Flynn leaned back in his chair and stretched his arms, cracking his neck. He’d been interviewing the new cadets all week and his body wasn’t used to sitting at his desk for hours. Usually he rotated between the different departments, checking on people who were going through a tough time and needed to be reminded that someone on the base cared about them.

It wasn’t strictly necessary to talk to everyone, but as the head of HR, Flynn took his job seriously and believed it was his duty to know every single person on his base. If one of them was sick he knew which family member to call, if there was a wedding he knew where it would be and which cousin, and…if the unfortunate happened and he had to make that dreaded phone call home, he knew the person enough to express his sorrow at the family’s loss rather than give rote condolences.

“Flynn, Michael Andrew is here,” Katy’s voice came through his intercom.

 Flynn pressed the button to reply, “Send him in.”

Lifting the file in front of him, Flynn flipped through it again. The folder was neat and organized, all the information filled in, but Flynn knew it was full of bull. He could sense when someone faked their answers, it was just a vibe he had and he’s learned not to ignore his instincts. 

There was a knock on the door and Flynn steeled himself, sitting up straight. “Come in.”

Michael walked into the room, taking in the Omega who smiled at him so brightly Michael couldn’t help smiling back, his nerves settling slightly. He’d heard it was routine for Flynn Hale to get to know everyone on the base but there were some things he’d rather no one probed into.

“You wanted to see me, Mr. Hale.”

“Please call me Flynn,” Flynn said cheerfully, waving him to sit down. “It’s all pretty informal here. I see my role as basically the mother hen of the base so no need for formalities.”

Michael couldn’t help chuckling, “That might be something we need, a mother hen, with all the work we have to do.”

“So tell me a bit about yourself, Michael. I’ve already seen your file but I want to get to know you past that.”

Michael took a deep breath, going over the mix of truth and lies he’d prepared months ago. “Not much to tell really. I'm twenty years old. My dad is an Alpha and my mom is an Omega. I was raised in a town outside the city. I have an Omega younger brother and two older Alpha siblings. We were pretty normal.”

Flynn nodded, bright smile still in place and Michael relaxed further.

“Why did you decide to join the military?”

“I always wanted to help protect my city. I feel there’s a lot that goes wrong and I hope to set some of it right, I guess. I know you’ve heard already since it’s all over the base that I was offered a position in the Wolf program, but it isn’t what I’m interested in. I prefer being out there helping people.”

“That’s pretty noble of you,” Flynn said softly.

Michael nodded, his ears reddening slightly at the compliment, liking the gentle Omega’s style. 

“A bit naive I think, but if it’s what you think you want to do with your life that’s up to you.”

Michael blinked, taking in the change in Flynn’s expression. Gone was the warm smile and gentle eyes. Instead Flynn had a sharp look about him and his eyes were drilling into Michael as if he was peeling back all his layers to expose him. 

“I did some research on you, Michael Andrew,” Flynn said, his voice hard. “I do that with all the cadets. Security check, you understand. I had to dig a bit deeper than usual with you, but I finally found out that you changed your name and the background you provided is false.”

Michael swallowed nervously, clutching his knees. He knew he’d be exposed eventually, but not this quickly.

“Depending on your answer, this can go one of two ways. So, tell me, why’d you lie? And I suggest you be perfectly honest with me because, as you may have realized, I can tell if you lie, again.”

His mind reeling, Michael tried to figure out how to respond. Should he lie? Tell him he came from a harsh background and was worried people on the base may treat him differently? Or that his family disapproved so he had cut ties with them? He certainly couldn’t tell him the truth. Or could he?

Taking a deep breath, Michael decided to answer the immediate question pressed on him, “You’re right, my name isn’t Michael Andrew. As you probably already know from your research I had my name legally changed a few months ago. My family isn’t from a town, they live in the city. Your typical Alpha/Omega family. They didn’t approve of me becoming a Hawk. They saw it as an insult on the family name to have one of their sons, an Alpha, mixing with Betas and serving others. So I waited till I could and then cut ties with them. Completely.”

Michael stared at Flynn throughout his speech, his heart sinking as the Omega’s expression never wavered. Did he not like his answer? Would he expose him?

Finally, Flynn blinked and looked down at his hands briefly, “I can understand why you lied. If your family disapproves, it’s difficult to do what you want. Especially if you’re still legally tied to them. All your paperwork is legal and filled properly so there’s no problem. And you listed a friend as your emergency contact so I’ll just remove your fake family information and it should be fine.”

Michael sighed with relief. That had been easier than he thought.

“But,” Flynn continued and Michael felt his stomach lurch, “That’s for the rest of the base. As the ‘mother hen’ here I need to know your real name and family in case of an emergency. Then at least one person on the base will know how to respond and who to call. I can’t force you, but if you tell me your real name I swear it won’t leave this room. I won’t even write it down.”

The wheels in his head spinning like crazy, Michael couldn’t stop staring at the calm Omega in front of him. Could he trust him? Should he? It certainly would be a relief to have someone he can confide in, someone who knew. Was Flynn that person? 

Swallowing past the lump in his throat, Michael finally croaked, “Maximilian Hastings.”

Flynn blinked and Michael knew he recognized the name. Everyone knew the Hastings family, which is why Michael was determined to bury it.

“I see,” Flynn said softly, “Thank you for telling me. And as promised I won’t tell anyone. If you ever need to talk, feel free to come by.” With that Flynn’s demeanor changed again and he smiled softly, genuine warmth filling his eyes and Michael felt all the tension he’d been carrying for months flow out of his body. He didn’t have any guarantee that Flynn wouldn’t tell others, but something about the Omega made him want to trust him. He needed at least one person he could.

“Thanks, Flynn,” Michael said and the two shook hands before Michael left the room.

As soon as Michael left and closed the door behind him Flynn exhaled loudly, leaning back into his chair. 

A fucking Hastings. On his base. No wonder Michael hid it. Flynn didn’t know everything about the family, they kept their secrets guarded. But he knew that there were lots of skeletons in their closet. That’s what usually happened with the old school Alpha dominant families, as he well knew. There was a lot of pressure and expectation and restrictions in their world. Look at Nicholas Chambers! He had such a chip on his shoulder and looked down on all Betas that it was obvious he’d had a childhood that might be as bad or worse than his own. Flynn couldn’t bring himself to sympathize though considering how condescending Chambers was with Damon and the other Betas on the base. Flynn dreaded dealing with him as the Alpha was always abrupt, like he was challenging him and found him lacking, whenever they had to talk.

Flynn shuddered as he tried to throw off the image and effect Chambers had on him when Katy buzzed him again. “Flynn, Kit Kelly is here.”

“Send him in.” Flynn took out Kit’s folder and flipped through it again. Like Michael, there was something off about Kit’s information, but Flynn couldn’t put his finger on it. He’d investigated him, and he’d checked out. But, he couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something more to this Kit Kelly. Hopefully, this interview will help shed some light on why this man set off his mental alarm.

As soon as Kit walked through the door Flynn felt that familiar humming in his veins, the one telling him that something wasn’t right.

The black haired Beta nodded as he walked in and sat down without saying a word. Something was odd. He was used to people feeling either nervous, relaxed, or excited when they came in, especially the newbies. Something. But this Beta was giving him nothing. It was like he was emotionally shut down which knocked Flynn off stride.

“Hello Kit. My name is Flynn Hale but you can call me Flynn, everyone does,” Flynn said brightly, trying to get past the awkwardness in the room.

Kit nodded and made no further response.

Flynn couldn’t help licking his lips nervously, surprised by how disconcerted he felt. “Well let’s get down to it then. Can you tell me a bit about yourself? I try to get to know everyone past their profile.”

Finally, Kit looked up and Flynn felt his blood freeze at the contemptuous look in Kit’s eyes. For some reason, Kit already despised him. The rest of his expression was blank so Flynn wasn’t sure if Kit realized how much his eyes were giving away.

“Not much to say really,” Kit said casually. “Typical Beta family. I have an older brother and a sister. I'm the youngest at twenty. We didn’t really get along so I don’t really talk to my family. I joined the military against their wishes so they cut me out of the family tree. As stated, if there’s an emergency you can call my grandfather. His number is listed.”

“Your grandfather,” Flynn said, checking the file to try and collect his thoughts. Kit was still glaring at him and Flynn couldn’t figure out why. But it helped him settle his nerves. It was better to deal with anger than the brick wall Kit appeared to be when he walked in. “I take it your grandfather approved of your desire to join the military.”

Kit nodded, “Yes. He was a police officer himself and knows what it feels like to want to help people.”

Flynn felt that familiar alarm go off. He’d stumbled onto something whether Kit realized it or not. “And is that what you want to do? Help people?”

For the first time in the last five minutes, Kit appeared nonplussed and Flynn relished the victory. This is what he wanted. When someone was rattled they tended to let stuff slip.

“Uh..yes. I want to help people,” Kit replied slowly.

“Hmm,” Flynn murmured, tapping his pen softly on Kit’s folder. “But you didn’t join the local police force? You could still help people there.”

Kit licked his lips nervously and looked away and Flynn could imagine the mental chaos  Kit was experiencing, trying to deal with such pointed and unexpected questions while figuring out how he really felt. Had he ever wondered why he had the goals he had? Flynn found while people could give answers for a chosen dream, most didn’t look too closely at the why beyond the usual. The trauma or life experiences that shaped that dream. Most didn’t want to probe their own motives, look too deeply into themselves. Lived in denial, their true emotions buried so deep they don’t realize they’re even there. Based on his own experiences and family, Flynn knew that real self-awareness was a rare trait. 

“Wel,” Kit said, voice tinged with bitterness. “Sure the police can help. But not like the military. They’re more large scale. More elite and different from everyone else.”

Flynn felt a rush of triumph at Kit’s words. ‘Different’ and ‘elite.’  Those two words revealed more than Kit realized. There was a reason Flynn worked in HR and was trusted to vet all new employees, and that was because he knew how to read people. And Kit’s words showed how much he longed to do more with his life than what he was given. But that was strange. As a Beta in a Beta family, Kit shouldn’t feel displaced. So why this need to have more? To feel more special? 

Even Colt Saunders hadn’t been this difficult to figure out; he’d actually told Flynn the whole truth during their first meeting and Flynn admired him for that. But Kit was a different matter. Flynn would have to dig more deeply, but not today.

“I agree,” he said brightly. “It’s great being part of the military. Well, thanks for coming in and if you ever need anything or just want to talk don’t hesitate to come see me.”

Kit blinked in surprise at the abrupt end to the interview, nodded awkwardly and left.

Flynn was still trying to piece together the complex puzzle that was Kit Kelly when he met Damon after work a few hours later. He didn’t say a word the whole time Damon drove, not until they were a few minutes into their meal. 

“What’s going on, Flynn?” 

Flynn sighed, “It’s this new cadet. He’s lying about his background but I don’t know what’s up with him exactly.”

“And of course you won’t tell me anything about him,” Damon said.

“Would you tell me about your patients?” Flynn said pointedly.

“Touché.”

Flynn munched his food thoughtfully, Damon eating quietly so he could think. There were so many things about Kit Kelly that didn’t make sense. First, that angry look in his eyes when he talked to Flynn. There was so much contempt there but he couldn’t figure out why. Was he like that with everyone or just Omegas? Second, why did he feel like he needed to prove himself so badly? Third, why did his parents disapprove of him joining the military? It was perfectly respectable for a Beta to…Flynn dropped his fork, his mind racing a mile a minute.

“Flynn, you OK?” Damon asked with concern.

No, it couldn’t be. But…it was possible. There were medications he could use. But the forms? They could be doctored but it was difficult. And risky. If he was caught he’d go to jail. Would he really do it? Would he really risk his life like that? Flynn recalled the aggressive way Kit fought during his tests, the look of resentment aimed at Flynn, an Omega.

 Yes, Kit would take that risk.

“Damon, I need your help,” Flynn said hurriedly.

“I know, your heat is supposed to start tomorrow right?”

“What. No. I mean yes, it does. And before you say it, yes I’m taking my pills. But that’s not it. I think…I suspect.” Flynn plunged his hands into his hair, trying to decide if he should tell Damon what he suspected and ask for his help. He knew he could trust Damon, he wouldn’t tell anyone. And if what Flynn suspected was true, it would be important for one of the doctors on the base to know the truth.

“I need you to help me run a DNA test on this cadet. I think…I think he’s an Omega.”