The sudden sound of approaching footsteps jarred me. I ducked low to the ground, staying out of sight behind the corner of a building.
A young man walked up the steps to Konrad’s private quarters. His cheeks were full and pink with boyish youth, but his expression was steeled. His face looked vaguely familiar. I realized with a start that it was Sorrel’s human form.
I bit my lip.
Shit... Should I ask for his help to save Poppy? Is that why he’s here, to bargain for his brother’s release?
But doubt wormed through me. Sorrel had looked disappointed and angry when Poppy made that big scene, even though it was for his sake.
Feeling sick with pity, I ground my teeth.You idiot. You’re too young to know how fucked up this is!
Konrad was a piece of shit for taking advantage of Sorrel’s naivete. And not just Sorrel. He took advantage of every other omega in this sorry excuse for a clan. He forced them to bend to his whims and orchestrated every aspect of their lives. He used them.
But Konrad was especially evil for preying on Sorrel’s crush on him.
The hair on the back of my neck bristled angrily, threatening to shift into dragon spines. I forced them to lie flat before I lost control. I couldn’t shift here—I’d draw too much attention to myself.
But I should’ve trusted my dragon instincts... This place is rancid.
I need to save Poppy... and Sorrel, too.
As my thoughts raced, Sorrel took a deep breath and knocked on Konrad’s door. I had to admit, the kid was brave. It must’ve taken guts to confront his clan alpha.
The door swung open. Konrad’s human form matched his bear. He was a towering wall of a man with a severe haircut and smug expression. It turned sickly sweet when he laid eyes on Sorrel, who instantly began to tremble.
“Sorrel,” Konrad greeted. “What a surprise.”
He stepped outside and shut the door promptly behind him, then leisurely descended the steps, almost as if leading Sorrel away from the house.
My heart pounded. If they left, this would be the perfect opportunity to slip in and save Poppy. But watching Konrad interact with Sorrel sickened me. I didn’t want to leave Poppy’s younger brother alone with that man.
Narrowing my eyes, still crouched low and out of sight, I felt intensely responsible for Sorrel’s safety. Sitting on the sidelines was not an option. If Konrad made one wrong move, I had to act.
“I’m so sorry, I know I’m not supposed to be here, but I just had to come see you,” Sorrel blurted. His eyes were glued to the clan alpha, and he moved as Konrad moved, following his lead further from the house.
My stomach lurched. What did Konrad not want Sorrel to see?
Fuck! I need to get in the house to save Poppy, but I can’t leave Sorrel alone with that creep!
“You snuck out of the barracks, did you?” Konrad asked. He smiled, but his words sounded stiff. “That’s all right, Sorrel. This once, I’ll let it slide. Just for you.”
My stomach tensed with disgust. If I’d known how awful Konrad was, I wouldn’t have brought Poppy back to this accursed place. Hindsight was a bitch.
“Thank you,” Sorrel cried, bowing his head. “Um, sir, I wanted you to know... when Poppy offered to take my place, that wasn’t my choice. He didn’t talk to me about it at all! He practically stole my place!”
“Is that right?” Konrad mused. Of course that bastard already knew.
“Yes! So, if it’s okay, I’d like to take my original spot... um...” Sorrel’s nervous gaze darted to the house, now a noticeable distance behind them. “In your private quarters.”
Konrad chuckled. “You’re sweet, Sorrel.”
A violent shudder shook me, and my fingers itched to shift into claws.
I don’t know how much longer I can listen to this,I thought, disgusted.
Gaze narrowed on Konrad, I stood up slowly. Their conversation had me on a knife’s edge. My dragon pulsed close to the surface, fiery and fueled by rage.
For the first time in my life, I thought about how easy it would be to hurt somebody.
