It takes a moment to realize it’s Juno. “Is something wrong?” I ask, not sure what she’s doing.
“You’re making a lot of distressing sounds in here. Just checking on you.”
My body is used to being on edge, to looking for any hole in my omega cover that I’m just speechless, because I’m usually so much more careful. What do I say to that? “Sorry,” I mutter.
“No problem. Do you need anything?”
I smirk. “Yeah, a new life.”
“Currently out of those, and not going to lie, I’d probably take it if I had an extra one.” She gives a shallow laugh. “Just don’t go nuts in there, okay? Coming off suppressants after being on them for a long time can really mess with you. Ravina told us you have been on them for over ten years.”
I think of all the warnings I’ve been given about them, and how only an alpha can help ride out the downfall of the suppressants—it darkly connects that I bet this place plans to take advantage of that. “Thanks,” I say, trying to sound somewhat sincere. What if Juno is a good person and doesn’t deserve the suspicion?
It’s clear I’m numb to a certain extent as I redress myself, covering the angry flesh, and brushing my hair with a comb I found, picking off a few blonde hairs when I’m done. There’s anodd, automatic acceptance of joining the others. It makes me stop as I’m still in my room, staring down at the doorknob.
Do I really have to go?
Ihaveto know what happened to Selene, though. Maybe make my way back to the Enclave, just to see if she’s there.
Despite that, an overwhelming sense of dread washes over me. What am I doing, just walking out there like I’m participating? All those years on a military base, then as a nurse, have clearly made me a rule follower.
I didn’t sign up for the rules here, though. And yeah, I might be curious about what something like this looks like, but… would they just let me stay put?
Is that an option?
I slowly back up to the bed, staring at the empty wall across from me. How angry will they be if I don’t willingly go? Well, I know I’llgo. I need to. For survival’s sake, it’s imperative I see what I’m up against.
Lifting my head to see the night sky through the window, it’s littered with stars. A cloudless evening. How I so badly want to exist underneath the glittering blackness with no expectations. I even look down at Judge’s shirt in the corner, the scent calming me. Ithasto be because of his strong alpha stench. Clearly, he has that effect on omegas, just based on Roxy’s reaction.
My body stiffens when I hear someone nearing, then smell a familiar scent from earlier, unable to place who exactly it is. I stare at the doorframe until flaming red hair enters my vision.
“Hiding out, new omega?” Scorch asks.
“I like my room,” I state.
“Let’s go get some fresh air,” she coaxes, her voice barely fluctuating in speech.
“Is it obligatory?”
“Yeah. But you’ll live. Get it over with. It’s really not that bad.”
The thought of being taken against my will has me on myfeet, refusing to be seen as a problem child when I just got here. Not for the sake of my pride, butproblemstend to be watched more. Have extra escorts.
That is very bad for any plans of escape.
I hesitantly join the others at the wooden door, the omegas dressed in random fashions of dresses, pants, large shirts, or jackets. It’s one of the starkest reminders I’m with omegas because I’ve always worn a uniform, whether I washomeor working as a nurse. Instead, I’m just wearing what was given to me in that breeding house, unable to deny I’m in a whole other world now.
Ravina is there to guide the six of us that are flanked by betas with firearms, the wastes marking all of them, whether with scars or tattoos. An insignia is burned into their leather vests or jackets, one of a skull with wings on either side.
Nope.
I actually don’t think I’m okay.
My breathing constricts when it starts to really hit that I’minDominion. I was so high on hormones or sleeping from drugs that I didn’t get a chance to transition. Being around omegas is one thing, but to see these patches and they’renottrying to kidnap me, because I amalreadytaken?
Someone shoulders me, and I roll mine away like I’m in New Bunker—it’s Juno. “You’re smelling stressed. It’ll be okay. They’ll all see you’re new and shiny, but not bother you much since you’re one ofus. You can sit with Cassandra and Mira; they tend to congregate in a corner. Alicia runs off with one of her friends, who is with the normal omegas, and I kind of do the same.”
It’s as if my soul has left my body, this flesh bag a conduit for a brain that cannot process. Dominion. Not just Judge, or alphas.
