"We'll worry about that when we get there," I say firmly, effectively cutting off whatever retort Nikolai was about to hurl. "One step at a time."
Nikolai's eyes narrow, but he doesn't argue. Instead, he revs his motorcycle and speeds ahead, kicking up a cloud of dust that makes Raven cough and hack.
"Asshole," Raven mutters bitterly, glancing back at me. "I don't suppose you could tame him as well as you have our gallant friend here?"
I snort. "I'm an omega, not a miracle worker."
Raven sighs. "Are you sure you don't want to ride in the car? It's air conditioned." He glances at the miniature fan nailed to the dashboard. "Uh… sort of."
"I'm fine out here. Really," I assure him, nodding toward the sun looming directly overhead. "Besides, this is as hot as it gets."
I can tell he wants to argue, but he nods instead, slipping back into the car. At least he knows when to relent, which is more than I can say for Nikolai.
The conversation dies after that, each of us retreating into our own thoughts as we continue our journey across the wasteland. Geo and Raven hang back slightly, leaving me and Knight sandwiched between the armored vehicle and Nikolai up ahead.
I close my eyes against the harsh glare of the sun, letting the rhythm of Knight's steady stride lull me into a meditative state. It gives me too much time to think. About where we're going, about what I'm doing, about the absolute insanity of this endeavor.
This is a lot of risk. Adangerousamount of risk. Surhiira is notoriously isolationist. Nikolai is right about that, even if it has supposedly opened up a little bit. And here I am, charging straight toward their borders with four alphas in tow, one of whom couldn't blend in if his life depended on it. Looking for the people who kidnapped me in the first place, for fuck's sake.
But I need answers. I need to know why Azarel lied. Why he pretended to be a simple defector when he was actually royalty. Why he thought that wasn't something worth mentioning during all those stolen moments, all those whispered promises about our future together.
Would I even trust anything he told me now?
Probably not.
The man I thought I knew doesn't exist. Maybe he never did. He's a prince playing at being a soldier, slumming it with the omega daughter of a Council member for reasons I can't begin to fathom. For all I know, I was just another part of his cover.
I should've known better. Alphas use omegas. That's the natural order of things in this fucked-up world. My father used me as a bargaining chip, selling me to Monty without a second thought. And Monty used me to "entertain" his guests and curry favor with alphas he either wanted to impress or get something out of. My entire life has been one long string of reasons to believe the very first words I can ever remember my mother speaking to me.
Never trust an alpha, mylita.
Why would Azarel be any different?
And yet...
My gaze drifts back to the vehicle behind us, then to the motorcycle kicking up dust ahead. To the massive alpha whose shoulders I'm currently perched upon.
These four are following me into certain danger.
Why?
I understand Knight, I think. Our connection is a borderline supernatural bond forged through what I'm assuming are shared dreams and nightmares long before we ever met in person. There's something almost cosmic about it, something I still can't fully comprehend but have learned to accept. Something I find strange peace in.
But the others?
Raven claims I'm his scent match, his fated mate. And considering I actuallylikehis scent—honey and sunlight, so different from the cloying stench of most alphas—I'm inclined to believe him. But that would mean... what? That Geo is also my scent match? Because I think he's Raven's. What about Nikolai? Knight? Their scents are pleasant, too.Rightin a way that unnerves me.
Especially considering that before meeting these four alphas, Azarel was the only one I'd ever encountered who didn't smell terrible to me. Four alphas who all found their way into my life through extraordinary, borderline inexplicable means.
It's too much to process. Too many conflicting emotions, too many questions without answers, too many possibilities I'm not ready to consider.
First, we have to get into Surhiira. Everything else has to wait. One step at a time, as I told them.
First, I get my answers.
Then I decide what to do with them.
Knight's pace picks up slightly as the terrain changes beneath us, the hard-packed earth giving way to the remnants of an old highway. The movement jostles me from my thoughts, and I tighten my grip on his shoulders to maintain my balance.
