Chapter 40
40
Rhett
As soon as Thane and I were enclosed in Jensen’s office, he held up a finger and motioned for me to be quiet.
Curious, but also alert, I did as he said and watched as he went to Jensen’s desk and withdrew a small object. He flipped a switch and a button turned red.
“Okay,” he said, breathing out, “we can talk freely.”
My brows shot up. “You think this office is wired?”
“Can’t be too careful,” Thane replied. “We take every precaution. There are eyes and ears everywhere, and plenty of people who are happy to keep the stone rolling down this hill.” He sat in Jensen’s chair, and I took the one across from him.
“I can’t believe this whole time I thought you were just like them,” I murmured, still surprised.
Thane scoffed. “Hardly. Truth be told, our parents aren’t all that fond of the current leadership either.”
“Could’ve fooled me,” I snapped, thinking back to how they’d treated Jude.
Thane shook his head. “If you’re referring to your beta?—”
“He has a name,” I cut in sharply.
Thane lifted a brow. “I’m aware, but I also refer to Hazel as your omega , so I wasn’t sure why Jude wouldn’t like being referred to as your beta or you as his alpha.”
I exhaled a heavy breath. “I’m sorry. I know that when it comes to Jude, I’m a bit protective.”
“You think?” Thane drawled. He rested his forearms on the desk. “I understand it. And while our parents’ views of omegas may align with ours, they’re still very much appalled that you’ve taken a beta lover.”
“Bunch of tossers,” I groused.
“You’d be correct,” he agreed. “That being said, they also don’t think now is the time to make waves.”
I let out a snort of derision. “And when, pray tell, is that time?”
“Father genuinely believes that after Anders’ second term, he’ll be able to successfully run for Presidential office.”
“So, another six and a half years? All because they don’t want to rock the proverbial boat?” I hissed, anger flaring in me like gasoline being tossed on a single lit match.
“Obviously that’s not ideal,” Thane replied, rubbing his jaw. “Especially since President Anders has been very vocal about the next set of omega reform acts he’s likely going to push through this quarter.”
“We can’t just sit back and let it happen.”
“No, we can’t, which is why my pack would like to work with yours on helping omegas leave restrictive states that would keep them enslaved to a system that sees them as little more than a walking uterus and knot buster.” Thane shot me a knowing look.
I stilled. “What makes you think we can help with that?”
“Come on, little brother, don’t forget who I am. Don’t forget who my alpha leader is. Kyland misses nothing, and there’s been plenty of whispered rumors about the Dutton Pack Sanctuary program. Offering respite and safety for mistreated and terrified omegas?” He made a tsking sound. “We’re both aware that what that program is really offering is the omega equivalent to the Underground Railroad.”
I stayed quiet because he wasn’t wrong, but the Omega Sanctuary was still something we didn’t want advertised.
Yet.
“Rhett, some of the new laws include invasive exams on teenage omegas to assess fertility,” Thane said, his tone heated and eyes full of fire. “Bigger stipends for families to send their omega daughters to schools where they can be turned into docile little creatures who know their place is limited to the kitchen or on their backs. They’re also talking about opening up prisons to accommodate male omegas with the alpha population in hopes it will settle some of the unrest.”
“Bleeding hell,” I fumed, my stomach roiling with disgust.
“Infinity Solutions thinks they’ve found a way to identify omegas at birth, and if they do that, what’s to stop them from taking babies from their mothers in the name of furthering pack bonds? Or geo-tagging them like cattle so they can never escape?” Thane went on.
“Stop,” I managed, my vision blurring at the idea of Hazel giving birth to a little girl and having her ripped away from our pack.
“Isn’t that what Hazel said to the men who held her captive at the APA?”
I was out of my seat in a flash, my hands fisting Thane’s shirt as I hauled him out of the chair and slammed him hard enough into a wall to make a picture fall to the ground. “Enough!”
“No, Rhett, it isn’t ,” he insisted, not blinking at my rage. “We’re talking about the systematic degradation and suppression of an entire designation. Omegas are to be protected and cherished; not bartered and used as slaves.”
I let him go and took a step back. “You think I don’t know that?”
“I think you’re not helping me and you could,” he rebutted. “California is one of ten states out of fifty that haven’t caved to the federal guidelines. Thanks to the Tenth Amendment, the government can’t actually force all states to adopt their plans, which means if we can get omegas to California or one of the other states not bowing to Anders, we can save some of them.”
I stared at my brother, amazed at the passion and pleading in his eyes. I’d never seen him so fervent, so incensed by an issue.
“You’re right,” I finally admitted. ”But I can’t tell you all our plans without first speaking with my pack and the Duttons.”
“I understand,” he replied with an earnest nod. “But please express how deeply we want to move forward with their organization.”
“You know I will,” I assured him without hesitation. “Hazel is one of many that have been deeply hurt by current laws and corrupt politics. I wouldn’t see any other omega—any other human being —treated the same.”
“Good.” Thane sagged against the wall, looking utterly wrecked and wrung out. “We’ll do whatever we can here. Kyland especially is keen on finding out what his uncle has done with these beta born omegas. So far we don’t have answers, but I have this gut feeling that we will soon enough.”
My heart stopped. “Do you think Hazel is in danger?”
“I think the sooner you conclude your time in D.C., the better,” he responded. “As much as Hazel being here is a good thing, because she’s unwittingly become the face of omegas since her kidnapping was so rabidly followed by the media, I think she also has secrets inside her that could blow this country apart.”
I balled my hands into fists, ready to go and snatch my omega right this second. A brief pause to check the bond told me she was happy with her friend.
And fuck if my girl didn’t deserve a day of happiness.
I couldn’t deny her.
“Keep her close,” Thane urged. “Keep her safe, and know that my pack will do whatever is necessary to help you. She’s family now.”
A sad smile tugged at my lips. “I’ve missed you, brother.”
“I’ve missed you just as much,” he confessed. “It ripped me to pieces to know you thought I was just another bureaucrat looking to keep his wallet padded. That I didn’t care about other people.”
“I was wrong,” I admitted. “And I can’t tell you how sorry I am for that.”
Thane held up a hand. “Don’t. It’s water under a very dark bridge at this point.”
“You know this means Hazel will expect you for Christmas,” I teased.
He grinned. “I anticipate nothing less.”