I wrench a hand free and claw at his face, digging my nails into his cheek viciously, proud as red scratches appear.
He catches my hand, twisting until I cry out in pain.
"Ya master didn't do a good job trainin' ya to behave, did he?"
He releases my screaming wrist and immediately backhands my cheek, watching my face as it contorts in agony. I feel a bulge twitch against my stomach and freeze like a doe in the headlights.
Oh no.
He's getting off on hurting me. Bile rises in my throat.
"That why ya ran away, sweetness? The big Alpha idiot didn't know how to keep his bitch Omega in line?" His warm breath fans across my face, thick with the scent of nicotine and alcohol.
"Get off me," I say through clenched teeth. I don’t want to draw the attention of anyone else lurking nearby. One attacker is enough.
I try to kick him again, and manage to catch the side of his knee. He grunts but doesn’t release his hold.
He can't smell that I'm not claimed. His Beta senses are too weak and blunted. Not like Shade, who trained himself to be a weapon. Maybe I can convince him my Alpha is coming. That if he lets me go, he won't be in the crossfire.
"I’m mated to a Prime Alpha. Let me go and he’ll reward you for keeping me safe,” I plead breathlessly.
He laughs in my face.
"Not anymore, Omega. Ya belong to us now, and if ya master wants ya back, he can negotiate wit’ me."
He hauls me away from the side of the truck, dragging me across the gravel towards a small wooden garden shed.
I dig my feet into the ground, kicking up dust, and it billows around us. But his grip is firm, and he ignores my struggles.
I know if he gets me in there, bad things are going to happen.
Then I feel it, the familiar shimmering at the edges of vision. Not the lulling, calming O-space that leaves me docile and sweet for Viper, Shade, Blaze, and Knox. No, this is the sharp steel edge that cuts away any doubt or fear. A wash of confidence slides from the top of my head to the tips of my toes.
Why didn't I think of it before?
Omega Command.
"Release me, Beta,"I snarl. The words come easily, cutting through the air like a knife.
His body jerks as though I’ve struck him in the stomach, causing him to stagger back and let go of me.
It’s weak, but it worked. Thank frack, it worked.
The backlash hits me like a whip.
A sharp crack behind my eyes, a hot rush of nausea in my throat. My knees buckle, just for a moment.
The Command has left something hollow in its wake, like I borrowed power I couldn’t afford. It’s never felt like this. Never such a violent physical strain. Not during training. Not when I used it on the squad. Maybe because… back then, I was tethered. Anchored to four other souls. Now I’m a stray wire, sparking without a circuit.
I hurt, but I can’t stop. He’s still close and my Command was weak. I have to keep going.
"Get away from me."My voice shakes but still sings with authority, and he trips over his feet trying to obey, landing onhis ass. His face contorts with shock, but he doesn't utter a single sound.
I take a step forward, and he scrambles back as if pushed by an invisible force.
It's so easy.
A thought creeps over me like a dark cloud. I could make this Beta do anything. I wonder how far I could push it. Could I get him to hurt himself? Hurt others? If I told him to take his knife and stab himself in the gut, would he?
