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

“Come on,” he says, taking my hand. His touch is warm, grounding. He leads me back into Dr. Plume’s office, and I glance over my shoulder at the triage room. I strain to hear any sound that might tell me the omega is still alive, but all I catch are a few hushed voices.

“What will happen to him?” I ask as Charlie cleans the exam table with a disinfectant wipe, then pats the top. I shimmy up onto it, smoothing my nightgown over my legs with my good hand.

“What will happen to who?” Mrs. Danner asks as she steps up next to me. She fusses with her hair, trying to tame the salt and pepper flyaways sticking up around her ears.

“We got a new patient in today,” Charlie says to the older beta. “Dr. Plume is working on him right now.” The pair share an intense look, and Mrs. Danner nods as if understanding something grave.

“I wouldn’t worry about it, dear,” she says to me with an overly polite smile.

“Everything will be okay.” She turns her attention to Charlie, not giving me a chance to say anything else.

“Can you remove Ms. Autry’s cast since Dr. Plume is busy?

Angelica will be here shortly, and she wants to see all the omegas ready for market.

” Her voice drops to a whisper despite the fact that there’s no one else here.

“I need to check on one of the other girls, but I’m pretty sure Autry is the only one. ”

Ready for market.

This is what I’m here for—to be taken to a black market where I’ll find a pack of alphas to love and care for me.

I’ve had two months to get used to the idea, but I’m still scared.

Deep down, I know that I have to find a pack.

After all, I’m twenty-six years old. I only have a few years left before being unmated starts to affect my health.

But I no longer have the safety of an academy to help me find suitable alphas.

I’ll be stuck with the highest bidder, no matter what.

Why didn’t I take mating more seriously when I had the chance?

“I’ll keep an eye on Autry.” Charlie gives me a wink before smiling at Mrs. Danner. It’s a sweet, boxy grin that usually makes my knees weak. But not today. I’m too worried about the omega in the next room.

“Charlie?” I whisper the second Mrs. Danner rounds the corner.

He hums in response, glancing over his shoulder with a soft smile. “Yeah, sweetheart?” His voice is low, gentle. The pet name isn’t new—but today, it wraps around me like a hug I didn’t know I needed .

He crouches next to a nearby cabinet, opening one of the lower drawers. The scent of warm bread rises from his skin, settling into my chest like a balm. It makes my mouth water—and my eyes sting.

“Tell me the truth,” I say, watching as he pulls out a strange, handheld saw. It’s a little bigger than a drill with a circular blade on the end. My stomach tightens. I press my cast closer to my chest, pretending it’s protection from the thing he’s holding. “What will happen to that omega?”

Charlie’s usually bright eyes dim, and he exhales through his nose, the sound heavy. “Once he’s stable, they’ll transfer him to one of the hospitals down south.”

My heart sinks. I’ve seen omegas in worse shape—some still barely clinging to life—but none of them have been moved. “Is he that bad?”

Charlie hesitates, then shakes his head, lips pressing into a grim line. “It’s not that. It’s because he’s…” He trails off, searching for a softer way to say it. “He’s male.”

I frown. “Why does that matter?”

He stands, coming closer. “You remember what I told you before?” He unwinds the long cable wrapped around the saw. “About how omegas leave here to find packs that’ll care for them?”

I nod.

“Well, the omegas go to a kind of market where alphas come from all over the country.” He rests the saw on the counter, giving me his full attention.

“Those alphas pay good money to meet potential mates. They hope to meet an omega that will be a good fit for their pack. But most don’t want to meet male omegas. They want… breeders.”

I balk, mouth hanging open.

Charlie notices, and his expression softens.

“It’s not fair, and it’s not right. But it’s how the system works.

Since male omegas don’t bring in much money, they’re sent away.

It’s too expensive to keep them here.” His voice lowers, tender and apologetic.

“We stabilize them, then hand them off to a proper hospital. Once they’re better, they’re moved into government care. ”

I shake my head, quietly furious. “That’s horrible. Male omegas deserve good packs too.”

He steps closer, allowing me to feel his warmth and the comforting sweetness of his scent. “They do,” he says softly. “I love that you care. You always care. That’s one of the reasons I—” He stops himself, smiling gently as if trying to lighten the mood. “That’s one of the things I like about you.”

My face burns under his intense gaze. I shift, feeling suddenly too hot and restless at the same time.

“Why don’t alphas want male omegas?” I ask, barely above a whisper. “I thought alphas were known to rut anything.” It’s true, not that anyone would dare say that to their face.

Charlie tilts his head, his deep brown eyes sparkling. “Because they’re shortsighted. Because most of them don’t understand what makes a good mate.” He gives a small smile. “And because they haven’t met someone like you to knock some sense into them.”

His compliment makes my stomach swoosh, and I duck my head, too overwhelmed to reply.

Charlie nudges the saw plug into a nearby outlet, then glances back at me. “Alright,” he says, exaggerating his smile. “How about we get that cast off?”

I wrap my arms around the cast like a shield. “I don’t want to,” I admit.

“I know.” He pulls a stool right in front of me and sits. His voice drops to a whisper. “But I’ll be here the whole time, okay? You trust me, right?”

I nod. I do. More than anyone.

Charlie begins setting up, pulling a trashcan near and wiping down the blade.

“I had a friend—at the academy,” I blurt out, trying to distract myself. “He was a male omega. He was kind. Loving. He would’ve made the perfect mate.”

Charlie smiles, gaze warm as he smooths a paper sheet over my lap. “Then the world missed out. Sounds like someone any pack would be lucky to have.”

I smile a little.

“Okay.” He picks up the saw again. “Ready?”

“No,” I whisper. “But do it anyway.”

He pauses, then takes my uninjured hand in his. “I’ll go slow. You can squeeze my arm if it helps.”

Looking into his eyes, I nod as he positions the blade. I try not to look. My eyes drift to his arms—strong and capable—and to the tension in his jaw as he focuses. I feel safe, even if I’m terrified.

“Mrs. Danner said that Angelica is coming,” I say, before he can turn on the saw. “Is she taking me to the market?” I already know the answer, but I need to hear it from Charlie.

The beta stares at my cast as he sighs hard. “Yes,” he admits, his voice thick. “She is.”

I look at him—his warm brown eyes and soft wavy hair. “Will I ever see you again?”

His face falls, pain flickering behind his warm eyes. “Honestly?”

“Please,” I whisper. “Tell me the truth.”

Charlie looks at the floor for a long moment before his eyes meet mine again. “This is probably the last time we’ll see each other. ”

Something inside me breaks.

It’s like I’m losing everything good in my life all over again.

“It’s okay, omega.” Charlie reaches for my hand again, his thumb brushing over my knuckles. “I’ll remember you, Autry. I’ll think about you every chance I get.” His voice goes even softer. “You made these last two months more bearable than they had any right to be.”

My throat closes, but I nod, squeezing his hand.

“I wish I could take you away from all this,” he adds. “I wish things were different.”

So do I.

But all I can say is, “Me too.”

And as the saw hums to life and Charlie begins cutting away the cast, I hold tight to the only thing I can—him.

Even if it’s just for one more moment.