My only hope is that he hasn’t injected me with the hormones to trigger a heat, so I won’t get pregnant. Not this time, anyway. My lungs close at the thought and I gasp for breath, my legs flailing as Jason holds me down.
Then I hear a bang. One, then another. My gaze flickers desperately to the closed door as Jason growls, baring his teeth at the interruption. He pulls away from me and stands, doing up his trousers. Sobbing, I drag myself away from him, folding into a corner and looping my tied hands over my knees to hug them tightly. It’s a reprieve at best.
Staring around, I look desperately for something I can use as a weapon, but Jason is careful not to leave anything within reach. I’m not even allowed to use cutlery because he feeds me by hand.
It takes a minute for Jason to work through the four locks he’s installed on the door, but eventually he rips it open, and I catch pieces of the conversation.
“Director… progress…omega…,”
The relief that fills me is staggering. They didn’t forget about me.
This is it. I’m going to get out of this room. This may be my only chance to escape, and I need to be ready.
ChapterSeven
Devlin
Igrit my teeth as I follow Rogue and Christian down the hall. Christian is talking animatedly, but his tone seems… off.
Maybe it’s me. Nausea swirls in my stomach. This is such a bad fucking idea.
Ihateomegas. Anything to do with them. Omegas are the reason I don’t have a family anymore. The only thing stopping me from pulling Rogue to one side and demanding we leave is the look on Gabe’s face when he asked about a female last night.
I know he’s right.
The pack is falling apart. Ace’s mood swings are affecting us all, and I can barely get a sentence out without snapping at someone. Rogue is more centered, but as pack leader, he’s still picking up on our emotions through the bond and it’s affecting his ability to think rationally. If we don’t sort ourselves out, things will get worse and one of us will end up in a frenzy. A rabid, snapping, snarling beast.
We tried a beta before because of me. Guilt stabs me at the thought. Elinor caused so much damage that we nearly split up in the aftermath. Gabe still isn’t himself, pushing back his own instincts and tearing Ace apart in the process.
I owe it to them to try. I owe it to all of us.
Christian ushers us into his office. It’s plush, thick red carpet holding a large walnut desk. Books surround us on every side, and a copy of the Omega Creed hangs on the wall. I push away the twinge of discomfort I get when I look at it. It’s in place for good fucking reason.
Christian and Rogue are talking quietly, Rogue settling into one of the fancy chairs in front of Christian’s desk. We don’t see Christian often. His role demands a lot of his time, so it’s good to see them together.
Christian looks up and waves me over.
“How are you, Devlin?” I don’t know why, but the question makes me uncomfortable. Christian’s gaze is a few shades paler than Rogue’s, but he has the same piercing stare. If I didn’t know him, I’d call him a cold motherfucker.
Shrugging, I play off the awkwardness.
“You know, usual shit. Hands full with this lot.”
“Not too full for an omega though?”
I jolt, betraying my discomfort with this whole idea. I’ll see it through for my team though. I have no doubt that any omega we choose will soon show her true colors – and I’ll be showing her the door as I kick her out. It’s a short-term solution, but maybe we’ll find a beta Gabe can work with in the meantime.
Christian hums and leans back, shifting his gaze between us.
“I do have an omega that I would like you to meet.”
Rogue shifts forward, his interest clear. “What’s she like?”
A grimace flits across Christian’s face before he schools his expression, and I wonder why he looks so uncomfortable.
“She’s… unusual. Been with us for seven years, and she’s currently participating in the pilot of a new project. I’ve actually asked for her trainer to bring her in and give us a demonstration of their work so far.”
My neck prickles, and Rogue’s brow furrows. “What kind of pilot are we talking about?”
