My little omega fought.
Hard.
Torin’s voice cracked—high-pitched and unsteady.
Outside the window, he found two sets of footprints. However, one looked more like drag marks.
Based on what he said, it sounded as though someone had waited for Willow in the bathroom, hoping on the off chance that she would come in.
And when she did, they subdued her and snuck her out the window before Torin noticed.
Someone had been trailing my wife, looking for the opportune moment to snatch her.
I’d find her. I’d burn the city to ashes if I had to.
“Get your arse back here now!”
I ended the call, tightening my grip around the cell until it shattered in my hand. Shards of glass from the screen pierced my palm, sending blood streaking down my arm. I stared unseeing at the fireplace, hearing only the sound of my heavy breaths and the quiet trickle of my blood pooling on the desk.
Thirty-Three
WILLOW
Igroaned, coughing as the stench of decay hit me. For a long moment, I refused to open my eyes, convinced that I was trapped in the middle of some vivid nightmare that I would wake up from any second.
Blood slid along my tongue as I bit into my bottom lip, willing myself to reappear in my nest with Kaelen curled protectively around me.
Alpha.
I gagged at the metallic scent. I wept, palming the matted hair at the base of my scalp. An insistent stabbing pain throbbed there over and over again until I opened my eyes.
Dim lights flickered overhead, barely illuminating the dark, dank room. Concrete surrounded me on every side. The threadbare blanket at the foot of the squeaky mattress fell to the floor as I tried to stand, only to collapse when my legs gave out.
Panic clawed at my insides. I wrapped my arms around mywaist, hugging myself tightly, wishing it was Kaelen. I tried to sift through the fog.
The last thing I remembered was getting coffee with Torin.
I winced as my bladder twisted. My eyes widened and I glanced around my cage. This was a true cell, unlike the one I imagined when I first arrived at Kaelen’s. I wobbled to my feet, pressing my fingers into my temple as I steadied myself. I desperately needed to pee.
A massive metal door stood imposingly along the far wall. Cool steel met my hand as I spun the handle, unsurprised when it didn’t move. My head hit the sterile steel. Nausea rolled in my belly.
Kaelen would find me.
I knew it.
My alpha would come for me. He would burn the fucking world down to find me.
I needed to survive.
“Hey, I need the bathroom!” I shouted, banging hard enough to make the door shake against the concrete.
Eerie silence followed my words, and after the third time, I gave up.
In the corner, I spotted a tin pail. Sweat clung to palms as I itched the sensitive skin around my wrists. I bit my lip, walking over to the pail and reluctantly pulling down my stained leggings, finally relieving myself.
After dripping dry, I sat back on the thin mattress, snuggling the ratty blanket against my chest. My omega whined, nearly sobbing for our alpha. The lingering scent of whisky and espresso still clung to my sweater. I snuggled into the collar, seeking any semblance of comfort I could find.
My breathing started coming out faster, and I closed my eyes, laying down. I kept hoping for a distant sound to break through the suffocating silence.
