Gabe excuses himself to speak with them. We get led past security to the entrance to the holding cells, where the rest of my pack waits while I walk past each person from my shit list who showed up.
Logically, I know there will be no looking into the eyes of the people held here or speaking with them; hell, most even won’t know I’ve been here, but that’s not the point. I’m doing this for me and Ares. I take my time too, standing at the door of the holding cells and looking at the people that once held so much power over me and over all the other victims in the labs. A couple of them look towards the door, perhaps sensing someone is watching. Do I feel good seeing them in confinement? You bet I do. I feel even better knowing they hold nothing over me now.
I make my way back to my guys once I’m done. Gabe’s still missing, but as we walk back through the lobby, he races up the outdoor stairs to meet us. He looks strangely at me, almost like he’s feeling sad. Until I glare at him, and then he definitely looks guilty.
“Len, give me a break.” He shrugs, but leaves whatever he was doing at that. “How did it go?”
“Good. Call me vindictive, but I really got a thrill seeing them locked up. I’d come back for sure and do it again,” I answer him as he slides back in next to me. I hope this formation thing doesn’t become a regular feature of our outings, but at the same time, I know the reasons for it. And considering the attention I’m getting from simply being an omega and acting against the government, it’s warranted. If the Alliance knew how much of an omega I was, I’d have a wall of about sixty alphas surrounding us.
Gabe laughs. “No chance. We’re fucking leaving tomorrow. Tonight, we set fire to Lisa’s house, we go home to pack, and tomorrow, we visit the radio station before we catch our charter.”
“Sounds good, doesn’t it? We should have a grill tonight, in Lisa’s honour,” I offer to everyone, but since I’m in the middle of them all, I’m not a hundred percent sure they hear me.
Until Noah swings a look at me, slightly horrified at my suggestion.
I lean into him, laughing but rubbing his back too. “Come on, Noah, I’m not going to barbecueher.”
“Lennon,” Valak growls over his shoulder in warning. And I go on alert. Fucking again.
Pulling the hood of my hoodie up, I push against each of them and widen my stance, not sure yet if I’m running or fighting. There’s no point trying to scent who has got them on high alert; all I’m picking up are my packs’ fuck-off warning scents. And while we keep walking towards the exit, we slow down until Valak comes to a complete stop. Looking at Noah’s face for cues as to whether they are friend or foe, he remains strangely aloof until he speaks.
“Alpha Miller,” Noah spits, his tone making it pretty easy to pick up. He has absolutely zero patience or respect for the man stopping us from leaving.
His name is all I need. And then I understand Noah’s mood. This is the alpha responsible for Bailey getting shot. Pack Bailey has been aggressively going after Miller and his pack in every conceivable way since, yet Miller’s still standing in front of us.
I go to speak, to get us moving again, when Miller goes straight for Gabe. “All this bullshit has your name on it. I’ll be demanding a review of how exactly you packed with Teo and MacGregor. Not to mention, bagging an omega. There’s no chance, no damn chance, anyone would want you, which makes my case for review all the more pressing. You’re nothing but a worthless piece of shit who’s been involved in criminal activities since before you could talk—”
“What can I say? I’m a catch. For the record, green does not look good on you, Miley.” Gabe interrupts him before he subtly guides me closer to his brother. And then Gabe purposely rolls his shoulders, pushing his glasses higher up the bridge of his nose. Even though I can only see his side profile, I can see Gabe’s less playful side coming out. He stands taller, his presence is harder, more looming, but by god he is still so fucking attractive, I can’t stop the smile tugging on my lips.
While I can’t see past Valak’s body, or Noah’s side, the shuffling of feet and the noise around us suggests more people coming over to join us. I push against Noah, and he shuffles slightly, giving me a better view of what is going on.
Lincoln pulls me backwards, unveiling me, but also giving Noah, Valak, and Gabe more room in case they need to fight. Everyone keeps a wide berth, and those gathered risk a quick look at me, but they pay more attention to what’s happening in front of me.
“Since you’re sure of your confidence, Gabriel, allow the omega to have their blood and DNA tested to see who they belong to.”
“Theomega?” Gabe tips his head towards him, like he’s hard of hearing.
Alpha Miller’s desperation is starting to sour the room. I’m a little stunned by his audacity in front of everyone, but then again, he was apparently just as cocky at the restaurant mere moments before Pack Bailey left his pack with the same scar as Bailey. I guess Henley and his pack really took eye for an eye to literal interpretation there.
Ignoring the room, Miller takes another step closer, his voice full of those conceited asshole undertones that roll your stomach. “Theone that is clearly standing between you and your brother, and the one, I’d suggest, that is responsible for the latest noise with the government.”
Gabe keeps an even keel. Well, as even as Gabe can. “You know, for a high-profile lawyer, you really don’t have any fucking sense or a damn clue, do you, Miley?”
“Miller.”
Gabe huffs a loud scoff before getting serious. “Whatever I call you, Miley, is irrelevant. Just like the shit you keep saying. To see who they belong to? Honestly, do fucking better, fuckwit.”
“Ahhh, you still haven’t mastered the art of mature conversation without the overuse of swear words to get your point across. Your lack of communication skills speaks volumes of your poor upbringing, yet it’s unsurprising for someone born in the gutter.”
“Miley, really? You’re going to drag up something that Val and I had no say in? Like we should be ashamed of where we came from?”
I watch my twins, both of them not reacting to the very obvious and intentional barbed slur. And I’m sure Miller’s intention is that I look differently at my twins, but all I see is how goddamn amazing they are to be where they are today.
“I’m simply making a valid point that the Alliance needs to consider. And the omega.”
“And that is?”
“You and your brother will end up the same as your…”
