“It is dangerous,” Woodrow continued, seeing the panic on my face. “But think about it for a moment. The entire pack thoughtyouwere dead, but you’re still standing. You’re an omega, and you faced Gunner and lived. Youbetrayedhim and lived. Not only did you survive, but you’re thriving without Gunner’s interference in your life. You’re living proof that defying Gunner can be donesuccessfully.”
I wasn’t sure if I would describe myself asthrivingbut I had to admit he made a good point. I thought about the omegas stuck in near-slavery living in Scarlet Ridge, and how much better my life was than theirs. Nobody deserved to live like that. I could be a beacon of hope to them. I could helpsavethem.
“Okay,” I said, “so are there any other details besides going in there by myself and trying nottodie?”
“Nobody is dying,” Virgil growled, pinching the bridge of his nose like he was frustrated. “Obviously you will not be going byyourself.”
I perked up a little at that. Was he going to come with me? On one hand, I wasn’t sure if I was ready to be alone with Virgil again, not after the extremely awkward last night. But on the other hand, I felt safer with him than any of these other alphas, who I had only met a week prior. Not to mention - realistically - Virgil was the strongest of them all,andhad the added bonus of another shifter form. Hisraven.
“Are you going to escort me?” I askedVirgil.
But to my surprise, Virgil firmly shook his head. “Icannot.”
Anger and frustration surged within me, and I blurted out before I could stop myself, “Whynot!?”
His brows raised. He looked surprised at the intensity of my outburst, but his expression quickly returned to normal. “We have a strategy that involves - to put it bluntly - my fakedeath.”
For a brief second I thought he was joking, then I remembered it was Virgil I was talking to. “Excuseme?”
“This mission is twofold,” Virgil began. “One, we raise awareness of a resistance of which you, Hector, are an integral part of. This will hopefully recruit others to our cause, the more the better. Second, you will spread the news that I’m dead. This is to trick Gunner into letting his guard down. As his strongest ex-second in command, the news of my loss should make Gunner relieved that he has one less problem to worryabout.”
“Will he really believe that?” Iasked.
“I don’t know. But it’s worth a shot. It will be even more believable if another alpha accompanies you, and not me,” Virgil said. “That is why I must stay here,unfortunately.”
Unfortunately,I mused. At least he’s pretending he wanted to comewithme.
It looked like I was in just one more situation where I had no choice. Apparently I was chosen to be part of this dangerous plan without even beingasked.
“What do you think, Hector?” Colinasked.
I sighed, feeling everyone’s gaze on me. I couldn't say no now, even if I wanted to - but to be honest, getting out of this camp and fucking off for a bit would probably help my mentalstate.
“I’ll do it,”Isaid.
Everyone seemed both relieved and nervous - including Virgil. He nodded sagely at me, then said, “Thank you, Hector. This will be ahugehelp.”
Ishrugged.
“He cannot go alone,” Virgil began, addressing the whole group. “Are there any alphas who would volunteer to gowithhim?”
“I’ll go,” Colin said immediately, standing up. He shot a smile at me. As far as escorts went, he wasn’t bad. At least it wasn't that sarcastic douche Shane. Besides, Colin and I had chatted before - he was a decent guy. At least I would have someone to talk to during thismission.
As everyone else solidified the details and figured out a game plan, I noticed someone staring at me from the corner of my eye. I shivered underneath the gaze. When I turned to see who it was, George’s eyes met mine. A slight frown was carved into his features, and soon Irememberedwhy.
Thebaby.
George hadn’t told anyone. I’d begged him not to tell Virgil, and he agreed, saying it should be between the alpha and omega. Between theparents.
I shuddered. I was a parent now, whether I liked it or not. And besides George, I was the only personwhoknew.
Was George worried about the baby? I hadn’t even considered that. I was only one week along, barely anything. It wasn’t like it was visible. If everybody had known, would they still have asked me to go? Definitely not. The lie of my pregnancy had just spread from one person to everybody in theentirecamp.
The reality of the situation hit me. I was a pregnant omega, about to go on a potentially dangerous mission without the father of my child bymyside.
But somebody had todoit.
* * *
