Animus didn't look convinced. His black claws curled inward. A visible wave of darkness pulsed throughout the corridor, making the alphas groan in pain. I saw it happen but it didn't touch me. I felt totally fine. My suspicion was right. Animus was avoiding hurting me on purpose.
I approached Santino, who was still hanging in Animus's powerful grip. The alpha scoffed at me. "You can keep that worthless omega! He's not worth all this fucking effort."
"I know you're not talking about Farley," I said slowly. "Because he's worth more to me than anyone."
Santino rolled his eyes, which bulged out a second later as Animus put his claws around his throat. "Ack!"
"You. Fox," Animus said. "Give me one good reason I shouldn't wipe this scum off the face of the planet."
Looking at Santino, I felt nothing but anger. He was the one who'd hurt my Farley and didn't feel a scrap of remorse for it. It would've felt so good to sink my fangs into his stupid flesh.
But I also knew people could change. Maybe what he needed instead was a cold, hard wake-up call.
"You took Farley and all the omegas' power away," I said. "Or so you thought. Because they're a lot stronger than you think they are. So I think you should have a taste of your own medicine."
Santino's eyes widened when he saw what I held in my pocket. Farley's old leg band.
"You wouldn't fuckin' dare!" he yelled.
Animus looked incredibly pleased. "Oh, but I would. You are a clever fox after all, Quinn."
"Um... thanks?" I said as he took the leg band from me. His praise was strangely satisfying.
Animus exerted his ethereal power on Santino until the man popped into the form of a finch, beating his wings and chirping angrily. Then Animus snapped the leg band on him.
I remembered when I'd taken the leg band off Farley. Even if Santino was an alpha himself, he still needed human fingers to press on the band, and now he was shit out of luck.
"That ought to make you think twice before misbehaving next time," Animus said with that fake sweetness. Then he whipped towards the remaining alphas and snarled, "Now get out of here before I do the same to all of you."
Animus lowered his hand. The cold snap vanished, the temperature in the room returning to normal. The alphas scattered like roaches. The corridor was emptied.
Man, Animus really could be scary. I was glad I wasn't completely on his bad side.
"What are you going to do with him?" I asked, pointing to the tiny, feathered version of Santino, who was still swearing in Animus's grip.
"I have a few ideas," Animus said, amused.
"Er, if you don't want anything from me, can I go be with my mate? Farley still needs my help."
Animus flicked Santino aside and strode towards me. His footsteps were silent. I held my ground. When he was in front of me, I had to crane my neck to look up at him. The power radiating off him shimmered.
"What is Farley to you?" Animus asked quietly.
My warm feelings for Farley blossomed in my chest. "He's my fated mate, and I love him."
Animus leaned in, raising his claws. I felt the cold coming from the tips of them just inches from my face. I didn't move.
"Would you die for him?" Animus asked.
I didn't know if he was threatening me or bluffing. Either way, my answer was the same.
"Well, I would prefer not to be killed right now, because we’re expecting a baby and I need to be there for Farley and our child," I said honestly. "But yes. I would. That's how much I love him."
Animus let out a laugh, then regarded me for a long moment. In the end, once again, I don't know what he was thinking. He simply stepped away and turned his back to me, then said, "Go."
17
Farley
