Braun desperately wanted to be upstairs so he could see what was going on in the hospital, but Clio had insisted he stay in the van. Braun had visited the omegas that morning to prepare them for tonight’s exit, and he didn’t need to be seen on any more security cameras. Clio was trying to protect him in case things went pear-shaped.

Didn’t mean Braun wasn’t anxiously rocking back and forth on the carpeted floor of the van’s interior. He couldn’t pace, because the ceiling was too low, so rocking had to do. His stomach ached with nerves. He’d had dinner with Tarek like usual, and then complained of not feeling well, so he could leave early. After taking the bus back to the apartment, he’d gone inside through the main entrance, and then exited through a downstairs hall window that opened into an alley.

Clio had been waiting with the van two blocks away.

A lot of lives were about to change tonight, and it remained to be seen if it was for the best, or for the worst.

The van’s rear door was yanked open, and Braun let out a startled shout. Gill tumbled inside, followed by Starr and Gene, and all the other omegas. Twelve of them was cramped, but Braun didn’t care he was practically sitting in someone else’s lap, because the omegas were there. They were almost free!

Clio climbed into the driver’s seat and started the engine. “Keep your heads down, stay silent, and when I say so, put on your blindfolds.”

No one protested the blindfolds. Braun had explained their necessity that morning.

The van eased out of the staff parking lot where it had been left, not going suspiciously fast. It had laundry markings on the side, so they were just another linen delivery. Braun trusted Clio to do this right, and so far, so good. He’d also entrusted his phone to Clio again, so he couldn’t check the time. The new guards would arrive at any moment. They were unlikely to look into the ward, probably assuming their charges were there. Most likely, no one would notice the missing omegas until a nurse went to check on them. According to the omegas, that didn’t usually happen until around nine.

They’d be long gone by then.

Clio drove in confusing circles, making lots of turns, until his speed finally picked up, indicating a freeway. “Blindfolds on,” he said.

Braun grabbed a plastic bag and began handing out the blindfolds. He waited until everyone else had covered their eyes before covering his own.

“I know we can’t see, but are we allowed to talk?” Gene asked.

“You can talk, but keep it low,” Clio replied. “These vans echo.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“Oh goddess, don’t sir me, please. I’m not your keeper or your master. We’re all equals where we’re going.”

“It seems too good to be true,” Gill said.

“I know it does,” Braun replied. “But I’ve seen it, I swear. If I didn’t have family in the city who needs me, I’d probably stay, too.”

“You aren’t staying with us?”

“I can’t. I can’t leave my brother behind, and I won’t leave my mate. But I’ll visit when I’m able, and with permission.”

“Can we call you?”

“We’re too remote for mobile signals,” Clio said. “And we can’t tap into the universal ground lines, or we’d be detected, so no phones. We have short-wave radio for communicating with each other in the sanctuary.”

“You have what?” Starr asked.

Clio chuckled. “Old technology we revived to suit our purposes. It’s amazing the things our ancestors came up with that have fallen by the wayside in some areas.”

“Wait, is radio like the air wave broadcasts in the evening?” Braun asked. “When they talk about the news, and then play music for four hours?”

“Something similar, yes. Our ancestors used to have thousands of broadcasts all day long, and they were controlled by the public, not the provincial government. One year of history in school isn’t enough to cover all that’s been forgotten by our people.”

“How do you know all this?”

“Books, my friend. Only residents can visit our library, which is why I didn’t show it to you on your visit. We’ve recovered so many ancient books through scavenging expeditions in the unclaimed lands. It’s how we discovered radio.”

“That’s amazing,” a soft-spoken omega named Perry said.

Braun had only visited the omegas a handful of times, but he knew each one by name, sight and their voice. Even in the blackness covering his eyes, he could picture Perry’s face. Rounded with black hair and golden skin, and his small eyes tilted into a lovely teardrop curve. He was also the oldest of the eleven omegas, at eighteen and five months, and he’d had his first heat last month. In the basement of the halfway house with “help” from a friend of Fynn’s.

He refused to talk to anyone about the experience, and it broke Braun’s heart. Braun had become invested in these teens’ lives, and he cared about what happened to them. It was the only reason he was risking the long ride to and from the sanctuary town—he had to see them safely delivered, or he’d never believe it.

The conversation stayed light, mostly the omegas speculating on what life would be like, and Clio answering their questions. The closer they got, the bigger their collective excitement grew. Braun could feel it in the enclosed van, and it elated him too. All of these young men deserved safe, happy lives.

I’m helping give it to them.

His eyes prickled with joy and pride.

The fast speed of the freeways that traveled between distant provinces slowed, and then they eased off the road and onto a bumpy dirt track that Braun remembered well. It meant they were halfway there. Official exits off the freeway only existed within the actual limits of the province’s coded limits, which included hundreds of thousands of acres of wilderness for exploration and camping. Those lands were kept safe and rid of wild animals who were dangerous to humans.

Eventually, their path would leave the protected limits and enter wild territory, where provincial laws no longer applied. It eased Braun’s heart to know that even if the omegas were discovered here, no one could forcibly remove them. No constable had jurisdiction to enforce their laws.

It was also why the unprotected wilderness was home to many criminals who fled to the mountains to escape prosecution. But Clio assured him they took precautions at the sanctuary, and that their border walls would hold.

Rocky terrain smoothed out. They ascended, and then descended, and Braun knew they were in the valley. Not much longer.

“You can take your blindfolds off now,” Clio said. “Give them all to Braun so I can dispose of them.”

Braun blinked everything back into focus, the van too bright for a moment, before his eyes settled. In the dim light, he collected the blindfolds and stuffed them all back into the plastic bag. Each newly uncovered face radiated excitement and eagerness to see their new home. It was late in the evening now, so they wouldn’t see much tonight, but they’d have all day tomorrow to explore and get acclimated.

Everyone wanted to get up and get a glimpse over the back of the bench front seat, but there simply wasn’t room, and they all ended up a big tangle of omegas, and it was kind of hilarious. Clio drove in what felt like a small circle, and then shut off the engine.

Braun was surprised the back doors didn’t blast open with the force of the positive energy inside the van. Clio came around and yanked it open. “Welcome to your new home, gentlemen.”

He helped the first person out, and one by one, they disappeared from Braun’s sight. His view was of the side of a building, and from its stone exterior, he guessed one of the living complexes. Finally, Braun climbed out himself to a wonderful sight.

All five of the town leaders were there, shaking hands and exchanging names with the omegas. And a small cluster of others stood nearby with big smiles and baskets of supplies.

A large beta who reeked of authority walked over to Braun and shook his hand. “You must be the infamous Braun Etting. Clio has told me about you. I’m Braxton Kane, I’m the housing mayor here.”

“It’s nice to meet you.” Braun wasn’t surprised by the man’s firm grip. He was older, probably in his thirties, and he exuded the authority of an alpha, which was odd to see in a beta. “I can’t tell you how much this place means to me, and how much I think they’ll all thrive here. They’ve been through a lot.”

“So we’ve heard. We’ll take good care of them as they settle in, I promise. We are militant in enforcing our consent laws, especially as applied to omegas, in heat or not.”

“I appreciate that.” Braun glanced around. “They’ve all been abused, but Perry experienced his first heat with an alpha he did not consent to, and he’ll need help with that as his next heat approaches.”

“He’ll get the help he needs. They all will.”

Clio tapped Braun’s shoulder. “I need to get you back before someone misses you, and I have to ditch this van in Sansbury.”

“Sansbury?” Braun asked.

“Yeah. If they find it and smell the omegas’ scent, they’ll assume they’re somewhere in Sansbury Province still. No one will suspect they’re way out here in no man’s land.”

“Good plan.”

“Our Clio has good ideas once in a while,” Braxton said with a teasing grin.

“Asshole,” Clio shot back. The camaraderie between the pair was obvious, but Braun didn’t get the sense they were a couple. Good friends, probably.

“Give me a few minutes,” Braun said.

He took his time saying goodbye to each omega individually, offering them warm thoughts and firm hugs, overjoyed by the bright smiles they wore now, so different from the gloomy omegas who’d first been rescued from the halfway house.

Gill hugged him the longest, and Braun hated leaving him behind. They probably could have been good friends in another life, and Braun wanted to be there as Gill worked through is trauma. He wanted to be there for all of them. But he had to trust in Clio, Braxton, and the others that his friends would get the help they needed. That they’d not only survive, but thrive here.

Braun climbed into the front seat of the van with tears in his eyes. Clio waited quite a while before asking him to put on the blindfold. They were deep in the middle of the forest, with trees and brush thick around them, their path little more than two tracks in the dirt. Braun blindfolded himself, then relaxed into the front seat for the long drive home.

Once they were back in Sansbury limits, he took it off, and Clio handed his phone back. No missed calls or messages. One text from Tarek: Hope you’re feeling better soon. Goodnight.

Not answering wouldn’t look suspicious if anyone actually checked Braun’s phone, since his excuse in leaving Tarek’s house early was feeling sick. He could simply say he’d gone to bed and had turned his phone off.

Braun checked the time. Almost twelve-thirty. Cutting it close getting back, since the omegas would have been noticed missing hours ago. There was no telling when the investigation would land on his doorstep. As one of their regular visitors, the constabulary would have questions.

Clio dropped him off at the same location he’d been picked up, pausing a moment to shake Braun’s hand. “You’re one of the bravest omegas I’ve ever met, Braun, and I mean that. You did something incredibly selfless tonight, and you saw it through to the end. I’m proud to have met you.”

“Thank you. I don’t want to say it’s been fun, but it’s been an experience. Take care of them.”

“We will.”

Braun stuck close to buildings as he walked the two blocks home, but he only saw a handful of drunken stragglers who didn’t bother him. The downstairs window was still open, so he slipped back through and shut it. Went upstairs and let himself inside with his key. The apartment was silent and dark.

He made his way to his bedroom, insides shaking with excitement. They’d done it. The omegas were at the sanctuary, and Braun had gotten home before anyone came looking for him. He was too amped to sleep, so he changed his clothes. The old ones that reeked of omega he sealed in a plastic trash bag and hid in the kitchen trash can, beneath the bag of smelly garbage that needed to be tossed soon. Even if he was questioned, the constables would have no cause to search the apartment, and they certainly wouldn’t check beneath the garbage bag.

That done, he stretched out on his back in bed and stared at the dark ceiling. Eventually, the familiar, muffled sound of Dex snoring through the wall lulled him to sleep.

* * *

As the hours inched toward midnight, Tarek’s anxiety grew. He knew what was happening tonight without asking, and he had no idea where Braun was right now. Braun could be safely asleep in bed, out in the middle of nowhere, or in custody of the constabulary after being caught.

The latter was unlikely, because as the alpha assigned to Braun’s guardianship, Tarek would have been notified by now. No omega could be legally questioned without their parents, guardian or alpha present. As for the other two choices, Tarek had no idea. He’d sent his customary goodnight text, under the pretense that Braun really was feeling sick, but Tarek knew better. It would look good, though, if and when Braun was questioned.

The when was freaking Tarek out a little. The omegas had to have been discovered as missing by now, so the when depended on which constable ended up leading the case. An alpha with a negative view of omegas wouldn’t even consider looking into Braun’s visits until all other options were explored, because it wouldn’t occur to him that an omega could be involved. If a more progressive constable caught the case…that could be bad.

At ten after midnight, Tarek’s phone still hadn’t rung, so he went about getting ready for bed. He lay in the dark, staring at his ceiling, missing Braun and unable to sleep. His mind raced with so many worries and doubts, and all he wanted was a reassuring sign from his omega that he was okay. Safe. Not arrested or otherwise harmed.

His phone lay silent for hours.

He dozed until morning light peeked in through the curtains he’d never taken down. The doorbell startled him awake a little after six. His flannel pants and t-shirt covered enough, so he didn’t bother with a robe. He flung the front door open, unsure who he’d find on his doorstep.

Constable Lars was a nighttime supervisor and one of the most alphahole alphas Tarek had ever met. Big, broad, and endlessly sneering at someone, he gave off massive alpha vibes even while taking the required suppressant.

“Sir,” Tarek said. “Is there a problem?”

“There is a problem,” Lars replied in a deep, bass voice. “A very big one. May I come inside?”

“Of course, sir.” Tarek stepped aside and allowed the bigger man into his home. “I’m afraid you caught me still asleep. It’s my day off. I can brew coffee, if you’d like some.”

“No, thank you, this is actually official business, not a social call.”

No kidding, it’s not a social call.

They’d never once interacted while not on the clock.

“Business?” Tarek echoed, playing dumb.

“Yes. Last night, the eleven omegas we liberated from Fynn’s halfway house thanks to your intel have all disappeared.”

“Excuse me?”

“They’re gone. Vanished from the hospital.”

Tarek crossed his arms, working up a good expression of confusion. “But sir, I thought they were in an isolation ward with twenty-four-hour guards?”

“They were. Seems someone screwed with the time sheet last night and created a fifteen minute window in which the omegas were unguarded.”

His gut clenched. “Did you speak with the scheduling clerk?”

Lars rolled his eyes as if Tarek had asked the dumbest question possible. “Of course I did. He swears up and down the shifts were exactly twelve hours. Eight to eight. Someone changed it after the fact.”

“Why would someone do that?”

“That’s the big question, isn’t it, Constable Bloom? But that’s not why I’m here.”

Tarek mentally breathed a sigh of relief. “Then may I ask why you’re here, sir?”

“City paperwork has you listed as the alpha on record of an unmated omega named Braun Etting. I’d like to speak with him.”

Someone finally decided to look at the omega who’d been visiting regularly for the last couple of days. Took them long enough. “While Braun is under my guardianship, he doesn’t live with me.”

Higgs scowled. “Your omega doesn’t live with you?”

“No, sir, he has my permission to live with two mutual beta friends who were listed as guardians almost two months ago. You’ll more easily find him at their address.”

“Seems unusual.”

“It is a bit, I admit, but it works for us for now. While Braun and I have bonded, we won’t be able to mate until his next heat.” If that’s truly what Braun wants.

“Well, I have questions to ask your omega, so if you’d kindly get dressed, we’ll be on our way.”

“Certainly, sir, I’ll only need a few minutes.”

Tarek dressed with his usual speed, throwing on casual day clothes and a pair of sneakers. Lars waited impatiently by the front door, so Tarek didn’t bother asking if they could stop on the way for takeout coffee. Hopefully Dex would be awake and brewing some at the apartment. Lars followed Tarek in his own car, and too soon, Tarek was knocking on the apartment door.

He waited, heart in his throat, hoping his omega was home.

Dex opened the door, still sleep rumpled, but the rich fragrance of coffee wafted into the hallway. “Hey, Tarek. Constable Lars. What’s going on?”

“He needs to speak with Braun,” Tarek replied.

“About what?”

“Official business,” Lars said. He shoved past Tarek rudely enough that Tarek had to swallow back an irritated growl.

“I’ll see if he’s awake,” Dex said after Tarek entered.

Dex headed for Braun’s room, while Tarek detoured into the kitchen for coffee. He poured himself a mug, black, and blew across the steamy top. Braun and Dex emerged from his room, Braun yawning and scratching his head in confusion. He grinned at Tarek, and then his smile froze when he noticed Lars.

“You’re Braun Etting?” Lars asked with a sneer.

Braun bristled. “Yes, I am. Who are you?”

Lars flashed his badge. “Senior Constable Lars.”

“Okay. So why am I up so early?”

Tarek bit back a snort of amusement over Braun’s attitude. He loved seeing his omega standing up to a brute alpha.

Lars squared his shoulders, probably trying to intimidate Braun with his size. “Last night, the eleven omegas we were protecting in the hospital disappeared.”

“They what?” Bran squawked. “You were supposed to be protecting them, and they’re gone?!” He sounded so disgusted and affronted that Tarek almost believed he knew nothing about the situation.

“Calm down, Mr. Etting,” Lars said. “Our investigation into their disappearance is ongoing, and it’s come to my attention that you’ve been regularly visiting the omegas in their isolation ward.”

“Yes, I have.”

“Why?”

“Because I lived in that halfway house, too. Not for long, but long enough to know I needed to get out before I was victimized, like they were. I hate that they suffered because I left, and I hate that we may never know the fate of dozens of omegas who were given over to Fynn Lawry to”—he made air quotes—“care for them. If I hadn’t run, I could be in another kind of hell right now, instead of safe in this apartment. Those omegas deserved to know that someone actually gives a damn about them!”

Braun’s voice went dangerously high, his anger clear in every word. His only saving grace was never looking Lars directly in the eye while practically chewing his ears off. Lars’s face was red, and Tarek listened carefully for the first sign of a growl; he’d jump to his fuming omega’s defense in a heartbeat.

Lars simply breathed for several long seconds. “The constabulary is well aware of the charges against Mr. Lawry, and we’re taking this matter very seriously.”

“So damned seriously it took you all night long to bother questioning the person who’s been visiting them regularly?” Braun snorted.

Tarek tried to catch Braun’s eye and give him a ‘tone it back’ look, but Braun only had angry eyes for Lars.

“We had an entire hospital to search before looking elsewhere,” Lars snapped. “I’m here to question you now. Did you see anyone suspicious hanging around the isolation ward on any of your visits?”

“No, only the constables who were there to guard them. How exactly did they get away when they were supposed to be under guard?”

Lars grunted. “That’s an internal matter we’re also investigating. During your visits with the omegas, did any of them mention to you any plans to leave? Anyone who might be persuading them to flee?”

“Of course not. They were all terrified, abused teenagers who needed guidance and reassurance. Why would they try to flee?”

He’s a born actor, my Braun. He’s selling this so hard.

“And where were you last night between the hours of seven-thirty and eight-thirty?” Lars asked.

“In bed sick,” Braun replied without skipping a beat. “I ate dinner at Tarek’s, and afterward I started feeling bad. Not like, food poisoning sick, but a headache and achy, so I left early and came home. Took some ibrospirin and went to bed. I still feel a little off this morning, but better.” He glared at Tarek. “Thanks for asking.”

Tarek didn’t have to pretend to look or feel contrite. Even though Braun hadn’t really been sick, Braun’s expression made Tarek sick with guilt. “I’m sorry, I was so discombobulated by this early morning questioning. Forgive me?”

“Maybe.”

“Omegas,” Lars grumbled. “Can anyone verify your alibi?”

“Most of it, I guess. Dex had fallen asleep on the couch watching a movie when I got home, and my other roommate Serge works at the hospital. I think he was on duty until around midnight.”

Lars turned to Dex. “Is what he said true?”

“Yup,” Dex replied. “I had a few beers with dinner, and beer makes me sleepy. Plus, the movie was super boring.”

Tarek had no idea if any of that was true or not, but Dex sounded convincing. And Serge’s schedule could be verified with the hospital.

“Besides, even if I wasn’t here when I said I was,” Braun said, “do I look like some criminal mastermind? How would I steal eleven omegas? Hell, why would I steal eleven omegas? I am terrified for them right now, out goddess knows where, with goddess knows who!”

Spurred by his omega’s overt distress, Tarek abandoned his coffee to pull Braun into a tight hug. His omega shuddered once, then settled into the embrace.

“I can see this is distressing your omega,” Lars said, “so I will excuse myself. Thank you for taking the time, Constable Bloom. If I have any further questions, I’ll be in touch.”

Exactly like an alphahole to address Tarek and not Braun, the person who was convincingly shivering in Tarek’s arms. The moment after the apartment door opened and shut, Braun threw his arms around Tarek’s neck and kissed him soundly.

“Well that was exciting,” Dex drawled.

“Don’t tell me if you weren’t actually asleep because of beer, because I don’t want to know,” Tarek said. He looked at Braun, whose shining eyes were full of smugness and hope. “You impressed the hell out of me, and I don’t want to know about your alibi either. I have only one question.”

“Shoot,” Braun said.

“Are they safe?”

“Safe and sound. I made sure of it personally. They’re getting a new life, Tarek, and I helped give it to them.”

“That’s because you’re an amazing person, and you have a beautiful heart, my firecracker.” Tarek held the back of Braun’s neck in a gentle grip. “You’re going to change to the world one day, Braun.”

“Not the whole world. But I wouldn’t mind changing our corner of it.”

“Anything you want and it’s yours.”

Braun’s eyebrows wiggled. “Anything, huh?”

Dex groaned. “Am I going to need earplugs again?”

“Earplugs?” Serge asked on a long, loud yawn. He emerged from the short hallway, his hair askew and scratching his bare belly. He took in their smiling faces and froze. “What did I miss?”

“Braun being badass in front of an alpha who isn’t his mate,” Dex replied with a smirk.

Braun beamed.

“Damn,” Serge said. “I miss all the fun. I also need coffee, stat.”

“Coming, dear,” Dex said, then sauntered into the kitchen to pamper his husband.

Tarek pulled Braun in close, holding him tight for a while, simply because he could. Now that the omega issue was taken care of, Tarek could focus on fixing Kell’s problem, so his future mate could be well and truly happy.

Anything less was unacceptable.