“Get back here!” Burke roars and I jump back up.
I barrel through the house, slamming into the walls as I round the corners too fast. Burke’s boots stomp not far behind me, making me pick up my pace as I race down the stairs. My feet slip halfway down, and I tumble the rest of the way, slamming my hip into the railing.
“Fuck,” I grunt when I hit the bottom floor.
“Don’t make this harder than it has to be, omega.” Burke glares down at me from the top of the staircase. “I don’t want to kill your pack, but I will.”
I force my feet under me, and my body screams with pain. A stabbing sensation cuts through my right ankle, but I ignore it the best I can. Limping and hopping, I wobble down the long hallway and past the front door.
“Killian!” I yell the second I reach the living room. “Basil! Tristan!”
But no one is here.
Everything is dark, but I can clearly see the shattered window next to the oak tree. A thick branch stabs into the house. Rain whips against the broken glass, soaking into the nearby furniture.
“Help!” My voice pitches high with fear as I grab the back of the couch, trying to steady myself.
Then I see him.
On the other side of the couch, Killian lies unconscious with his head dangerously close to a pile of broken glass. I rush to him as fast as my injured ankle will allow, then I fall to my knees. “Alpha!” I cradle his head, placing it on my lap. “Killian?” I tap his cheek, but he doesn't move.
“Here’s the thing, Beth.” Burke strolls into the living room like he owns the place. His temper has calmed once again, clearly wanting to play with my emotions once again. He’s so exhausting.
How did I live with this for so long?
“If you leave with me right now,” Burke continues, “I’ll let your alphas live. In the morning, they’ll all wake up with a few bumps and bruises, but still alive.However,” he pauses, feasting on my fear, “If you fight me. I will gut every single one of them.”
I believe him.
“Killian.” I slap the alpha’s face as hard as I can, and finally, he stirs. “Wake up!” My voice is shrill, unable to hold it together any longer.
“What’s it going to be, omega?” Burke steps around the couch, coming closer and closer.
“Stop!” I hold out my hands, shocked when the vicious alpha does as I ask. “Please, don’t do this.”
“I have to.” Burke says simply. “You’ve left me no choice.”
“Please,Dad,” I force the endearment from my mouth. It feels bitter on my tongue. “It’s too late. The Frolen’s are gone. Why not just leave me here? You wanted to be rid of me anyway.”
Burke’s expression shifts and rage flashes in his eyes. “I’m notgivingyou to a pack of weaklings. Iwillfind another buyer,” he snarls, displaying his fangs. “Tomorrow, I’ll remove those ugly marks,” his gaze drops to my neck, “then I’ll get my money’s worth. It’s the least I deserve after everything you’ve put me through.”
Exhausted by his unrelenting hatred, I finally break, and defeat sets in. “I just don’t get it,” I whine high in my throat. “Why do you hate me so much?”
“Hate you?” Burke snorts like it’s a joke. “I don’t hate you. In fact, I was almost proud when you were born. I had wanteda boy, but your eyes and nose were clearly the product ofmygenes. You were mine. Not Tony’s or Scott’s. But then you presented as a fucking omega.” His face twitches with rage. “Your very presence made us a target for every passing rogue. Do you have any idea how exhausting it is to protect a virginal omega?” A bitter laugh rips from his throat. “But you weren’t virginal. Were you?” His ugly laugh grows louder before it suddenly dies, and he’s glaring at me once again. “Protecting you was so fucking exhausting.”
“Then why live in the middle of nowhere?” I ask, desperate to understand. “We could have lived in a village or a city. There are ways to protect?—”
A sudden growl bursts from Burke’s chest and he snarls, “Do you think I like living in the middle of the goddamn woods?” He tilts his head to one side, waiting for me to answer.
I don’t answer. I just hang my head, trying not to let my tears spill over, but it’s almost impossible. I feel like a little girl again, waiting to be whipped for not putting my toys away.
“No. I didn’t want to live here.” Burks shakes his head, making it clear that he wants me to do the same. And I do. I can’t help it. “I was forced to bring my family out to these shit mountains because of a debt I had no control over. A debt my father agreed to pay, then died before the fucker could actually do it.”
I just stare at him.
“But I was going to actually pay that debt off,” Burke’s voice rises. “The Frolen’s were going to pay me handsomely for you. But you fucked it up, just like you do everything.” His upper lip curls with disgust as he says, “Not selling you the second you presented as an omega was the biggest regret of my life. But your fucking mother wouldn’t let me.” He rocks on his feet, shifting from one side then the other. His rage quickly building.
I wrap my hands around Killian’s face, holding him a little tighter. “Do what you have to,” I say calmly, resolved to my fate. “Kill me if you want, but I’m not going anywhere.” I pull in a deep breath. “I’m not leaving my home.”
