I deserved every punishment I got. And thiswasa punishment - one I would acceptresponsibilityfor.
“Well, David?” Gunnerpromptedme.
“I accept,” I saidquietly.
His brows raised. “You will join my army of yourownwill.”
“Yes.”
“Even if it means attacking yourex-pack.”
My throattightened. “Yes.”
He paused, then said, “Very well. I guess it would be rude of menotto show him toyounow.”
My heart skipped abeat.Niko.
“Virgil, Delta, accompany us.” Gunner addressed the others. “The rest of you stay posted on the border. I don’t think they’ll try anything so stupid, but just in case… Keep watch in the event that David’s friends decide it would be a good idea to try andrescuehim.”
“Do we have orders to kill, sir?” One of the alphasasked.
Gunner answered without missing abeat. “Yes.”
My stomach turned. If my packmates crossed the border trying to find me, they would be killed. And it would be all myfault.
It’s like Gunner said. They wouldn’t do anything so stupid.I tried to reassure myself but at the same time, I knew grief made people do stupid things. We had all experienced Tyson’s loss together. I just hoped my friends could keep it together and stay on their own side of the territoryborder.
I couldn’t handle losing any more friendstonight.
“Come, David.” A devious smile spread across his lips. “Let me show you what you cameherefor.”
My organs lurched. Delta and Virgil kept a solid grip on my arms, making sure I didn’t try anything, but right now I had no intention to do anything that prevented me from seeing Niko. My heart pounded so hard in my chest I could hear it inmyears.
Gunner led us down the street and behind alleys. Every time we ran into another Scarlet Ridge shifter, they would bow their head slightly as soon as they saw Gunner. Another thing I noticed quickly was that every omega wore an electronic collar on their neck, just like Mason and Wesley said. It angered me to see omegas being treated like livestock, but there was nothing I could do about itrightnow.
The streets were narrow and musty. It felt like the concrete walls were closing in on us as we navigated the alleys. My throat was tight and I could barely breathe, both from the feeling of claustrophobia andanxiety.
Finally we stopped outside of an ordinary-looking concrete building. There were no windows on any side, and the only entrance and exit seemed to be the front door. My skin prickled with unease. Was this where Niko was being kept? Had he been here theentiretime?
I’mhere,Niko...
“Here we are,” Gunner stated. He produced a keyring from his pocket and unlocked the front door. My stomach lurched. Could the building only be unlocked from theoutside?
His alpha guard’s grip on my armstightened.
“Relax,” I muttered. “I’m not goinganywhere.”
Virgil grunted. “Better to be safe thansorry.”
The hinges creaked as Gunner pushed the door open. Instantly, bright fluorescent lighting made me wince and blink. It was terribly bright compared to the darkness outside on thestreet.
The guards escorted me inside, followingGunner.
The sights surrounding me made me want to gag. Whatever I was imagining, this was muchworse.
All around us were little concrete cubicles, each one with a small bed, some clothes, and not much else. The hallway led down a row of cubicles on each side, like a dog kennel or a jail. Inside each one was an omega wearing the same electronic collar as the omegas I’d seen walking around outside. Some of them didn’t move at all. A few of them glanced up at me curiously in passing. Their eyes were tired and glassy. It made a chill run down myspine.
“What is this place?” I askedangrily.
