Free Range

Amy’s body returned to its regularly scheduled torment early the next morning.

She regretted her decision to intentionally double her hormonal suppressant medication the day before. Awakening with terrible abdominal cramping saw Amy in the restroom for several hours, worshiping the porcelain throne. The after pill had her womb emptying anything and everything and her stomach had decided to join in on the spring cleaning. To add insult to injury, the spot that dispensed slick right inside her entrance was inflamed from overuse. A truly banner day.

When a second text from Rouge came through, Amy knew she needed to make an appearance promptly. Quickly drinking one of Sonic’s protein shakes and fighting through the lightheadedness, Amy spent the bus ride (the beta bus, the omega bus was too late again) trying to order her thoughts. Should she throw herself at Rouge’s feet and beg for mercy? Should she burst into tears and mewl about how terrible her body treated her? Lie about a beloved relative dying?

The walk across the campaign office floor to Rouge’s office in the back was excruciating for Amy. Staffers worked away as usual, manning phones, organizing stacks of fliers and piles of yard signs, and discussing bussing strategies to get the elderly and Omega population to the poles. The first televised debate between Rouge and her opponent was on the horizon and the office was abuzz with energy. A few smiled and waved at her as she passed and Amy struggled to mount a friendly response.

She found her boss busy signing thank you cards for the attendees of the previous night’s fundraiser. The bat’s teal eyes flicked up as Amy entered and then quickly returned her task. “Close the door.” Rouge ordered. The bat was dressed sharply as usual in another well-tailored, brightly colored pant suit. Rouge refused to blend in with any crowd.

Amy complied and then sank into one of the chairs in front of Rouge’s cluttered desk. Her head swam and her face flushed as she felt her stomach redoubling its efforts to expel the protein shake invader. Rouge did not speak and the silence drug on into awkward territory. Finally, to distract herself from her laundry list of discomforts, Amy asked, “Can I help you with those?”

Rouge’s fountain pen stopped. Amy recognized it, an elegant tool with a gold basket weave filigree along the cap and barrel. A friend had given it to her when she passed the bar years ago. She meant to use it to sign bills into law. “You can stuff envelopes.” Her eyes flicked to Amy’s gloves and Amy’s gaze followed. What was wrong with her- Oh. Rouge was making sure Amy’s gloves were clean. Rouge resumed writing.

“S-Sure.” Amy shifted forward. Each thank you letter had been written by hand on fancy card stock paired with an equally fancy envelope. Amy lifted one of the cards and watched as the teal ink shimmered with golden specks as the card tilted in the light. “Wow, that’s gorgeous.”

“Emerald of Chivor.” Rouge stated matter-of-factly.

“What?”

“The ink, dear. Those who know know.”

“O-oh.” Amy slid a signed note into its envelope and went to lick the seal.

“Stuff them only, please.” Rouge sighed. Amy quickly put the stuffed envelope down. “I’m playing with fire as it is letting you touch these. Your saliva is a bridge too far. Especially after last night.” Of course…even off her heat, Amy’s spit would still carry her scent. Rouge’s displeasure was apparent in the tone of her voice. A strained, annoyed iciness. Amy hoped that her allowing Amy to help with this small menial task was a good sign.

They worked in silence for a few minutes more. Finally, Amy decided to bite the bullet. “About last night-“ She started.

“Besides the shaking, you look well.” Rouge interrupted, her tone suddenly casual. “Are you feeling alright?” Amy nodded. “Did you make it home last night?” Another nod. “Good. Good. Safe and well. Wonderful, then you should have no trouble-“ Rouge’s fangs came out, “telling me what in the hell you were thinking showing up last night in a fucking raging heat!”

Amy cringed back, her ears lying flat at the Alpha’s expression of displeasure. The compulsion to capitulate and roll on her belly was far weaker now, but still present. “I didn’t know that was going to happen.” Amy offered, lamely

Rouge sighed. “I would have expected you to know your own cycle. I would have found someone else.”

“The heat was off cycle. And even then, I had spent the whole day trying to break it.” Her words came out faster and faster. “And I took a second dosage of my suppressant right before I left home. I brought a scent mask. I stayed backed. I did everything I could and still it…it…” Amy swallowed a sob, but it only irritated her stomach, and she fought back a gag.

Rouge placed her pen back in its stand and leaned back. “You did everything except go home, Amy.”

Hot indignant tears pricked the sides of her eyes. An Omega’s place is in the home, is that it? Unseen, unassuming, mute. Never to leave without permission, never to participate in public life?

No. Amy bit back the disdain welling inside her. Rouge didn’t mean it like that. Rouge was furious, but her recrimination was an equal opportunity lender. “I would have left you in the lurch.”

“You did leave me in the lurch, Amy. If Shadow’s cyborg of an assistant hadn’t produced a camera and a bartender who does the videography for his Promptagram influencer-wannabe girlfriend, I’d have been up shit creek without a fucking paddle, Amy.”

Amy’s gaze fell to her hands in her lap. Her fingers dug into the fabric of her slacks and Her throat grew tight. If she vomited right then and there, would she get out of this conversation? Yes, but she’d probably be out of a job as a bonus.

“Look, I get it. It’s not your fault you were born this way. It’s not fair. But nothing is fucking fair. It never was and it never will be. My heart bleeds for you. It really does, Amy.” Once Rouge got going, there was no stopping her until she’d said her piece. “It’s shitty, you and every poor fuck out there suffering for no god damn reason.”

“That’s why I sprain my wrist signing insincere thank you cards and why I get on my knees and gobble Alpha cock for pennies. So I can convince just enough shit-for-brains Betas that I won’t raise their taxes, and they, in exchange, give me a truly terrifying level of power and then maybe, just maybe, I can finally change something for the better in this godforsaken Potemkin village.”

Rouge gesticulated to a phantom jury; a habit kept over from her days with DA’s office. “To make this all come about, I need hearts and minds and hands and feet and fuck tons of money. You’ve got the first four in spades and I appreciate that, Amy. I really do. I need that from you and you give it to me.” The ‘but’ was coming. If Amy could survive the ‘but’, she just might have a chance.

“But you know what I don’t need from you, Amy? It’s a small favor really, I think you’ll agree.” Rouge’s wings flared open, increasing the space she occupied. Amy’s ears pressed against her skull. “My fucking photographer starting a rapid fucking rut-riot with ten percent of the city’s net worth in attendance. I don’t need that shit, Amy. Sure as fuck not when St. John is three points ahead in the poles and outspending me in key demographic areas.”

The bat paused and Amy opened her mouth to speak, but Rouge pressed on, her wings settling back behind her. “It’s not your fault. I know that. I get that. I can accept and overlook a lot of shit because you’re a really fucking good shot with a camera and know how to open a file in Photoworks. But, I swear on my mother’s grave,” Rouge looked up to the ceiling, “god condemn her soul to hell,” and then returned her glare to Amy, “if this ever happens again, I will fire your ass so fast that time dilates and your pink slip slaps your grandchildren in the face fifty years in the future.”

Silence descended on the cramped office and Amy was nearly too distracted by still being employed to realize it was her turn to talk. “I’m sorry.” She said, trying to keep the elation and relief out of her voice. “I swear to god that it won’t happen again.”

Rouge snorted. “God doesn’t do shit. Swear to me.”

“Rouge, I swear to you this will never happen again.”

“This may not have been your fault, Amy, but it sure as fuck is your responsibility.” Rouge sat up and opened a drawer. “Open the window.” Amy jumped up and wrestled with the small window over a table piled up with posters of Rouge’s slogans. Rise Together! Air from the back of the strip mall rushed in a rankled Amy’s nose.

When Amy sat back down, Rouge was tapping out a cigarette from a pack and sticking it into her mouth. “So, what are you doing about it?” She covered the tip with her hand as she flicked on her lighter.

“I have an appointment at my Omega clinic this afternoon.”

“And?” Rouge took a drag.

“I’m going to see my herbalist.” Rouge exhaled a cloud from her nose.

“And?” Rouge took the cigarette out of her mouth and brandished it at Amy, arching her eyebrows.

Amy frowned. What more could she do? And why did Rouge care about Amy’s quest to riddle out the mystery of her early heat? Unless…”I will also be volunteering to do door knocking to make up for the hours I missed from the event.”

“There you go.” Rouge took a long drag, the end flaring, and then leaned forward. Taking the pen back up, cigarette between her lips, she returned to the thank you cards. Curls of smoke lifted to the tiles of the drop ceiling.

Amy’s everything relaxed. Crisis averted. If she ignored how badly her organs were trying to take a vacation outside her body, it was almost like the previous night hadn’t happened at all. Something in Amy shrank away from the thought. That’s a shame, it seemed to whisper. “Thank you.” Amy said sincerely. Rouge hummed quizzically. “For calling a break when you did. I…I wasn’t doing so great.”

“Don’t mention it.” Rouge’s gold nib raced across the thick card stock, her large and sharp signature dominating the surface. “So, what happened after you bailed? A few people seemed compelled to follow and address your…distress.” Rouge’s eyes grew wide for emphasis, but she did not look up.

Amy blushed. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize. Just do better. Also, answer my question.”

“Someone helped me.”

Rouge sighed. “Helped you or helped you?”

Amy’s blush intensified. “T-the latter.”

“Fuck a duck. Who was it? I’ll need to put a little extra oomph in my thank you card to them.”

The black and red gentleman sprung to forefront of Amy’s thoughts. His deep voice, his gentle hands, his blaze of white chest fur. Amy bit her lip and looked down at her hands. Stop it. Nothing good will come from trying to hold on to last night. Let it go.

“Honey.” Rouge brought Amy’s attention back up. “I’m gonna need a name.”

“I didn’t get his name.”

Rouge rolled her eyes. “Classy, Amy. Fine. What did this mystery man look like?” She slid a completed card to the side and reached for another.

Amy swallowed and focused on keeping her voice flat, factual. Any inflection would just give Rouge fodder to tease her with. “He was a hedgehog with black fur with red markings in his quills and near his-”

“Shit.” Amy looked up at Rouge’s abrupt utterance. The tine of Rouge’s nib had bent apart, depositing a large blot of teal ink onto the card stock. “Shit!” She hissed again. Rouge put the pen down and picked up the ruined card, a large splotch marring the surface. “That’s a redo right there.”

“I think he was a guest.” Amy offered as Rouge fussed with her calligraphy set.

“I know who you are talking about.” Rouge sounded irate. It must be troublesome to switch out the nib.

“H-he was really nice to me.”

“He sure as hell better have been.” Rouge protectiveness of her tickled Amy’s Omega brain and a warmth grew in her chest. Still, Amy’s brow knitted.

She didn’t press. If she was trying to forget about the dark furred hedgehog, she needed to let him it go. “I’m sorry about your pen tip.”

“Don’t be. The person who gave it to me owes me a replacement now anyway.” Rouge’s gaze suddenly snapped up and behind Amy. Amy pivoted. Through the window on Rouge’s door, she saw a large, barrel-chested red echidna making his towards them. “Look, don’t you have a medical appointment to get to?” Rouge sounded like she was asking, but she was most certainly telling.

Amy fished her phone out of her satchel. “Shoot, yeah. I need to go get to the bus stop.” She stood. Rouge had leaned back in her chair and was massaging her temples. “Bye, Rouge. Thank you again. I’ll have the pictures I took cleaned up in a few days.”

The bat hummed in acknowledgement. As Amy left, she heard Rouge mumble, “Stupid fucking son of a bitch. I’m going to kill him.”

---

Shadow couldn’t seem to force himself to give a shit about the meeting he was currently attending. His best people were presenting a new product idea, his new product idea, to the board of directors and it was all he could do not to think about strawberries and vanilla. The decadent smell choking him. The luscious taste rolling down his throat. While his CMO heralded the next generation in oral hormonal suppressants, Shadow salivated.

It was a problem.

The preparation for this meeting had taken months to compile and that was after several years of reformulation trials and pre-clinical testing. Financial projections, marketing plans, supply chain mapping, public education campaign, medical professional education campaign. An immense effort, a staggering accomplishment just in bringing it together. Shadow couldn’t be more proud of the brilliant men and women who worked for him.

Alpha Hormonal Suppressants. Affordable, oral solid dosage, extended release, over the counter, safe, effective, minimal side effects (he should know, he was on them). A completely open and untapped market. A literal cure for rut-rage. The number of lives saved directly and indirectly per annum was breathtaking.

Kintobor Life Sciences was going to change the world.

If the board would fucking let them.

This whole ordeal was just to ask for permission to move forward on a massive investment (two to three hundred million, probably more, but scope creep and overrun were a problem to deal with later) to bring the drug to market, at least another five years of effort. That is, if governmental regulatory bodies didn’t bury them in red tape. Then they were looking at seven to ten years while the lawyers sorted it out. Ah, the joys of the pharmaceutical product life cycle.

From the moment Shadow took leadership of the small (but profitable) company, a largely forgotten subsidiary concern acquired by Kintober Holding via acquisition of its previous parent company, he’d wanted to make, he’d been fixated on developing something, anything, to blunt especially violent ruts.

And yet he couldn’t seem to drag his attention away from replaying the memories of the mysterious pink hedgehog over and over again. Her voice ringing in his ears. The way she pushed into him. The soft brush of her fur under his fingertips.

As Rouge would say, Shadow was down bad.

And over a woman he’d met only briefly and whose name was still unknown to him. Yes, he knew he could ask Nicole and have the woman’s entire genealogy in a matter of minutes…but that felt intrusive. Disrespectful.

His brother tapped Shadow’s shoe under the table. “Écoute un peu.” Eclipse muttered. Shadow cleared his throat, refocusing on Dr. Horatio Quentin Quack’s (yes, unfortunate that, but it’s a family name) presentation on the marvelous pre-clinical trial results.

As both a member of the board and horribly biased, Shadow remained silent throughout the whole presentation. His younger brother Eclipse sat beside him. Nearly Shadow’s twin if it weren’t for the location of his red colorations, slightly lighter fur shade, and yellow eyes, Eclipse was unofficially representing their parents in absentia.

“I think that’s enough gentlemen.” Shadow’s ears perked and his vision snapped to the screen showing the faces of the remote board members on the video conference call. Of course, it was her. “Thank you very much, Dr. Quack. Could you please give us the room?” Ms. Sally Acorn smiled. The tight little smile a monarchist such as her gave to her servants.

Horatio turned to Shadow, his beak still open from stopping halfway through a sentence. Shadow nodded. The CMO gathered his materials and ushered his team out of the room. Shadow squeezed his hands into fists, the leather of his gloves creaking under the abuse. Eclipse tapped his shoe again and he forced himself to relax.

Once the board was alone, the squirrel started speaking. “You’ve laid out a very nice plan, but I just don’t see the market, Mr. Kintober.” Ms. Sally Acorn waved a dismissive hand from her square on the video call. “No Alpha is going to willingly inhibit themselves like this. And that’s if they even buy it. I can’t even see a self-respecting Alpha bring this product up to a cashier. Its…indecent.”

The Acorn’s sovereign wealth fund was a major shareholder in Kintobor Holding, ostensibly KLS’s parent company. Ms. Acorn’s place on Shadow’s board was purely a favor his parents were doing for hers. That fact in itself did not bother him in the slightest, but her habit of exercising her B.A in Marketing did.

“Indecent?” Shadow repeated. “I’m afraid I do not follow. Could you please explain what you mean by that, Ms. Acorn?” Shadow refused to call her by her title. They were not based in her family’s country.

“It’s just not right. It goes against so many social norms, not to mention nature itself.”

“You are aware that KLA is a pharmaceutical company, Ms. Acorn? Going against nature is the crux of our business model.” Out of the corner of his eye, Shadow spotted a subtle motion from Eclipse. Tone it down. Shadow swallowed his next remark.

“Further, I wouldn’t be surprised if a product like this attracted protestors outside KLS offices. In fact, that makes it a safety concern.”

“Sally, that’s a bit much don’t you think?” Eclipse spoke up, ever the mediator.

“No, I don’t think it is-“

“I think we’re splitting hairs here.” Mr. Mammoth Mogul, a representative of Emerald Investments, the massive private equity firm, spoke up from his box. Shadow had traded that board seat for a significant injection of capital right at the start of his tenor as CEO. He’d yet to regret the decision. Mr. Mogul had a shrewd eye for opportunities, albeit a coldhearted one. “The fact of the matter is that current operations simply do not generate the profits to cover an investment of this size.”

“KLS has been profitable for the past twenty quarters, but growth in EBITDA has steadily been increasing as well.” Shadow tapped his forefinger on the rich mahogany of the conference table. He could quote performance numbers for days.

“All true and every well led, sir. However, it does not go beyond the board’s notice that a significant amount of profit is simply left on the table so to speak.” Mogul’s use of ‘the board’ was concerning. Where was this going? “It is disgusting.”

Shadow’s quills flared and his snout wrinkled. “Prudent…” Eclipse muttered. Shadow allowed the sharp retort he’d cultivated to languish on his tongue. With effort, he forced his quills to relax. At the end of the day, this was an informational meeting. Yes, board approval was required, but the Kintobor family held four of the seven seats.

“I am not sure I understand your meaning.” Shadow said, giving Mogul a chance to backpedal or rephrase.

“I think what my colleague means to say is that we think there might be a disservice being done to our shareholders.” The third and final outside member of the board, Professor Dillon Pickle, spoke up. A renowned researcher in pharmacology, but the man had never worked outside the ivy encrusted wall of academia.

Eclipse kicked Shadow under the tables before he even had a chance to react. His annoyance with his brother collided with his disgusted confusion and reacted destructively. A moment of silence passed. “Professor, I’m not sure I understand your meaning. I was unaware that this privately owned corporation held a fiduciary obligation to maximize profit.”

The old terrier sighed loudly though the speaker system. “Shadow, this feigned ignorance ill befits you. When I speak of shareholders, I am speaking broadly. The employees of KLA, the customers, the vendors, the creditors, and, yes, you and your family. Everyone who depends on KLS to continue existing for their livelihood or their continued health. When you stubbornly keep the retail price of our highest volume products so close to cost, it opens the whole business up to risk.”

“Please allow me to summarize so that I can be very, very sure that I understand your position. Keeping our products as affordable as possible for our customers, some of them limited in income and access to alternatives, somehow harms said customers? Do I have that correct?”

“Yes,” Mr. Mogul’s baritone reverberated through the speaker, “You do. This is a for-profit enterprise, Mr. Kintobor. I have long turned a blind eye to your charity, but to then come to us to rubber stamp such a large expenditure on a product with no market…well, it’s concerning.” Shadow did not like that tone.

“And there is also the issue of losing the National Health Service contract for Omega suppressants to Starline Pharmaceuticals.” Of course, Ms. Acorn deemed it necessary to bring up that cocklebur.

“An investigation is underway regarding the NHS contract recension. As I have said before on that matter, I will provide a full report when it is ready.” Shadow was fighting to keep an irritated edge out of his voice. How had this meeting gone so far off track?

“Be it as it may,” Ms. Acorn continued, “you have exhibited a string of poor judgment calls in recent memory.” A threat hung in the air.

Shadow’s eyes narrowed. “What are you getting at?”

Ms. Acorn gesticulated at her webcam. “If you are unable to improve, we, as governors of the interests of this company, will be forced to bring forth a vote of no confidence.” She turned up her nose.

Shadow laughed.

“Shadow…” Eclipse growled.

Just then, Shadow’s phone began to vibrate. He slipped it out of his pocket and looked at the caller ID. He stood. “Excuse me. I need to take this call.” Shadow left the board room amid a cacophony of insulted noises.

Closing the door and leaning against the wall, Shadow answered. The voice on the other side spoke immediately, “What the fuck is wrong with you?!”

“Hello, Rouge.” Shadow dead panned. “To what do I owe the honor, esteemed future Mayor?”

“You fucked my photographer, you prick!”

“You brought an unclaimed Omega in heat into my house, Rouge.”

“And that gives you the right? She’s only twenty-five, you fuck!”

“You almost turned my foyer into a crime scene, Rouge.”

“I’ll turn your ass into a crime scene! Leave Amy alone. You owe me a new pen nib.”

“What?”

“You heard me. I love you. Fuck off.” The line went dead.

“Good to talk to you, Rouge.” Shadow said to no one.

Amy

The woman’s name was Amy. Strawberries and vanilla. Amy. Pink fur and sharp, guarded green eyes. What had those eyes seen? His quills tensed at the barest thought that anyone had ever hurt her.

Amy

Twenty-five and unclaimed. That was possible? Shit, how young did he think she was? The fuck was wrong with him.

Shadow had scrubbed himself raw in the shower after their joining and again this morning after his morning run. He’d used his favorite scented products and breathed deeply from his dark morning coffee. All the scents he loved, he shoved his snout into them. And yet he could still smell her!

Amy - Amy - Amy

Fuck…

The door opened and Eclipse exited. “The meeting has adjourned.” His brother leaned against the wall opposite Shadow. Eclipse had his own projects and company to manage but made the time to come support Shadow in person anyway. Or to keep an eye on him.

“Let’s have it.” Shadow sighed. Likely some commentary on Shadow’s distracted and aggressive demeanor. Again.

Eclipse sighed. “There is going to be a vote of no confidence.”

“Bullshit. Acorn throws that threat around every time she feels slighted in the least.”

“Yes, but the low profit margins have finally worn Mogul’s patience thin.” Shadow frowned. Ah. Now that was a threat. “I know why you do it and I know you won’t stop.” For her. ”This was inevitable.”

“They don’t have the votes.” The four members of the Kintobor family outweighed the three outside board members. Father had filled Shadow’s board with annoyances, yes, but he wasn’t stupid. Nothing that was the family’s would be taken from them by force.

Eciple leveled his piercing gaze at Shadow. “When was the last time you talked to Mother?”

Shadow blanched, looking away. “I-“

“Her birthday and holidays do not count. When did you last call her without being obligated to by custom? Or because I begged you?”

Shadow did not answer. He did not remember.

Eclipse blew a breath out of his nose slowly. “Mother can get Father to vote however she wishes. Get her to vote for you and there will be no problems. Besides, she’d like a call from you.”

“How do you know?”

“Other than that’s generally what mothers would like from their sons, she has hinted as much to me on our calls.”

Shadow’s brow knitted. “How often are you talking to Mother?”

“Weekly.”

“Weekly?” There was no fucking way his brother could be telling the truth. That much Irena Kintobor would put a noose around anyone’s neck.

“Like a good son would.” Eciple locked eyes with Shadow again, his almost luminescent yellow boring into Shadow’s resentful red.

Shadow broke the stalemate first. “I’ll call her.” He huffed. “But there won’t be much for us to discuss.” He crossed his arms. “Do you really think Mother is so displeased with me as to vote against me?”

Eclipse shrugged. “I have a sinking suspicion that Father is growing impatient with you wasting your time, his words mind you, not mine, here when you could be preparing to succeed him, frère aîné.” Shadow’s quills bristled and his gaze hardened. “This would be a convenient way to buck you off your pet project.”

“You make it sound like Father is behind this.”

Eclipse shrugged again. “He very well may be.” He checked the time on his phone. “I need to be away. Call Mother.” He enunciated clearly. “You know how to make her happy, so bite the bullet and do it.”

Shadow growled and his snout wrinkled in disgust.

Eclipse gave Shadow a tired and pitying look. “Who knows? Maybe whoever she sets you up with might actually bring light into that dark heart of yours.” His younger brother smirked. But then his expression faded to a snarl. “Which reminds me. Fin is out of jail.”

Shadow stood straight, his heckles rising. “How is that possible? He got the full twenty-five years!” His lips peeled back, revealing his fangs.

“I’m looking into it. But in the meantime, keep an eye out.”

“If I see his wretched face, I’ll show him how it’s done correctly.” A tingle ran up his spine. A postcard arriving from an excitement long departed. Still here.

Eclipse frowned. “Shadow, is that who you want to be?” He asked softly.

He was, of course, right. That wasn’t who Shadow wanted to be. Not anymore. Never again. Shadow took a deep breath and willed himself to relax. “Thank you for letting me know. I’ll let Nicole handle it.”

“Now I really need to be gone.” Eclipse opened his arms.

The brothers embraced and then went their separate ways.