9. CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER 9

The moment they'd gone around the bend, shielding them from the Mississippi, Coleson felt his entire body sag with pure relief. That and sheer exhaustion. It had taken less than a week, but it had been one of the longest weeks of his life, and that was saying something, considering it had taken at least that for them to get from their home in Indianapolis to Sanctuary.

He was certain he could sleep for a week, but first they needed to unload their cargo, get it to where it needed to be, and work on sleeping arrangements for those they'd brought with them. All of that was long and tedious but easily doable except for one factor. The Alphas.

He had no clue where to put them. That Renzo was a doctor meant he really needed to be in town close to the hospital in case someone needed him. Which was likely since many of the newcomers were trying out new jobs, including the ranch, and often got hurt. They tried to keep injuries down to a minimum, but that wasn't always possible.

Then there were those they'd rescued recently who were malnourished, as well as the few who had been injured in the fight with the Alphas. Even some of those who had been here a few months after being rescued from Memphis were still suffering the effects of malnourishment and bones that had healed incorrectly, making it difficult, if not impossible, to use that affected limb.

When they'd docked, Oxley instantly picked Fennec up and carried him to the gangway. "Which way to the hospital?" he demanded more than asked.

Coleson turned to Lowen, who was busy hugging Ford, who had rushed up the gangway the instant it was in place. "Can you two deal with unloading the ship while I take those needing medical attention and Dr. Grealy to the hospital?"

They both nodded.

As they left the ship, Maxon was there to greet them. He turned to Renzo. "This is Maxon. He was one of us who started Sanctuary. He also is a skilled nurse."

Renzo instantly smiled and held out his hand. "Maxon, a pleasure to meet you. Please feel free to call me Renzo."

But Maxon shook his head and leaned in to order to speak quietly. "Actually, it has been my experience both as an Omega and someone they trust. It is easier when an Alpha doctor is treating them to not feel as apprehensive if we use your title. But I'd be more than happy when it's just us conferring or around our friends to call you by your given name."

Coleson had never considered how just calling him Dr. Grealy might put the Omegas at ease. But if anyone would know, it was Maxon. His Omega dad had been a nurse and Maxon spent much of his youth in the hospital with him, as well as once he'd gotten his degree.

"That's perfectly acceptable to me," Renzo assured Maxon. "I did not know it was easier on anyone, but then again, other than to tell me what's physically wrong, most Omegas didn't confide in me."

Coleson gestured for everyone to keep following him as Renzo and Maxon kept speaking. "I think it has to do with already being scared because they are hurt or sick. Having to see you, an Alpha, makes that situation much worse, but if they're able to first see you as someone who is going to make them better, they aren't quite so frightened."

"Huh," Renzo said as if he was thinking about what Maxon had just said. "I'm willing to do whatever it takes, but hopefully, with time, the residents of Sanctuary will learn to trust me and not just look at me as either an Alpha or a doctor, but as a person."

Coleson was so stunned by his words he stumbled and would have fallen if Renzo hadn't reached out to steady him. "Careful, Coleson," the Alpha said softly near his ear. "I've quite a few patients already. I wouldn't want to need to add you to the roster."

Why did that make his stomach flutter? Was it because Renzo was worried about him or because he'd been the one to keep him from falling? Or was it because the reason he'd lost his footing was Renzo appeared to be staying in Sanctuary? With him?

No. Not with him. But there. Where Coleson lived. Permanently. He feared that was the true cause for the sudden mushy feelings he was having toward the Alpha.

The need to bolt was too strong to ignore. "Maxon, you can show them what rooms are available and give Dr. Grealy a tour. I need to get back and help with unloading the ship."

Not giving anyone a chance to call him out on his bullshit, Coleson practically ran from the hospital back to the docks. Now if he only could figure out what he was supposed to do with his feelings? Before coming to Sanctuary, Coleson hadn't been averse to finding an Alpha and starting a family. He just hadn't wanted to become some sort of baby factory with no life but that of taking care of his Alpha and children.

He wanted a career. Yeah, so becoming a lawyer wasn't going to happen. Even if it didn't matter that he hadn't gone to school, who west of the Mississippi gave a shit about the law? Maybe he was doomed to being nothing but a caregiver and baby factory, after all.

Sighing, he headed onto the dock where Ford was helping the new Omegas find housing. That was something he was good at. Much better than Ford, who didn't understand the needs of each person or their personalities.

"I can do that, Ford," he offered. His friend handed over the clipboard with all the rooms that were currently available gratefully.

"Thanks. I really should watch over the unloading of all the equipment you got before someone fucks it all up, making the trip a waste of time." That was Ford, mechanical and practical, with very little ability to take peoples' feelings into account.

It was something Coleson and their other friends often struggled to explain to Ford. Since it was mostly the Alphas unloading the bigger equipment, though, he figured they could handle Ford's abrupt nature.

Then he turned to the Omegas before him and smiled. "If you want us to help you find any family that might be looking for you, we'll do our best, but in the meantime all of you are welcome to stay in Sanctuary for as long as you'd like. I promise you, you're going to be very happy here."

Glancing at the clipboard, he already knew where to place three of the new arrivals. Their personalities would mesh well with those already living in the one house they'd finally been able to make livable just before they'd left on their trip.

Gesturing to all of them, he said, "Come with me and I'll introduce you to your new roommates."

Feeling better about his role in Sanctuary, even if it wasn't technically a job, Coleson told them all about the amenities they already gotten up and running and the ones they were working on. He also talked about jobs available if any of them were interested.

It might not be glamorous, but he loved he could ease their minds as they talked animatedly about what they enjoyed doing and ways they might be able to contribute. This was exactly the reason he'd fought so hard to find a place where Omegas could find refuge.

Smiling, he listened, making note of people he would need to speak with to make their lives better.

"Spill." Ira stood in the kitchen of their shared home with his arms crossed and a determined expression in every muscle of his body.

Going for innocent, even though Coleson damn well knew what his best friend meant, he cocked his head to the side and did his best expression of confusion. "What is that supposed to mean?"

Okay, so even he didn't believe what came out of his mouth.

The look in Ira's green eyes said he damn well knew Coleson was lying. Damn. Not good. Because of all his friends, Ira was the one who knew when he, or anyone for that matter, was lying.

"Stop," he grumbled as he went into the kitchen to grab himself a coffee as he made breakfast.

When he saw the coffee was already in the pot and the skillet had eggs and there was sausage on a plate ready to be dished up, Coleson knew he was in trouble. Ira was one of those people who only cooked when he felt it necessary. Or, as Coleson and his friends said, ‘when he was trying to get the truth from them.'

The thing was, Ira was an amazing chef. He just didn't like to cook. Odd? Sort of. But as an Omega, he completely understood. One thing that was expected of them was to cook and clean. It was why most of them were both completely inept at cooking and slobs.

It wasn't a stereotype, but what was true for most of his friends. The only exemptions were Halsten, who loved to create amazing meals, and Zuko, who was the ultimate neat freak.

After pouring himself a cup of coffee and filling his plate, Coleson turned around to head to their small kitchen table and nearly collided with Ira, who was standing there, arms crossed, just waiting. Fuck. That was seriously not good.

He tried to ignore him and move around him, but Ira kept blocking him. "Fine," he grumbled, which was enough for his friend to let him pass so he could sit down and eat.

After a big sip of coffee and two bites of eggs, he looked up at the one person he'd always been able to share his innermost thoughts with. "I think I might be attracted to Renzo."

Just saying the words had his heart speeding up and his hands sweating to where he wanted to wipe them on his shorts. It was the last thing in the world he ever had wanted to admit, but once it was out there, he couldn't deny feeling as if a huge weight had been lifted off his shoulders.

What he hadn't expected was Ira's seemingly happy smile at his admission. This was one person in the world who had every damn reason to hate Alphas. To hate their society that allowed Omegas to be seen as nothing more than property.

He'd been abused his entire life by his Alpha father. Witnessed his Omega dad's death by the hands of that same Alpha father. Had seen countless Omegas in their home where his father had beaten them unconscious if not to their death. It had been by sheer luck—something he hadn't really believed in until arriving safely in Sanctuary—that Ira's Alpha father had died just one month after he'd turned eighteen, since he'd planned on selling Ira to another Alpha, who was nearly sixty and had already married and buried twenty other Omegas in his life.

"That's great," Ira exclaimed. Then he tilted his head and his brows nearly came together. "So why do you seem to be upset by this?"

Seriously? Okay, yes, Coleson had always hoped to find someone to love and create a family with, but how in the hell did someone who had gone through what Ira had ask that?

"Because I'm afraid I'll end up being dependent on him." Coleson hadn't planned on saying that, but it was the truth.

He had no purpose any longer. No goals. Before coming to Sanctuary, he'd been driven to find a place they could go to be safe. But now…?

"Are you kidding me?" Ira exclaimed. "You are the one who makes certain we all get out of bed each day. Provide us all with plans to make this place better. Give us something to strive for. How can you possibly believe you would allow any Alpha to change you?"

Coleson blinked at his friend as he considered what he'd said. Was Ira right? It was the first time since arriving in Sanctuary that he felt as if he hadn't been floundering. Okay, so settling other Omegas in wasn't exactly a job, but it meant he had a purpose in life.

The question was, was it enough?