Maddox followed behind them, while Nix led them in front, escorting them through some woods. It was his first time getting a good look outside where he’d been kept since Anton had drugged him to bring him there, although it was too dark to actually make much out except a bunch of buildings scattered around.
“He’ll be fine.” Ollie heard Maddox say when he no longer had eyes on Ronin. He wasn’t sure what the alpha had seen on his face, but clearly it was enough for the man to feel the need to reassure him.
They walked for about a mile, Nix having to pick Jax up before they reached the van. Once Nix led them to the other side of the vehicle, Ollie saw that the door was open, and Marco, Cybil, and Sophie had blankets wrapped around them and were sitting on sleeping bags around a makeshift campfire that was between the van and a truck.
When Cybil, Marco, and Sophie saw them, they jumped up and ran towards them.
Ollie wasn’t the only one in tears as they hugged each other. As much as they’d been planning to find a way out, none of them had figured out how to do it. But now they were safe.
“Okay, guys,” another alpha, Zander he assumed, clapped his hands. “Who wants hot cocoa?”
Ollie chuckled and wiped his eyes—hot cocoa... When was the last time he’d had that?
“I do.” Ollie’s hand went up.
“Me too,” Shawn chimed in.
“I wouldn’t mind some, please.” Jax’s voice was lower than theirs.
“How about we introduce ourselves while I make the cocoa.” Zander smiled at them. He was built on the tall and broad side, but Ollie still didn’t fear him.
His friends went around introducing themselves, as did he, and even though he knew there were these strong alphas watching him, Ollie couldn’t rest until Ronin joined them.
Chapter Eight
Ronin
Ronin waited till his mate was far enough away before turning back to face Anton. The other alpha’s face still held a scowl.
“What are you going to do with me? Kill me?” Anton asked.
Ronin shrugged. “Killing you would be too easy,” he said. “Is that what you want? To die and take your sins with you?” Ronin knelt down in front of him. “Or should I torture you and watch you pay, just like you did with the omegas? How sweet would that be?” He snickered and watched as Anton’s eyes widened.
He was enjoying watching the man’s fear.
“Whatever you’re going to do, just do it and get it over with.” Anton tried to act brave, but Ronin could smell his fear.
“You may not know this about me, but I really only kill when I feel threatened, and I’m not threatened by you.” Ronin shrugged again.
“You aren’t?” It was Anton’s turn to laugh. “You should be.”
“Well, there’s no need to be threatened when you’re going to scurry off like the rodent that you are. You won’t go after any more omegas. You will disappear into the ether where you belong.” Ronin got right in Anton’s face.Goddesshe wanted to kill the man. He pulled his knife out of its holster and dragged it down, from Anton’s eye to his jaw. “If I have to come back here because you’re back to your old ways, I won’t give you a chance to wander off into the sunset like none of this happened.”
“Weak?” Anton taunted. “Can’t kill me, can ya?”
Ronin rolled his eyes
“It would be so easy to kill you.” Ronin chuckled.
Anton didn’t reply, simply locked eyes with him.
“Think of this as a second chance because it’s only a weak man that goes after someone weaker or unable to defend themselves. So youwillwalk away. I think you want to live, and I am giving you that chance. But rest assured, I have my eyes on you.”
Anton smirked, and Ronin put the knife under his chin, lifting his gaze up to his. “Don’t make me come back, huh, because next time, Iwillkill you if I ever hear that you put hands on another omega without their permission.” Ronin tutted. “One chance, andonlyone chance. If you have a death wish, please try me, and I will enjoy taking you apart, bit by bit And trust me, I won’t lose sleep. Got it?”
Anton nodded reluctantly, his eyes locked on Ronin’s and filled with hatred.
“Need you to say the words.” Ronin spoke like he was talking to a toddler.
