5
David
For a split second,Isawit.
I saw the flicker of recognition inNiko’seyes.
That simple, tiny fire of hope made me feel alive again. Since coming to this hellish place and finding out that my mate didn’t remember me, I no longer had a reason to live. But now - just knowing that this wasn’t a lost cause, that Nikowasstill in there somewhere - I felt aliveagain.
But now I had a different concern. Niko lost consciousness, crumpling into a small pile of confusion and fatigue. I caught him before he hit the cold ground and cradled him inmyarms.
Virgil and the other alpha came jogging out of the woods. I was relieved to see Virgil, for some reason, despite watching him attack Niko just moments earlier. But knowing that it was just a ploy eased myconcerns.
“He passed out,” I said as they came uptome.
Virgil instantly leaned down and took a serious look at Niko. The way he looked over him reminded me of my doctor friend, Ken, back at Indigo Mountain pack. It struck me that it was obvious that Virgil cared. I suddenly felt foolish for even thinking that he truly wanted to hurt Niko. But my reaction was instinctual, fueled by my love and protection ofmymate.
“He’s alright,” Virgil stated. “He must have just been overwhelmed. It’s easy for omegas to be mentally under stimulated in this pack, especially a segregated one like him. It doesn’t surprise me that he passed out in a hectic situationlikethis.”
“You know,” I said slowly, “for an elite alpha working under Gunner, you sure don’t seem to have many nice things to say about thisplace.”
Virgil made cold, sharp eye contact with me, but this time I wasn’t falling for his cool stoic persona. I was convinced now that there was more to Virgil than I initially thought. There were definitely things going on that he wasn’ttellingme.
As the other man approached, I narrowed my eyes and held Niko closer to me. “Hang on one second. I know Virgil, but I still don’t know who the fuckyouare, and you’d better keep away frommymate.”
The hooded alpha let out an exasperated sound. “Calm down, Tarzan, I’m not here to steal your omega. And who I am is none of yourbusiness.”
I growled deep in mythroat.
Virgil sighed. “I think we both have some explaining to do. But not here, and not right now. This is something we should all be conscious for. Right now, we should take Niko back to thecompoundand- “
“What?” I snarled, yanking Niko closer to me. “You’re fucking crazy if you think I’m going to let you take him backthere.”
Virgil gave me a stern look. “David, I don’t want to do this any more thanyoudo.”
“Then don’tdoit.”
We came to a standstill, just staring at each other. Then Virgil spoke again, trying toremaincalm.
“What, exactly, is your plan?” he asked, his words andmeasured.
“To get out of thisplace.”
“Yes. And how will you accomplish that? By running away with your omega in your arms? That sounds very romantic and all, but you have a big problem. The pack is swarming with alphas who work for Gunner - and all of them are eager for a promotion, even if it meanskillingyou.”
I narrowedmyeyes.
“Don’t glare at me like that. It’s just the truth,” Virgil continued. “How do you plan to take on multiple alphas who want you - and probably Niko, for being anaccomplice-dead?”
I couldn’t help the growl that snuck out of my throat. “I don’t know. I’ll think of something. And if it comes down to it, I’ll fight every last oneofthem.”
Virgil rolled his eyes. I could tell he was getting frustrated with me. “Don’t let your alpha instincts ruin this chance, David. Slow down and consider youroptions.”
“Don’t tell me what to do!” Isnapped.
But suddenly, Virgil snapped back. “No, David, Iwilltell you what to do! You’re an outsider here! You don’t know anything! You’re going to get yourselfandNiko killed with your hypermasculine alphaposturing!”
I shrank back slightly, stunned that Virgil had yelled at me like that. It seemed I’d really ruffled hisfeathers.
