Jarek staggers back, two steps. His mouth opens as if he can’t believe it.
The beta, who is my worst nightmare, pulls his blade free.
Jarek goes down hard, and he doesn’t get up.
I see blood pooling out on the road, glinting ruby. The skies open, pouring icy rain down on me. It’s like the light has gone out. I’m on my knees, my mouth forming his name over and over.
The ringing hasn’t stopped; it's louder and louder still.
I’m suddenly dragged backwards. The wire bites in painfully, and I think I hear something laugh. These betas used to be people. They are just monsters now in people skin.
I’m dragged back another foot. I kick, fighting, wild and out of control. He’s dead. He died for me; I never wanted that. I don’t deservethat.
“JAREK!” My scream is louder than I’ve ever screamed. It’s a rending inside me, a breaking.
All thoughts of what could happen to me disappear; I don’t care. All that matters is him and that growing red stain.
“Please, help him. Please. I’ll do anything. I’ll crawl, I’ll beg, I’ll say what you want. Please, please, help him. Don’t let him die.”
The Beta’s Fang looks at me with wide eyes. “You care about him so much? You didn’t even beg like this when I killed the omegas in front of you.”
I shudder, pushing the images away and the guilt that comes with them.
“Please.”
He turns, kicking Jarek hard enough he lifts his body off the ground. “He’s already dead, my dear snow.”
Then he throws his head back and laughs.
The change in my temper is explosive. I’m lying on the ground with aching fingers, clinging to the cobblestones like they will save me, then I’m on all fours howling. I stare at Jarek, willing him to rise.
I want to see his smile, the laughter in him. He was so full of life, how can he just be dead?
No, I just need to reach him. He’s not dead!
“GRAB HER!”
I throw myself towards Jarek, fighting, but the wire holds me back. I whirl, attacking my own leg, but the monsters yank, and I’m dangling in the air, whimpering.
In a tiny piece of glass, I see my reflection. My stark white hair and my shocked face hanging upside down by her leg surrounded by monsters in black robes. I don’t even recognise myself.
“You think you can beat us? For what, snow? Are you going to go over there and lie on his cooling body? Cry your mournful song? Have you finally realised you’re just an animal?”
He laughs.
They let me down. I hit the ground hard enough to bruise my chest, and I charge towards Jarek, determined to get to him. They pull me up. I land heavily and charge again; this time, my shoulder catches the brunt of it.
I can see him lying so still on the street. He’s not moving. Is he dead? I need to touch him; I just need to be with him.
I fight, digging my nails into the road, leaving grooves.
My scent is tart and bitter, almost burnt. I let out a horrific whine before I smother it into silence.
I’m ripped off my feet, hoisted into the air, and then slammed back down again.
A growl tears out of my throat, pure omega rage fills. I’m hoisted up and dropped again.
And again.
