Behind them, there are at least three other reporters and camera men interviewing patients, taking footage of the horrible conditions of the Cathedral.
The reporter by the door speaks to the camera. “We’re here, live at Thornfield Asylum for the Criminally Insane, where it looks like things are not quite as they seem. Patients are either running rampant or drugged beyond reason. I’m with—oh!” The anchor sees Xavier in front of two men, bound and gagged.
Xavier recoils, quickly stuffing his gun into the back of his pants. “What is the meaning of—”
“He’s armed!” The cameraman shouts, but before Xavier has time to draw his weapon again, Kole tackles him to the ground, wrestling the gun from his grip.
Relief fills me as my alpha tosses the gun to the side.
That relief quickly evaporates, and terror flows through my veins at the scene now unfolding before me.
Lars, running past me and throwing himself at Sam.
The alpha I was accused of drugging, catching Kole off guard and pushing him off Xavier.
Fucking Carson pushing West against a wall.
Everything happens in slow motion, and I’m powerless to do anything but watch with horror as I hold Addie to me.
Looking around frantically, I pale when I see Tilly-the-Bitch standing in the open doorway of the Cathedral, holding multiple strands of cut rope.
I fucking knew I should have tied her up too, but West convinced me to not “hogtie anyone whose ever pissed me off”.
Before I can decide if I want to stab her in the boob or just straight up beat her into oblivion, sharp pain lances through my scalp. My hair is yanked downward, and the wind is nearly knocked out of me as my back meets the ground. A squeak sounds from Turnip, still in my hoodie pocket, and I hope she doesn’t get any bright ideas about coming out.
Paige’s upside-down, smug face stares down at me. “It’s time for a rematch, omega bitch.”
“Fuckin’ hell, Paige,” I snap. “There are more important things than—” I freeze, noting that I don’t have Addie in my arms anymore.
Whipping my head around, I desperately search the growing chaos for her. More fights are breaking out, everyone’s inhibitions set free by the initial violent outbursts of the patients who attacked us.
I spot Addie being dragged by Xavier through the courtyard opening that faces the parking lot.
When I try to stand, Paige sneers, putting her foot on my shoulder. She’s stronger than I would have thought, but it’s probably whatever Whitmore’s been shooting her up with for the last two weeks.
“Hayden!” I scream, finding him pushing Carson off West. He whips his head towards me. “Addie!” I point in the direction they disappeared, and without a word, he nods, turning and sprinting towards the parking lot.
If we lose her now, we may never see her again.
I watch as West lands a mean right hook to Carson’s jaw, sending him stumbling.
The surge of pride I feel is quickly stomped down by the sound of Tilly’s voice. “You just had to come back, didn’t you?” Dammit. I’m already at a disadvantage here—we don’t need to add two-on-one to the mix.
She stands next to Paige, the two of them staring down at me like the dirt under their nails.
All while Addie is being taken further and further away.
Turnip stirs in my hoodie pocket as Tilly walks around me, bending down until we’re nearly nose-to-nose. “We’re gonna get you sent right back behind bars where you belong,” she sneers. “And poor Hayden will need someone to fill his lonely nights—”
Her words turn my gut, but before I can launch forward and headbutt her like I fully intend to, there’s a little ball of gray and white fur scurrying forward and firmly attaching herself to Tilly’s nose.
The shriek of pain she lets out is ear splitting, but I can’t help but grin as I hear her sob, “Rat! Rat!”
“Tilly!” Paige cries, and I take full advantage of the distraction. Using my grip on her foot as leverage, I kick my feet up over my head and sweep out the leg that isn’t on my shoulder. When she falls, I roll out of the way, before standing swiftly. A quick glance around tells me that the camera crew caught that whole thing.
Oops.
Turnip releases her hold on Tilly’s nose, leaving the beta clutching her face and sobbing. My little friend drops to the grass and scurries towards me. Without thinking twice, I scoopher off the ground and I sprint in the direction I sent Hayden, hoping they aren’t too far ahead of me.
