“No,” I rasp.
Finally, Icarus lets Maya go, but only because he’s focused on crouching down to shield me.
The security team are still beating him across his back with batons.
They’re not stopping.
“Icarus,” I whisper.
“I love you,” he replies.
Maya snatches the baton from the nearest Beta, testing its weight in her hand. She massages her bruised throat, before narrowing her eyes at Icarus and the way that he is protecting me with his body.
Then she raises the baton and brings it down across the back of his head.
I scream, as Icarus slumps forward. Warm blood trails down his temple to smear across my icy cheek.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Wine Cellar, Omega Hotel
Icarus’ blood is dried across my fingers. It stains my Alpha’s temples, cheeks, and lip. His pale skin is painted in scarlet.
I shiver in the freezing darkness of the wine cellar. My aching back rests against the stone wall. I have pulled my Alpha’s head to rest in my lap to keep him as close to me as possible in hopes that my pheromones can heal him and bring him back to consciousness.
Why isn’t it working?
My chest tightens.
Is it because I’m not Icarus’ scent match? Am I really not a good enough match for him?
I don’t know much about Alphas. Maya made sure of that by excluding them from our pack. Yet I do know about needing to see an Alpha every day, as if they’re the other half of my soul.
It hits me hard then.
Icarus has always been my Alpha.
The one Alpha my inner Omega has wanted as a best friend at school.
The person who supported me throughout my pregnancy and attended the birth of my daughter to help stabilize my pheromones as if he truly was the dad.
The Alpha who has stood by me every difficult but beautiful step after with my baby.
The man who I trust unlike every other Alpha who hurt or rejected me.
The one who loves me, as now I love him deep in my heart.
Except, Icarus is lying bruised and broken in my arms for trying to protect his pack.
I am hollow.
Numb.
One of my younger brothers has been sent to the Institute. The other is being matched in a loveless bond this evening. Plus, if I don’t find a way out of this cellar, then I can’t steal the bond rings and shares to the company that will save all of us.
Compulsively, I run my fingers though Icarus’ golden hair, which is caked in blood, attempting to tease out the strands.
Icarus would hate looking a mess like this.
