I felt a flash of anxiety. Seriously, Isaid, “Okay.”
Gunner made sure no one else was listening in, but all the other omegas in the building were asleep or otherwise minding their ownbusiness.
“David is from our enemy pack, IndigoMountain.”
Something about that name made me shudder. It was like hearing something I wasn’tsupposedto.
Gunner continued. “He’s not just any alpha. He’s a spy sent here from Indigo Mountain to ruin us and our wayoflife.”
“Why would he do that?” I asked quietly. The next words came out of my mouth with ease, like a knife gliding through butter, but my stomach clenched strangely as I said it. “I likeithere.”
Gunner smiled down at me. “Of course you do.” His smile quickly turned into a frown. “But some outsiders think there’s something wrong with the way we do things here. Can youbelievethat?”
I shookmyhead.
“But on top of that, there’s something even worse,” he said gravely. “Something I’m afraid I shouldn’ttellyou…”
My heart raced. “Please, sir. I wanttoknow.”
He sighed and put a hand to his forehead, like it was difficult to get the words out. I wondered what it could be that it was giving our top alpha - the strongest alpha in our whole pack - ahardtime.
“I don’t know,” Gunner mumbled. “I don’t want to scare you, littleomega.”
I swallowed hard. Sure I was just an omega, but I wanted to help my top alpha in any way I could. He was so generous and kind… I had to do what I could tosupporthim.
“Please,” I asked again. “I won’t be scared. If it will help my pack, I’ll doanything.”
“Hm…” Gunner mulled this over with a serious expression. He turned to me then finally said, “Alright. David isn’t just a spy. He’s here with another mission in mind - something far more grave andhorrible.”
I stared back at the top alpha,unblinking.
“David is here toabductyou.”
Before I could stop myself, Igasped. “What?”
Gunner shook his head. “No, I shouldn’t have told you, and I shouldn’t tell you anything more. I don’t want any of my little omegas to beafraid.”
“No, I - I’m glad I know.” My pulse skyrocketed with fear, but I would rather know than not. “Thank you for telling me. But… why would he do such athing?”
His hand tightened on my shoulder. “I don’t know. Maybe his own pack needs omegas. But still, that’s no reason to go stealing them from other packs,isit?”
“No, of course not,” I saidvehemently.
“Yes, I’m glad you agree. And that’s why David was so intent on getting his hands on you. He’s tricking you, Niko,” Gunner explained. “He wants you to think you don’t remember him, and then when your guard is down, he’s going to snatchyouaway.”
I shivered. I couldn’t imagine such athing…
“That’s so cruel. He said… he said he was my mate, didn’t he?” I asked. “Why would hesaythat?”
“That’s just part of his plot,” Gunner growled. “Another one of his tricks meant to confuse you. But it worked,didn’tit?”
Gunner was right, as usual. I nodded. After David mentioned that, Ihadbeen thinking about it. What a strange and evil thing to lie about. I couldn’t believe thisDavid.
“Yes,” Ireplied.
“You musn’t believe anything he says, Niko,” Gunner said, leaning closer to me. His breath touched my skin and I shivered. Part of me felt flattered that the top alpha would grace my presence so closely, but another part of me was unusually anxious. I was relieved when he leaned back a moment later. “Fortunately, David isn’t a very good liar. He’s going to keep saying the same things to you, if he ever gets another chance. Don’t be fooled. It’s all a big story to stealyouaway.”
All of this information was overwhelming. I was just a useless omega, infertile. That’s why I was confined to this omega house with all the other non-viable omegas. Gunner shouldn’t even be speaking to me. He was the highest ranking wolf in the entire pack, and I was nothing. I didn’t deserve to have him in mypresence.
