ELIANO #5
"Please keep in mind that our organization selects candidates for our wards with great care and thoroughness," Mr. Gessler says in an official tone.
"The written agreement we have with your agency states that anyone who decides to acquire Salt’s contract must undergo our verification process, including a series of psychological evaluations, as well as a detailed review of their financial status, housing situation, and legal standing.
" Mr. Gessler smooths it over, like a clerk at a city office.
Storm leans forward slightly and flips through a stack of papers.
"But there is one factor that changes this entire situation. Salt was accepted not only into the Second Chance program, but he is also simultaneously enrolled in the Beta Activation program. So that is where we have an opening."
Gessler snorts. "Was he?"
Storm nods, and the handler’s expression shifts to mild surprise and thoughtfulness. He pulls his tablet from his briefcase and starts scrolling through it, and we wait in silence, broken only by the wet kisses Damien presses to Storm’s neck.
Finally, the gray-haired omega lifts his head and speaks. "You’re right. In the ‘additional programs’ section, I see he is enrolled in Beta Activation. I’ll admit, none of my wards have ever been in that program." A slight grimace appears on his lips, clearly displeased by the complication.
"The program is still relatively new. The first trials started about two to three years ago.
Volunteers are paired based on various tests and placed together in facilities.
They can live there as couples for up to five years by design.
That is why something like whether Eliano owns a house is irrelevant. "
"But does this program accept people who come in already as a pair?"
"Normally they do the pairing themselves.
But Beta Activation also has a small subsection for the rehabilitation of criminals.
They are willing to cooperate with the Second Chance program and accept pairs that you suggest as good matches.
In a way, you do part of their work for them by screening the pairs. "
Mr. Gessler clearly seems underinformed on the subject. He bites his lip and rubs his chin. "I need to read more about it."
"I assure you that this is how it works. I did my research," Storm says firmly.
"Whoa! Wait. Stop," I cut into their discussion. "Is anyone even asking me what I think? Whether I am interested not only in a relationship with a murderer, but also in being dragged into some bizarre, borderline experimental scientific program and locked up in some facility?"
I stand up decisively.
This is all too insane, sounding like the plot of a science fiction movie, and I have no intention of getting myself tangled up in this.
"This is really too much for me. Also, my name has to remain hidden because of my ties to a certain… criminal family. I can’t guarantee Salt’s safety around me. People may be after me. I am honestly a terrible candidate, the worst possible one."
As I say this, I start edging sideways toward the door, trying not to draw Storm’s attention with the movement.
Mr. Gessler studies me thoughtfully, then says, "It would make a difference if you truly were his TM, but the situation is murky.
You should know that with betas and alphas, a fated bond is difficult to confirm.
Often even the First Orgasm causes no reaction at all, and clarity may come only after many months. "
"That is exactly my point!" I say, almost like adding an exclamation mark. "This all feels like guesswork, and I am not in a place where I can commit to something like this."
To be fair, I know a lot about the Beta Activation program. After all, Anzo hated it so much, he used to go on those long rants about it.
Perhaps out of sheer contrariness, I do not hold a negative view of the BA. Let betas decide for themselves if they want to join it; it is not my concern. But that is beside the point; I have several other reasons not to feel any temptation to participate in the program.
Storm makes one final attempt to stop me. "There are more benefits to entering this program, Eliano!"
But I am already close to the door, even though I feel a strange tightness in my stomach.
"I am sorry, but I have to refuse. Too many unknowns."
Mr. Gessler looks almost relieved.
Unexpectedly, the small, red-haired omega speaks up.
"Wait, please! Salt deserves a second chance! Even if he seems like a prickly hedgehog on the outside, he loved his brother more than anything and he’s fiercely loyal.
He went after the people he believed had killed his brother.
Before that, he had never been in trouble with the law.
He acted out of grief and anger. They were both orphans, they only had each other.
Salt worked every day at a tattoo studio.
He’s not some career criminal or a drug addict.
He’s healthy, young, and his whole life is still ahead of him. "
I press my lips together slightly. It sounds tragic, and I do feel sympathy for him, but I simply don’t think this is the right point in my life to get involved.
"I truly wish him success and hope he finds someone who will give him a chance, but that someone is not me.
You do not understand my situation. Four days ago, I escaped from hell," I cut myself off, unwilling to go into details in front of Mr. Gessler.
"Before that, I fought in underground cages.
My life was full of risk and violence. What I am looking for now is a bit of peace, and what you are describing does not sound like peace. "
Storm stands up and says gravely, "You are making a mistake, Eliano. Your True Mate needs you. If you turn away now, someone else may buy his contract, and his life could take a bad turn. I know that right now he does not seem like your perfect partner, but for some reason, Fate placed you on each other’s paths.
Fate knows that beneath all those surface masks, there is something in you that resonates perfectly. Please, do not turn away from him."
His words send a strange shiver through me, a kind of emotional stir, almost a peculiar, piercing pain, but my hand has already closed around the handle, and I push it down. At that moment, the red-haired omega rushes up to me, holding a piece of paper.
"We will be here until the end of the fair. You can come back at any time. If Salt is still in his booth, we can finalize everything. And this," he says as he hands me a small receipt, "will allow you to reenter without paying the fee."
With some reluctance, I take the paper and then leave the room, a growing unease settling inside me.
I head toward the exit at a fast pace, trying to drown out my screaming conscience.
My head is a mess.
I pass through the crowd with my eyes down, slipping between all these people desperate for happiness, full of hope that they might find it here. But that is not why I came here. I need to pull myself together. I need to understand something about myself.
I never had the chance to live a normal life, to deal with everyday challenges, and now I am supposed to take on something this big?
My life locked inside a sick bubble, surrounded by violence. Me, trapped and forced to do things I hated, constantly coerced into something. Why would I willingly doom myself to yet another risky thing?
A wave of cold air hits me, as I step out of the building, but I barely feel it, because everything in my body is fighting, as if every muscle is tensing and resisting the will of my mind.
I cut diagonally across the huge parking lot. On the other side, there is a lawn and a small grove, and I disappear into it.
Only there, away from people, do I sink to the ground. I sit under one of the trees, lean my back against it, and close my eyes.
What am I supposed to do?
How am I supposed to handle all of this?
No plan, no ideas. I do not even have the hundred-dollar bill I was counting on.
So, starting everything from scratch? Finding a job, trying to earn some money to get out of this city. And yet here… damn it.
My mind whispers to me, as if from behind some mental barrier, that here I would have a ready-made chance at everything. Not just a relationship with someone potentially perfect for me, but also a place to live, somewhere to stay, maybe even a chance at a family?
Damn it. Where are these doubts coming from? Am I really starting to think this could work for me?
No. No, no.
I shake my head. This is madness. Two hours ago, the very thought of something like this would have seemed ridiculous to me. Ideas straight out of a play written by some drunk lunatic.
Head tilted back, I close my eyes and picture Salt’s hostile, arrogant face.
I cannot deny that he is attractive, with those sharp, clean features and well-shaped lips.
But is physical attraction enough? I have never liked mouthy, aggressive types.
I used to picture a calm, gentle omega for myself, someone I could give love and tenderness to, someone who truly wanted to receive it.
And what about all my quiet dreams of settling down somewhere and having a regular job, ideally as a journalist?
Of living a peaceful life in a small suburban house, surrounded by a handful of kids?
Of finding joy in simple, everyday moments?
Of spending my life in a world free from violence, crime, and constant threat?
Is that even possible for me? Coming from a mafia family, I am marked by that stigma. Will I always be in danger, with Rocco possibly looking for me? Can I really hide at all?
Suddenly it occurs to me that a closed Beta Activation facility might not be such a stupid idea after all.
They provide long-term isolation from the outside world.
It would certainly be the last place on earth Rocco would look for me.
After all, Anzo filled us with hatred and distrust toward that program over the last two years.