like thick smoke.

“Everyone knows better than to mess with me,” the fancy alpha in front of me boasts.

He puffs up his chest like he’s grand marshalling his own ego parade.

His two packmates nod along enthusiastically, echoing his words like they’ve been rehearsing this routine.

Supposedly, they “basically run the city.” Funny—so did the last three packs.

At this point, it’s starting to sound like the same tired sales pitch on repeat.

I nod and smile, but my eyes keep darting toward the entrance. Where is Charlie? Did he find Rhett? Did the plan work?

God, I hope it worked. I just want out of here. I want him.

Every pack I’ve spoken to today has blurred together. They’re all polite, mostly, but not a single one has asked me about me. What I like. What I want. What I’m afraid of.

But Rhett did.

Talking to him felt different. Steady. Like a wall I could lean against.

I do feel a little bad that I’m basically using the alpha. I need him to protect me, but he’s also my only chance to be with Charlie.

Charlie…

He just feels right. Like warmth and space and home all rolled into one awkward, sexy beta.

“I insist on buying only the nicest things for my pack.” The fancy alpha leans down, pushing into my space. “You’ll want for nothing.” Sharp cologne clings to his dark blue suit, forcing its way into my nose. It burns.

Clearing my throat roughly, I fight the urge to slip off the arm of the chair and demand he back up, but I can’t.

I saw what happened to the red-haired omega two stations down.

She cried when an alpha touched her hand, and the next thing I knew, two nurses jabbed her with something. She’s barely spoken since.

“Excuse me, gentlemen,” a soft but firm voice interrupts. The blonde nurse from earlier gives the alphas a shallow bow. “I don’t mean to interrupt, but this omega has been claimed.”

“Are you fucking kidding me?” The fancy alpha snarls, loud enough to make me flinch. “Is the sale complete? I can counter-offer. ”

“The sales receipt has already been issued.” The nurse's tone is polite, but firm. “However, there are still a few omegas left to consider.” She glances at the station next to me. The curly-haired omega sitting on the edge of a loveseat gives me a half-hearted smile. I return it, feeling bad for her. This pack isn’t great.

The alpha grumbles and stomps off. His packmates hesitate, eyes flicking over me. For a second, I fear one of them is going to snatch me up, fling me over his shoulder, and run out of the tent, but the blonde nurse takes my hand and pulls me away. I practically fall over, trying to keep up.

As we near the exit, the nurse leans toward a burly beta in a security vest. “The one in the dark blue suit,” she mutters. “Watch him.”

The beta nods once and starts toward the pack. A small part of me wants to see what will happen, but I’m propelled forward out into the open.

We step into the night. Moonlight cuts across the tops of the trees, bathing everything in pale silver-blue. The air feels cooler now, cleaner. My shoulders drop a little, and I realize how tense I’ve been.

Still, I’m not safe yet. Not until I know who claimed me.

We move past the back of a stage, the show apparently over. Loud voices echo from the front, a mix of bragging and bickering. I pray they don’t start a fight.

Rounding the corner, I spot a line of alphas behind a concrete barrier. A wall of betas stand in front of them like human shields. Some grip batons. Others have tasers at their hips.

“Hey!” an alpha shouts when he spots me. “Is that omega still for sale?”

Suddenly, all of them turn. Eyes lock on me like I’m meat on a hook .

Fear shoots through me, and I break out in a jog. Thankfully the nurse runs with me, not stopping until we reach a small black tent. We duck inside, hiding from the alphas’ hungry eyes, but I don’t feel much better. I seriously doubt a few betas with sticks could stop a dozen, savage alphas.

“Hey, Brenda,” the nurse pants. It’s dim in here, and mercifully quiet. “I got one for you.”

Brenda looks up from her clipboard. She’s older, with mousy brown hair pulled back into a braid and little glasses perched on her nose. She could be a librarian. A very tired librarian.

“Number?” Brenda asks as she poses her pen to write.

The nurse reaches for my wrist, but I jerk away, pretending to sneeze. “Excuse me.” I forcefully sniffle. “My number is 5223.” I give my correct number, assuming that’s what I’m supposed to do. I hope.

“Here you are,” Brenda says, checking something off her paper. “Congratulations, young lady. You’ve been claimed by the Sesto pack.”

My breath catches, and my heart stops. “What’s the alpha’s first name?”

Brenda flips through a few pages. “Rhett.”

Relief hits me so hard my knees nearly buckle. Rhett . Charlie did it. It worked .

I can finally breathe again.

“Your new pack purchased a graduation certificate for you,” Brenda continues in a rehearsed monotone.

“You are now a graduate of Waverly Hall. A low-dose suppressant was administered earlier, delaying your next heat for approximately one to two weeks. Have you been educated in what happens when mated?” Brenda’s blue eyes drill into mine, and my face flashes hot .

“I know what happens,” I say, even as my cheeks flush. I look at the floor while she explains anyway.

It’s weird. I’m not shy about this stuff, not really. But the way they talk about it here… It’s clinical. Sterile. As if it’s something to endure rather than something to feel.

Once Brenda finishes up telling me to follow my instincts and to be a good girl for my pack alpha, she cuts the bracelet off my wrist. I hold my breath as she turns to a trash can. I’m terrified she’ll double-check my number, but thankfully, she doesn’t.

“Alright,” Brenda leans back, giving herself a better view as she looks me up and down. “You look perfect,” she compliments me. “I think we can take her straight to her pack.” Brenda smiles at the nurse. “The showroom omegas are always so easy.” They both laugh like it’s a little joke.

“Right this way.” The nurse guides me through the back of the tent.

As we pass, I catch sight of the other omegas—getting makeup reapplied, hair fluffed, eyes blank.

Dr. Plume is here too, crouched in front of a trembling girl with wide pupils and sweat on her brow.

She looks really out of it. Pale and shivering.

I hope she’s okay.

We step outside—and this time, the quiet is real. No yelling. No fighting. Just a few scattered alphas waiting patiently near sleek black cars.

And then I hear it.

“Autry.”

My name, spoken low and warm, rolls over the cool night air. I turn toward it like I’m tethered to the voice.

Rhett stands tall and confident, silver hair catching the moonlight, his eyes locked on me. And beside him—Charlie. The beta’s whole face lights up when he sees me. My heart lifts so fast I nearly cry .

They’re actually here.

I suddenly don’t care that I’m tired or that my feet hurt or that I’ve spent hours pretending to be someone I’m not. Because right now, right here , everything inside me feels like it’s slotting into place.

“Name?” the nurse asks Rhett.

He answers smoothly, offering her a small piece of paper. Probably the receipt or proof of purchase—I don’t really care. I’m too busy grinning at Charlie, who’s wearing that shy, boxy smile that makes my stomach flutter. The moment feels unreal, like a dream I was too afraid to hope for.

“Everything’s in order,” the nurse says, then she turns to me. I tear my eyes away from Charlie in time to catch her bowing politely to Rhett before she disappears back into the tent.

That’s it. I’m claimed.

I look up at my new pack alpha, loving the way he smiles down at me.

But then a sudden rush of fear overtakes me, and my palms begin to sweat.

I’ve never been with an alpha before. In fact, almost all my past lovers were omegas at the academy.

The only male I’ve ever laid with was an omega, and even then, we only saw each other a few times during our heats.

Will it hurt?

Will I bleed?

“Autry? Are you okay?” Rhett’s voice is low and gentle as he reaches for my hand. My instinct is to jerk back, but I force myself to stay put.

This is your new pack alpha. Act like it.

“I’m just nervous,” I admit.

Soft worry lines his brow. “That’s understandable.

” He slips his big hand around my waist, pulling me a little closer.

His other hand spreads flat against the small of my back.

I’m not sure what to do with my hands, so I end up resting them on his firm chest. “You’re safe,” he whispers in a soft, rumbling purr. “No one will ever hurt you again.”

The tension in my chest melts a little at his words. I nod, even as my heart keeps racing. Then his gaze drops to the front of my dress and his expression shifts—his brows pull together, his jaw tightening in quiet anger.

“They didn’t give you anything proper to wear?” he growls, voice low and sharp.

Before I can answer, Rhett swiftly pops the buttons of his dark blue dress shirt, then pulls it off in one swift motion. His thin undershirt clings to his body, showing off the impressive curve of his pecs.

“Put this on.”

I hold out my arms immediately, letting him put the shirt on me. It’s still warm from his body and is soaked in his delicious chocolate hazelnut scent.

“Thank you.” I pull the sleeves over my hands, then sniff them. So good.

“Shall we?” Rhett says, glancing at Charlie.

Charlie steps up beside me, and my heart squeezes.

I want to reach for his hand and show him how grateful I am that he’s here too, but I reach for Rhett’s arm instead.

I don’t know how hard it was for Charlie to convince Rhett to let him join his pack.

I don’t want to rock the boat if he took some convincing.

“We’ve got a long drive,” Rhett tells me. “Then a flight. Have you ever been on a plane?”

I shake my head, and my nerves shift into something more exciting. “No. Never.” I curl my fingers around Rhett’s forearm. His dark eyes flicker to the motion, and he stands a little taller .

A mixture of alphas pass us as we walk away from the market. Some look happy, escorting their new omegas out of the market, a few look disappointed, but most look angry. I press a little closer to Rhett, grateful to have the strength of the alpha at my side.

My alpha.

“After you,” Rhett says, opening the passenger side door of a sleek black SUV.

I slip in, caressing the smooth black leather seat with my fingertips. It’s so soft. Almost buttery.

“Lean back, beautiful,” Rhett says, and my cheeks flush at the nickname.

He reaches across me, buckling me in. He lingers at my side, his face so close to mine.

“Let me know if you need anything.” Then his gaze drops to my mouth, and my body thrums. “So pretty,” he whispers as he reaches up, caressing the edge of my jaw.

It’s the gentlest touch—just enough to make my thighs clench with anticipation. Everything in me is buzzing.

I should probably say something. Maybe thank him for claiming me, or taking a chance on Charlie, but I’m too stunned by his wonderful, intoxicating aroma. So instead, I stare at his tempting mouth.

The door behind him slams shut, and Rhett pulls away. I fight the urge to frown, and I wait until he closes my door, then I turn and smile widely at Charlie.

Only it’s not Charlie.

A dark-haired alpha is sitting in the backseat, legs spread, arms relaxed like he owns the air around him.

“Who…” I gasp at the strange, dark-haired alpha sitting in the backseat.

“Where’s Charlie?” I spin, looking all around the car.

I finally spot him standing at the back of the SUV.

Rhett is speaking softly with the beta, both of them ob livious to this strange man sitting in the car with me.

“Charlie?” I try to yell, but my voice is stuck in my throat.

“It’s okay, omega.” The dark-haired alpha slumps down in his seat, then glances out his window as if bored. “I’m not going to hurt you.”

I’ve heard that before.

The driver’s side door suddenly opens, followed by the door behind me.

I hold my breath, not moving a muscle until I hear Charlie’s seatbelt click into place.

Neither one of them seems surprised by the strange alpha’s presence.

And while I have a million questions, I decide not to say anything.

I don’t want Rhett to think I’m the kind of omega who will question his every decision.

“Everything okay, omega?” Rhett places his hand on my knee, squeezing once. I quickly smile and nod. The worry etched on his brow lifts, and he smiles too. His eyes soften. “It’ll be a long drive, sweetheart,” he says, patting my thigh gently. “Feel free to rest.”

I nod again, thankful for his soothing tone, but I’m far too wound up to sleep.

What did Rhett and Charlie talk about?

Will I be allowed to talk privately with Charlie tonight? Or ever?

And most importantly, who is this alpha in the back seat?