Hired for Heat (The Hired Series)

2. Sandra

***These are mostly unedited but please let me know if there's any issues! Enjoy!

Walking through a doorway at the end of another hall, they passed into a new section of the building. This area was far more clinical feeling with white walls and floor, and bright lighting. The was no carpeting or photos on the walls to soften the utilitarian nature of it. Turning a corner, they came to the first cell.

The wall facing the hallway was solid glass and the inside was painted a rich caramel brown with thick, matching rugs thrown on the tile floor. There was a bed against one wall and a desk against the other where a blonde Alpha was seated working on something that he seemed to be very focused on. He was about average in size to other Alphas Sandra had seen, and the sight was slightly comical since the he dwarfed the tiny desk and chair he had been given.

Ms. Burrie passed her a tablet that had the Alpha's picture and stats listed on the screen.

"The Alphas are listed under the number on their cell. If you see one that interests you, just tap on the number of his cell listed on the left-hand side of the screen. Each profile contains a current photo as well as height, weight, and other physical characteristics. There is a brief bio on each of them, as well as how they performed during their schooling. Any special aptitudes and interests will be listed under the 'Other' section, and if they have been used for breeding in the past."

Nodding, Sandra scrolled through the Alpha's information before looking back into the cell. The Alpha continued to work at his desk as if he had no idea he was being watched.

"Can they see us?"

"Not unless you want them to. It's less disturbing for them and you can get a more accurate idea of how they are if they don't know when they are being watched. If you decide you like one of them and would like to interact, I can make the glass transparent."

"I understand," Sandra said.

"Feel free to take as much time as you wish at each cell, and of course you don't have to make a decision right now about who you would like to select."

Studying the Alpha for a moment longer, Sandra began to make her way down the hall, staring into each cell. Each one was different, furnished with a variety of objects besides their bed. Some had desks like the first Alpha, while others had bookshelves, exercise equipment, or easels. Every Alpha was physically appealing and appeared healthy and content compared to the ones in the work-camps. It was obvious why Alphas tried so hard to be selected as a stud for the Haven.

Turning into another hallway, she noticed another omega woman being shown around by a beta in scrubs.

"I know he is the one you have chosen in the past, but company policy doesn't allow a client to use the same stud more than three times," the woman in scrubs told the omega.

"I don't understand why not. He already knows what I enjoy, and I am comfortable with him. I would like to speak with a manager," the omega responded before following the employee through a door.

Curiosity overcoming her, Sandra turned to Ms. Burrie. "Why is it that we can only use the same stud three times?"

"Anything more than that seems to make the Alphas more likely to push their boundaries. They become too comfortable and can start to think that they can manipulate the client into freeing them. We have found it's just safer not to allow anyone to grow too attached."

"What do you mean by free them?"

"The Alphas here are stringently tested, as you know. They are the smartest, the best behaved, and the least likely to pose any threat, so if an omega decides that she wishes to bond with an Alpha, he is released from his contract with us and allowed to join in outside society again. Though The Haven is the most lucrative position an Alpha can hope to have while unbonded, a lot of them wish to be able to bond and rejoin society outside these walls."

Sandra's eyebrows rose a bit in surprise at what the woman said. She was aware of the mandates on Alphas of course, she just hadn't realized that they were essentially prisoners until an omega chose to bond with them.

Tilting her head to the side a bit, her eyes narrowed in confusion. "How would someone know if they wanted to bond with an Alpha if they are only allowed to be with them three times? That doesn't seem like enough time to make that kind of decision."

"Oh, you can visit and spend time with the Alphas whenever you like in the common areas, they just aren't allowed to tend you through more than three heats. Considering most omega's cycles, that's roughly a year. If you're not certain about him by then, it most likely isn't a good match. Most of the omegas that come here choose a new partner each time unless they are looking to breed or find a mate," Ms. Burrie told her.

"I see."

Going back to checking each of the cells, Sandra was a bit disappointed that none of the Alphas seemed to spark any desire in her. They were certainly good-looking, and some were highly educated and accomplished, but none of them sparked anything in her besides mild interest.

Glancing at the numbers on the side of the tablet, she realized there was a section that she must have missed.

"Is there another hall where these Alphas are? I did not see these numbers on any of the cells we passed."

Glancing at the numbers Sandra was pointing to, Ms. Burrie stiffened, and Sandra caught a strange look flit across her face as she glanced away.

"Those Alphas are in a different hallway. We keep them separate because they are either new or have had a mark against them. We usually don't recommend them for new clients. They are considered a higher risk."

Sandra had always been more curious than was healthy, and Ms. Burrie now had her full attention. Generally, telling her something was a bad idea was the best way to get her to try it and she had gotten into world of trouble as a child before learning to curb the impulse.

"I would like to see them please. I am willing to accept a higher risk," Sandra told her.

Ms. Burrie's lips thinned for a moment. "Are you sure none of the Alphas here interest you? Since this is your first time, many prefer to use a more experienced and reliable stud."

"I am sure. None of your current selection appeal to me, and I was about to say I would have to go try the Omega's Den instead and see what kind of selection they have," Sandra told her firmly.

She was hoping she would find what she was looking for in the isolated studs, and nothing was going to stop her from seeing these Alphas now. If it took threatening to take her business elsewhere, she had no problem leaving and waiting for them to contact her, because there was no way they would let someone with her status get away without doing everything they could to keep her. Sandra didn't flaunt her power or money often, but she would if that's what it took to get her what she wanted.