The second guard laughs, a harsh sound that echoes in the small room. “The sergeant’s doing a perimeter check. Says he’ll be at least twenty minutes.” He approaches, eyeing me with undisguised lust. “More than enough time.”
Tanner’s hands move to my hair, yanking my head back painfully. “What do you say, Omega? Ready to show us what that pretty mouth can do?”
Tanner's grip on my neck tightens as he yanks my head back, forcing my gaze to meet his leering smile. His companion moves closer, the two of them creating a wall of uniformed bodies that blocks any chance of escape. My heart hammers against my ribs so violently I can barely hear their words over the roaring in my ears.
"So pretty," Tanner murmurs, his thumb brushing roughly across my lower lip. "The king would pay extra for you in one piece, but he didn't say anything about you needing to be untouched."
I try to wrench away from his grip, but he only tightens his hold, fingers digging painfully into the back of my neck. The other guard laughs, the sound echoing in the small checkpoint building.
"Hold her still," he says, stepping closer. "I want to see what all the fuss is about with this one."
His hand reaches for the neckline of my dress, and something snaps inside me. Not fear – I'm beyond fear now – but pure, molten rage. The same fury that drove me to plunge a scalpel into Thane's neck surges through my veins.
I'm not going back. I won't be a victim again. I won't be an experiment.
My knee comes up hard and fast between Tanner's legs. He doubles over with a strangled howl, his grip loosening just enough for me to twist away. But the second guard is already on me, grabbing my arm and slamming me against the wall. Myhead cracks against the hard surface, vision swimming as pain explodes behind my eyes.
"Bitch!" he snarls, pinning me with his body weight. His hand closes around my throat, cutting off my air. "You're going to regret that."
I claw at his face, nails catching skin and drawing blood. He curses, jerking back just enough for me to gasp a desperate breath. But Tanner has recovered now, face contorted with rage as he grabs my hair, yanking so hard tears spring to my eyes.
"Hold her down," he orders through gritted teeth. "Let's teach this Omega what happens when she forgets her place."
They force me toward the desk, bent over at the waist as I struggle wildly against their grip. My fingers scrabble across the surface, searching desperately for anything I could use as a weapon. Nothing. Just papers and a dirty coffee mug.
"Stop fighting," the second guard hisses in my ear, his weight crushing me against the desk. "You're just making it worse for yourself."
One of them flips up the back of my skirt, cold air shivering across the back of my thighs. Frustration and despair wash over me in equal measure. I didn’t even get within sight of the king and I’ve already failed.
The door explodes inward, torn from its hinges by a force that can only be Ares. He fills the doorframe, massive and terrifying, his green eyes burning with a rage I’ve never seen before. Behind him, Logan steps into view, his golden eyes cold as winter.
Tanner releases me, stumbling backward in shock. “What the?—“
He doesn’t finish the sentence. Ares crosses the room in two strides, his fist connecting with Tanner’s jaw with a sickening crack. The guard crumples, unconscious before he hits the floor.
The second guard reaches for his weapon, but Logan is faster. His elbow drives into the guard’s solar plexus, doubling him over, followed by a knee to the face that sends him sprawling. Blood sprays from his broken nose, spattering across the floor in a crimson arc.
“Maya,” Logan says, his voice tight with controlled fury. “Are you hurt?”
I shake my head, rising from the chair on legs that are steadier than I expected. “I’m fine. They didn’t have time to do anything.”
“They were going to,” Ares growls, his massive frame vibrating with barely contained violence. He looks down at Tanner’s unconscious form, his expression darkening. “I should kill them.”
“No,” Logan says sharply. “No deaths. Not yet.”
I blink in surprise. This restraint is unexpected—the old Logan would have executed these men without hesitation for daring to touch what he considers his. Another sign of the changes he’s trying to make, perhaps.
“The sergeant?” I ask, glancing toward the door.
“Unconscious,” Logan replies, his gaze sweeping the room with tactical precision. “The fourth guard as well. They’ll wake with headaches, nothing more.”
I nod, relieved despite everything. Unnecessary deaths would complicate our mission, draw more attention than we can afford. “So what now? The plan?—“
“The plan has changed,” Logan interrupts, moving to Tanner’s unconscious form. He begins stripping the guard of his uniform with efficient movements. “Ares, take the other one’s clothes. Quickly.”
Ares complies without question, though his expression suggests he’d rather be doing something far more violent to theunconscious guard. I watch in confusion as both men efficiently remove the guards’ uniforms.
“What are you doing?” I ask, though the answer is becoming clear.
