Deric's pov:
The file in my hand felt heavier than it should have. I flipped it open, scanning the sparse details typed across the pages. Each entry was a tragedy reduced to cold, clinical facts: age, breed, gender. It made my stomach turn.
This wasn't my first case, but it was the first one that felt personal. It wasn't just about shutting down a trafficking ring; it was about saving lives that the world seemed to have forgotten.
My eyes stopped on one file. The photograph clipped to the corner showed a young man curled up in the corner of a cage.
Noel. No last name.
The notes read: Male omega. Irish Setter mutt mix. Approx. 21 years old. Rare specimen.
Rare specimen. The words tasted like ash. The boy wasn't a specimen—he was a victim.
I studied the picture for a moment longer. His floppy ears framed a face too thin to hide the exhaustion and fear in his eyes. His frame looked fragile, like he'd collapse if you so much as touched him. The scars along his arms told a story I didn't want to imagine.
"Wolfe, you good?" Martinez's voice crackled through my earpiece, pulling me back.
"I'm good," I said, snapping the file shut. "I've got the profile. Heading in now."
"Stick to the plan," Martinez warned. "We can't afford any mistakes."
"Yeah, I know," I muttered, running a hand through my hair.
I stood, slipping the file into my pocket and straightening my jacket. The compound I was about to walk into was a fortress, a monument to greed built on suffering. Every instinct told me to rush in, to shut it down now, but I couldn't. Not yet.
The auction room was lavish, a sickening display of wealth surrounded by misery. Guards lounged at the corners, their hands never far from their weapons.
"Ah, Mr. Wolfe," a man in an expensive suit greeted me with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "We've been expecting you."
I nodded, keeping my face neutral. "I'm here to see your inventory."
"Of course," he said, leading me down a dim hallway. "I must say, it's rare to have someone with your... discerning tastes. Male omegas are exceedingly rare. A true luxury."
I clenched my jaw, shoving down the growl building in my throat.
We entered a large room lined with cages. The smell of fear hit me like a wave, sharp and suffocating.
"Take your time," the man said, gesturing toward the cages.
My eyes scanned the room, taking in the rows of trembling figures. Men and women, each one broken in their own way, huddled in corners or staring blankly ahead.
Then I saw him.
He sat curled in the corner of his cage, his knees drawn to his chest. His auburn hair was matted, and his floppy ears drooped low over his face. He looked even frailer in person, his thin arms clutching himself as though he was trying to disappear.
"That one," I said, nodding toward his cage.
The man raised an eyebrow. "The mutt? Male omegas are rare, yes, but he's not in... Surely-"
"I said that one," I interrupted, my tone sharp enough to shut him up.
The man hesitated before nodding. "Very well. Shall we finalize the paperwork?"
"Let's," I replied, my stomach twisting as the word left my mouth.
The guards unlocked the cage and pulled him to his feet. He flinched at their touch, his floppy ears twitching nervously as they disconnected the collar around his neck. His gaze was filled with fear and confusion, his body trembling like a leaf in the wind.
I forced myself to look away, my fists clenching at my sides. I had to stay in character. This was just the beginning.
I walked to the backrooms, where we would meet. But first I had to write some paperwork. Once I was done I waited. It wasn't long before the boy was taken in. I looked down at him, his flustered face was saddening. His confusion visible.
"This is the one?" I ask, more onto myself as seeing him in person and more closely was much more stressing for the both of us. But I kept my composure "Yes, sir," the guard replied. I looked down at the boy "A male omega," I scoffed "Rare enough. And a mutt at that... Irish Setter, perhaps? Mixed blood always adds a unique touch." I chuckled to myself.
I quieted down as I saw the fear in the boy rising, shit. I didn't mean to stress him out too much.
"I trust he's healthy?" I glanced over at the guards "No visible damage?" I looked back over at the boy, he gritted his teeth. "Sir" a guard slightly muttered
"He's one of our more... durable specimens. Shall we finalize the transfer?" The guard tried to fake a smile but I saw right through them all.
"That won't be necessary." I said calmly as I reached towards my jacked and took out my badge, holding it forward like it was a prized trophy
"Detective Deric Wolfe," I announced, my voice sharp. "You're all under arrest." The guards were quick to reach for their weapons, but I was quicker, I pinned down and cuffed one before he or the others could even fully process what was really happening.
"Stay down." I ordered the boy. "You'll be safe. Just stay put!" I then heard him whisper a name, but that wasn't too important now. "If there's someone you care about, we'll get them," I said to him steadily, "Just hold on." I said more softly, I took out my gun just in case as I ran out the room
I burst out the room, the alarms I had set off were already blaring. I saw the officers and agents running around to arrest everyone involved, our first priority was to make sure there were no threats before moving on to helping people.
Minutes felt like hours. But once everyone was secured, people would start being taken out of their cages, the badly injured all taken in ambulances. And I let out a sigh of relief as I walked back to where the boy was.
I was a bit surprised as he was still there, shivering. Although I was the one to tell him to stay put.
I cracked my knuckles, not only because I just felt like it but also to alert him I was here.
He looked quickly at me, his whole body trembling, he was probably in shock from everything. His gaze was soft and his eyes were teary.
"Aight' kid. Get up, let's get you out of this hell hole." I muttered, and the boy hesitated for a bit before standing up. His legs trembled beneath him. This is a waste of time, I thought. I just wanted to settle down and this kid can barely walk.
I sigh, then the boy lets out a small gasp as I lift him over my shoulder. I was surprised at how light he was. I began to make my way to my vehicle, he was quiet as I walked. Probably knew he would just waste time and energy if he walked. I sit him down in the back seat
"Buckle up" I mutter under my breath, he looked at me, confused and his big pleading eyes momentarily distracted me. I ended up buckling him in as I figured he'd probably never been in a car, after all his name wasn't even legally registered. He was born in the human omega trafficking organization.
Gritting my teeth as I shut the car door. I went to the front seat and for a few moments just sat and looked around. But the shuffling of the boy made me snap back to reality. As I turned the car on, I turned on the cooler, it was quite hot now that summer was coming up..