Before we can resume trying to kill each other, strong hands grab us both. Nikolai snatches me around the waist, hauling me back against his chest, while Whiskey does the same with Ivy.
"Let me go!" Ivy strains against Whiskey's hold, her green eyes blazing with fury. "I'm not done with the bitch yet!"
"There's plenty more where that came from,fetrablyara!" I shoot back, struggling against Nikolai's iron grip.
"The hell does that mean?" Whiskey asks, looking genuinely curious.
Nikolai's smirk is audible in his voice. "Oh, there's not really a one-to-one translation in Reinmichian."
Liar.
That's when Geo limps into the hallway, takes one look at the scene—two bloodied omegas being restrained by their respective alphas, silk robes torn, marble floor splattered with blood—and lets out the longest, most put-upon sigh I've ever heard.
"For fuck's sake, can I leave you alone for one minute?"
I point an accusing finger at Ivy. "She started it! The crazy bitch dropped down on me like a rabid weasel when I came out of the bath!"
Plague's pale eyes fix on his omega. "Is that true?"
Ivy hesitates, glaring at me with undisguised hatred. "She fucking poisoned you," she mutters finally. "I've spent the last few hours scrambling the search party, thinking you could be dead, and I'm just supposed to let that go?"
"Aww," Whiskey coos, nuzzling into her hair even as he keeps her restrained. "Our omega's protective."
Ivy's glare softens slightly at his affection, but she doesn't push him away even as she rolls her eyes.
Plague sighs, running a hand through his dark hair. "I appreciate the sentiment, but I'm perfectly fine. We have more pressing matters to deal with right now. Like Old Reinmich breaching the new borders."
Ivy's eyes widen. "Isn't that classified?"
"They'll be cleared soon enough," Plague announces, gesturing toward my pack. "As the new Ghost Alpha Unit."
Ivy does a double-take so pronounced I'm surprised she doesn't give herself whiplash, and her eyes narrow to slits. "You've got to be fucking kidding."
I smirk and wiggle my fingers at her spitefully, even though the prospect of being government puppets fills me with about as much enthusiasm as a root canal. "Surprise, Red."
"They've more than proven themselves competent," Plague continues, his voice taking on that commanding tone again. "It's just a matter of gaining official approval from the Queen, but I think once I explain the situation, she'll see my reasoning."
Ivy clearly isn't convinced, but she stops actively trying to break free of Whiskey's hold. "Fine. But you'd better keep that bitch on a tight leash."
"Me?" I scoff. "I'mthe one who needs rabies shots now."
Whiskey looks between us with obvious amusement. "Are you two going to play nice if I let go?"
Ivy's jaw works like she's chewing on something particularly bitter. "I'm not apologizing," she says finally.
"Who wants an apology from a mad dog?" I sneer. "Your yapping will suffice."
Ivy lunges like she's going for my throat, but Whiskey hasn't let go just yet.
Nikolai's grip tightens around my waist in warning. Behind us, I hear Geo mutter something that sounds suspiciously like "fucking omegas" under his breath.
This is going to be fun.
Chapter 32
RAVEN
The antiseptic stingof the medical bay fills my nostrils, though I can barely fucking smell it through the blood still crusted in what used to be my perfectly straight nose. Every time I catch my reflection in the chrome medical equipment, I want to scream.
