I blink and blink again. “You—” I cut myself off and turn away, but he reaches out and grabs my wrist. I try to tug it free, but he holds on, ignoring my attempts.
“You are mine.” His voice is fire, ice cold fire. “I’m not going to let anyone take you from me. Not the betas on their fine horses. Not the alphas feral in their city cage, and most certainly not the gods. Give me a chance.”
My ears ring, and I hear him say these words a dozen times or more. I lick my lips, trying to deny the rightness within me, the desire to throwmyself at him. I step back, yanking my wrist free and putting it behind my back.
“I belong to no one,” I whisper.
Jarek just laughs, and I can’t help but wonder if he’s right.
“Why?” Cadel asks suddenly. We all turn to look at him.
“Why?” I echo.
“Why are they after you? Why are you the most hunted omega?”
“You tell him,” I say to Mordecai and Jarek.
“This is Kaida Keres, the only omega to go down to the citadel and then to escape alive. She has lived for five years on her own, one step ahead of the Beta’s Path. Helping omegas, a literal flag of hope for those who resist the Beta tyranny.”
“Am I all that? Here I was just trying to survive,” I say bitterly.
“Kaida, you are everything to the Resistance. With you, we can turn everything around; we can save people.” Mordecai steps closer but stops when I bare my teeth at him.
The weight of responsibility on my shoulders gets heavier. I don’t want it.
“I can’t help anyone, not anymore.”
“I disagree. You are a god to these people. Just…talk to Bear and Legion when we meet up with them. They will be able to put it in better words than I can. How much good you could do.”
The sick feeling returns, getting stronger. This room is too small. I turn to the window and, with a glance outside confirming no one is out there; I slip through and climb down the tree, trying not to run.
As soon as I’m down, I have to fight myself not to bolt from these alphas and their expectations. The confusing blend of want, need, and fear that is only growing stronger. One doesn’t know anything, which means every word he learns about me will just tarnish whatever image I have in his eyes. One wants me to wage a war, believes that my presence alone can save lives. And Jarek? To be his, to be an omega? That’s impossible.
I slip to the side of the building and slide against it until I’m pressed against the corner, peering one way and then another.
It’s quiet but for the birds and other animals. The blood scent is less down here; the grey sky is brighter than normal. Everything…seems safe. I’m just about to walk out and leave these alphas in the dust when a heavy hand lands on my shoulder, stopping me.
I whip around, kicking the hand off me, glaring at the massive alpha who dares to stop me. My frustration leaks into the air around us. His pale blue eyes look at me with a strength of will that I don’t think I’ve ever felt before. Why does he need me for this? Can’t they just find someone else?
“Wait for us. Wait for me.”
I snarl again and turn back, determined to ignore him. I’m just about to go out again when I see something glimmer in the middle of the road. I crouch, trying to get a better look.
I’m just about to give up when it happens again.
I stand up and peer in the opposite direction. Jarek takes a step, but I slam into him and smack him hard in the chest, growling. He steps back, watching me with his lips pressed into an unhappy line.
With cautious eyes, he watches me pull out his knife but doesn’t try to stop me. I turn back to the road and carefully inch my way out, stopping when I find an anchor point.
I cut through the thread, and gas pours out onto the street.
I’m gathered up into Mordecai’s arms, and we’re running before I can even think. He slams through a door, using his arm, keeping me protected.
“This way,” Cadel hisses.
They obey instantly and stop in an alley between two buildings. The other building has windows too high to reach. It’s a perfect ambush place.
I silently pass Jarek his knife and crouch down, looking for traps. I can’t see anything, so I carefully edge out. Jarek makes a frustrated noise and explodes past me.
