“Still better than the compound,” I whisper, squeezing my eyes shut.Still better than Jason.
I need to see the positives. Today was… everything.
Omelets, and movies, chocolate and buttered popcorn.Them.
It’s the best day I’ve had for years. I need to think of myself as lucky. I don’t think they’re going to hurt me. I just need to be a better omega.
My mind turns to the OC. I’m desperate to know how Ava is. Part of me is petrified that Jason’s got hold of her. I start to shake at the thought, but Ava doesn’t think she’s twenty-one yet. Hopefully she’ll be safe, at least for a few weeks longer.
I think about asking Rogue to look into it, but I dismiss it almost immediately. There’s no way I can ask that of him. I need to be quiet and obedient. Asking for favors definitely doesn’t fit the brief.
My back hits the cold metal and I hiss out a breath, shifting around to try and get comfortable. You think I’d be used to this by now. Jason would often make me sleep in here. It never really gets any easier, though.
Maybe tomorrow will be better.
* * *
“Do you want to be a good omega?” A reedy, high-pitched voice whispers nasally in my ear.
Whimpering, I nod.
It’s dark. There are straps across my legs, my stomach, my throat. My ankles and wrists strain at the leather as it pulls tightly at my skin. It’s getting hard to take a full breath.
“Please,” I beg brokenly. “Please stop it.”
Only silence greets me. I wait, maybe for hours. A small drop hits my forehead, the cold running down into my hairline. I pull frantically at my restraints but it’s useless. I drop my arms back to the sides. My mind feels clouded, foggy, and I struggle to remember why I’m here.
“Do you want it to stop?” the voice whispers. The voice is my only companion in the dark. I try to remember what they want, straining my mind and my body. Something pops in my shoulder and I cry out.
“Tell me what you want,” I’m crying, tears running down my face. “I’ll do it. I’ll do whatever you want.”
“Master,” the voice pushes. “Master,” I wail. “Please, master.”
A hand strokes over my hair and I whimper, straining towards the touch. “I’ll be good, master,” I whimper. Maybe the voice will stop now.
“A little more, I think.”
“No!”
Hands shake me, a deep voice infiltrating my darkness.
“Harper!”
My eyes fly open as I’m pulled from my cage. I thrash, keening with terror and swiping at my forehead.
A hand touches me, and I throw myself down, putting my head to the floor. “I’m sorry, master. I’ll be good. I don’t need to be punished.” Choking sobs stab my words.
“Jesus Christ.” Hands lift me and I flail weakly. “Hush,” the voice soothes. It sounds different. Deeper, rasping. “Stop, Harper. You’re not there anymore.”
Gasping, I open my eyes to Devlin staring down at me. His dark eyes scan my face, and I suck breaths in and out as I fight not to pass out, stars dancing across my vision. “Hurts,” I groan. My body aches all over and I can’t take a full breath.
“Breathe,” Devlin barks, and his hand comes up to spread over my heart. “Now, Harper.”
My body responds to his demand, and I wheeze with relief as I manage to get air into my lungs. Devlin lifts me effortlessly as he carries me across the room, and I curl myself into his warmth, sobs still falling from my lips.
It felt so real.
Leaning down, he pulls the covers back on the bed I slept in last night, and I start to wriggle uncomfortably in his arms. He pauses and I look up at him.
